Renewed Importance of Checking "Compensation" Definition in Retirement Plans Post-Tax Reform, March 7, 2019

Mar. 7, 2019

The definition of "compensation" is important for many reasons in the retirement planning arena, but has gained new importance in light of suspended deductions and exclusions post-tax reform. Retirement plans generally must use the IRC's definition of compensation for nondiscrimination testing purposes, which includes, for example, nondeductible moving expenses (but excludes deductible moving expenses). Post-reform, however, all moving expenses are nondeductible. Despite this, the moving expense deduction was only suspended, not eliminated. This is one example of how tax reform has created a level of uncertainty regarding the appropriate definition of compensation while all tax reform provisions remain (at least temporarily) in effect. For more information on the definition of compensation for qualified plan purposes, visit Tax Facts Online.