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United States Code (Last Updated: May 24, 2014) |
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Title 26. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE |
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SubTitle A. Income Taxes |
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Chapter 1. NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES |
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SubChapter B. Computation of Taxable Income |
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Part III. ITEMS SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED FROM GROSS INCOME |
§ 125. Cafeteria plans
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(a) General rule Except as provided in subsection (b), no amount shall be included in the gross income of a participant in a cafeteria plan solely because, under the plan, the participant may choose among the benefits of the plan.
(b) Exception for highly compensated participants and key employees (1) Highly compensated participants In the case of a highly compensated participant, subsection (a) shall not apply to any benefit attributable to a plan year for which the plan discriminates in favor of— (A) highly compensated individuals as to eligibility to participate, or (B) highly compensated participants as to contributions and benefits. (2) Key employees In the case of a key employee (within the meaning of section 416(i)(1)), subsection (a) shall not apply to any benefit attributable to a plan for which the statutory nontaxable benefits provided to key employees exceed 25 percent of the aggregate of such benefits provided for all employees under the plan. For purposes of the preceding sentence, statutory nontaxable benefits shall be determined without regard to the second sentence of subsection (f).
(3) Year of inclusion For purposes of determining the taxable year of inclusion, any benefit described in paragraph (1) or (2) shall be treated as received or accrued in the taxable year of the participant or key employee in which the plan year ends.
(c) Discrimination as to benefits or contributions For purposes of subparagraph (B) of subsection (b)(1), a cafeteria plan does not discriminate where qualified benefits and total benefits (or employer contributions allocable to qualified benefits and employer contributions for total benefits) do not discriminate in favor of highly compensated participants.
(d) Cafeteria plan defined For purposes of this section— (1) In general The term “cafeteria plan” means a written plan under which— (A) all participants are employees, and (B) the participants may choose among 2 or more benefits consisting of cash and qualified benefits. (2) Deferred compensation plans excluded (A) In general The term “cafeteria plan” does not include any plan which provides for deferred compensation.
(B) Exception for cash and deferred arrangements Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan or rural cooperative plan (within the meaning of section 401(k)(7)) which includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement (as defined in section 401(k)(2)) to the extent of amounts which a covered employee may elect to have the employer pay as contributions to a trust under such plan on behalf of the employee.
(C) Exception for certain plans maintained by educational institutions Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a plan maintained by an educational organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) to the extent of amounts which a covered employee may elect to have the employer pay as contributions for post-retirement group life insurance if— (i) all contributions for such insurance must be made before retirement, and (ii) such life insurance does not have a cash surrender value at any time. For purposes of section 79, any life insurance described in the preceding sentence shall be treated as group-term life insurance. (D) Exception for health savings accounts Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a plan to the extent of amounts which a covered employee may elect to have the employer pay as contributions to a health savings account established on behalf of the employee.
(e) Highly compensated participant and individual defined For purposes of this section— (1) Highly compensated participant The term “highly compensated participant” means a participant who is— (A) an officer, (B) a shareholder owning more than 5 percent of the voting power or value of all classes of stock of the employer, (C) highly compensated, or (D) a spouse or dependent (within the meaning of section 152, determined without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) thereof) of an individual described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C). (2) Highly compensated individual The term “highly compensated individual” means an individual who is described in subparagraphs any distribution to an individual of all or a portion of the balance in the employee’s account under such arrangement if—
(A) such individual was (by reason of being a member of a reserve component (as defined in section 101 of title 37, United States Code)) ordered or called to active duty for a period in excess of 179 days or for an indefinite period, and (B) such distribution is made during the period beginning on the date of such order or call and ending on the last date that reimbursements could otherwise be made under such arrangement for the plan year which includes the date of such order or call. (i) Limitation on health flexible spending arrangements (1) In general For purposes of this section, if a benefit is provided under a cafeteria plan through employer contributions to a health flexible spending arrangement, such benefit shall not be treated as a qualified benefit unless the cafeteria plan provides that an employee may not elect for any taxable year to have salary reduction contributions in excess of $2,500 made to such arrangement.
(2) Adjustment for inflation In the case of any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2013 , the dollar amount in paragraph (1) shall be increased by an amount equal to—(A) such amount, multiplied by (B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which such taxable year begins by substituting “calendar year 2012” for “calendar year 1992” in subparagraph (B) thereof. If any increase determined under this paragraph is not a multiple of $50, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50. (j) Simple cafeteria plans for small businesses (1) In general An eligible employer maintaining a simple cafeteria plan with respect to which the requirements of this subsection are met for any year shall be treated as meeting any applicable nondiscrimination requirement during such year.
(2) Simple cafeteria plan For purposes of this subsection, the term “simple cafeteria plan” means a cafeteria plan— (A) which is established and maintained by an eligible employer, and (B) with respect to which the contribution requirements of paragraph (3), and the eligibility and participation requirements of paragraph (4), are met. (3) Contribution requirements (A) In general The requirements of this paragraph are met if, under the plan the employer is required, without regard to whether a qualified employee makes any salary reduction contribution, to make a contribution to provide qualified benefits under the plan on behalf of each qualified employee in an amount equal to— (i) a uniform percentage (not less than 2 percent) of the employee’s compensation for the plan year, or (ii) an amount which is not less than the lesser of— (I) 6 percent of the employee’s compensation for the plan year, or (II) twice the amount of the salary reduction contributions of each qualified employee. (B) Matching contributions on behalf of highly compensated and key employees The requirements of subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not be treated as met if, under the plan, the rate of contributions with respect to any salary reduction contribution of a highly compensated or key employee at any rate of contribution is greater than that with respect to an employee who is not a highly compensated or key employee.
(C) Additional contributions Subject to subparagraph (B), nothing in this paragraph shall be treated as prohibiting an employer from making contributions to provide qualified benefits under the plan in addition to contributions required under subparagraph (A).
(D) Definitions For purposes of this paragraph— (i) Salary reduction contribution The term “salary reduction contribution” means, with respect to a cafeteria plan, any amount which is contributed to the plan at the election of the employee and which is not includible in gross income by reason of this section.
(ii) Qualified employee The term “qualified employee” means, with respect to a cafeteria plan, any employee who is not a highly compensated or key employee and who is eligible to participate in the plan.
(iii) Highly compensated employee The term “highly compensated employee” has the meaning given such term by section 414(q).
(iv) Key employee The term “key employee” has the meaning given such term by section 416(i).
(4) Minimum eligibility and participation requirements (A) In general The requirements of this paragraph shall be treated as met with respect to any year if, under the plan— (i) all employees who had at least 1,000 hours of service for the preceding plan year are eligible to participate, and (ii) each employee eligible to participate in the plan may, subject to terms and conditions applicable to all participants, elect any benefit available under the plan. (B) Certain employees may be excluded For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), an employer may elect to exclude under the plan employees— (i) who have not attained the age of 21 before the close of a plan year, (ii) who have less than 1 year of service with the employer as of any day during the plan year, (iii) who are covered under an agreement which the Secretary of Labor finds to be a collective bargaining agreement if there is evidence that the benefits covered under the cafeteria plan were the subject of good faith bargaining between employee representatives and the employer, or (iv) who are described in section 410(b)(3)(C) (relating to nonresident aliens working outside the United States). A plan may provide a shorter period of service or younger age for purposes of clause (i) or (ii). (5) Eligible employer For purposes of this subsection— (A) In general The term “eligible employer” means, with respect to any year, any employer if such employer employed an average of 100 or fewer employees on business days during either of the 2 preceding years. For purposes of this subparagraph, a year may only be taken into account if the employer was in existence throughout the year.
(B) Employers not in existence during preceding year If an employer was not in existence throughout the preceding year, the determination under subparagraph (A) shall be based on the average number of employees that it is reasonably expected such employer will employ on business days in the current year.
(C) Growing employers retain treatment as small employer (i) In general If— (I) an employer was an eligible employer for any year (a “qualified year”), and (II) such employer establishes a simple cafeteria plan for its employees for such year, then, notwithstanding the fact the employer fails to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) for any subsequent year, such employer shall be treated as an eligible employer for such subsequent year with respect to employees (whether or not employees during a qualified year) of any trade or business which was covered by the plan during any qualified year. (ii) Exception This subparagraph shall cease to apply if the employer employs an average of 200 or more employees on business days during any year preceding any such subsequent year.
(D) Special rules (i) Predecessors Any reference in this paragraph to an employer shall include a reference to any predecessor of such employer.
(ii) Aggregation rules All persons treated as a single employer under subsection (a) or (b) of section 52, or subsection (n) or (o) of section 414, shall be treated as one person.
(6) Applicable nondiscrimination requirement For purposes of this subsection, the term “applicable nondiscrimination requirement” means any requirement under subsection (b) of this section, section 79(d), section 105(h), or paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (8) of section 129(d).
(7) Compensation The term “compensation” has the meaning given such term by section 414(s).
(k) Cross reference For reporting and recordkeeping requirements, see section 6039D.
(l) Regulations The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
Prospective Amendment
For inflation adjustment of certain items in this section, see Revenue Procedures listed in a table under section 1 of this title.
References In Text
Sections 1301, 1311, and 1312 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(3), are classified to sections 18021, 18031, and 18032, respectively, of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
Codification
Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(1), amended this section to read as if the amendments made by section 1151(d)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514 (amending this section generally) had not been enacted. Subsequent to amendment by Pub. L. 99–514, this section was amended by Pub. L. 100–647 and Pub. L. 101–239. See 1989 and 1988 Amendment notes below.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 125 was renumbered section 140 of this title.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–148, § 1515(a), (b), substituted “For purposes of this section—” for “For purposes of this section,”; designated remainder of first sentence and second sentence as par. (1), inserted heading, and substituted “The term” for “the term”; designated third sentence as par. (2), inserted heading, and substituted “The term ‘qualified benefit’ shall not include” for “Such term shall not include”; and added par. (3).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 111–148, § 10902(a), amended subsec. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of this section, if a benefit is provided under a cafeteria plan through employer contributions to a health flexible spending arrangement, such benefit shall not be treated as a qualified benefit unless the cafeteria plan provides that an employee may not elect for any taxable year to have salary reduction contributions in excess of $2,500 made to such arrangement.”
Pub. L. 111–148, § 9005(a)(2), added subsec. (i). Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j).
Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 111–152, § 1403(b)(1), substituted “
Subsec. (i)(2)(B). Pub. L. 111–152, § 1403(b)(2), substituted “2012” for “2010”.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 111–148, § 9022(a), added subsec. (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 9005(a)(1), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 111–148, § 9022(a), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k). Former subsec. (k) redesignated (l).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 9005(a)(1), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k).
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 111–148, § 9022(a), redesignated subsec. (k) as (l).
2008—Subsecs. (h) to (j). Pub. L. 110–245 added subsec. (h) and redesignated former subsecs. (h) and (i) as (i) and (j), respectively.
2007—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 110–172 substituted “second sentence” for “last sentence”.
2004—Subsec. (e)(1)(D). Pub. L. 108–311 inserted “, determined without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) thereof” after “section 152”.
2003—Subsec. (d)(2)(D). Pub. L. 108–173, which directed the amendment of section 125(d)(2) by adding subpar. (D), was executed to this section, which is section 125(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
1996—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104–191, § 321(c)(1), inserted at end “Such term shall not include any product which is advertised, marketed, or offered as long-term care insurance.”
Pub. L. 104–191, § 301(d), inserted “106(b),” before “117”.
1990—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101–508 substituted “section 117,” for “section 117, 124,”.
1989—Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(1), amended section to read as if amendments by Pub. L. 99–514, § 1151(d)(1), had not been enacted, see 1986 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(b)(2), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “The term ‘cafeteria plan’ does not include any plan which provides for deferred compensation. The preceding sentence shall not apply in the case of a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan which includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement (as defined in section 401(k)(2)) to the extent of amounts which a covered employee may elect to have the employer pay as contributions to a trust under such plan on behalf of the employee.”
Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 101–239 substituted “includible only because” for “includable only because”, see Codification note above.
Subsec. (g)(3)(A). Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(3), substituted “section 410(b)(2)(A)(i)” for “subparagraph (B) of section 410(b)(1)”.
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(11)(A), amended subsec. (a) generally, see Codification note above. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: “In the case of a cafeteria plan—
“(1) amounts shall not be included in gross income of a participant in such plan solely because, under the plan, the participant may choose among the benefits of the plan, and
“(2) if the plan fails to meet the requirements of subsection (b) for any plan year—
“(A) paragraph (1) shall not apply, and
“(B) notwithstanding any other provision of part III of this subchapter, any qualified benefits received under such cafeteria plan by a highly compensated employee for such plan year shall be included in the gross income of such employee for the taxable year with or within which such plan year ends.”
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(11)(B), substituted “In the case of a highly compensated employee, subsection (a) shall not apply to any benefit attributable to a plan year” for “A plan shall be treated as failing to meet the requirements of this subsection”, see Codification note above.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(11)(C), substituted “subsection (a) shall not apply to any plan year” for “a plan shall be treated as failing to meet the requirements of this subsection” in first sentence, see Codification note above.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(13)(B), substituted “shall not include benefits which (without regard to this paragraph) are includible in gross income” for “shall be determined without regard to the last sentence of subsection (e)”, see Codification note above.
Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(12), amended subpar. (B) generally, see Codification note above. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “the participants may choose—
“(i) among 2 or more benefits consisting of cash and qualified benefits, or
“(ii) among 2 or more qualified benefits.”
Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1018(t)(6), inserted “or rural electric cooperative plan (within the meaning of section 401(k)(7))” after “stock bonus plan”, see Codification note above.
Subsec. (c)(2)(C). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6051(b), inserted at end “In applying section 89 to a plan described in this subparagraph, contributions under the plan shall be tested as of the time the contributions were made.”, see Codification note above.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(13)(A), inserted “and without regard to section 89(a)” after “subsection (a)”, see Codification note above.
Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 100–647, § 4002(b)(2), inserted “or any insurance under a qualified group legal services plan the value of which is so includable only because it exceeds the limitation of section 120(a)” after “section 79”, see Codification note above.
1986—Pub. L. 99–514, § 1151(d)(1), amended section generally, revising and restating as subsecs. (a) to (g) provisions of former subsecs. (a) to (i) so as to coincide with the coming into effect of section 89 of this title.
Subsecs. (c), (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1853(b)(1)(A), substituted “qualified benefits” for “statutory nontaxable benefits” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1853(b)(1)(B), substituted “Qualified benefits defined” for “Statutory nontaxable benefits defined” in heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of this section, the term ‘statutory nontaxable benefit’ means any benefit which, with the application of subsection (a) is not includible in the gross income of the employee by reason of an express provision of this chapter (other than section 117, 124, 127, or 132). Such term includes any group term life insurance which is includible in gross income only because it exceeds the dollar limitation of section 79.”
1984—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(b)(3), amended subsec. (b) generally, substituting “and key employees” for “where plan is discriminatory” in heading and “Highly compensated participants” for “In general” in par. (1) heading, adding par. (2), redesignating former par. (2) as (3), and inserting therein references to par. (2) and to taxable year of key employee.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(b)(2)(B), inserted “statutory” before “nontaxable benefits” in two places.
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(b)(1), substituted “among 2 or more benefits consisting of cash and statutory nontaxable benefits” for “among two or more benefits” in cl. (B) and struck out “The benefits which may be chosen may be nontaxable benefits, or cash, property, or other taxable benefits.”
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(b)(2)(A), amended subsec. (f) generally, inserting “Statutory” in heading and “statutory” before “nontaxable benefit” in text, providing that the benefit be excluded by reason of an express provision of this chapter (other than section 117, 124, 127, or 132), and extending the benefit to include group term life insurance.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 98–611 and Pub. L. 98–612, made identical amendments, substituting cross reference provision for reporting requirements provisions.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(b)(4)(A), added subsec. (h) relating to reporting requirements provisions. Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(b)(4)(A), redesignated subsec. (h) as (i).
1980—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 96–605, § 226(a), inserted provision that the sentence excluding deferred compensation plans not apply in the case of a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan which includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement, as defined in section 401(k)(2) to the extent of amounts which a covered employee may elect to have the employer pay as contributions to a trust under such plan on behalf of the employee.
Subsec. (g)(3)(B). Pub. L. 96–222 substituted “employment requirement” for “service requirement” in cls. (i) and (ii).
Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 96–613, § 5(b)(2), and Pub. L. 96–605, § 201(b)(2), made identical amendments by substituting “controlled groups, etc.” for “controlled groups” in heading, and by substituting “subsection (b), (c), or (m) of section 414” for “subsection (b) or (c) of section 414” in text.
Effective Date Of Amendment
Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1515(c),
Pub. L. 111–148, title IX, § 9005(b),
Pub. L. 111–148, title IX, § 9022(b),
Pub. L. 111–148, title X, § 10902(b),
Pub. L. 110–245, title I, § 114(b),
Amendment by Pub. L. 108–311 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Amendment by Pub. L. 108–173 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Amendment by section 301(d) of Pub. L. 104–191 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Amendment by section 321(c)(1) of Pub. L. 104–191 applicable to contracts issued after
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–239 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–647, to which such amendment relates, see section 7817 of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–140 effective as if included in section 1151 of Pub. L. 99–514, see section 203(c) of Pub. L. 101–140, set out as a note under section 79 of this title.
Amendment by sections 1011B(a)(11)–(13) and 1018(t)(6) of Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Amendment by section 4002(b)(2) of Pub. L. 100–647 applicable to taxable years ending after
Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6051(c),
Amendment by section 1151(d)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable, with certain qualifications and exceptions, to years beginning after
Amendment by section 1853(b)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, to which such amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–612 effective
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–611 effective
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 effective
Amendments by section 201(b)(2) of Pub. L. 96–605 and section 5(b)(2) of Pub. L. 96–613 applicable to years ending after
Pub. L. 96–605, title II, § 226(b),
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–222 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provisions of the Revenue Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95–600, to which such amendment relates, see section 201 of Pub. L. 96–222, set out as a note under section 32 of this title.
Pub. L. 95–600, title I, § 134(c),
Savings
For provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 101–508 be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to
Miscellaneous
No monies appropriated by Pub. L. 101–136 to be used to implement or enforce section 1151 of Pub. L. 99–514 or the amendments made by such section, see section 528 of Pub. L. 101–136, set out as a note under section 89 of this title.
Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6063,
For provision that for purposes of section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, a plan shall not be treated as failing to be a cafeteria plan solely because under the plan a participant elected before
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title V, § 531(b)(5),