IRS Audit Tips
The Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS’s) Employee Benefit Audit Program is used to audit and enforce. The IRS’s emphasis, with respect to defined contribution plans is on compliance with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code), the plan’s tax qualification and administration of all plan documents. In the event of noncompliance with regulations, the IRS can impose taxes, penalties and interest.
Record Retention
You don’t need to be a magician to know what records to keep and for how long. While most providers can supply reports and plan documents, the plan administrator remains ultimately responsible for retaining adequate records that support the plan document reports and filings. Refer to the chart below to know which documents you need to keep in case of a plan audit.
The Auditors Are Coming—Are You Ready?
No one wants to be caught flat-footed when the auditors come calling. And with a new standard issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), both the auditors and plan sponsors will be subject to new responsibilities.
Top Ten Fiduciary Responsibilities
A plan fiduciary plays an important role in the organization’s financial health. Not only do they oversee the fiduciary process, but they identify and serve the best interests of a retirement plan’s participants and beneficiaries. Here are 10 important responsibilities to keep in mind.
What’s the Magic Number When it Comes to Record Retention?
You don’t need to be a magician to know what records to keep and for how long. While most providers can supply reports and plan documents, the plan administrator remains ultimately responsible for retaining adequate records that support the plan document reports and filings. Refer to the chart below to know which documents you need to keep in case of a plan audit.
Financial Hypochondria: When Investment Vigilance Becomes a Problem
Plan Sponsors invest much time and effort in improving employee financial literacy. They offer educational content, provide opportunities for group and individual consultation, and encourage participants to approach retirement planning proactively by staying on top of their investments. But what happens when workers go overboard with well-intended advice?
Plan Conversion in Volatile Markets
Your team has undertaken the due diligence to research various service providers. Based on a myriad of data points, experience, potential interviews of candidates, internal analysis and discussion, your team has decided it is prudent to change your plan’s recordkeeper(s).
Student Loan Repayment Program
On August 17, 2018, the IRS issued private letter ruling 201833012 (the PLR). The PLR addressed an individual plan sponsor’s desire to amend their retirement plan to include a program for employees that were making student loan repayments. The form of this benefit would be an employer non-elective contribution (SLR contribution) and will be part of the SECURE Act 2.0 which is expected to pass.
DOL Crypto Risk Compliance Assistance
The goal of the compliance assistance is to protect the retirement savings of U.S. workers from extreme volatility and legal risks as retirement plan fiduciaries, considering plan investments in cryptocurrencies are required by ERISA to act solely in the financial interests of plan participants and adhere to the standards of professional care in considering investment options for participants in retirement plans.
MyCTSavings: What CT Employers Need to Know
The State of Connecticut has instituted a mandatory retirement savings program called MyCTSavings. MyCTSavings is not designed to replace or compete with 401(k) plans and doesn’t allow for pre-tax or employer contributions. The MyCTSavings program also carries fees. As with any type of employee benefit, there are a lot of options as an Employer when it comes to implementing retirement plans for your employees.