IRS

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2024-02, which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for January 2024. These rates are used for such purposes as calculating distributions from retirement savings arrangements that meet the requirements for substantially equal periodic payments (a 10 percent early distribution penalty tax exception), also referred to as "72(t) payments."

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released a proposed regulation reflecting statutory changes related to long-term, part-time (LTPT) employees made by the SECURE Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) and the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0). This proposed regulation would amend Treasury Regulation (Treas. Reg.) 1.401(k)-5 to reflect the rules for LTPT employees, including specific eligibility and vesting requirements. The proposed regulation also provides guidance regarding employer contributions with respect to LTPT employees and the impact that LTPT employees will have on nondiscrimination, coverage testing, and top-heavy benefits.

The IRS has released a proposed rule reflecting statutory changes made by the SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0 related to long-term, part-time employees. The SECURE Act of 2019 expanded coverage for 401(k) plans to allow those who had worked at least 500 hours in three consecutive years to participate under a plan’s salary deferral provision – with service required to be counted beginning with plan years on or after January 1, 2021. SECURE 2.0 shortened this wait to two years effective for 2025 and later plan years, and expanded applicability to ERISA-covered 403(b) plans allowing salary deferrals.

The IRS has released Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2023-37, which contains new rules for qualified pre-approved plans and 403(b) plans.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2023-21, which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for December 2023.

The IRS has issued Revenue Procedure 2023-34, which contains cost-of-living adjustments for taxable years beginning in 2024 for over 60 tax provisions, including cafeteria plans.

The IRS has issued Notice 2023-75, which contains the 2024 cost-of-living increases for qualified retirement plan dollar limitations on benefits and contributions under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).

The IRS has issued Notice 2023-73, specifying the mortality table used in determining minimum present value under IRC 417(e)(3) and ERISA section 205(g)(3).

The IRS has issued Notice 2023-54 to provide transition relief for required minimum distributions in connection with the change in required beginning date to age 73 under SECURE 2.0, and guidance for certain specified RMDs for 2023.

The third phase of updates to Form 5500, Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan, was recently released.