S Corporation ESOP Guidance |
|
The office of Employee Plans of the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division of the IRSĀ sent out letters to the adopters of certain Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) to make them aware that:
-
Their ESOP may be affected by a change made to the Internal Revenue Code applicable to S corporation ESOPS that is generally effective on January 1, 2005,
and
-
The Service has identified a numberĀ of S corporation ESOPs that have entered into abusive transactions.
The following information will assist you in understanding these two issues. In addition, a copy of the letter sent by the Service is available.
Guidance
Internal Revenue Code Section 409(p)
Prohibited Allocations of Securities in an S Corporation.
Final Regulations
The Treasury Department and IRS issued final regulations under Section 409(p). That section of the tax law generally prohibits accruals or allocations under an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) that holds stock of an S corporation where the ownership interest in the ESOP or in rights to acquire the corporation are so concentrated among 10 percent owners that they hold 50 percent or more of the interests in the corporation. (12/16/2006) See Treasury, IRS Issue Section 409(p) Final Regulations press release for more information.
Temporary and Proposed Regulations
ESOP and Subchapter S Corporations (issued December 16, 2004)
These regulations are generally applicable for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2005. However, there are a number of special effective dates and transition rules. Press Release IR-2004-150 (December 16, 2004) announced the issuance of these proposed and temporary regulations.
Proposed and Temporary Regulations
ESOP and Subchapter S Corporations (issued July 21, 2003)
These regulations are generally applicable with respect to plan years ending after October 20, 2003.
Revenue Ruling 2004-4
The Treasury Department and the IRS issued Revenue Ruling 2004-4 to identify certain business structures which will be treated by the IRS as avoiding or evading section 409(p) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Revenue Ruling 2003-6
This ruling describes an S corporation ESOP not eligible for the delayed effective date under IRC section 409(p) and thus is subject to the nonallocation rules of IRC section 409(p).
Abusive Transactions Involving Retirement Plans
Listed transactions, guidance and other resources regarding abusive transactions involving retirement plans.
Questions?
Contact our EP Customer Account Services via email at RetirementPlanQuestions@irs.gov. Please note that all questions submitted via email must be responded to via telephone, so please remember to include your phone number in your message.
|
|
|
Page Last Reviewed or Updated: June 25, 2008