Art of the Qualified Plan Audit

State or local governments and organizations that are tax-exempt under IRC Section 501(c) can establish a 457(b) plan to allow their employees to defer income taxation on retirement savings, similar to how the more popular 401(k) plans operate, but with some important differences, including the availability of hardship distributions.

As previously discussed in K.I.S.S.: Keep it Simple and Straight Forward with Safe Harbor Plan Designs, the IRS requires that safe harbor 401(k) plans, prior to the beginning of each plan year, […]

Posted by Maria T. Hurd, CPA On Thursday, April 12 2012, Raymond James and Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business will be presenting a continuing education event for professionals involved with corporate retirement plans. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor will make a keynote presentation on the final 408(b)(2) and 404(a)(5) fee disclosure regulations and … Continued

Posted by Maria T. Hurd, CPA During tax season, questions about the deductibility of company contributions come up year after year, most of which involve a plan sponsor’s wish to deduct a company contribution to their retirement plan. Despite their wishful thoughts, many times the answer is NO. In some cases, however, a NO answer … Continued

Posted by Saaib Uppal, Staff Accountant After weeks of internal deliberation and planning, I had finally gained the courage to ask a particular girl to my high school prom. I was very nervous and she replied with, ‘”Maybe.” What does that word mean? Is it a positive “maybe”? Is it a, “I don’t want to … Continued

Posted by Maria T. Hurd, CPA Most employers think that the maximum amount every participant can contribute to their 401(k) plans as a deferral from their own salary for 2012 is $17,000 plus $5,500 as a catch-up contribution if they are 50 or over. Unfortunately, the maximum limit may be cut back for the employer’s … Continued