Is There A Target On That Plan’s Back?
The IRS Announces New Audit Focus on Solo 401(K) Plans
If you have clients whose businesses sponsor a solo 401(k) plan, it may be in the crosshairs of the Internal Revenue Service. The Service’s TE/GE (Tax Exempt and Government Entities) division has identified one-participant 401(k) plans as among its current audit initiatives for fiscal year 2021. In its web posting announcing the initiative, TE/GE states: “[t]he focus of this strategy is to review one-participant 401(k) plans to determine if there are operational or qualification failures, income and excise tax adjustments, or plan document violations.” Read more from the IRS here.
Some common pitfalls to be aware of may include: Read More »
Plan Sponsors’ Quarterly Calendar
It’s never too early to start planning ahead!
Check out these key dates, and give us a call if you have any questions regarding these and other items that may apply to your plan.
APRIL
• If a plan audit is required in connection with the Form 5500, make arrangements with an independent accountant/auditor for the audit to be completed before the Form 5500 due date (calendar-year plans).
• Audit first quarter payroll and plan deposit dates to ensure compliance with the Department of Labor’s rules regarding timely deposit of participant contributions and loan repayments.
• Verify that employees who became eligible for the plan between January 1 and March 31 received and returned an enrollment form. Follow up for forms that were not returned.
MAY
• Monitor the status of the completion of Form 5500 and, if required, a plan audit (calendar-year plans).
• Issue a reminder memo or email to all employees to encourage them to review and update, if necessary, their beneficiary designations for all benefit plans by which they are covered.
• Perform a thorough annual review of the Plan’s Summary Plan Description (SPD) and other enrollment and plan materials to verify that all information is accurate and current, and identify cases in which revisions are necessary.
JUNE
• Begin planning an internal audit of participant loans granted during the first six months of the year. Check for delinquent payments and verify that repayment terms and amounts borrowed do not violate legal limits.
• Confirm that Form 5500, and plan audit if required, will be completed prior to the filing deadline or that an extension of time to file will be necessary (calendar-year plans).
• Review plan operations to determine if any qualification failures or operational violations occurred during the first half of the calendar year. If a failure or violation is found, consider using an Internal Revenue Service or Department of Labor self-correction program to resolve it.
For plan sponsor use only, not for use with participants or the general public. This information is not intended as authoritative guidance or tax or legal advice. You should consult with your attorney or tax advisor for guidance on your specific situation.
Kmotion, Inc., 412 Beavercreek Road, Suite 611, Oregon City, OR 97045; www.kmotion.com © 2017 Kmotion, Inc. This newsletter is a publication of Kmotion, Inc., whose role is solely that of publisher. The articles and opinions in this publication are for general information only and are not intended to provide tax or legal advice or recommendations for any particular situation or type of retirement plan. Nothing in this publication should be construed as legal or tax guidance; nor as the sole authority on any regulation, law or ruling as it applies to a specific plan or situation. Plan sponsors should consult the plan’s legal counsel or tax advisor for advice regarding plan-specific issues.
How people get as much as 88% more from Social Security!
Many people may be unaware of the impact various decisions can have on their ultimate social security benefit amount. Timing of election, work income, taxes, spousal benefits, etc., must all be considered in effective social security benefit planning.
Regarding the timing of elections, for example, according to a recent study covered by CNBC, someone who retires and begins claiming Social Security at age 70 would receive a benefit that’s 76 percent higher than the one he or she would receive at age 62. The CNBC piece points out that if you factor in late-career earnings replacing a zero-income year, the increase can become as much as 88 percent for women and 82 percent for men.
At Frye Retirement we are familiar with the complicated algorithms, and can crunch the numbers and guide you with any of your social security planning questions. For the full CNBC piece click here: how to get 88% more from social security.
There’s still time for 2016 tax savings…but it is running out!!
With proper 401(k) retirement plan design techniques, clients can reduce taxes, improve owner benefits, and lower employee costs:
$53,000 individual deduction limits for 401(k)/profit sharing plans. If 50 or older, up to $59,000 can be funded into 401(k).
Contributions of up to $300,000 for small business owners in Defined Benefit plans (depends on age and service).
IRS tax credit of $500 per year for the first 3 years of the plan for installation and administrative costs if your client has employees.
Uni-K plan to maximize deductions for self-employed, owner-only or owner-spouse business owners with low W-2 wages (i.e. deduct $28,000 with only $40,000 in wages; if 50 or older, deduction increases to $34,000.
DON’T DELAY: Plans must be adopted by December 31, 2016 (but plans don’t have to be funded until 2017).
Good News on Tax Saver’s Credits
Laws that were enacted as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 include new rules that could mean larger tax credits for some workers.
Bigger Retirement Savings Contributions Credit
The Saver’s Credit is an important tax credit that many American workers who save for retirement may be missing out on. Low and moderate-income savers who meet IRS requirements may be able to take a bigger tax credit (“Saver’s Credit”) of up to $2,000/$4,000 (singles/couples) for making eligible contributions to an employer sponsored retirement plan or IRA. To see if you qualify, visit www.irs.gov and enter “Do I qualify for the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit?” in the search box.
