Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) Taxation of Amounts Under Employee Benefit Plans

Background

These final regulations amend the Employment Tax Regulations (26 CFR

part 31) under section 3306(r)(2). Section 3306(r)(2) was added to the Internal Revenue Code (Code) by section 324 of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (1983 Amendments). Section 2662(f)(2) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 (DEFRA) amended section 324 of the 1983 Amendments. Notice 94-96 (1994-2 C.B. 564) provides that until final regulations are issued, the IRS will not challenge an employer's determination of FUTA tax liability with respect to a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for periods before the effective date of any final regulations if the determination is based on a reasonable, good faith interpretation of section 3306(r)(2). On January 25, 1996, a notice of proposed rulemaking (EE-55-95), under section 3306(r)(2) was published in the Federal Register (61 FR 2214), providing guidance related to the FUTA tax treatment of amounts deferred under or paid from certain nonqualified deferred compensation plans. On December 24, 1997, a notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-209484-87 and REG-209807- 95), under section 3306(r)(2), extending the proposed general effective date of the regulations to January 1, 1998, was published in the Federal Register (62 FR 67304). Comments regarding the proposed regulations were received from the public, and on June 24, 1996, the IRS held a public hearing concerning the proposed amendments. After consideration of the public comments received and the statements made at the public hearing, the proposed regulations are adopted as revised by this Treasury decision.

Explanation of Provisions

These final regulations provide guidance under section 3306(r)(2), relating to when amounts deferred under or paid from nonqualified deferred compensation plans are taken into account as wages for FUTA purposes. These rules are substantially similar to the rules applicable to the FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) tax treatment of such amounts deferred under section 3121(v)(2). Thus, these final regulations cross-reference the final regulations under section 3121(v)(2) (FICA tax treatment of nonqualified deferred compensation), published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.

Special Analyses

It has been determined that this Treasury decision is not a significant regulatory action as defined in EO 12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these regulations, and because the notice of proposed rulemaking was issued prior to March 29, 1996, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, the notice of proposed rulemaking preceding these regulations was submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on their impact on small business.

Drafting Information

The principal authors of these regulations are Janine Cook, Linda E. Alsalihi, and Margaret A. Owens, Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Employee Benefits and Exempt Organizations). However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department participated in their development.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 31

Employment taxes, Income taxes, Penalties, Pensions, Railroad retirement, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Social security, Unemployment compensation.

Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations

Accordingly, 26 CFR part 31 is amended as follows:

PART 31--EMPLOYMENT TAXES AND COLLECTION OF INCOME TAX AT SOURCE

Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 31 continues to read in part as follows:

Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *

Par. 2. Section 31.3306(r)(2)-1 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 31.3306(r)(2)-1 Treatment of amounts deferred under certain nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

(a) In general. Section 3306(r)(2) provides a special timing rule for the tax imposed by section 3301 with respect to any amount deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Section 31.3121(v)(2)- 1 contains rules relating to when amounts deferred under certain nonqualified deferred compensation plans are wages for purposes of sections 3121(v)(2), 3101, and 3111. The rules in Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-1 also apply to the special timing rule of section 3306(r)(2). For purposes of applying the rules in Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-1 to section 3306(r)(2) and this paragraph (a), references to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act are considered references to the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (26 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.), references to FICA are considered references to FUTA, references to section 3101 or 3111 are considered references to section 3301, references to section 3121(v)(2) are considered references to section 3306(r)(2), references to section 3121(a), (a)(5), and (a)(13) are considered references to section 3306(b), (b)(5), and (b)(10), respectively, and references to Sec. 31.3121(a)-2(a) are considered references to Sec. 31.3301-4. (b) Effective dates and transition rules. Except as otherwise provided, section 3306(r)(2) applies to remuneration paid after December 31, 1984. Section 31.3121(v)(2)-2 contains effective date rules for certain remuneration paid after December 31, 1983, for purposes of section 3121(v)(2). The rules in Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-2 also apply to section 3306(r)(2). For purposes of applying the rules in Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-2 to section 3306(r)(2) and this paragraph (b), references to section 3121(v)(2) are considered references to section 3306(r)(2), and references to section 3121(a)(2), (a)(3), or (a)(13) are considered references to section 3306(b)(2), (b)(3), or (b)(10), respectively. In addition, references to Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-1 are considered references to paragraph (a) of this section. For purposes of applying the rules of Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-2 to this paragraph (b)-- (1) References to ``December 31, 1983'' are considered references to ``December 31, 1984''; (2) References to ``before 1984'' are considered references to ``before 1985''; (3) References to ``Federal Insurance Contributions Act'' are considered references to ``Federal Unemployment Tax Act''; and (4) References to ``FICA'' are considered references to ``FUTA''.

Robert E. Wenzel, Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

Approved: December 23, 1998. Donald C. Lubick, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy). [FR Doc. 99-1664 Filed 1-28-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4830-01-P