IRS PLR Allows Employees to Allocate Contributions Between HRAs and a Profit Sharing Plan, Aug. 13, 2020

The IRS recently blessed an amendment to a profit sharing plan that would also permit employees to make HRA contributions. The issue up for consideration was whether a profit sharing plan covering collectively bargained employees could be amended to allow participants to allocate contributions toward HRAs and the plan on an annual schedule (a default would apply in the absence of an election). The IRS found that the proposed amendment would not cause the plan to be treated as a 401(k), because it would not create an opportunity for participants to elect cash or to use the contributions to pay for taxable benefits. Therefore, the profit sharing plan would not offer a cash or deferred arrangement under IRC Section 401. The IRS also found that the arrangement would not violate the HRA rules. For more information on the profit sharing plan qualification rules, visit Tax Facts Online.