William Byrnes' Tax, Wealth, and Risk Intelligence

This week we analyze two updates on how the CARES Act is impacting retirement plans. First, we have additional information about re-contributing COVID hardship distributions for qualified plans. Recall that the CARES Act offers a generous window in which to make those re-contributions, so this may be an important topic for end-of-the year tax planning. We also see an update for single-employer defined benefit plans, including some important deadlines. Happy tax reading for Thanksgiving week!

Prof. William H. Byrnes

Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M.

Clearing up Confusion About Re-Contributing Coronavirus-Related Retirement Distributions

The CARES Act relaxed the hardship distribution rules so that plan participants suffering hardships because of the coronavirus pandemic could access their retirement savings. The law also allows participants to re-contribute those funds within three years of the distribution without penalty. Employer-sponsored plans, however, are only able to accept rollovers from participants (and sometimes new hires). Therefore, if an employee takes their entire account balance as a coronavirus-related hardship distribution and later stops working for the employer, the person is no longer a participant or new hire. For more information on the rules regarding CRDs, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

Agencies Offer New CARES Act Contribution Relief for Single-Employer Defined Benefit Plans

Sponsors of defined benefit plans are generally required to pay premiums annually to the PBGC. Calculating the premium amount is complex. The first factor imposes a flat-rate, per-participant amount. The second portion is variable, and is based on the plan’s unfunded vested benefits. In calculating this amount, the sponsor is allowed to include any contributions made up to the filing due date. The CARES Act extended the deadline for making a 2019 defined benefit contribution until January 1, 2021. For more information on the defined benefit plan funding rules, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

IRS Issues Final Regs on Post-TCJA Deductions for Estates and Non-Grantor Trusts

The IRS has released final regulations to clarify that estates and non-grantor trusts are entitled to take certain deductions even after the 2017 tax reform legislation eliminated miscellaneous itemized deductions and suspended the personal exemption for 2018-2025. Generally, non-grantor trusts are entitled to deduction otherwise deductible expenses that would not be incurred but for the fact that the property or assets are held in trust. For more information on the taxation of trusts and estates, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

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