us-irs-revenue-procedures-irb-2013-4-pdf•Internal Revenue Bulletin 2013-4 (PDF rendition): IRS Revenue Procedures
Internal Revenue Bulletin 2013-4 (PDF rendition): IRS Revenue Procedures
us-irs-revenue-procedures-irb-2013-4-pdfInternal Revenue Bulletin 2013-4 (PDF rendition): IRS Revenue ProceduresGuidance
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Bulletin No. 201 3-4 January 22, 2013 HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE These synopses are intended only as aids to the reader in identifying the subject matter covered. They may not be relied upon as authoritative interpretations. INCOME TAX Announcement 2013–4, page 440. This document corrects the temporary regulations (T.D. 9564, 2012–14 I.R.B. 614) relating to guidance regarding the deduc- tion and capitalization of expenditures relating to tangible prop- erty. These amendments revise the general asset account reg- ulations to provide the time and manner of making a general asset account election. Announcement 2013–8, page 440. This document solicits recommendations and/or comments re- garding 1) Electronic signatures for remote transactions on IRS forms which are not required to be sent to the IRS, 2) Accept- able standards for use of an electronic signature on transac- tions and forms, 3) How to accomplish the electronic signature requirements which satisfy GPEA and E-SIGN, 4) Requirements for creating a legally binding electronic signature in electronic transactions, 5) Factors the IRS should consider when decid- ing which signing process to use, and 6) Other best industry practices. EMPLOYEE PLANS Rev. Proc. 2013–12, page 313. This procedure updates the comprehensive system of cor- rection programs for sponsors of retirement plans that are intended to satisfy the requirements of sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408(k), or 408(p) of the Code, but that have not met these requirements for a period of time. This system, the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (“EPCRS”), permits Plan Sponsors to correct these failures and thereby continue to provide their employees with retirement benefits on a tax-favored basis. The components of EPCRS are the Self-Correction Program (“SCP”), the Voluntary Correction Program (“VCP”), and the Audit Closing Agreement Program (“Audit CAP”). Rev. Proc. 2008–50 modified and superseded. ADMINISTRATIVE Announcement 2013–9, page 441. This announcement addresses a typographical error in the Schedule of User Fees found in Appendix A of Revenue Pro- cedure 2013–1, 2013–1 I.R.B. 1, wherein the reduced user fee for a letter ruling, method or period change or closing agreement request involving a personal or business tax issue from a person with gross income of less than $250,000 was incorrectly listed as $1,000, when the correct reduced fee for this type of request is $2,000. Accordingly, the user fee associated with paragraph (4)(a) in Appendix A, Schedule of User Fees of Revenue Procedure 2013–1, 2013–1 I.R.B. 68, is $2,000. The online versions of Internal Revenue Bulletin 2013–1, available atwww.irs.gov/irb/, will be updated to reflect this correction. Rev. Proc. 2013–1 corrected. Finding Lists begin on page ii. The IRS Mission Provide Americ a’s taxpayers top-quality service by helping them understa nd and meet their tax responsibilities and en- force the law wi th integrity and fairness to all. Introduction The Internal Revenue Bulletin is the authoritative instrument of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue for announcing official rulings and procedures of the Internal Revenue Service and for publishing Treasury Decisions, Executive Orders, Tax Conven- tions, legislation, court decisions, and other items of general interest. It is published weekly and may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents on a subscription basis. Bulletin contents are compiled semiannually into Cumulative Bulletins, which are sold on a single-copy basis. It is the policy of the Service to publish in the Bulletin all sub- stantive rulings necessary to promote a uniform application of the tax laws, including all rulings that supersede, revoke, mod- ify, or amend any of those previously published in the Bulletin. All published rulings apply retroactively unless otherwise indi- cated. Procedures relating solely to matters of internal man- agement are not published; however, statements of internal practices and procedures that affect the rights and duties of taxpayers are published. Revenue rulings represent the conclusions of the Service on the application of the law to the pivotal facts stated in the revenue ruling. In those based on positions taken in rulings to taxpayers or technical advice to Service field offices, identifying details and information of a confidential nature are deleted to prevent unwarranted invasions of privacy and to comply with statutory requirements. Rulings and procedures reported in the Bulletin do not have the force and effect of Treasury Department Regulations, but they may be used as precedents. Unpublished rulings will not be relied on, used, or cited as precedents by Service personnel in the disposition of other cases. In applying published rulings and procedures, the effect of subsequent legislation, regulations, court decisions, rulings, and procedures must be considered, and Service personnel and others concerned are cautioned against reaching the same conclusions in other cases unless the facts and circumstances are substantially the same. The Bulletin is divided into four parts as follows: Part I.—19 86 Code. This part i ncludes rulings and decisions based on provisions of the Intern al Revenue Code of 1986. Part II.—Treaties and Tax Legislation. This part is divided into two subparts as follows: Subpart A, Tax Conventions and Other Related Items, and Subpart B, Leg- islation and Related Committee Reports. Part III.—Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous. To the extent practicable, pertinent cross references to these subjects are contained in the other Parts and Subparts. Also included in this part are Bank Secrecy Act Administrative Rul- ings. Bank Secrecy Act Administrative Rulings are issued by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Assistant Secre- tary (Enforcement). Part IV .—Items of General Interest. This par t includes notices of proposed rulemakings, disbar- ment an d suspension lists, and announcements. The last Bulletin for each month includes a cumulative index for the matters published during the preceding months. These monthly indexes are cumulated on a semiannual basis, and are published in the last Bulletin of each semiannual period. The c ontents of this publication are not copyrighted and may be reprinted freely. A citation of the Internal Revenue Bulletin as the source would be appropriate. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. January 22, 20132013–4 I.R.B. Part III. Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous Rev. Proc. 2013–12 TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I. INTRODUCTION TO EMPLOYEE PLANS COMPLIANCE RESOLUTION SYSTEM ............................... 316 SECTION 1. PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW............................................................................ 316 .01Purpose .................................................................................................... 316 .02GeneralprinciplesunderlyingEPCRS.......................................................................... 316 .03Overview................................................................................................... 317 SECTION 2. EFFECT OF THIS REVENUE PROCEDURE ON PROGRAMS.............................................. 317 .01Effectonprograms .......................................................................................... 317 .02ModificationstoVCPsubmissionprocedures................................................................... 317 .03Modificationsrelatingto403(b)Plans.......................................................................... 317 .04Descriptionofothermodifications............................................................................. 318 .05Futureenhancements......................................................................................... 321 PART II. PROGRAM EFFECT AND ELIGIBILITY.................................................................... 321 SECTION 3. EFFECT OF EPCRS; RELIANCE........................................................................ 321 .01EffectofEPCRSonretirementplans........................................................................... 321 .02Compliancestatement........................................................................................ 322 .03Othertaxesandpenalties..................................................................................... 322 .04Reliance.................................................................................................... 322 SECTION 4. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY.............................................................................. 322 .01EPCRSPrograms............................................................................................ 322 .02Effectofexamination........................................................................................ 322 .03FavorableLetterrequirement ................................................................................. 322 .04Establishedpracticesandprocedures........................................................................... 323 .05Correctionbyplanamendment................................................................................ 323 .06AvailabilityofcorrectionforEmployerEligibilityFailure........................................................ 323 .07Availabilityofcorrectionforaterminatedplan.................................................................. 324 .08AvailabilityofcorrectionforanOrphanPlan.................................................................... 324 .09Availabilityofcorrectionfor§457plans....................................................................... 324 .10Submissionforadeterminationletter .......................................................................... 324 .11Egregiousfailures ........................................................................................... 324 .12Diversionormisuseofplanassets............................................................................. 324 .13Abusivetaxavoidancetransactions............................................................................ 324 PART III. DEFINITIONS, CORRECTION PRINCIPLES, AND RULES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY..................... 325 SECTION 5. DEFINITIONS........................................................................................ 325 .01DefinitionsforQualifiedPlans................................................................................ 325 .02Definitionsfor403(b)Plans................................................................................... 327 .03DefinitionsforOrphanPlans.................................................................................. 329 .04Earnings ................................................................................................... 329 .05IRA ....................................................................................................... 329 .06ReferencestoRev.Proc.2007–44............................................................................. 329 .07SEP........................................................................................................ 329 .08SIMPLEIRAPlan........................................................................................... 329 .09UnderExamination.......................................................................................... 329 SECTION 6. CORRECTION PRINCIPLES AND RULES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY................................. 330 .01Correctionprinciples;rulesofgeneralapplicability.............................................................. 330 .02Correctionprinciples......................................................................................... 330 2013–4 I.R.B.313January 22, 2013 .03CorrectionofanEmployerEligibilityFailure................................................................... 335 .04Correctionofafailuretoobtainspousalconsent................................................................. 336 .05Submissionofadeterminationletterapplication................................................................. 336 .06SpecialrulesrelatingtoExcessAmounts....................................................................... 339 .07Rulesrelatingtoreportingplanloanfailures.................................................................... 340 .08Correctionunderstatuteorregulations......................................................................... 341 .09Matterssubjecttoexciseorothertaxes......................................................................... 341 .10Correctionfor403(b)Plans................................................................................... 343 .11CorrectionforSEPsandSIMPLEIRAPlans.................................................................... 343 .12Confidentialityanddisclosure................................................................................. 344 .13Noeffectonotherlaw........................................................................................ 344 PART IV. SELF-CORRECTION (SCP)................................................................................ 345 SECTION 7. IN GENERAL......................................................................................... 345 SECTION 8. SELF-CORRECTION OF INSIGNIFICANT OPERATIONAL FAILURES..................................... 345 .01Requirements............................................................................................... 345 .02Factors..................................................................................................... 345 .03Multiplefailures............................................................................................. 345 .04Examples................................................................................................... 345 SECTION 9. SELF-CORRECTION OF SIGNIFICANT OPERATIONAL FAILURES........................................ 346 .01Requirements............................................................................................... 346 .02Correctionperiod............................................................................................ 346 .03Correctionbyplanamendment................................................................................ 346 .04Substantialcompletionofcorrection........................................................................... 346 .05Examples................................................................................................... 347 PART V. VOLUNTARY CORRECTION PROGRAM WITH SERVICE APPROVAL (VCP)................................... 347 SECTION 10. VCP PROCEDURES................................................................................... 347 .01VCPrequirements........................................................................................... 347 .02Identificationoffailures...................................................................................... 348 .03EffectofVCPsubmissiononexamination...................................................................... 348 .04Noconcurrentexaminationactivity............................................................................ 348 .05DeterminationletterapplicationforplanamendmentsrelatedtoaVCPsubmission.................................. 348 .06DeterminationletterapplicationsnotrelatedtoaVCPsubmission................................................. 348 .07Processingofsubmission..................................................................................... 348 .08Compliancestatement........................................................................................ 350 .09Effectofcompliancestatementonexamination.................................................................. 351 .10SpecialrulesrelatingtoAnonymousSubmissions............................................................... 351 .11SpecialrulesrelatingtoGroupSubmissions..................................................................... 352 .12Multiemployerandmultipleemployerplans.................................................................... 353 SECTION 11. SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR VCP................................................................. 353 .01Generalrules................................................................................................ 353 .02UseofAppendixCPartIISchedules........................................................................... 353 .03Submissionrequirements..................................................................................... 355 .04Requireddocuments......................................................................................... 356 .05Datefeeduegenerally ....................................................................................... 356 .06AdditionalfeedueforSEPs,SIMPLEIRAPlansandGroupSubmissions.......................................... 356 .07Powerofattorneyrequirements ............................................................................... 357 .08Penaltyofperjurystatement .................................................................................. 357 .09 Procedural Requirements Checklist for Form 8950.............................................................. 357 .10OrphanPlan ................................................................................................ 357 .11Acknowledgementletter...................................................................................... 357 .12VCPmailingaddress......................................................................................... 357 .13Maintenanceofcopiesofsubmissions.......................................................................... 357 January 22, 20133142013–4 I.R.B. .14Assemblingthesubmission................................................................................... 358 SECTION 12. VCP FEES........................................................................................... 359 .01VCPfees .................................................................................................. 359 .02VCPfeeforQualifiedPlansand403(b)Plans................................................................... 359 .03VCPfeefornonamenderfailures.............................................................................. 360 .04VCPfeeformultiplefailures ................................................................................. 360 .05VCPfeeforGroupSubmission................................................................................ 360 .06VCPfeeforSEPsandSIMPLEIRAPlans ..................................................................... 360 .07VCPfeeforegregiousorintentionalfailures.................................................................... 360 .08Establishingthenumberofplanparticipants.................................................................... 360 .09InsufficientVCPfee......................................................................................... 361 PART VI. CORRECTION ON AUDIT (AUDIT CAP).................................................................... 361 SECTIO N 13. DESCRIPTION OF AUDIT CAP ...................................................... .................. 361 .01 Aud it CAP requirements................................................................... .................. 361 .02 Pa ymentofsanction ....................................................................... .................. 361 .03 Ad ditionalrequirements.................................................................... .................. 361 .04 Fa ilure to reach resolution.................................................................. .................. 361 .05 Ef fectofclosingagreement................................................................. .................. 362 .06 Ot herproceduralrules...................................................................... .................. 362 SECTION 14. AUDIT CAP SANCTION............................................................................... 362 .01Determinationofsanction .................................................................................... 362 .02Factorsconsidered........................................................................................... 362 .03TransferredAssets........................................................................................... 362 .04 Fee for nonamenders discovered during the determination letter application process not related t oa VCPsubmission............................................................................................. 362 PART VII. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS; EFFECTIVE DATE; PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT..................... 364 SECTION 15. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS.................................................................... 364 SECTION 16. EFFECTIVE DATE.................................................................................... 364 SECTION 17. PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT....................................................................... 364 DRAFTING INFORMATION........................................................................................ 364 APPENDIX A: OPERATIONAL FAILURES AND CORRECTION METHODS............................................. 364 .01Generalrule ................................................................................................ 364 .02Failuretoproperlyprovidetheminimumtop-heavybenefitunder§416tonon-keyemployees ....................... 365 .03 Failure to satisfy the ADP test set forth in § 401(k)(3), the ACP test set forth in § 401(m)(2), or, for plan years beginning on or before December 31,2001, the multiple use test of § 401(m)(9).......................... 365 .04 Failure to distribute elective deferrals in excess of the § 402(g) limit (in contravention of §401(a)(30))................................................................................................ 365 .05 Exclusion of an eligible employee from all contributions or accruals under the plan for one or more planyears................................................................................................... 365 .06Failuretotimelypaytheminimumdistributionrequiredunder§401(a)(9) ......................................... 370 .07 Failure to obtain participant or spousal consent for a distribution subject to the participant and spousalconsentrulesunder§§401(a)(11),411(a)(11),and417.................................................... 370 .08Failuretosatisfythe§415limitsinadefinedcontributionplan................................................... 371 .09OrphanPlans;orphancontractsandotherassets................................................................. 371 APPENDIX B: CORRECTION METHODS AND EXAMPLES; EARNINGS ADJUSTMENT METHODS AND EXAMPLES ........................................................................................... 372 SECTION 1. PURPOSE, ASSUMPTIONS FOR EXAMPLES AND SECTION REFERENCES................................ 372 .01Purpose .................................................................................................... 372 .02AssumptionsforExamples ................................................................................... 372 2013–4 I.R.B.315January 22, 2013 .03DesignatedRothcontributions ................................................................................ 372 .04Sectionreferences........................................................................................... 373 SECTION 2. CORRECTION METHODS AND EXAMPLES............................................................. 373 .01ADP/ACPFailures .......................................................................................... 373 .02ExclusionofOtherwiseEligibleEmployees .................................................................... 375 .03VestingFailures............................................................................................. 385 .04§415Failures............................................................................................... 386 .05CorrectionofOtherOverpaymentFailures...................................................................... 388 .06§401(a)(17)Failures......................................................................................... 389 .07CorrectionbyAmendment.................................................................................... 389 SECTION 3. EARNINGS ADJUSTMENT METHODS AND EXAMPLES.................................................. 390 .01EarningsAdjustmentMethods ................................................................................ 390 .02Examples................................................................................................... 393 APPENDIX C: MODEL VCP SUBMISSION DOCUMENTS Instructions................................................... 398 Part I- Model VCP Submission Compliance Statement................................................................... 399 Part II- Appendix C Schedules....................................................................................... 402 Schedule1-InterimandCertainDiscretionaryNonamenderFailures ................................................. 402 Schedule2–NonamenderFailures(otherthanthosetowhichSchedule1applies) ..................................... 404 Schedule3-SEPsandSARSEPs................................................................................. 407 Schedule4-SIMPLEIRAs...................................................................................... 415 Schedule5-PlanLoanFailures(QualifiedPlansand403(b)Plans)................................................... 422 Schedule6-EmployerEligibilityFailure(§401(k)and403(b)Plansonly)............................................ 428 Schedule7-FailuretoDistributeElectiveDeferralsinExcessofthe§402(g)limit..................................... 430 Schedule8-FailuretoPayRequiredMinimumDistributionTimelyunder§401(a)(9).................................. 432 Schedule 9 - Correction by Plan Amendment (in accordance with Appendix B)......................................... 434 APPENDIX D: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER..................................................................... 439 PART I. INTRODUCTION TO EMPLOYEE PLANS COMPLIANCE RESOLUTION SYSTEM SECTION 1. PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW .01Purpose. This revenue procedure updates the comprehensive system of correction pro- grams for sponsors of retirement plans that are intended to satisfy the requirements of § 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408(k), or 408(p) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), but that have not met these requirements for a period of time. This system, the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (“EPCRS”), permits Plan Sponsors to correct these failures and thereby continue to provide their employees with retirement benefits on a tax-favored basis. The com- ponents of EPCRS are the Self-Correction Program (“SCP”), the Voluntary Correction Program (“VCP”), and the Audit Closing Agreement Program (“Audit CAP”). .02General principles underlying EPCRS.EPCRSisbasedonthefollowinggeneralprin- ciples: •Sponsors and other administrators of eligible plans should be encouraged to establish ad- ministrative practices and procedures that ensure that these plans are operated properly in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Code. •Sponsors and other administrators of eligible plans should satisfy the applicable plan doc- ument requirements of the Code. •Sponsors and other administrators should make voluntary and timely correction of any plan failures, whether involving discrimination in favor of highly compensated employees, plan operations, the terms of the plan document, or adoption of a plan by an ineligible employer. Timely and efficient correction protects participating employees by providing them with their expected retirement benefits, including favorable tax treatment. January 22, 20133162013–4 I.R.B. •Voluntary compliance is promoted by providing for limited fees for voluntary corrections approved by the Internal RevenueService (“Service”), therebyreducing employers’ uncer- tainty regarding their potential tax liability and participants’ potential tax liability. •Fees and sanctions should be graduated in a series of steps so that there is always an incen- tive to correct promptly. •Sanctions for plan failures identified on audit should be reasonable in light of the nature, extent, and severity of the violation. •Administration of EPCRS should be consistent and uniform. •Sponsorsshouldbeabletorelyontheavailability of EPCRS in taking corrective actions to maintain the tax-favored status of their plans. .03Overview. EPCRS includes the following basic elements: •Self-correction (SCP). A Plan Sponsor that has established compliance practices and pro- cedures may, at any time without paying any fee or sanction, correctinsignificant Opera- tional Failures under a Qualified Plan, a 403(b) Plan, a SEP, or a SIMPLE IRA Plan. For a SEP or SIMPLE IRA Plan, however, SCP is available only if the SEP or SIMPLE IRA Plan is established and maintained on a document approved by the Service. In the case of a Qualified Plan that is the subject of a favorable determination letter from the Service or in the case of a 403(b) Plan, the Plan Sponsor generally may correct even significant Op- erational Failures without payment of any fee or sanction if the correction is made within the time specified in section 9.02. •Voluntary correction with Service approval (VCP). A Plan Sponsor, at any time before au- dit, may pay a limited fee and receive the Service’s approval for correction of a Qualified Plan, 403(b) Plan, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA Plan failure. Under VCP, there are special proce- dures for Anonymous Submissions and group submissions. •Correction on audit (Audit CAP). If a failure (other than a failure corrected through SCP or VCP) is identified on audit, the Plan Sponsor may correct the failure and pay a sanction. The sanction imposed will bear a reasonable relationship to the nature, extent, and severity of the failure, taking into account the extentto which correction occurred before audit. SECTION 2. EFFECT OF THIS REVENUE PROCEDURE ON PROGRAMS .01Effect on programs. This revenue procedure modifies and supersedes Rev. Proc. 2008–50, 2008–2 C.B.464, the prior consolidated statement of the correction programs under EPCRS. .02Modifications to VCP submission procedures. All VCP submissions made on or after April 1, 2013, are required to include a completed Form 8950,Application for Voluntary Cor- rection Program (VCP) Under the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS), and a Form 8951,Compliance Fee for Application for Voluntary Correction Program Submis- sion Under the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS ). Section 11.12 pro- vides new addresses that must be used when mailing VCP submissions to the Service. These procedures and addresses may be used by VCP applicants prior to April 1, 2013, as permitted by section 16 of this revenue procedure. .03Modifications relating to 403(b) Plans. This revenue procedure generally permits Plan Sponsors maintaining 403(b) Plans to correcta failure in the same manner that the same fail- ure could be corrected under a Qualified Plan. The revenue procedure also updates EPCRS to coordinate with Notice 2009–3, 2009–2 I.R.B. 250, and the final regulations under § 403(b) that were issued on July 26, 2007. The definitions for 403(b) Plans (section 5.02) have been modified to add a definition of Plan Document Failure and to revise the definitions of Op- erational Failure, Demographic Failure, and Employer Eligibility Failure to coordinate with the new definition of Plan Document Failure. These definitions are revised for failures that occurred on or after the effective date of theregulations under § 403(b). These regulations are generally effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2009. (See sec- tion 16 for rules applicable to 403(b) failuresthat occurred in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2009.) With these revisions, corrections applicable to failures for 403(b) Plans are substantially the same as those available for Qualified Plans (see section 5.01). In addition, changes have been made in Appendix A and Appendix B to extend these correction methods to 403(b) failures. The correction principles for 403(b) Plans take into account the provisions of 2013–4 I.R.B.317January 22, 2013 Notice 2009–3. Notice 2009–3 provides that the Service will not treat a plan as failing to satisfy the requirements of § 403(b) and the regulations during the 2009 calendar year if (1) the plan sponsor adopts a written plan that is intendedto satisfy the requirements of § 403(b) and the regulations, effective as of January 1, 2009, (2) during 2009 the plan sponsor operates the plan in accordance with a reasonable interpretation of § 403(b) taking into account the regulations, and (3) before the end of 2009, the plan sponsor makes its best efforts to retroactively correct any operational failure to conform to the terms of the written 403(b) Plan in a manner that is consistent with the correction principles outlined in section 6 of this revenue procedure. EPCRS is available to correct failures that occur in years prior to 2009 in violatio nof § 403(b) with respect to a plan’s operation other than a failure to operate in accord ance with the plan document. There is no document requirement applicable to 403(b) Plans prior to this date. Announcement 2009–34, 2009–18 I.R.B. 916, and Announcement 2009–89, 2009–52, I .R.B. 1009, provide guidance on written 403(b) Plans, including a retroactive remedia l amendment period for years after 2009 that will permit employers to retroactively amend the ir plans for Plan Document Failures. To the extent that a remedial amendment period applies un der An- nouncement 2009–89, a 403(b) plan will not have a Plan Document Failure during t he period beginning January 1, 2010, and ending on a date to be announced in future guidanc e,pro- vided that the Plan Document Failure is corrected through a retroactive plan a mendment that is adopted by the end of the remedial amendment period. See section 6.10(2) & (3 ) for special correction principles that apply for 403(b) Plans in connection with Notice 2 009–3. .04Description of other modifications. The modifications to Rev. Proc. 2008–50 that are reflected in this revenue procedure include: •Replacing references to VCP application procedures with VCP submission procedures •Updating section 4.04 to address established practices and procedures to promote compli- ance with § 415(c) •Updating section 4.09 regarding the availability of correction of § 457 plans •Adding a definition of Earnings to section 5that has a specified meaning throughout this revenue procedure (and that generally includes losses, if applicable) •Adding to section 5.02 a definition of Overpayment and Favorable Letter for 403(b) Plans •Clarifying and revising section 6.02(4)(c) and Appendix A, section .03, to provide that for purposes of correcting a failed ADP, ACP, or multiple use test, any amounts used to fund QNECs must satisfy the definition of QNEC in § 1.401(k)–6 •Revising section 6.02(4)(d) to clarify the actuarial equivalence factors that should be used to determine a corrective distribution from a defined benefit plan •Adding section 6.02(4)(e) to provide for correction of a failure to satisfy § 436 •Revising section 6.02(5)(d) to reflect that the IRS Letter Forwarding Program is no longer available as a method for locating lost plan participants who are owed additional retirement benefits, to clarify the actions that must be taken to locate those participants, and to provide for a limited extension of the VCP 150-day correction period and the SCP correction period set forth in sections 10.07(9) and 9.02(1) of this revenue procedure, respectively, for Plan Sponsors taking action to locate lost participants •Revising section 6.03 to improve clarity •Revising section 6.04(2)(c) to add a sentence that takes into account the requirements of § 436 if a single employer defined benefit plan is under restriction at the time of correction •Revising sections 6.05(1), 6.05(2), 6.05(3)(a),and 6.05(3)(c) to clarify the situations under which a determination letter application may not be submitted under EPCRS •Revising section 6.05(3)(a) to clarify whatis meant by “good faithamendments,” “interim amendments,” and “optional law changes” and when the provisions of section 6.05(3)(a) are applicable, and adding a new section 6.05(3)(b) to improve clarity •Modifying section 6.05(3)(c) (formerly section 6.05(3)(b)) to specifythat a determination letter application is not required and may notbe submitted to correct a Demographic Fail- ure, and to clarify the scope of reliance on a compliance statement or closing agreement •Adding section 6.05(3)(d) to provide that a determination letter application is not required and may not be submitted with a VCP submission to correct a failure to adopt amendments required under the terms of a favorable determination letter •Adding section 6.05(5) to address corrective amendments to pre-approved plans January 22, 20133182013–4 I.R.B. •Revising section 6.06(3) to address the correction of Overpayments from defined benefit plans •Adding section 6.06(4) to address the correction of Overpayments from defined contribu- tion plans, including 403(b) Plans, and to clarify when an employer contribution to correct an Overpayment is required •Revising section 6.07 to clarify that the correction principles in that section also apply to Audit CAP •Adding section 6.10(3) to address the correction of a 403(b) Plan failure to adopt a written plan document timely in accordance with the final regulations under § 403(b) and Notice 2009–3 •Revising section 10.07(8) to improve clarity and to reference the new model compliance statement in Appendix C Part I •Revising section 10.08 by addressing the failure to adopt a written 403(b) Plan timely, reor- ganizing the section to improve clarity, and clarifying the scope of reliance on a compliance statement •Revising section 10.10 and adding section 11.08(2) to clarify that if an Anonymous Sub- mission is made by an individual who represents the Plan Sponsor, such individual must satisfy the power of attorney requirements andprovide a statement under penalty of perjury to that effect •Revising sections 10.11(1) and 12.05 to clarify that in the case of either a prototype or specimen plan, the number of plans (for the purpose of determining the number of group submissions that may be required) is based on the number of basic plan documents, not adoption agreements •Revising section 10.12(2) to clarify that the VCP compliance fee or sanction imposed with respect to multiemployer and multiple employer plans is based on participants rather than assets •Revising sections 10.07(1), 10.07(10), 11.01, and 11.02, and adding a new section 11.04(1) to require that Forms 8950 and 8951 be included with all VCP submissions, and to make conforming changes consistent with this newrequirement (including the consolidation of Appendices D and F procedures into a new two-part Appendix C) •Revising section 11.02 to discuss the use of the Appendix C Part II Schedules •Revising section 11.03 submission requirements to refer to the new two-part Appendix C and to reflect the use of the Form 8950 in VCP submission procedures •Revising section 11.04(3) (formerly section 11.04(2)) to provide that if a restated plan doc- ument is being submitted as evidence of correction then the plan sponsor must identify the corrective plan language in the restated plan •Revising section 11.05 to provide that a photocopy of the check for the VCP compliance fee must be included with the submission •Revising section 11.09 to eliminate the requirement to submit an Appendix C Checklist and to refer to the Procedural Requirements Checklist on Form 8950 •Revising section 11.12 (formerly 11.13) to provide new mailing addresses for all VCP sub- missions and, if applicable, accompanying determination letter applications effective for submissions made on or after April 1, 2013 •Revising section 11.14 (formerly 11.15) to require that Forms 8950 and 8951 be included when assembling the VCP submission, to remove duplicative items captured by Form 8950, and to clarify that an applicant must submit separate attachments and other necessary doc- uments for both a VCP submission and a related determination letter application •Revising section 12.01 to add that a completed Form 8951 must accompany all VCP sub- missions along with the initial compliance fee •Adding section 12.01(2) to provide notice that VCP compliance fee checks may be con- verted into an electronic fund transfer •Adding section 12.02(5) to provide that the VCP compliance fee for a failure to adopt a 403(b) Plan timely is temporarily reduced by 50% if certain conditions are met •Adding section 12.03(3) to provide that the VCP compliance fee is $500 if: (a) the sole failure is the failure to adopt an amendment (upon which the favorable determination let- ter is conditioned) within the applicable remedial amendment period, and (b) the required amendment is adopted withinthree months of the expiration of the remedial amendment period for adopting the proposed amendment 2013–4 I.R.B.319January 22, 2013 •Adding section 12.04 to provide that if a VCPsubmission includes multiple failures, each of which is subject to a reduced fee, then the fee for the submission will be the lesser of the sum of the reduced fees or the fee determined pursuant to the schedule under section 12.02(1) •Revising section 12.08 to clarify how to determine the number of plan participants if the Plan Sponsor is not required to file a Form 5500 series return with regard to a Qualified Plan or 403(b) Plan eligible for VCP •Revising section 14.04(1) and (2) to update the fee schedule for nonamenders discovered during the determination letter applicationprocessnotrelatedtoaVCPsubmissionand adding section 14.04(3) and (4) to provide for reduced sanctions for certain nonamender failures discovered during the determination letter application process that were not related to a VCP submission •Revising Appendix A, section .05, and related examples in Appendix B to provide that, in some cases, a matching contribution owed to a participant may be made in the form of a corrective employer matching contribution, instead of a QNEC, so that the corrective employer matching contribution would be subject to the vesting schedule under the plan that applies to employer matching contributions •Clarifying and adding correction methods under Appendix A, section .05(2)(d), for the improper exclusion of employees from safe harbor 401(k) plans under §§ 401(k)(12) and 401(k)(13) •Adding Appendix A, section .05(6) and (7), to provide for corrections for improper exclu- sion of employees from making elective deferrals to 403(b) and SIMPLE IRA Plans •Clarifying that the correction under Appendix A, section .06, involving the failure to timely pay a required minimum distribution in a defined benefit plan that is subject to a restriction under § 436 at the time of correction requires the Plan Sponsor to make a contribution to the plan •Clarifying that the correction under Appendix A, section .07(2), involving the payment of a lump sum to a spouse to correct the failure to obtain spousal consent before making distributions to a participant for a plan that is subject to a restriction on single-sum payments under § 436(d) at the time of correction, is available only if the Plan Sponsor (or other person) makes a contribution to the plan •Clarifying that the correction by plan amendment under Appendix B, section 2.07(3), for the early inclusion of an employee who did not satisfy the plan’s age, service, or entry date requirement, must be consistent with the rules relating to the limitations on plan amend- ments increasing liability for benefits under § 436(c) •Revising Appendix C to consist of two parts: (a) a Model VCP Submission Compliance Statement and (b) various Schedules (formerlyAppendix F Schedules) that contain limited standardized failure descriptions and correction methods that may assist applicants when preparing VCP submissions •Revising all of the former Appendix F Schedules and redesignating them as Appendix C Part II Schedules that may be used with the Appendix C Part I Model VCP Submission Compliance Statement (or simply as an aid in VCP submissions that do not use the Appen- dix C Part I Model VCP Submission Compliance Statement) •Revising Appendix C Part II Schedule 1 (formerly Appendix F Schedule 1) by changing the format and providing instructions on when Schedule 1 should be used •Revising Appendix C Part II Schedule 2 (formerly Appendix F Schedule 2) to include the failure to amend timely for the 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Cumulative Lists, the failure to amend timely for an amendment required as a condition to a favorable deter- mination letter, the failure to adopt a written 403(b) Plan timely, and the failure to adopt a pre-approved defined benefit plan timely in accordance with Announcement 2010–20, 2010–15 I.R.B. 551 •Revising Appendix C Part II Schedules 3, 4, and 9 (formerly Appendix F Schedules 3, 4, and 9) to reflect the revision regarding themethod of locating former participants on the Model VCP Submission Compliance Statement associated with Appendix C Part I or any issued compliance statements January 22, 20133202013–4 I.R.B. .05Future enhancements. (1)Future updates. It is expected that the EPCRS revenue procedure will continue to be up- dated, in whole or in part, from time to time, including further improvements to EPCRS based on comments received. Thus, the Service and Treasury continue to invite further comments on how to improve EPCRS. Comments should be sent to: Internal Revenue Service Attention: SE:T:EP:RA:VC 1111 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20224 (2)Section 401(k) automatic enrollment, automatic escalation, and safe harbor notices. Comments continue to be requested for certainspecific issues under EPCRS.First,comments are requested regarding methods to correct the failure to implement automatic enrollment (in- cluding automatic escalation of the amount deferred) with respect to elective deferrals in a § 401(k) plan or 403(b) Plan that has an automatic enrollment or automatic escalation provi- sion, including a plan with a qualified automatic contribution arrangement within the meaning of § 401(k)(13) or 401(m)(12) under which correct amounts were not timely withheld from the compensation of an employee who did not make an affirmative election to have a spec- ified contribution made on his or her behalf under the plan (or who affirmatively elected to have automatic escalation apply). For example, comments are requested on whether the cor- rection in Appendix A, section .05(2)(d)(ii), should also apply with respect to a § 401(k)(13) or 401(m)(12) safe harbor plan that provides for automatic escalation in elective deferrals. Sec- ond, comments are requested regarding methods to correct the failure to timely provide a safe harbor notice under a plan designed to satisfy the requirements of § 401(k)(12), 401(k)(13), 401(m)(11), 401(m)(12), or 414(w). (3)Designated Roth contributions. Comments continue to be requested on special issues relating to designated Roth contributions. For example, comments are requested on whether, if a plan failed to implement a participant’s election to have a designated Roth contribution made on his or her behalf, but instead a pre-taxelective deferral was made for the participant with the participant’s compensation reduced accordingly, it would be an appropriate correction of the failure for the employer to ask the participant whether correction should be made by a transfer of the contribution (adjusted for Earnings) to a Roth account under the plan and inclu- sion of the amount so transferred in the participant’s compensation in the year of the transfer (instead of either (i) a similar transfer with acorrected W–2 for the yearof the failure and the participant having to complete an amended return for the year of the failure or (ii) a similar transfer and inclusion of the amount so transferred in the participant’s compensation in the year of the transfer, but with the employer to make a gross-up payment to the participant to make the participant whole for any increase in the resulting income tax). Comments are also requested regarding cases in which a plan fails to notify an employee of his or her right to elect designated Roth contributions, such as whether a corrective contributionto a Roth account (in an amount such as described in section .05(3) of Appendix A), with the right to elect to have that amount included in gross income as described in the preceding sentence, should be applied in this case or whether some additional corrective contribution should be required to reflect the possibility that a participant’s decision to make an elective deferral might be affected by the availability of designated Roth contributions. See generally section .05(3) of Appendix A andExample 3 of Appendix B, section 2.02(1)(b), for illustrations of corrections for exclusion of otherwise eligible employees from having an effective opportunity to make elective deferrals, which ap- plies without regard to whether the plan only permits pre-tax elective deferrals or whether the plan also permits designated Roth elective deferrals. PART II. PROGRAM EFFECT AND ELIGIBILITY SECTION 3. EFFECT OF EPCRS; RELIANCE .01Effect of EPCRS on retirement plans. For a Qualified Plan, a 403(b) Plan, a SEP, or a SIMPLE IRA Plan, if the eligibility requirements of section 4 are satisfied and the Plan Spon- sor corrects a failure in accordance with the applicable requirements of SCP in section 7, VCP 2013–4 I.R.B.321January 22, 2013 in sections 10 and 11, or Audit CAP in section 13, the Service will not treat the plan as fail- ing to meet the requirements of § 401(a), 403(b), 408(k), or 408(p), as applicable, because of the failure. Thus, for example, if the Plan Sponsor corrects a failure in accordance with the requirements of this revenue procedure, the plan will not thereby be treated as failing to sat- isfy § 401(a), 403(b), 408(k), or 408(p), as applicable, for purposes of applying §§ 3121(a)(5) (FICA taxes) and 3306(b)(5) (FUTA taxes). .02Compliance statement. If a Plan Sponsor or Eligible Organization receives a compli- ance statement under VCP, the compliance statement is binding upon the Service and the Plan Sponsor or Eligible Organization as provided in section 10.08. .03Excise and other taxes. See section 6.09 for rules relating to excise and other taxes. .04Reliance. Taxpayers may rely on this revenue procedure, including the relief described in section 3.01. SECTION 4. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY .01EPCRS Programs.(1)SCP. SCP is available only for Operational Failures. Qualified Plans and 403(b) Plans are eligible for SCP with respect to significant and insignificant Op- erational Failures. SEPs and SIMPLE IRA Plans are eligible for SCP only with respect to insignificant Operational Failures. (2)VCP. Qualified Plans, 403(b) Plans, SEPs, and SIMPLE IRA Plans are eligible for VCP. VCP provides general procedures for correction of all Qualification Failures: Operational, Plan Document, Demographic, and Employer Eligibility. VCP also provides general procedures for the correction of participant loans that did not comply with the requirements of § 72(p)(2). (3)Audit CAP. Unless otherwise provided, Audit CAP is available for Qualified Plans, 403(b) Plans, SEPs, and SIMPLE IRA Plans forcorrection of all failures found on examina- tion that have not been corrected in accordance with SCP or VCP. Audit CAP also provides general procedures for the correction of participant loans that did not comply with the require- ments of § 72(p)(2). (4)Eligibility for other arrangements. The Service may extend EPCRS to other arrange- ments. (5)Appropriate use of programs. In a particular case, the Service may decline to make available one or more correction programs under EPCRS in the interest of sound tax adminis- tration. .02Effect of examination. If the plan or Plan Sponsor is Under Examination, VCP is not available and SCP is only available as follows: while the plan or Plan Sponsor is Under Ex- amination, insignificant Operational Failurescan be corrected under SCP; and, if correction of significant operational failures has been completed or substantially completed (as described in section 9.04) before the plan or Plan Sponsor is Under Examination, correction of those fail- ures can be completed under SCP. .03Favorable Letter requirement. The provisions of SCP relating to significant Operational Failures (see section 9) are available for Qualified Plans and 403(b) Plans only if the plans are the subject of a Favorable Letter. (See section 6.10(2) for rules treating a 403(b) Plan as having a Favorable Letter.) The provisions of SCP relating to insignificant Operational Failures (see section 8) are available for a SEP only if the plandocument consists of either (i) a valid Model Form 5305-SEP or 5305A-SEP adopted by an employer in accordance with the instructions on the applicable form (see Rev. Proc. 2002–10, 2002–1 C.B. 401) or (ii) a prototype SEP that has a current favorable opinion letter that hasbeen amended in accordance with the procedures set forth in Rev. Proc. 2002–10. The provisions of SCP relating to insignificant Operational Failures (see section 8) are available for a SIMPLE IRA Plan only if the plan document consists of either (i) a valid Model Form 5305-SIMPLE or 5304-SIMPLE adopted by an employer in accordance with the instructions on the applicable form (see Rev. Proc. 2002–10) or (ii) a current favorable opinion letter for a Plan Sponsor that has adopted a prototype SIMPLE IRA Plan that has been amended in accordance with the procedures set forthin Rev. Proc. 2002–10. January 22, 20133222013–4 I.R.B. .04Established practices and procedures. In order to be eligible for SCP, the Plan Sponsor or administrator of a plan must have established practices and procedures (formal or informal) reasonably designed to promote and facilitate overall compliance with applicable Code require- ments. For example, the plan administrator of a Qualified Plan that may be top-heavy under § 416 may include in its plan operating manual a specific annual step to determine whether the plan is top-heavy and, if so, to ensure that the minimum contribution requirements of the top-heavy rules are satisfied. A plan document alone does not constitute evidence of estab- lished procedures. In order for a Plan Sponsor oradministrator to use SCP, these established procedures must have been in place and routinely followed, and an Operational Failure must have occurred through an oversight or mistake in applying them. SCP may also be used in situ- ations where the Operational Failure occurred because the procedures that were in place, while reasonable, were not sufficient to prevent the occurrence of the failure. A plan that provides for elective deferrals and nonelective employer contributions that are not matching contributions is not treated as failing to have established practices and procedures to prevent the occurrence of a § 415(c) violation in the case of a plan under which excess annual additions under § 415(c) are regularly corrected by return of elective deferrals to the affected employee within two and one-half months after the end of the plan’s limitation year. The correction, however, should not violate another applicable Coderequirement. In the case of a failure that relates to Transferred Assets or to a plan assumed in connection with a corporate merger, acquisition, or other similar employer transaction between the Plan Sponsor and the sponsor of the transferor plan or the prior Plan Sponsor of an assumed plan, the planis considered to have established practices and procedures for the Transferred Assets if such practices and procedures are in effect for the Transferred Assets by the end of the first plan year that begins after the corporate merger, acquisition, or other similar transaction. (See section 6.10(2) for special rules regarding estab- lished practices and procedures for 403(b) Plans.) .05Correction by plan amendment.(1)Availability of correction by plan amendment in VCP and Audit CAP. A Plan Sponsor may use VCP and Audit CAP for a Qualified Plan or 403(b) Plan to correct Plan Document, Demographic, and Operational Failures by a plan amendment, including correcting an Operational Failure by a plan amendment to conform the terms of the plan to the plan’s prior operations, provided that the amendment complies with the applica- ble Code requirements, including, for a Qualified Plan, § 401(a) (including the requirements of §§ 401(a)(4), 410(b), and 411(d)(6)). In addition, a Plan Sponsor may adopt a plan amend- ment to reflect the corrective action. For example, if the plan failed to satisfy the actual deferral percentage (ADP) test required under § 401(k)(3) and the Plan Sponsor must make qualified nonelective contributions not already provided for under the plan, the plan may be amended to provide for qualified nonelective contributions. Except as provided in section 6.05, the is- suance of a compliance statement does not constitute a determination as to the effect of any plan amendment on the qualification of the plan. (2)Availability of correction by plan amendment in SCP. A Plan Sponsor may use SCP for a Qualified Plan or 403(b) Plan to correct an Operational Failure by a plan amendment in order to conform the terms of the plan to the plan’s prior operations only with respect to Operational Failures listed in section 2.07 of Appendix B. Thesefailuresmustbecorrected in accordance with the correction methods set forth in section 2.07 of Appendix B. Any plan amendment must comply with the requirements of § 401(a), including the requirements of §§ 401(a)(4), 410(b), and 411(d)(6), to the extent applicable to the plan. If a Plan Sponsor corrects an Operational Failure in accordance with the approved correction methods under Appendix B, it may amend the plan to reflect the corrective action. For example, if the plan failed to satisfy the actual de- ferral percentage (ADP) test required under § 401(k)(3) and the Plan Sponsor makes qualified nonelective contributions not already provided for under the plan, the plan may be amended to provide for qualified nonelective contributions. SCP is not otherwise available for a Plan Sponsor to correct an Operational Failure by a plan amendment. .06Availability of correction for Employer Eligibility Failure. SCP is not available for a Plan Sponsor to correct an Employer Eligibility Failure. 2013–4 I.R.B.323January 22, 2013 .07Availability of correction for a terminated plan. Correction of Qualification Failures and 403(b) Failures in a terminated plan may be made under VCP and Audit CAP, whether or not the plan trust or contract is still in existence. .08Availability of correction for an Orphan Plan. A failure in an Orphan Plan that is ter- minating may only be corrected under VCP and Audit CAP, provided that the party acting on behalf of the plan is an Eligible Party, as defined in section 5.03(2). See section 6.02(2)(e)(ii). SCP is not available for correcting failures in Orphan Plans. .09Availability of correction for § 457 plans. Submissions relating to § 457(b) will be accepted by the Service on a provisional basisoutside of EPCRS through standards that are similar to EPCRS. The availability of correction is generally limited to plans that are sponsored by governmental entities described in § 457(e)(1)(A). In the case of a § 457(b) plan that is an unfunded deferred compensation plan established for the benefit of top hat employees of a tax-exempt entity described in § 457(e)(1)(B), the Service generally will not enter into an agreement to address problems associated with such a plan. However, the Service may consider a submission where, for example, the plan was erroneously established to benefit the entity’s nonhighly compensated employees and the plan has been operated in a manner that is similar to a Qualified Plan. .10Submission for a determination letter. In any case in which correction of a Qualification Failure includes correction of a Plan Document Failure, Demographic Failure, or Operational Failure by plan amendment, a determination letter application may be required. See section 6.05. .11Egregious failures. SCP is not available to correct Operational Failures that are egre- gious. Egregious failures include: (a) a plan that has consistently and improperly covered only highly compensated employees; (b) a plan that provides more favorable benefits for an owner of the employer based on a purported collective bargaining agreement where there has in fact been no good faith bargaining between bona fide employee representatives and the employer (see Notice 2003–24, 2003–1 C.B. 853, with respect to welfare benefit funds); or (c) a defined contribution plan where a contribution is made on behalf of a highly compensated employee that is several times greater than the dollar limit set forth in § 415(c). VCP is available to cor- rect egregious failures. However, egregious failures are subject to the VCP fees described in section 12.06 and, for purposes of section 12.06, an egregious failure would include any case in which the IRS concludes thatthe parties controlling the plan recognized that the action taken would constitute a failure and the failure either involves a substantial number of participants or beneficiaries or involves participants who are predominantly highly compensated employees. Audit CAP also is available to correct egregious failures. .12Diversion or misuse of plan assets. SCP, VCP, and Audit CAP are not available to correct failures relating to the diversion or misuse of plan assets. .13Abusive tax avoidance transactions.(1)Effect on Programs.(a)SCP. With respect to SCP, in the event that the plan or the Plan Sponsor has been a party to an abusive tax avoidance transaction (as defined in section 4.13(2)), SCP is not available to correct any Operational Failure that is directly or indirectly related to the abusive tax avoidance transaction. (b)VCP. With respect to VCP, if the Service determines that a plan or Plan Sponsor was, or mayhavebeen,apartytoanabusivetaxavoidancetransaction (as defined in section 4.13(2)), then the matter will be referred to the Internal Revenue Service’s Employee Plans’ Tax Shelter Coordinator. Upon receiving a response from the Tax Shelter Coordinator, the Service may determine that the plan or the Plan Sponsor has been a party to an abusive tax avoidance trans- action, and that the failures addressed in the VCP submission are related to that transaction. In those situations, the Service will conclude the review of the submission without issuing a compliance statement and will refer the case forexamination. However, if the Tax Shelter Coordinator determines that the plan failures areunrelated to the abusive tax avoidance trans- action or that no abusive tax avoidance transaction occurred, then the Service will continue to address the failures identified in the VCP submission, and may issue a compliance statement January 22, 20133242013–4 I.R.B. with respect to those failures. In no event may a compliance statement be relied on for the pur- pose of concluding that the plan or Plan Sponsor was not a party to an abusive tax avoidance transaction. In addition, even if it is concluded that the failures can be addressed pursuant to a VCP submission, the Service reserves the right to make a referral of the abusive tax avoidance transaction matter for examination. (c)Audit CAP and SCP (for plans Under Examination). (1) For plans Under Examination, if the Service determines that the plan or Plan Sponsor was, or may have b een,apartytoan abusive tax avoidance transaction,the matter may be referred to the In ternal Revenue Service’s Employee Plans’ Tax Shelter Coordinator. With respect to plans Unde r Examination, an abu- sive tax avoidance transaction includes a transaction described in section 4.13(2) and any other transaction that the Service determines was designed to facilitate the impermissible avoidance of tax. Upon receiving a response from the Tax Shelter Coordinator, ( i) if the Service deter- mines that a failure is related to the abusive tax avoidance transact ion, the Service reserves the right to conclude that neither Audit CAP nor SCP is available for that failure or (ii) if the Service determines that satisfactory corrective actions have not beentakenwithregardtothe transaction, the Service reserves the right to conclude that neit her Audit CAP nor SCP is avail- able to the plan. (2)Abusive tax avoidance transaction defined. For purposes of section 4.13(1) (except to the extent otherwise provided in section 4.13(1)(c)), an abusive tax avoidance transaction means any listed transaction under § 1.6011–4(b)(2) andany other transaction identified as an abusive transaction on the IRS web site entitled “EP Abusive Tax Transactions.” PART III. DEFINITIONS, CORRECTION PRINCIPLES, AND RULES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY SECTION 5. DEFINITIONSThe following definitions apply for purposes of this revenue procedure: .01Definitions for Qualified Plans. The definitions in this section 5.01 apply to Qualified Plans. (1)Qualified Plan.Thet erm “Qualified Plan” means a planintended to satisfy the require- ments of § 401(a) or 403(a ). (2)Qualification Failure. The term “Qualification Failure” means any failure that adversely affects the qualification of a plan. There are four types of Qualification Failures: (a) Plan Document Failures; (b) Operational Failures;(c) Demographic Failures; and (d) Employer Eligibility Failures. (a)Plan Document Failure. The term “Plan Document Failure” means a plan provision (or the absence of a plan provision) that, on its face,violates the requirements of § 401(a) or 403(a). Thus, for example, the failure of a plan to be amended to reflect a new qualification requirement within the plan’s applicable remedial amendment period under § 401(b) is a Plan Document Failure. Similarly, if a plan has not been timely and properly amended during an applicable remedial amendment period for adopting good faith or interim amendments with respect to disqualifying provisions, as described in §1.401(b)–1(b)(1) of the Income Tax Regulations, the plan has a Plan Document Failure. For purposes of this revenue procedure, a Plan Document Failure includes any Qualification Failure that is a violation of the requirements of § 401(a) or 403(a) and that is not an Operational Failure, Demographic Failure, or Employer Eligibility Failure. (b)Operational Failure. The term “Operational Failure” means a Qualification Failure (other than an Employer Eligibility Failure) that arises solely from the failure to follow plan provisions. A failure to follow the terms of theplan providing for the satisfaction of the re- quirements of § 401(k) and (m) is considered to be an Operational Failure. A plan does not have an Operational Failure to the extent the plan is permitted to be amended retroactively to reflect the plan’s operations (e.g., pursuant to § 401(b)). In the situation where a Plan Sponsor 2013–4 I.R.B.325January 22, 2013 timely adopted a good faith, interim, or discretionary amendment (as provided in sections 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, and 5 of Rev. Proc. 2007–44) and the plan was not operated in accordance with the termsofsuchamendment,theplanisconsideredtohaveanOperationalFailure. (c)Demographic Failure. The term “Demographic Failure” means a failure to satisfy the requirements of § 401(a)(4), 401(a)(26), or 410(b) that is not an Operational Failure or an Employer Eligibility Failure. The correction of a Demographic Failure generally requires a corrective amendment to the plan adding more benefits or increasing existing benefits (see § 1.401(a)(4)–11(g)). (d)Employer Eligibility Failure. The term “Employer Eligibility Failure” means the adop- tion of a plan intended to include a qualifiedcash or deferred arrangement under § 401(k) by an employer that fails to meet the employer eligibility requirements to establish a § 401(k) plan. An Employer Eligibility Failure is not a Plan Document, Operational, or Demographic Failure. (3)Excess Amount; Excess Allocations; Overpayment.(a)Excess Amount. The term “Ex- cess Amount” means a Qualification Failure due to a contribution, allocation, or similar credit that is made on behalf of a participant or beneficiary to a plan in excess of the maximum amount permitted to be contributed, allocated, or credited on behalf of the participant or beneficiary un- der the terms of the plan or that exceeds a limitation on contributions or allocations provided in the Code or regulations. Excess Amounts include:(i) an elective deferral or after-tax employee contribution that is in excess of the maximum contribution under the plan; (ii) an elective de- ferral or after-tax employee contribution made in excess of the limitation under § 415; (iii) an elective deferral in excess of the limitation of § 402(g); (iv) an excess contribution or excess aggregate contributionunder § 401(k) or (m); (v) an elective deferral or after-tax employee con- tribution that is made with respect to compensation in excess of the limitation of § 401(a)(17); and (vi) any other employer contribution that exceeds a limitation under §401(a)(17), 401(m) (but only with respect to the forfeiture of nonvested matching contributions that are excess ag- gregate contributions), 411(a)(3)(G), or 415. However, an Excess Amount does not include a contribution, allocation, or other credit that is made pursuant to a correction method provided under this revenue procedure for a different Qualification Failure. Excess Amounts are limited to contributions, allocations, or annual additionsunder a defined contribution plan, after-tax employee contributions to a defined benefit plan,and contributions or allocations that are to be made to a separate account (with actual Earnings) under a defined benefit plan. See generally section 6.06 for the treatment and correction of certain Excess Amounts. (b)Excess Allocation. The term “Excess Allocation” means an Excess Amount for which the Code or regulations do not provide any corrective mechanism. Excess Allocations include Excess Amounts as defined in section 5.01(3)(a) (i), (ii), (v), and (vi) (except with respect to § 401(m) or 411(a)(3)(G) violations). Excess Allocations must be corrected in accordance with section 6.06(2). (c)Overpayment. The term “Overpayment”means a Qualification Failure due to a payment being made to a participant or beneficiary that exceeds the amount payable to the participant or beneficiary under the terms of the plan or that exceeds a limitation provided in the Code or regulations. Overpayments include both payments from a defined benefit plan and payments from a defined contribution plan (either not made from the participant’s or beneficiary’s ac- count under the plan or not permitted to be paid under the Code, the regulations, or the terms of the plan). However, an Overpayment does notinclude a payment that is made pursuant to a correction method provided under this revenue procedure for a different Qualification Failure. Overpayments must be corrected in accordance with section 6.06(3). (4)Favorable Letter. The term “Favorable Letter” means,in the case of a Qualified Plan, a current favorable determination letter for an individually designed plan (including a volume submitter plan that is not identical to an approved volume submitter plan), a current favorable opinion letter for a Plan Sponsor that has adopted a master or prototype plan (standardized or nonstandardized), or a current favorable advisory letter and certification that the Plan Sponsor January 22, 20133262013–4 I.R.B. has adopted a plan that is identical to an approved volume submitter plan. A plan has a cur- rent favorable determination letter, opinion letter, or advisory letter if (a), (b), or (c) below is satisfied: (a) The plan has a favorable determination letter, opinion letter, or advisory letter that consid- ers the law changes incorporated in the Plan Sponsor’s most recently expired remedial amend- ment cycle determined under the provisions of Rev. Proc. 2007–44. ( b) The plan is initially adopted or effective after December 31, 2001, and the Plan Spon- sor timely submits an application for a determination letter or adopts an approved master or prototype plan or volume submitter plan within the plan’s remedial amendment period under § 401(b). (c) The plan is terminated prior to the expiration of the plan’s current remedial amendment cycle determined under the provisions of Rev. Proc. 2007–44, and the plan was amended to reflect the qualification requirements that applied as of the date of termination. (5)Maximum Payment Amount. The term “Maximum Payment Amount” means a monetary amount that is approximately equal to the tax the Service could collect upon plan disqualifica- tion and is the sum for the open taxable years of the: (a) tax on the trust (Form 1041) (and any interest or penalties applicable to the trust return), (b) additional income tax resulting from the loss of employer deductions for plan contribu- tions (and any interest or penalties applicable to the Plan Sponsor’s return), (c) additional income tax resulting from income inclusion for participants in the plan (Form 1040), including the tax on plan distributions that have been rolled over to other qualified trusts (as defined in § 402(c)(8)(A)) or eligible retirement plans (as defined in § 402(c)(8)(B)) and any interest or penalties applicable to the participants’ returns, and (d) any other tax that results from a Qualification Failure that would apply but for correction under this revenue procedure. (6)Plan Sponsor. The term “Plan Sponsor” means the employer that establishes or main- tains a Qualified Plan for its employees. (7)Transferred Assets. The term “Transferred Assets” means plan assets that were received, in connection with a corporate merger, acquisition, or other similar employer transaction, by the plan in a transfer (including a merger or consolidation of plan assets) under § 414(l) from a plan sponsored by an employer that was not a member of the same controlled group as the Plan Sponsor immediately prior to the corporate merger, acquisition, or other similar employer transaction. If a transfer of plan assets related to the same employer transaction is accomplished through several transfers, then the date of the transfer is the date of the first transfer. .02Definitions for 403(b) Plans. The definitions in this section 5.02 apply to 403(b) Plans. (1)403(b) Plan. The term “403(b) Plan” means a plan or program intended to satisfy the requirements of § 403(b). (2)403(b) Failure. The term “403(b) Failure” means afailure that adversely affects the exclusion from income provided by § 403(b). There are four types of 403(b) Failures: (a) Plan Document Failures; (b) Operational Failures;(c) Demographic Failures; and (d) Employer Eligibility Failures. (a)Plan Document Failure. The term “Plan Document Failure” means a plan provision (or the absence of a plan provision) that, on its face, violates the requirements of § 403(b). Thus, for example, the failure of a plan to be adopted in written form or to be amended to reflect a new requirement within the plan’s applicableremedial amendment period is a Plan Docu- ment Failure. If a plan has not been timely or properly amended during an applicable remedial 2013–4 I.R.B.327January 22, 2013 amendment period with respectto provisions required to maintain the status of the plan un- der § 403(b), the plan has a Plan Document Failure. For purposes of this revenue procedure, a Plan Document Failure includes any 403(b) Failure that adversely affects the status of the plan under § 403(b) and that is not an Operational Failure, Demographic Failure, or Employer Eligibility Failure. (b)Operational Failure. The term “Operational Failure” means a 403(b) Failure (other than an Employer Eligibility Failure) that arises solely from the failure to follow plan provisions. A failure to follow the terms ofthe plan providing for the satisfaction of therequirements of §§ 403(b)(12)(ii) (relating to the availability of elective deferral contributions) and 401(m) (as applied to 403(b) Plans pursuant to § 403(b)(12)(A)(i)) is an Operational Failure. A plan does not have an Operational Failure to the extent the plan is permitted to be amended retroactively to reflect the plan’s operations. (c)Demographic Failure. The term “Demographic Failure” means a failure to satisfy the requirements of § 401(a)(4), 401(a)(26), or 410(b) (as applied to 403(b) Plans pursuant to § 403(b)(12)(A)(i)) that is not an Operational Failure or an Employer Eligibility Failure. The correction of a Demographic Failure generally requires a corrective amendment to the plan adding more benefits or increasing existing benefits (see § 1.401(a)(4)–11(g)). (d)Employer Eligibility Failure. The term “Employer Eligibility Failure” means the adop- tion of a plan intended to satisfy the requirements of § 403(b) by a Plan Sponsor that is not a tax-exempt organization described in § 501(c)(3) or a public educational organization described in § 170(b)(1)(A)(ii). An Employer Eligibility Failure is not a Plan Document, Operational, or Demographic Failure. (e)Effective date. See section 16 for special rules for 403(b) failures that occurred prior to January 1, 2009. (3)Excess Amount. The term “Excess Amount” means a contribution or other credit that is made on behalf of a participant or beneficiary to a plan in excess of the maximum amount per- mitted to be contributed or credited on behalf of the participant or beneficiary under the terms of the plan or that exceeds a limitation on contributions provided in the Code or regulations. The term “Excess Amount” includes any amount in excess of the amount permitted under the requirements of § 402(g), 401(m), or 415. A contribution in excess of the limitation of § 415(c) is not an Excess Amount (or a 403(b) Failure) ifthat excess is maintained in a separate account in accordance with the rules in the regulationsunder §§ 403(b) and 415. Such separate account is considered to be a § 403(c) annuity contract (or, if applicable, an amount to which § 61, 83, or 402(b) applies). A contribution in excess of the limitation of § 415(c) that is not maintained in a separate account in accordance with the rulesset forth in regulations under §§ 403(b) and 415 is an Excess Amount. Thus, the correction principles in section 6.06 apply. (4)Overpayment. The term “Overpayment” means a 403(b) Failure due to a payment be- ing made to a participant or beneficiary thatexceeds the amount payable to the participant or beneficiary under the terms of the plan or that exceeds a limitation provided in the Code or regulations. Overpayments include both payments either made from the participant’s or bene- ficiary’s 403(b) custodial account or annuity contract under the plan or not permitted to be paid under the Code, the regulations, or the terms of the plan. However, an Overpayment does not include a payment that is made pursuant to a correction method provided under this revenue procedure for a different 403(b) Failure. Overpayments must be corrected in accordance with section 6.06(4). (5)Favorable Letter. The term “Favorable Letter” means a Favorable Letter as described in section 6.10(2). (6)Maximum Payment Amount. The term “Maximum Payment Amount” means a monetary amount that is approximately equal to the tax the Service could collect as a result of the 403(b) Failure and is the sum for the open taxable years of the: January 22, 20133282013–4 I.R.B. (a) additional income tax resulting from income inclusion for employees or other partic- ipants (Form 1040), including the tax on distributions that have been rolled over to other qualifiedtrusts(asdefinedin§402(c)(8)(A)) or eligible retirement plans (as defined in § 402(c)(8)(B)) and any interest or penalties applicable to the participants’ returns; and (b) any other tax that results from a 403(b) Failure that would apply but for correction under this revenue procedure. (7)Plan Sponsor. The term “Plan Sponsor” means the employer that offers a 403(b) Plan to its employees. .03Definitions for Orphan Plans. (1)Orphan Plan. With respect to VCP and Audit CAP, the term “Orphan Plan” means any Qualified Plan, 403(b) Plan, or other plan with respect to which an “Eligible Party” (defined in section 5.03(2)) has determined that the Plan Sponsor (a) no longer exists, (b) cannot be located, or (c) is unable to maintain the plan. However, the term “Orphan Plan” does not include any plan subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) that is terminated pursuant to section 2578.1 of the Department of Labor regulations governing the termination of abandoned individual account plans. (2)Eligible Party. The term “Eligible Party” means: (a) A court appointed representative with authority to terminate the plan and dispose of the plan’s assets; (b) In the case of an Orphan Plan under investigation by the Department of Labor, a person or entity determined by the Department of Labor to have accepted responsibility for terminating the plan and distributing the plan’s assets; or (c) In the case of a Qualified Plan to which Title I of ERISA has never applied, a surviving spousewhoisthesolebeneficiaryofaplanthatprovided benefits to a participant who was (i) the sole owner of the business that sponsored the plan and (ii) the only participant in the plan. .04Earnings. The term “Earnings” refers to the adjustment of a principal amount to reflect subsequent investment gains and losses, unless otherwise provided in a specific section of this revenue procedure. .05IRA. The term “IRA” means an individual retirement account (as defined in § 408(a)) or an individual retirement annuity (as defined in § 408(b)). .06References to Rev. Proc. 2007–44. References in sections 5.01 , 6.05, 9.03, 10.05, 10.08, 11.02 and Appendix C, Section VIII of this revenue procedur e to Rev. Proc. 2007–44, 2007–2 C.B. 54, include any modifications published in the Cumul ative Bulletin, including any successor revenue procedure (and references to any section t hereof if such references refer to the successor section in any successor revenue procedure). F or example, see Rev. Proc. 2009–36, 2009–35 I.R.B. 304, which modifies Rev. Proc. 2007–44 for the determination of the remedial amendment cycle for a governmental plan within the meaning of § 414(d). .07SEP. The term “SEP” means a plan intended to satisfy the requirements of § 408(k). For purposes of this revenue procedure, the term SEP also includes a salary reduction SEP (“SARSEP”) described in § 408(k)(6), if applicable. .08SIMPLE IRA Plan. The term “SIMPLE IRA Plan” means a plan intended to satisfy the requirements of § 408(p). .09Under Examination. (1) The term “Under Examination” means: (a) a plan that is under an Employee Plans examination (that is, an examination of a Form 5500 series or other Em- ployee Plans examination); (b) a Plan Sponsorthat is under an Exempt Organizations examina- tion (that is, an examination of a Form 990 seriesor other Exempt Organizations examination); or (c) a plan that is under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Service. 2013–4 I.R.B.329January 22, 2013 (2) A plan that is under an Employee Plans examination includes any plan for which the Plan Sponsor, or a representative, has received verbal or written notification from Employee Plans of an impending Employee Plans examination, or of an impending referral for an Em- ployee Plans examination, and also includes any plan that has been under an Employee Plans examination and is in Appeals or in litigation for issues raised in an Employee Plans exami- nation. A plan is considered to be Under Examination if it is aggregated for purposes of satis- fying the nondiscrimination requirements of § 401(a)(4), the minimum participation require- ments of § 401(a)(26), the minimum coverage requirements of § 410(b), or the requirements of § 403(b)(12)(A)(i), with any plan that is Under Examination. In addition, a plan is consid- ered to be Under Examination with respect to a failure of a qualification requirement (other than those described in the preceding sentence)if the plan is aggregated with another plan for purposes of satisfying that qualification requirement (for example, § 401(a)(30), 415, or 416) and that other plan is Under Examination. For example, assume Plan A has a § 415 failure, Plan A is aggregated with Plan B only for purposes of § 415, and Plan B is Under Examination. In this case, Plan A is considered to be Under Examination with respect to the § 415 failure. However, if Plan A has a failure relating to the spousal consent rules under § 417 or the vesting rules of § 411, Plan A is not considered to be Under Examination with respect to the § 417 or 411 failure. For purposes of this revenue procedure, the term aggregation does not include consideration of benefits provided by various plans for purposes of the average benefits test set forth in § 410(b)(2). (3) An Employee Plans examination also includes a case in which a Plan Sponsor has sub- mitted any Form 5300, 5307, or 5310 and the Employee Plans agent notifies the Plan Sponsor, or a representative, of possible failures, whether or not the Plan Sponsor is officially notified of an “examination.” This would include a case where, for example, a Plan Sponsor has applied for a determination letter on plan termination,and an Employee Plans agent notifies the Plan Sponsor that there are partial termination concerns. In addition, if, during the review process, the agent requests additional information thatindicates the existence of a failure not previ- ously identified by the Plan Sponsor, the plan is considered to be under an Employee Plans examination. If, in such a case, the determinationletter request under review is subsequently withdrawn, the plan is nevertheless considered to be under an Employee Plans examination for purposes of eligibility under SCP and VCP with respect to those issues raised by the agent re- viewing the determination letter application.The fact that a Plan Sponsor voluntarily submits a determination letter application does not constitute a voluntary identification of a failure to the Service. In order to be eligible for VCP, the Plan Sponsor (or the authorized representative) must identify each failure, in writing, to the reviewing agent before the agent recognizes the existence of the failure or addresses the failure in communications with the Plan Sponsor (or the authorized representative). (4) A Plan Sponsor that is under an Exempt Organizations examination includes any Plan Sponsor that has received (or whose representative has received) verbalor written notification from Exempt Organizations of an impending Exempt Organizations examination or of an im- pending referral for an Exempt Organizations examination and also includes any Plan Sponsor that has been under an Exempt Organizations examination and is now in Appeals or in litiga- tionforissuesraisedinanExempt Organizations examination. SECTION 6. CORRECTION PRINCIPLES AND RULES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY .01Correction principles; rules of general applicability. The general correction principles in section 6.02 and rules of general applicability in sections 6.03 through 6.13 apply for pur- poses of this revenue procedure. .02Correction principles. Generally, a failure isnot corrected unless full correction is made with respect to all participants and beneficiaries, and for all taxable years (whether or not the taxable year is closed). Even if correction is made for a closed taxable year, the tax liability associated with that year will not be redetermined because of the correction . Correction is determined taking into account the termsof the plan at the time of the failure . Correction should be accomplished taking intoaccount the following principles: (1)Restoration of benefits. The correction method should restore the plan to the position it would have been in had the failure not occurred, including restoration of current and former January 22, 20133302013–4 I.R.B. participants and beneficiaries to the benefits and rights they would have had if the failure had not occurred. (2)Reasonable and appropriate correction. The correction should be reasonable and ap- propriate for the failure. Depending on the nature of the failure, there may be more than one reasonable and appropriate correction for the failure. For Qualified Plans and 403(b) Plans, any correction method permitted under Appendix A or Appendix B is deemed to be a reasonable and appropriate method of correcting the related failure. Any correction method permitted under Appendix A or Appendix B applicable to a SEP, or a SIMPLE IRA Plan is similarly deemed to be a reasonable and appropriate methodof correcting the related failure. If a plan has a different but analogous failure to one set forth in Appendix A or B (such as the failure to provide a matching contribution by a governmental plan that is not subject to § 401(m)), then the analogous correction method under Appendix A or B is generally available to correct any failure. Whether any other particular correction method is reasonable and appropriate is deter- mined taking into account the applicable facts and circumstances and the following principles: (a) The correction method should, to the extent possible, resemble one already provided for in the Code, regulations, or other guidance of general applicability. For example, for Qualified Plans and 403(b) Plans, the correction method set forth in § 1.402(g)–1(e)(2) would be the typical means of correcting a failure under § 402(g). (b) The correction method should keep plan assets in the plan, except to the extent the Code, regulations, or other guidance of general applicability provide for correction by distribution to participants or beneficiaries or return of assets to the employer. For example, if an excess allo- cation (not in excess of the § 415 limits) made under a Qualified Plan was made for a participant under a plan (other than a § 401(k) plan), the excess should be reallocated to other participants or, depending on the facts and circumstances, used to reduce future employer contributions. (c) The correction method for failures relating to nondiscrimination should provide bene- fits for nonhighly compensated employees. For example, for Qualified Plans, the correction method set forth in § 1.401(a)(4)–11(g) (rather than methods making use of the special test- ing provisions set forth in § 1.401(a)(4)–8 or 1.401(a)(4)–9) would be the typical means of correcting a failure to satisfy nondiscrimination requirements.Similarly, the correction of a failure to satisfy the requirements of § 401(k)(3) or 401(m)(2), or, for plan years beginning on or before December 31, 2001, the multiple use test of § 401(m)(9) (relating to nondiscrimina- tion), solely by distributing excess amounts to highly compensated employees would not be the typical means of correcting such a failure. (d) The correction method should not violate another applicable specific requirement of § 401(a) or 403(b) (for example, § 401(a)(4), 411(d)(6), or 403(b)(12), as applicable), 408(k) for SEPs, or 408(p) for SIMPLE IRA Plans, or a parallel requirement in Part 2 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA (for plans that are subject to Part 2 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA). If an additional failure is nevertheless created as a result of the use of a correction method in this revenue procedure, then that failure also must be corrected in conjunction with the use of that correction method and in accordance with the requirements of this revenue procedure. (e) If a correction method is one that another government agency has authorized with respect to a violation of legal requirements within its interpretive authority and that correction relates to a violation for which there is a failure to which this revenue procedure applies, then the Service may take the correction method of the other governmental agency into account for purposes of this revenue procedure. For example: (i) If the plan is subject to ERISA, for a failure that results from the employer having ceased to exist, the employer no longer maintaining the plan, or similar reasons, the permitted cor- rection is to terminate the plan and distribute plan assets to participants and beneficiaries in accordance with standards and procedures substantially similar to those set forth in section 2578.1 of the Department of Labor regulations (relating to abandoned plans). This correction must satisfy four conditions. First, the correction must comply with standards and procedures substantially similar to those set forth in section 2578.1 of the Department of Labor regulations 2013–4 I.R.B.331January 22, 2013 (relating to abandoned plans). Second, the qualified termination administrator, based on plan records located and updated in accordance withthe Department of Labor regulations, must have reasonably determined whether, and to what extent, the survivor annuity requirements of §§ 401(a)(11) and 417 apply to any benefit payable under the plan and must take reasonable steps to comply with those requirements (if applicable). Third, each participant and benefi- ciary must have been provided a nonforfeitableright to his or her accrued benefits as of the date of deemed termination under the Department of Labor regulations, subject to Earnings between that date and the date of distribution. Fourth, participants andbeneficiaries must re- ceive notification of their rights under § 402(f).In addition, notwithstanding correction under this revenue procedure, the Service reserves the right to pursue appropriate remedies under the Code against any party who is responsible for the plan, such as the Plan Sponsor, plan admin- istrator, or owner of the business, even in its capacity as a participant or beneficiary under the plan. See also section .09(1) of Appendix A for parallel rules for plans that are not subject to ERISA. (ii) In the case of a violation of the fiduciary standards imposed by Part 4 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, correction under the VoluntaryFiduciary Correction Program established by the Department of Labor (at 71 FR 20262) for a fiduciary violation for which there is a similar failure under this revenue procedure would generally be takeninto account as correction under this revenue procedure. (See also section 7.3(b) of the Department of Labor’s Voluntary Fidu- ciary Correction Program under which correction of a defaulted participant loan that provides for repayment in accordance with § 72(p)(2) requires only submission of the correction under VCP and inclusion of the VCP compliance statement (with proof of any required corrective payment).) (3)Consistency requirement. Generally, where more than one correction method is avail- able to correct a type of Operational Failure for a plan year (or where there are alternative ways to apply a correction method), the correction method (or one of the alternative ways to apply the correction method) should be applied consistently in correcting all Operational Fail- ures of that type for that plan year. Similarly, earnings adjustment methods generally should be applied consistently with respect to corrective contributions or allocations for a particular type of Operational Failure for a plan year. In the case of a Group Submission, the consistency requirement applies on a plan by plan basis. (4)Principles regarding corrective allocations and corrective distributions. The following principles apply where anappropriate correction method includes the use of corrective alloca- tions or corrective distributions: (a) Corrective allocations under a defined contribution plan should be based upon the terms of the plan and other applicable information at the time of the failure (including the compensa- tion that would have been used under the plan forthe period with respect to which a corrective allocation is being made) and should be adjusted for Earnings and forfeitures that would have been allocated to the participant’s account if the failure had not occurred. However, a correc- tive allocation is not required to be adjusted for losses. Accordingly, corrective allocations must include gains and may be adjusted for losses. For additional information, see Appendix B section 3 Earnings Adjustment Methods And Examples. (b) A corrective allocation to a participant’s account because of a failure to make a required allocation in a prior limitation year is not considered an annual addition with respect to the participant for the limitation year in which thecorrection is made, but is considered an annual addition for the limitation year to which the corrective allocation relates. However, the normal rules of § 404, regarding deductions, apply. (c) Corrective allocations should come only from employer nonelective contributions, in- cluding forfeitures if the plan permits their use to reduce employer contributions). For purpose of correcting a failed ADP, ACP, or multiple use test, any amounts used to fund QNECs must satisfy the definition of QNEC in §1.401(k)–6. January 22, 20133322013–4 I.R.B. (d) In the case of a defined benefit plan, a corrective distribution for an individual should be increased to take into account the delayed payment, in accordance with the plan’s provisions for actuarial equivalence (after considering the applicable requirements of §§ 417(e)(3) and 415(b) or any other applicable provision) that were in effect on the date that the distribution should have been made. A corrective distribution is not subject to the requirements of § 417(e)(3) if it is made to make up for missed payments with respect to a benefit that is not subject to the requirements of § 417(e)(3). (e)(i) In the case of a single employer defined benefit plan, a payment of benefits that fails to satisfy the requirements of § 436(b), (c), or (e) can be corrected by the Plan Sponsor (in- cluding another person acting on behalf of the Plan Sponsor) making a contribution to the plan equal to the following amount (with interest up to the date of the contribution): (A) in the case of a failure to satisfy § 436(b) with respect to anunpredictable contingent event benefit, the amount described in § 436(b)(2) with respect tothat benefit; (B) in the case of a failure to sat- isfy § 436(c) with respect to an amendment, the amount described in § 436(c)(2) with respect to that amendment; and (C) in the case of a failure to satisfy § 436(e), the amount described in § 436(e)(2) with respect to that failure. See alsosection6.06(3)forcorrectionofanOver- payment (including a payment of benefits that exceeds the limitations imposed by § 436(d) or 436(b), (c), or (e)). (ii) A corrective distribution or a corrective amendment (where a correction is accomplished through a plan amendment) is not subject to the requirements of§ 436, but, if the plan is subject to a restriction pursuant to § 436 at the time of thecorrection, generally the Plan Sponsor must make a contribution to the plan at the time of the correction in the following amount: (A) if a corrective distribution is made in a single-sum payment or other prohibited payment (as defined in § 436(d)(5)) at a time when the plan is subject to a restriction pursuant to § 436(d), the Plan Sponsor must generally contribute to the plan the amount of that corrective distribution (but only half of the corrective distribution must be contributed if the payment is made at a time when the plan is subject to a restriction pursuant to § 436(d)(3)); and (B) if a corrective amendment is made at a time when the plan is subject to a restriction pursuant to § 436(c), the Plan Sponsor must generally contribute to the plan an amount equal to the increase in the funding target of the plan (as defined in § 430) attributable to that amendment. No contribution is required to be made under this paragraph (e)(ii) if the corrective distribution is made in a form that is not a prohibited payment (for example, if the correction is made by actuarially increasing future payments that are made in a form that is not a prohibited payment). (iii) Any contribution made by the Plan Sponsor pursuant to this paragraph (e) is treated in the same manner as a “section 436 contribution”(as defined in § 1.436–1(j) (7)). Thus, the contribution is treated as separate from a minimum required contribution under § 430 and is disregarded in determining the amount added to a prefunding balance under § 430(f)(6). See § 1.436–1(f)(2) generally for rulesrelating to § 436 contributions. (f) In the case of a defined contribution plan, a corrective contribution or distribution should be adjusted for Earnings from the date of the failure (determined without regard to any Code provision which permits a corrective contribution or distribution to be made at a later date). (5)Special exceptions to full correction. In general, a failure mustbe fully corrected. Al- though the mere fact that correction is inconvenient or burdensome is not enough to relieve a Plan Sponsor of the need to make full correction,full correction may not be required in certain situations if it is unreasonable or not feasible. Even in these situations, the correction method adopted must be one that does not have significant adverse effects on participants and benefi- ciaries or the plan, and that does not discriminate significantly in favor of highly compensated employees. The exceptions described below specify those situations in which full correction is not required. (a)Reasonable estimates. If either (i) it is possible to make a precise calculation but the prob- able difference between the approximate and the precise restoration of a participant’s benefits is insignificant and the administrative cost of determining precise restoration would significantly 2013–4 I.R.B.333January 22, 2013 exceed the probable difference or (ii) it is notpossible to make a precise calculation (for exam- ple, where it is impossible to provide plan data), reasonable estimates may be used in calculat- ing appropriate correction. If it is not feasible to make a reasonable estimate of what the actual investment results would have been, a reasonable interest rate may be used. For this purpose, the interest rate used by the Department of Labor’s Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program Online Calculator (“VFCP Online Calculator”) is deemed to be a reasonable interest rate. The VFCP Online Calculator canbe found on the internet athttp://www.dol.gov/ebsa/calculator. (b)Delivery of small benefits. If the total corrective distribution due a participant or bene- ficiary is $75 or less, the Plan Sponsor is not required to make the corrective distribution if the reasonable direct costs of processing and delivering the distribution to the participant or ben- eficiary would exceed the amount of the distribution. This section 6.02(5)(b) does not apply to corrective contributions. Corrective contributions are required to be made with respect to a participant with an account under the plan. (c)Recovery of small Overpayments. Generally, if the total amount of an Overpaym ent to a participant or beneficiary is $100 or less, the Plan Sponsor is not required to s eek the return of the Overpayment from the participant or beneficiary. The Plan Sponsor is not re quired to notify the participant or beneficiary that the Overpayment is not eligible for favora ble tax treatment accorded to distributions from the plan (and, specifically, is not eligible fo r tax-free rollover). (d)Locating lost participants. (i) Reasonable actions must be taken to find all current and former participants and beneficiaries to whom additional benefits are due, but who have not been located after a mailing to the last known address. In general, such actions include, but are not limited to, a mailing to the individual’s last known address using certified mail, and, if that is unsuccessful, an additional search method, such as the use of the Social Security letter forwarding program, a commercial locator service, a credit reporting agency, or Internet search tools. Depending on the facts and circumstances, the use of more than one of these additional search methods may be appropriate. A plan will not be considered to have failed to correct a failure due to the inability to locate an individual if reasonable actions to locate the individual have been undertaken in accordancewith this paragraph; providedthat, if the individual is later located, the additional benefits are provided to the individual at that time. (ii) The IRS Letter Forwarding Program is no longer available as a means to search for participants and beneficiaries to whom additional benefits under the plan are due. Any request for locater services received by the Service on or after August 31, 2012 will not be processed. See Rev. Proc. 2012–35, 2012–37 I.R.B. 341. (iii) A Plan Sponsor described in (A) or (B) of this section 6.02(5)(d)(iii)) that is correcting failures that require payment of additional benefits to participants and beneficiaries will have until the earlier of: a) May 30, 2013, or b) if a request under the IRS Letter Forwarding Program has been submitted on or after August 31, 2012,150 days after the date of notification by the Service that the request to locate missing participants and beneficiaries will not be processed, to take other reasonable actions in accordance withsection 6.02(5)(d)(i) to locate participants and beneficiaries to whom additional benefits are due. A Plan Sponsor is described in this section 6.02(5)(d)(iii) if it: (A) received a VCP compliance statement for which the 150-day correction period set forth in section 10.07(9) of this revenue procedure has not expired, or (B) is correcting failures under SCP and is within 150 days of the expiration of the correction period set forth in section 9.02(1) of this revenue procedure. (e)Small Excess Amounts. Generally, if the total amount of an Excess Amount with respect to the benefit of a participant or beneficiary is $100 or less, the Plan Sponsor is not required to distribute or forfeit such Excess Amount. However, if the Excess Amount exceeds a statutory limit, the participant or beneficiary must be notified that the Excess Amount, including any investment gains, is not eligible for favorabletax treatment accorded todistributions from the plan (and, specifically, is not eligible for tax-free rollover). See section 6.06(1) for such notice requirements. January 22, 20133342013–4 I.R.B. (f)Orphan Plans. The Service retains the discretion to determine under VCP and Audit CAP whether full correction will be required with respect to a terminating Orphan Plan. (6)Correction principle for loan failures. In the case of a loan failure corrected in accor- dance with section 6.07(2)(b) or (c) and section 6.07(3), the participant is generally responsible for paying the corrective payment. However, with respect to the failure listed in section 6.07(3), the employer should pay a portion of the correction payment on behalf of the participant equal to the interest that accumulates as a result of such failure — generally determined at a rate equal to the greater of the plan loan interest rate or the rate of return under the plan. (7)Correction for exclusion of employees with respect to elective deferrals or af ter-tax em- ployee contributions. If a Qualified Plan or 403(b) Plan has an Operational Failur e that con- sists of excluding an employee that should have been eligible to make an elective de ferral or an after-tax employee contribution, the employer should contribute to the plan o n behalf of the excluded employee an amount that makes up for the value of the lost opportunity for the employee to have a portion of his or her compensation contributed to the plan accum ulated with earnings tax deferred in the future.This correction principle applies so lely to this lim- ited circumstance. It does not, for example, extend to the correction of a failu re to satisfy a nondiscrimination test,e.g., the ADP test pursuant to § 401(k)(3) and the ACP t est pursuant to § 401(m)(2). Specific methods and examples to correct this failure are provide d in Appendix A, section .05, and Appendix B, section 2.02. Similarly, the methods and examp les provided for correcting this failure do not extend to other failures. Thus, the correct ion methods and the examples in Appendix A, section .05, and Appendix B, section 2.02, cannot, fo rexample,be used to correct ADP/ACP failures. (8)Correction by plan amendment in VCP, Audit CAP, and SCP. For the availability of correction by plan amendment, see section 4.05. (9)Reporting. Any corrective distributions fromthe plan should be properly reported. .03Correction of an Employer Eligibility Failure. (1) The permitted correction of an Em- ployer Eligibility Failure is the cessation of all contributions (includingelective deferrals and after-tax employee contributions). For VCP submissions, the cessation must occur no later than the date the submission under VCP is filed. The assets in such a plan are to remain in the trust, annuity contract, or custodial account and are to be distributed no earlier than the occur- rence of one of the applicable distribution events,e.g., for 403(b) Plans, an event described in § 403(b)(7) (to the extent the assets are held in custodial accounts) or § 403(b)(11) (for those assets invested in annuity contracts that would be subject to § 403(b)(11) restrictions if the employer were eligible). (2) Cessation of contributions is not required if continuation of contributions would not be an Employer Eligibility Failure (for example, with respect to a tax-exempt employer that may maintain a § 401(k) plan after 1996). In thecase of a 403(b) Failure which is an Employer Eligibility Failure, correction may include treating contributions as not being excluded under § 403(b) (and thus the contributions would be treated as having been contributed, for example, to an annuity contract to which § 403(c) applies). (3) A plan that is corrected through VCP orAudit CAP is treated as subject to all of the requirements and provisions of §§ 401(a) for a Qualified Plan, 403(b) for a 403(b) Plan, 408(k) for a SEP, and 408(p) for a SIMPLE IRA Plan (including Code provisions relating to rollovers). Therefore, the Plan Sponsor must also correct all other failures in accordance with this revenue procedure. (4) If correction is accomplished under VCP or Audit CAP in accordance with the require- ments of this section 6.03, then any rollovers made from the plan pursuant to a distributable event are deemed to have been made from an eligible retirement plan under § 402(c)(8)(B) for the purpose of determining whether the amounts qualify as an eligible rollover distribution un- der § 402(c) or 403(b)(8) (including the determination of excess contributions that are subject to the § 4973 excise tax). 2013–4 I.R.B.335January 22, 2013 .04Correction of a failure to obtain spousal consent. (1) Normally, the correction method under VCP for a failure to obtain spousal consent for a distribution that is subject to the spousal consent rules under §§ 401(a)(11) and 417 is similar to the correction method described in Appendix A, section .07. The Plan Sponsor mustnotify the affected participant and spouse (to whom the participant was married at the time of the distribution), so that the spouse can provide spousal consent to the distribution actually made or the participant may repay the distribution and receive a qualified joint and survivor annuity. (2)(a) As alternatives to the correction methodin section 6.04(1), correction for a failure to obtain spousal consent may be made under either section 6.04(2)(b) or section 6.04(2)(c). (b) In the event that spousal consent to the prior distribution is not obtained (e.g., because the spouse chooses not to consent, the spouse does not respond to the notice, or the spouse cannot be located), the spouse is entitled to a benefit under the plan equal to the portion of the qualified joint and survivor annuity that would have been payable to the spouse upon the death of the participant had a qualified joint and survivor annuity been provided to the participant under the plan at the annuity starting date for the prior distribution. Such spousal benefit must be provided if a claim is made by the spouse. (c) In the event that spousal consent to the prior distribution is not obtained, the plan may of- fer the spouse the choice between (i) the survivor annuity benefit described in section 6.04(2)(b) or (ii) a single-sum payment equal to the actuarial present value of that survivor annuity ben- efit (calculated using the applicable interest rate and mortality table under § 417(e)(3)). Any such single-sum payment is treated in the same manner as a distribution under § 402(c)(9) for purposes of rolling over the payment to an IRA or other eligible retirement plan. In the event that the plan is subject to a restriction on the payment of single sums pursuant to § 436(d) at the time the plan offers this choice to the spouse and the spouse elects to receive a single-sum payment, the plan sponsor must contribute to the plan the applicable amount under section 6.02(4)(e)(ii)(A). .05Submission of a determination letter application.(1)In general. This section 6.05 sets forth the situations in which a determination letter application is required to be submitted as part of the correction of a Qualification Failure if the correction includes a plan amendment. If a determination letter application is required under this section 6.05, then, unless otherwise specified in this revenue procedure, the provisions of Rev. Proc. 2007–44 will apply. Thus, for example, in the case of an ongoing individually designed plan, a determination letter appli- cation will be reviewed with respect to all itemsincluded in the Cumulative List (as defined in Rev. Proc. 2007–44) that would apply to the remedial amendment cycle during which the de- termination letter is filed. Notwithstanding any other part of this section 6.05, a determination letter application is not required and may not be submitted with the VCP submission if (a) the correction by plan amendment isachieved through (i) the adoption of an amendment that is designated as a model amendment by the Service or (ii) the adoption of a prototype or volume submitter plan with an opinion or advisory letter as provided in Rev. Proc. 2012–6, 2012–1 I.R.B. 197, on which the Plan Sponsor has reliance (or is treated as having reliance pursuant to section 6.05(5) below), or (b) the failure corrected is a Demographic Failure. (2)Determination letter application required.(a)VCP and Audit CAP.(i)Operational fail- ure corrected by plan amendment during on-cycle year.Except as provided in section 6.05(1), to correct an Operational Failure that includes a plan amendment (in a case where the Plan Sponsor submits the failure under VCP or corrects the failure under Audit CAP during an on-cycle year or in connection with a plan termination), a determination letter application is required. An “on-cycle year” means the last12 months of the plan’s remedial amendment cy- cle set forth in Rev. Proc. 2007–44. (ii)Nonamender failure. Except as provided in section 6.05(1) and (3)(a), a determination letter application is required in order to correct a nonamender failure under VCP or Audit CAP, whether or not the plan is submitted under VCP or corrected under Audit CAP during an on-cy- cle year. For this purpose, the term “nonamender failure” means a failure to amend the plan January 22, 20133362013–4 I.R.B. to correct a disqualifying provision described in § 1.401(b)–1(b) within the applicable reme- dial amendment period. In general, a disqualifying provision includes a provision in the plan document that violates a qualification requirement of the Code or the absence of a provision that causes the plan to fail to satisfy a qualification requirement of the Code. A disqualifying provision also includes any provision designated by the Commissioner as a disqualifying pro- vision under § 1.401(b)–1(b)(3). (b)SCP. Except as provided in section 6.05(1), in the case of any correction of an Opera- tional Failure through plan amendment under SCP that is permitted under section 4.05(2) of this revenue procedure, a Plan Sponsor must submit a determination letter application for the plan, including the corrective plan amendment,during the plan’s next on-cycle year, or if ear- lier, in connection with the plan’s termination.The determination letterapplication should be mailed to the address provided in the instructions for the applicable Form 5300, 5307, or 5310. As part of the determination letter submission, the cover letter must identify the amendment as a corrective amendment underSCP. In addition, the Plan Sponsor must include in the cover letter to the application: (1) a statement that neither the plan nor the Plan Sponsor has been a party to an abusive tax avoidance transaction (as defined in section 4.13(2) of this revenue procedure); or (2) a brief identification of anyabusive tax avoidance transaction to which the plan or the Plan Sponsor has been a party. (3)Determination Letter application not required or permitted.(a)Failure t o adopt timely good faith amendments, interim amendments, or amendments required to implem ent optional law changes before the expiration of the plan’s remedial amendment period as determined under Rev. Proc. 2007–44.(i)In general. The provisions of this section 6.0 5(3)(a) are ap- plicable with respect to a failure to adopt timely good faith, interim, or op tional law change amendments that is corrected (i.e., corrective amendments are adopted by t he employer) prior to the plan’s first on-cycle year following the date by which any such amendm ent should have been adopted pursuant to section 5.05 of Rev. Proc. 2007–44. If a Plan Sponso r submits a fail- ure under VCP or corrects a failure under Audit CAP to adopt timely good faith amendments, interim amendments, or timely amendments to the plan to implement option al law changes, then a determination letter application is not required and may not be sub mitted with the VCP submission or as part of the correction of the failure under Audit CAP. (ii) Definitions. For purposes of this revenue procedure: (1)“Good faith amendments” include the EGTRRA good faith amendments described in Notice 2001–42, 2001–2 C.B. 70, the amendment required for the plan to comply with the final regulations under § 401(a)(9) of the Code (see Rev. Proc. 2002–29, 2002–1 C.B. 1176, as modified by Rev. Proc. 2003–10, 2003–1 C.B. 259), the amendment updating the mortality table to reflect the guidance in Rev. Rul. 2001–62, 2001–2 C.B. 632, and the amendment updating the definition of compensation, for purposes of § 415(c)(3), to include “deemed § 125 compensation” pursuant to Rev. Rul. 2002–27, 2002–1 C.B. 925, (2)“Interim amendments” are interim amendments within the meaning of section 5.01 of Rev. Proc. 2007–44, and (3)“Optional law changes” refer to changes in statutes, regulations, or other published guid- ance that are not required to preserve the plan’squalified status, but are implemented at the Plan Sponsor’s discretion, other than amendments that are integral to plan provisions that are dis- qualifying provisions under section 5.01(1) of Rev. Proc. 2007–44. (iii)Example. An example of an optional law change is the expansion of permitted safe harbor hardship events as provided in section 826 of the Pension Protection Act, 2006, P.L. 109–280 (“PPA ’06”) and Notice 2007–7 to permit a plan to treat a participant’s beneficiary under the plan the same as the participant’s spouse or dependent in determining whether the participant has incurred a hardship or unforeseeable financial emergency. The Plan Sponsor may amend the plan to permit hardship distributions pursuant to any or all of the events provided for in the previous sentence. However, the plan amendment is not required to preserve the plan’s qualified status. (b)Issuance of a compliance statement. The issuance of a compliance statement (under VCP) or closing agreement (under Audit CAP) with respect to failures described in paragraph 6.05(3)(a) results in the corrective amendmentsbeing treated as if they had been adopted timely 2013–4 I.R.B.337January 22, 2013 for the purpose of determining the availability of the extended remedial amendment period described in section 5.03 of Rev. Proc. 2007–44. However, the issuance of such a compliance statement or closing agreement does not constitute a determination as to whether the form of the plan amendment complies with the change in qualification requirement. (c)Operational Failures corrected through plan amendment under VCP and Audit CAP during an off-cycle year. If, during an off-cycle year, a PlanSponsor submits an Operational Failure under VCP or corrects such a failure under Audit CAP, then a determination letter ap- plication is not required and may not be submitted with the VCP submission or as part of the correction of the failure under Audit CAP. If the plan amendment is accepted as a proper cor- rection for an Operational Failure, the compliance statement under VCP or closing agreement issued under Audit CAP constitutes a determination on the effect of the plan amendment on the qualification of the plan. The reliance provided by a compliance statement or closing agree- ment is limited to the specific failures and years specified and does not provide reliance for any other failure or year. Except as provided in section 6.05(1), with respect to correction of an Operational Failure through plan amendment, the compliance statement issued under VCP or closing agreement issued under Audit CAP is subject to the condition that the amendment be submitted as part of a determination letter submission during the plan’s next on-cycle year, or, if earlier, in connection with the plan’s termination, and that a favorable determination letter be issued with respect to the plan. The determination letter application should be mailed to the address listed in the instructions of the applicable Form 5300, 5307, or 5310 and should include a copy of the related compliance statement or closing agreement. A Plan Sponsor that corrects an Operational Failure through a plan amendment under Audit CAP during an off-cy- cle year should also include a copy of the closingagreement when submitting a determination letter application during the plan’s next on-cycle year, or if earlier, in connection with the plan’s termination. (d)Failure to adopt amendments required under the terms of a favorable determination letter. If a Plan Sponsor failed to adopt an amendment (upon which the favorable letter was conditioned) within the applicable remedial amendment period specified in the determination letter and the Plan Sponsor submits such failure under VCP, then a determination letter appli- cation is not required and should not be submitted with the VCP submission. (4)Determination letter applications optional under EPCRS. A Plan Sponsor may submit a determination letter application with respect to a correction through plan amendment prior to the plan’s on-cycle year if the plan would be given the same priority as an on-cycle filing pursuant to sections 14.02 and 14.03 of Rev. Proc. 2007–44, (relating to certain new plans, terminating plans, and off-cycle applications submitted in accordance with published guidance issued by the Service specifying such submission, and in the case of urgent business need). Determination letter requests submitted pursuant to this section 6.05(4) must contain a written justification as to the eligibility of the plan under section 14.02 or 14.03 of Rev. Proc. 2007–44 and this section 6.05(4). In the case of urgent business need, the Service will consider such requests based on the facts and circumstances. (5)Corrective amendments to pre-approved plans.(a)VCP and Audit CAP. Generall y, un- der VCP or Audit CAP, a Plan Sponsor that is a pre-approved plan adopter is able to a mend its plan to correct a Qualification Failure(provided the amendment satisfies the r equirements of the Code). In some cases, the corrective amendment is not provided for among plan provision options that were pre-approved when the opinion or advisory letter was issued with respect to the plan. As a result, adopting such a corrective amendment would cause the Pla n Sponsor to lose reliance on the plan’s opinionor advisory letter, except in the limite d circumstances provided in this section 6.05(5). (b)Pre-approved plans. In the case of a pre-approved plan (that is, a master and prototype or volume submitter plan), the adoption of a plan provision not provided for in the adoption agreement which is required to correct a failure under VCP or Audit CAP will not cause the Plan Sponsor to lose its reliance on the plan’s opinion or advisory letter, provided that: (i) the corrective amendment would otherwise be permitted under the rules for pre-approved plans and (ii) no other modification has been made tothe plan that would cause the plan to lose its January 22, 20133382013–4 I.R.B. reliance on the opinion or advisory letter. If these conditions are satisfied, the Plan Sponsor will be allowed to continue to rely on the plan’s opinion or advisory letter. In addition, the adoption of the corrective amendment will not cause the plan to lose its eligibility to remain within the six-year remedial amendment cycle provided for in Rev. Proc. 2007–44 on a continuing basis until the expiration of the next six-year remedial amendment cycle described in section 18.01 of Rev. Proc. 2007–44. (6)Internal Revenue Service discretion. Notwithstanding any other provision of section 6.05 of this revenue procedure, the Service reserves the right to require the submission of a determination letter application with respectto any amendment proposed or adopted to correct any Qualification Failure under VCP or Audit CAP. .06Special rules relating to Excess Amounts.(1)Treatment of Excess Amounts.Except as otherwise provided in section 6.02(5)(c) with respect to recovery of small Overpayments, a distribution of an Excess Amount is not eligible for the favorable tax treatment accorded to distributions from Qualified Plans or 403(b) Plans(such as eligibility for tax-free rollover). Thus, for example, if such a distribution was contributed to an IRA, the contribution is not a valid rollover contribution for purposes of determining the amount of excess contributions (within the meaning of § 4973) to the individual’s IRA. A distribution of an Excess Amount is generally treated in the manner described insection 3 of Rev. Proc. 92–93, 1992–2 C.B. 505 (relating to the corrective disbursement of elective deferrals). The distribution must be reported on Form 1099-R for the year of distribution with respect to each participant or beneficiary receiving such a distribution. Except as otherwise provided in section 6.02(5)(c), where an Excess Amount has been or is being distributed, the Plan Sponsor must notify the recipient that (a) an Excess Amount has been or will be distributed and (b) an Excess Amount is not eligible for favorable tax treatment accorded to distributionsfrom an eligible retirement plan under § 402(c)(8)(B) (and, specifically, is not eligible for rollover). (2)Correction of Excess Allocations. In general, an Excess Allocation is corrected in accor- dance with the Reduction of Account Balance Correction Method set forth in this paragraph. Under this method, the account balance of an employee who received an Excess Allocation is reduced by the Excess Allocation (adjusted for Earnings). If the Excess Allocation would have been allocated to other employees in the year of the failure had the failure not occurred, then that amount (adjusted for Earnings) is reallocated to those employeesin accordance with the plan’s allocation formula. If the improperly allocated amount would not have been allocated to other employees absent the failure, that amount (adjusted for Earnings) is placed in a sep- arate account that is not allocated on behalf of any participant or beneficiary (an unallocated account) established for the purpose of holding Excess Allocations, adjusted for Earnings, to be used to reduce employer contributions (otherthan elective deferrals) in the current year or succeeding year. While such amounts remain inthe unallocated account, the employer is not permitted to make contributions to the plan other than elective deferrals. Excess Allocations that are attributable to elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions (adjusted for Earn- ings) must be distributed to the participant. For qualification purposes, an Excess Allocation that is corrected pursuant to this paragraph is disregarded for purposes of §§ 402(g) and 415, the actual deferral percentage test of § 401(k)(3), and the actual contribution percentage test of § 401(m)(2). If an Excess Allocation resultingfrom a violation of § 415 consists of annual ad- ditions attributable to both employer contributions and elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions, then the correction of the Excess Allocation is completed by first distributing the unmatched employee’s after-tax contributions(adjusted for Earnings) and then the unmatched employee’s elective deferrals (adjusted for Earnings). If any excess remains, and is attributable to either elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions that are matched, the excess is apportioned first to after-tax employee contributions with the associated matching employer contributions and then to elective deferrals with the associated matching employer contribu- tions. Any matching contribution or nonelective employer contribution (adjusted for Earnings) which constitutes an Excess Allocation is then forfeited and placed in an unallocated account established for the purpose of holding Excess Allocations to be used to reduce employer con- tributions in the current year and succeeding year. Such unallocated account is adjusted for 2013–4 I.R.B.339January 22, 2013 Earnings. While such amounts remain in the unallocated account, the employer is not permit- ted to make contributions (other than elective deferrals) to the plan. (3)Correction of Overpayment (defined benefit plans). An Overpayment from a defined benefit plan is corrected in accordance with rules similar to the Return of Overpayment and Adjustment of Future Payments correction methods described in section 2.04(1) of Appendix B. (4)Correction of Overpayment (defined contribution plans and 403(b) Plans).(a)In gen- eral. An Overpayment from a defined contribution plan or 403(b) Plan is corrected i n accor- dance with the Return of Overpayment method set forth in this paragraph. Under this method, the employer takes reasonable steps to have the Overpayment, adjusted for Earning satthe plan’s earnings rate from the date of the distribution to the date of the repayment, returned by the participant or beneficiary to the plan. (b)Make-whole contribution. To the extent the amount of an Overpayment adjusted for Earnings at the plan’s earnings rate is not repaid to the plan, the employer or another person must contribute the difference to the plan. The preceding sentence does not apply when the failure arose solely because a payment was made from the plan to a participant or beneficiary in the absence of a distributable event (but wasotherwise determined in accordance with the terms of the plan (e.g.an impermissible in-service distribution)). (c)Unallocated account. Except as provided in section 6.06(4)(d), a corrected Overpay- ment, adjusted for Earnings at the plan’s earnings rate to the date of the repayment, is to be placed in an unallocated account, as described in section 6.06(2), to be used to reduce employer contributions (other than elective deferrals) in the current year and succeeding year(s) (or, if the amount would have been allocated to other eligible employees who were in the plan for the year of the failure if the failure had not occurred, then that amount is reallocated to the other eligible employees in accordance with the plan’s allocation formula). (d)Repayment by the participant or beneficiary. To the extent an Overpayment was solely considered a premature distribution but was otherwise determined in accordance with the terms of the plan, any amount returned to the plan by the participant or beneficiary is to be allocated to his or her account. (e)Notification of employee. Except as provided in section 6.02(5)(c) with respect to the recovery of small overpayments, the employermust notify the employee that the Overpayment was not eligible for favorable tax treatment accorded to distributions from an eligible retirement plan under § 402(c)(8)(B) (and, specifically, was not eligible for tax-free rollover). .07Rules relating to reporting plan loan failures.(1)General rules for loans. Unless cor- rection is made in accordance with this section 6.07(2) or (3), a deemed distribution under § 72(p)(1) in connection with a failure relating to a loan to a participant made from a plan must be reported on Form 1099-R with respect tothe affected participant and any applicable income tax withholding amount that was required to be paid in connection with the failure (see § 1.72(p)–1, Q&A–15) must be paid by the employer. As part of VCP and Audit CAP, the deemed distribution may be reported on Form 1099-R with respect to the affected participant for the year of correction (instead of the year of the failure). The relief of reporting the partici- pant’s loan as a deemed distribution on Form 1099-R in the year of correction, as described in the preceding sentence, applies only if the Plan Sponsor specifically requests such relief. (2)Special rules for loans.(a)In general. The correction methods set forth in section 6.07(2)(b) and (c) and section 6.07(3) are available for plan loans that do not comply with one or more requirements of § 72(p)(2) and are corrected through VCP or Audit CAP. The correc- tion methods described in section 6.07(2)(b) and(c) and section 6.07(3) are not available if the maximum period for repayment of the loan pursuant to § 72(p)(2)(B) has expired. The Service reserves the right to limit the use of the correction methods listed in section 6.07(2)(b) and (c) and section 6.07(3) to situations that it considers appropriate; for example, where the loan failure is caused by employer action. A deemed distribution corrected under section 6.07(2)(b) or (c) or under section 6.07(3) is not required to be reported on Form 1099-R and repayments January 22, 20133402013–4 I.R.B. made by correction under sections 6.07(2) and 6.07(3) do not result in the affected participant having additional basis in the plan for purposesof determining the tax treatment of subsequent distributions from the plan to the affected participant. The relief from reporting the partici- pant’s loan as a deemed distribution on Form 1099-R, as described in the preceding sentence, applies only if the Plan Sponsor specifically requests such relief and provides an explanation supporting the request. (b)Loans in excess of § 72(p)(2)(A). A failure to comply with plan provisions requiring that loans comply with § 72(p)(2)(A) may be correctedby a corrective repayment to the plan based on the excess of the loan amount over the maximum loan amount under § 72(p)(2)(A). In the event that loan repayments were made in accordance with the amortization schedule for the loan before correction, such prior repayments may be applied (i) solely to reduce the portion of the loan that did not exceed the maximum loan amount under § 72(p)(2)(A) (so that the corrective repayment would equal the original loan excess plus interest thereon), (ii) to reduce the loan excess to the extent of the interest thereon, with the remainder of the repayments ap- plied to reduce the portion of the loan thatdid not exceed the maximum loan amount under § 72(p)(2)(A) (so that the corrective repayment would equal the original loan excess), or (iii) pro rataagainst the loan excess and the maximum loan amount under § 72(p)(2)(A) (so that the corrective repayment would equal the outstanding balanceremaining on the original loan ex- cess on the date that corrective repayment is made). After the corrective payment is made, the loan may be reformed to amortize the remaining principal balance as of the date of repayment over the remaining period of the original loan.This is permissible as long as the recalculated payments over the remaining period would notcause the loan to violate the maximum duration permitted under § 72(p)(2)(B). The maximum duration is determined from the date the original loan was made. In addition, the amortization payments determined for the remaining period must comply with the level amortization requirements of § 72(p)(2)(C). (c)Loan terms that do not satisfy § 72(p)(2)(B) or (C). For a failure of loan repayment terms to provide for a repayment schedule that complies with § 72(p)(2)(B) or (C), the failure may be corrected by a reamortization of the loan balance in accordance with § 72(p)(2)(C) over the remaining period that is the maximum period that complies with § 72(p)(2)(B) measured from theoriginaldateoftheloan. (d)No requirement for plan provisions. This section 6.07 applies even if the plan does not require loans to satisfy the requirements of § 72(p)(2). However, to correct the ERISA fiduciary violations associated with the failures described in section 6.07(2)(b) and (c) and section 6.07(3) under the Department of Labor’sVoluntary Fiduciary Correction Program, the plan must contain plan provisions requiring that loans comply with § 72(p)(2)(A), (B), and (C). (3)Defaulted loans. A failure to repay the loan in accordance with the loan terms where the terms satisfy § 72(p)(2) may be corrected by (i) asingle-sum repayment equal to the additional repayments that the affectedparticipant would have made to the plan if there had been no failure to repay the plan, plus interest accrued on the missed repayments, (ii) reamortizing the outstanding balance of the loan, includingaccrued interest, over the remaining payment schedule of the original term of the loan or the period remaining had the loan been amortized over the maximum period that complies with § 72(p)(2)(B), measured from the original date of the loan, or (iii) any combination of (i) or (ii). .08Correction under statute or regulations. Generally, none of the correction programs are available to correct failures that can be corrected under the Code and related regulations. For example, as a general rule, a Plan Document Failure that is a disqualifying provision for which the remedial amendment period under § 401(b) has not expired can be corrected under provisions of the Code through retroactive remedial amendment. .09Matters subject to excise or other taxes.(1)General rule. Except as provided in this revenue procedure, the correction programs are not available for events for which the Code provides tax consequences other than plan disqualification (such as the imposition of an excise tax or additional income tax). For example, funding deficiencies (failures to make the required 2013–4 I.R.B.341January 22, 2013 contributions to a plan subject to § 412), prohibited transactions, and failures to file the Form 5500 series cannot be correctedunder this revenue procedure. (2)Section 4974. As part of VCP and Audit CAP, if a failure involves the failure to satisfy the minimum required distribution requirements of § 401(a)(9), in appropriate cases, the Ser- vice will waive the excise tax under § 4974 applicable to plan participants or beneficiaries. The waiver will be included in the compliance statement or in the closing agreement in the case of Audit CAP. Under VCP, the Plan Sponsor, as part of the submission, must request the waiver and, in cases where the participant subject tothe excise tax is either an owner-employee as defined in § 401(c)(3) or a 10% owner of a corporation, the Plan Sponsor must also provide an explanation supporting the request. See section 12.02(2) relating to the applicable compliance fee for certain § 401(a)(9) failures. Under Audit CAP, the Plan Sponsor must make a specific request for waiver of the excise tax under § 4974. The Plan Sponsor should also provide an explanation supporting the request for a waiver. Upon reviewing the request, the reasons for the failure, and other facts or circumstances ofthe case under examination, the Service will de- termine whether it is appropriate to approve the waiver of the excise tax as part of the closing agreement negotiated under Audit CAP. (3)Section 4972. As part of VCP, if the failure involves a correction that requi res the Plan Sponsor to make a plan contribution that is not deductible, in appropriate case s, the Service will not pursue the excise tax under § 4972 on such nondeductible contributions. The Plan Sponsor, as part of the submission must request the relief and provide an explanation su pporting the request. (4)Section 4979. As part of VCP, if a failure results in excess contributions as defined in § 4979(c) or excess aggregate contributions as defined in § 4979(d) under a plan, in appropriate cases, the Service will not pursue the excise tax under § 4979,e.g., where correction is made for any case in which the ADP test was timely performed but, due to reliance on inaccurate data, resulted in an insufficient amount of excess elective deferrals having been distributed to HCEs. The Plan Sponsor, as part of the submission, must request the relief and provide an explanation supporting the request. (5)Section 4973. Subject to section 6.03(4), as part of VCP, in appropriate cases, the Service will not pursue the excise tax under § 4973 relating to excess contributions made to a 403(b) Plan or IRA under any of the following circumstances: (a) As part of the proposed correction for Overpayments, the participant or beneficiary (“re- cipient”) removes the Overpayment (adjusted for Earnings) from the recipient’s 403(b) Plan or IRA and returns that amount to the plan. (b) As part of the proposed correction for Excess Amounts, the recipient removes the Ex- cess Amount (adjusted for Earnings) from the recipient’s 403(b) Plan or IRA and reports that amount (reduced by any applicable after-tax employee contribution) as a taxable distribution for the year in which the Excess Amount (adjusted for Earnings) is removed from the recip- ient’s IRA. The amount removed is generally taxed in a manner that is similar to the manner in which the corrective disbursement of elective deferrals is taxed, as described in section 3 of Rev. Proc. 92–93. (c) The Plan Sponsor, as part of the submission, must request relief from the § 4973 excise tax and provide an explanation supporting the request. (6)Section 72(t). As part of VCP, in appropriate cases, the Service will not pursue the 10% additional income tax under § 72(t) (or will pursue only a portion thereof) if, as part of the proposed correction of an Overpayment that occurred solely because an employee received a distribution from his or her vested account balance that was not a distributable event, the participant or beneficiary (“recipient”) returns the improperly distributed amount, adjusted for Earnings, to the plan. If the improperly distributed amount was rolled over to the recipient’s IRA, then correction will include removing the amount improperly distributed and rolled over (adjusted for Earnings) from the recipient’s IRA and returning that amount to the plan. In appropriate cases, as a condition for not pursuing all or a portion of the additional tax, the January 22, 20133422013–4 I.R.B. Service may require the Plan Sponsor to pay an additional fee under VCP not in excess of the 10% additional income tax under § 72(t). The Plan Sponsor, as part of the submission, must request the relief and provide an explanation supporting the request. .10Correction for 403(b) Plans.(1)Correction for 403(b) Plans generally. Except as pro- vided in sections 6.03(2) and 6.10(2), the correction for a 403(b) Plan is expected to be the same as the correction required for a Qualified Plan with the same Failure (i.e.,PlanDocument Failure, Operational Failure, DemographicFailure, and Employer Eligibility Failure). (2)Special correction principles. In general, a 403(b) Failurecan be corrected by treating a contract as a § 403(c) annuity contract (or, ifapplicable, as an amount to which § 61, 83, or 402(b) applies), such as for purposes of correcting an Employer Eligibility Failure, a failure to provide for full vesting (including a failure to maintain a separate account), or an exchange made to a vendor which is not part of the plan (and for which there is no information sharing agreement). In addition, for purposes of this revenue procedure, pending additional guidance, a 403(b) Plan generally will be treated as having a Favorable Letter if either (a) the employer is an eligible employer and, on or before December 31,2009 (or the date a 403(b) Plan is established, if later), the employer has adopted a written 403(b) Plan that is intended to satisfy § 403(b) (including the regulations thereunder) effective as of January 1, 2009 (or the first day of the plan year in which a 403(b) Plan is established, iflater), or (b) the employer has failed to adopt a written 403(b) Plan timely andcorrects the failure in accordance with section 6.10(3) below. In addition, for purposes of section 4.04 (requiring that the Plan Sponsor or administrator of the plan have established practices and procedures reasonably designed to promote and facilitat e overall compliance with applicable Code requirements in order to be eligible for SCP to be available to correct Operational Failures), the requirement to have established practices a nd procedures only applies for failuresduring periods after December 31, 2009. (3)Correction for failure to adopt a written 403(b) Plan timely. A failure to adopt a written 403(b) Plan timely in accordancewith the final regulations under § 403(b)and Notice 2009–3 may be corrected under VCP and Audit CAP. The issuance of a compliance statement or clos- ing agreement for the failure to adopt a written403(b) Plan timely will result in the written 403(b) Plan being treated as if it had been adopted timely for the purpose of making available the extended remedial amendment period setforth in Announcement 2009–89. However, the issuance of a compliance statement or closing agreement does not constitute a determination as to whether the written plan, as drafted, complies with the applicable requirements of § 403(b) of the Code and the final 403(b) regulations. .11Correction for SEPs and SIMPLE IRA Plans.(1)Correction for SEPs and SIMPLE IRA Plans generally. Generally, the correction for a SEP or a SIMPLE IRA Plan is expected to be similar to the correction required for a Qualified Plan with a similar Qualification Failure(i.e., Plan Document Failure, Operational Failure, Demographic Failure, and Employer Eligibility Failure). (2)Special correction for SEPs and SIMPLE IRA Plans. In any case in which correction under section 6.11(1) is not feasible for a SEP or SIMPLE IRA Plan or in any other case deter- mined by the Service in its discretion (includingfailures relating to § 402(g), 415, or 401(a)(17), failures relating to deferral percentages, discontinuance of contributions to a SARSEP or SIM- PLE IRA Plan, and retention of Excess Amountsfor cases in which therehas been no violation of a statutory limitation with respect to a SEP or SIMPLE IRA Plan), the Service may provide for a different correction. See section 12.06(2) for a special fee that may apply in such a case. (3) Correction of failure to satisfy deferral percentage test. If the failure involves a violation of the deferral percentage test under § 408(k)(6)(A)(iii) applicable to a SARSEP, the failure may be corrected in either of the following ways: (a) The Plan Sponsor may make contributions that are 100% vested to all eligible nonhighly compensated employees (to the extent permitted by § 415) necessary to raise the deferral per- centage to an amount sufficient to pass the test. This amount may be calculated as the same percentage of compensation (regardless of the terms of the SEP). 2013–4 I.R.B.343January 22, 2013 (b) The Plan Sponsor may effect distribution of excess contributions, adjusted for Earnings through the date of correction, to highly compensated employees to correct the failure. The Plan Sponsor must also contribute to the SEP an amount equal to the total amount distributed. This amount must be allocated to(i) current employees who were nonhighly compensated employees in the year of the failure, (ii) current nonhighly compensated employees who were nonhighly compensated employees in the year ofthe failure, or (iii) employees (both current and former) who were nonhighly compensated employees in the year of the failure. (4)Treatment of undercontributions to a SEP or a SIMPLE IRA Plan.(a)Make-up contri- butions; Earnings. The Plan Sponsor should correct undercontributions to a SEP or a SIMPLE IRA Plan by contributing make-up amounts that are fully vested, adjusted for Earnings from the date of the failure to the date of correction. (b)Earnings adjustment methods. Insofar as SEP and SIMPLE IRA Plan assets are held in IRAs, there is no earnings rate under the SEP or SIMPLE IRA Plan as a whole. If it is not feasible to make a reasonable estimate of what the actual investment results would have been, a reasonable interest rate may be used. (5)Treatment of Excess Amounts under a SEP or a SIMPLE IRA Plan.(a)Distribution of Excess Amounts. For purposes of this section 6.11, an Excess Amount is an amount con- tributed on behalf of an employee that is in excess of an employee’s benefit under the plan, or an elective deferral in excess of the limitationsof § 402(g) or 408(k)(6)(A)(iii). If an Excess Amount is attributable to elective deferrals, thePlan Sponsor may effect distribution of the Ex- cess Amount, adjusted for Earnings through the date of correction, to the affected participant. The amount distributed to the affected participant is includible in gross income in the year of distribution. The distribution is reported on Form 1099-R for the year of distribution with re- spect to each participant receivingthe distribution. Inaddition, the Plan Sponsor must inform affected participants that the distribution of an Excess Amount is not eligible for favorable tax treatment accorded to distributions from a SEP or a SIMPLE IRAPlan (and, specifically, is not eligible for tax-free rollover). If the Excess Amount is attributable to employer contributions, the Plan Sponsor may effect distribution of the employer Excess Amount, adjusted for Earn- ings through the date of correction, to the Plan Sponsor. The amount distributed to the Plan Sponsor is not includible in the gross income of the affected participant. The Plan Sponsor is not entitled to a deduction for such employer Excess Amount. The distribution is reported on Form 1099-R issued to the participantindicating the taxable amount as zero. (b)Retention of Excess Amounts. If an Excess Amount is retained in the SEP or SIMPLE IRA Plan under this section 6.11(5), a special fee, in addition tothe VCP submission fee, will apply. See section 12.06(2) for the special fee. The Plan Sponsor is not entitled to a deduction for an Excess Amount retained in the SEP or SIMPLE IRA Plan. In the case of an Excess Amount retained in a SEP that is attributableto a § 415 failure, the Excess Amount, adjusted for Earnings through the date of correction, mustreduce an affected participant’s applicable § 415 limit for the year following the year of correction (or for the year of correction if the Plan Sponsor so chooses), and subsequent years, until the excess is eliminated. (c)De minimisExcess Amounts. If the total Excess Amount in a SEP or SIMPLE IRA Plan, whether attributable to elective deferrals or employer contributions, is $100 or less, the Plan Sponsor is not required to distribute the Excess Amount and the special fee described in section 12.06(2) does not apply. .12Confidentiality and disclosure. Because each correction program relates directly to the enforcement of Code requirements, the information received or generated by the Service un- der the program is subject to the confidentiality requirements of § 6103 and is not a written determination within the meaning of § 6110. .13No effect on other law. Correction under these programs has no effect on the rights of any party under any other law, including Title I ofERISA. The Department of Labor maintains a Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program under which certain ERISA fiduciary violations may January 22, 20133442013–4 I.R.B. be corrected. The Department of Labor also maintains a Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compli- ance Program under which certain failures to comply with the annual reporting requirements (Form 5500 series) under ERISA may be corrected. PART IV. SELF-CORRECTION (SCP) SECTION 7. IN GENERALThe requirements of this section 7 are satisfied with respect to an Operational Failure if the Plan Sponsor of a Qualified Plan, a 403(b) Plan, a SEP, or a SIMPLE IRA Plan satisfies the requirements of section 8 (relating to insignificant Operational Failures) or, in the case of a Qualified Plan or a 403(b) Plan, section 9 (relating to significant Operational Failures). SECTION 8. SELF-CORRECTION OF INSIGNIFICANT OPERATIONAL FAILURES .01Requirements. The requirements of this section 8 are satisfied with respect to an Opera- tional Failure if the Operational Failure is corrected and, given all the facts and circumstances, the Operational Failure is insignificant. This section 8 is available for correcting an insignif- icant Operational Failure even if the plan orPlan Sponsor is Under Examination and even if the Operational Failure is discovered on examination. .02Factors. The factors to be considered in determining whether an Operational Failure under a plan is insignificant include, but are not limited to: (1) whether other failures occurred during the period being examined (for this purpose, a failure is not considered to have occurred more than once merely because more than one participant is affected by the failure); (2) the percentage of plan assets and contributions involved in the failure; (3) the number of years the failure occurred; (4) the number of participants affected relative to the total number of partic- ipants in the plan; (5) the number of participantsaffected as a result of the failure relative to the number of participants who could have been affected by the failure; (6) whether correction wasmadewithinareasonabletimeafterdiscovery of the failure; and (7) the reason for the failure (for example, data errors such as errors in the transcription of data, the transposition of numbers, or minor arithmetic errors). No single factor is determinative.Additionally, factors (2), (4), and (5) should not be interpreted to exclude small businesses. .03Multiple failures. In the case of a plan with more than one Operational Failure in a sin- gle year, or Operational Failures that occur in more than one year, the Operational Failures are eligible for correction under this section 8 only if all of the Operational Failures are insignif- icant in the aggregate. Operational Failures that have been corrected under SCP in section 9 and VCP in sections 10 and 11 are not taken intoaccount for purposes of determining if Oper- ational Failures are insignificant in the aggregate. .04Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of this section 8. It is as- sumed, in each example, that the eligibility requirements of section 4 relating to SCP (for ex- ample, the requirements of section 4.04 relating to established practices and procedures) have been satisfied and that no Operational Failures occurred other than the Operational Failures identified below. Example 1: In 1991, Employer X established Plan A, a profit-sharing plan that satisfies the requirements of § 401(a) in form. In 2005, the benefits of 50 of the 250 participants in Plan A were limited by § 415(c). However, when the Service examined Plan A in 2008, it discovered that, during the 2005 limitation year, the annual additions allocated to the accounts of 3 of these employeesexceeded the maximum limitations under § 415(c). Employer X contributed $3,500,000 to the plan for the plan year. The amount of the excesses totaled $4,550. Under these facts, because the number of participants affected by the failure relative to the total number of participants who could have been affected by the failure, and the monetary amount of the failure relative to the total employer contribution to the plan for the 2005 plan year, are insignificant, the § 415(c) failure in Plan A that occurred in 2005 would be eligible for correction under this section 8. Example 2: The facts are the same as inExample 1, except that the failure to satisfy § 415 occurred during each of the 2005 and 2007 limitation years. In addition, the three participants affected b y the § 415 failure were not identical each year. The fact that the § 415 failures occurred during more than one limitation year does not cause the failures to be significant; accordingly, the failures are still eligible for correction under this section 8. Example 3: The facts are the same as inExample 1, except that the annual additions of 18 of the 50 employees whose benefits were limited by § 415(c) nevertheless exceeded the maximum limitations under § 415(c) during the 2005 limitation year, and the amount of the excesses rangedfrom $1,000 to $9,000, and totaled $150,000. Under these facts, taking into account the number of participants affected by the failure relative to the total number of participants 2013–4 I.R.B.345January 22, 2013 who could have been affected by the failure for the 2005 limitation year (and the monetary amount of the failure relative to the total employer contribution), the failure is significant. Accordingly, the § 415(c) failure in Plan A that occurred in 2005 is ineligible for correction under this section 8 as an insignificant failure. Example 4: Employer J maintains Plan C, a money purchase pension plan established in 1992. The plan document satisfies the requirements of § 401(a). The formula under the plan provides for an employer contribution equal to 10% of compensation, as defined in the plan. During its examination of the plan for the 2005 plan year, the Service discovered that the employee responsible for entering data into the employer’s computer made minor arithmetic errors in transcribing the compensation data with respect to 6 of the plan’s 40 participants, resulting in excess allocations to those 6 participants’ accounts. Under these facts, the number of participants affected by the failure relative to the number of participants that could have been affected is insignificant, and the failure is due to minor data errors. Thus, the failure occurring in 2005 is insignificant and therefore eligible for correction under this section 8. Example 5: Public School maintains for its 200 employees a salary reduction 403(b) Plan (“Plan B”) that is in- tended to satisfy the requirements of § 403(b). The business manager has primary responsibility for administering Plan B, in addition to other administrative functions within Public School. During the 2005 plan year, a former employee should have received an additional minimum required distribution of $278 under § 403(b)(10). Another participant re- ceived an impermissible hardship withdrawal of $2,500. Another participant made elective deferrals of which $1,000 was in excess of the § 402(g) limit. Under these facts, even though multiple failures occurred in a single plan year, the failures are eligible for correction under this section 8 because in the aggregate the failures are insignificant. SECTION 9. SELF-CORRECTION OF SIGNIFICANT OPERATIONAL FAILURES .01Requirements. The requirements of this section 9 are satisfied with respect to an Oper- ational Failure (even if significant) if the Operational Failure is corrected and the correction is either completed or substantially completed (in accordance with section 9.04) by the last day of the correction period described in section 9.02. .02Correction period.(1)End of correction period. The last day of the correction period for an Operational Failure is the last day of the second plan year following the plan year for which the failure occurred. However, in the case of a failure to satisfy the requirements of § 401(k)(3), 401(m)(2), or, for plan years beginning onor before December 31, 2001, the multiple use test of § 401(m)(9), the correction period does not end until the last day of the second plan year following the plan year that includes the last day of the additional period for correction permitted under § 401(k)(8) or 401(m)(6). If a 403(b) Plan does not have a designated plan year, the plan year is deemed to be the calendar year for purposes of this section 9.02. See section 6.02(5)(d)(ii) of this revenue procedure for a limited extension of the correction period set forth in this paragraph for Plan Sponsorstaking action to locate lost participants. (2)ExtensionofcorrectionperiodforTransferredAssets. In the case of an Operational Fail- ure that relates only to Transferred Assets, ortoaplanassumedinconnectionwithacorporate merger, acquisition, or other similar employer transaction, the correction period does not end until the last day of the first plan year that begins after the corporate merger, acquisition, or other similar employer transaction between the Plan Sponsor and the sponsor of the transferor plan or the prior sponsor of an assumed plan. (3)Effect of examination. The correction period for an Operational Failure that occurs for any plan year ends, in any event, on the first date the plan or Plan Sponsor is Under Examination for that plan year (determined without regard tothe second sentence of section 9.02). (But see section 9.04 for special rules permitting completion of correction after the end of the correction period.) .03Correction by plan amendment. In order to complete correctionbyplanamendment (as permitted under section 4.05), the amendment should be identified as an amendment that was adopted pursuant to SCP and submitted as a part of the next determination letter applica- tion. The appropriate determination letter application must be submitted during the plan’s next on-cycle year (as determined under Rev. Proc.2007–44), or, if earlier, in connection with the plan’s termination. The application must conclude with the issuance of a favorable determina- tion letter for the plan. .04Substantial completion of correction. Correction of an Operational Failure i ssubstan- tiallycompletedbythelastdayofthecorrectionperiodonlyiftherequirement sofeither paragraph (1) or (2) are satisfied. (1) The requirements ofthis paragraph (1) are satisfied if: January 22, 20133462013–4 I.R.B. (a) during the correction period, the Plan Sponsor is reasonably prompt in identifying the Operational Failure, formulating a correction method, and initiating correction in a manner that demonstrates a commitment to completing correction of the Operational Failure as expe- ditiously as practicable; and (b) within 120 days after the last day of the correction period, the Plan Sponsor completes correction of the Operational Failure. (2) The requirements ofthis paragraph (2) are satisfied if: (a) during the correction period, correction is completed with respect to 65% of all partic- ipants affected by the Operational Failure; and (b) thereafter, the Plan Sponsor completes correction of the Operational Failure with respect to the remaining affected participants in a diligent manner. .05Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of this section 9. It is assumed, in each example, that theeligibility requirements of section 4 relating to SCP have been met. Example 1: Employer Z established a qualified defined contribution plan in 2003 and received a favorable deter- mination letter. During 2007, while doing a self-audit of the operation of the plan for the 2006 plan year, the plan administrator discovered that, despite the practices and procedures established by Employer Z with respect to the plan, several employees eligible to participate in the plan were excluded from participation. The administrator also found that for 2006 Operational Failures occurred because the elective deferrals of additional employees exceeded the § 402(g) limit and Employer Z failed to make the required top-heavy minimum contribution. In addition, during the review of the administration for the 2006 year, it was found that the plan administrator intended to implement correction for the failure to satisfy the ADP test (as described in § 401(k)(3)) for the 2005 plan year. During the 2008 plan year, the Plan Sponsor made QNECs on behalf of the excluded employees, distributed the excess deferrals to the affected participants, and made a top-heavy minimum contribution to all participants entitled to that contribution for the 2006 plan year. Each corrective contribution and distribution was credited with Earnings at a rate appropriate for the plan from the date the corrective contribution or distribution should have been made to the date of correction. The failed ADP test for 2005 was corrected by making corrective contributions, adjusted for Earnings, on behalf of nonhighly compensated employees using the method described in Appendix A, section .03 of this revenue procedure. Under these facts, the Plan Sponsor has corrected the ADP test failure for the 2005 plan year and the Operational Failures for the 2006 plan year within the correction period and thus satisfied the requirements of this section 9. Example 2: Employer A established a qualified defined contribution plan, Plan A, in 1993 and has received a favorable determination letter for the applicable law changes. In April 2007, Employer A purchased all of the stock of Employer B, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Employer C. Employees of Employer B participated in Plan C, a qualified defined contribution plan sponsored by Employer C. Following Employer A’s review of Plan C, Employer A and Em- ployer C agreed that Plan A would accept atransfer of plan assets from Plan C attributable to the account balances of the employees of Employer B who had participated in Plan C. As part of this agreement, Employer C represented to Employer A that Plan C was tax qualified. Employers A and C also agreed that such transfer would be in accordance with § 414(l) and § 1.414(l)–1 and addressed issues related to costs associated with the transfer. Following the transac- tion, the employees of Employer B began participation in Plan A. Effective July 1, 2007, Plan A accepted the transfer of plan assets from Plan C. After the transfer, Employer A determined that all the participants in one division of Em- ployer B had been incorrectly excluded from allocation of the profit sharing contributions for the 2002 and 2003 plan years. During 2008, Employer A made corrective contributions on behalf of the affected participants. The corrective contributions were credited with Earnings at a rate appropriate for the plan from the date the corrective contributions should have been made to the date of correction and Employer A otherwise complied with the requirements of SCP. Under these facts, Employer A has, within the correction period, corrected the Operational Failures for the 2002 and 2003 plan years with respect to the assets transferred to Plan A, and thus satisfied the requirements of this section 9. PART V. VOLUNTARY CORRECTION PROGRAM WITH SERVICE APPROVAL (VCP) SECTION 10. VCP PROCEDURES.01VCP requirements. The requirements of this section 10 are satisfied with respect to failures submitted in accordance with the requirements of this section 10 if the Plan Sponsor pays the compliance fee required under section 12 and implements the corrective actions and satisfies any other conditionsin the compliance statement described in section 10.08. 2013–4 I.R.B.347January 22, 2013 .02Identification of failures. VCP is not based upon an examination of the plan by the Service. Only the failures raised by the Plan Sponsor or failures identified by the Service in processing the submission are addressed under VCP, and only those failures are covered by a VCP compliance statement. The Service willnot make any investigation or finding under VCP concerning whether there are failures. .03Effect of VCP submission on examination. Because VCP does not arise out of an ex- amination, consideration under VCP does not preclude or impede (under § 7605(b) or any administrative provisions adopted by the Service) a subsequent examination of the Plan Spon- sor or the plan by the Service with respect to the taxable year (or years) involved with respect to matters that are outside the compliance statement. However, a Plan Sponsor’s statements describing failures are made only for purposes of VCP and will not be regarded by the Service as an admission of a failure for purposes of anysubsequent examination. See section 5.09 for the definition of Under Examination. .04No concurrent examination activity. Except in unusual circumstances, a plan that has been properly submitted under VCP will not be examined while the submission is pending. Notwithstanding the above, a plan that is eligible for a Group Submission under section 10.11 may be examined while the Group Submission is pending with respect to issues not identified in the Group Submission at the time such plan comes Under Examination. In addition, if it is determined that either the plan or the Plan Sponsor was, or may have been, a party to an abusive tax avoidance transaction (as defined under section 4.13(2)), the Service may authorize the examination of the plan, even if a submission pursuant to VCP is pending. This practice regarding concurrent examinations does not extend to other plans of the Plan Sponsor. Thus, any plan of the Plan Sponsor that is not pendingunder VCP could be subject to examination. .05Determination letter application for plan amendments related to a VCP submission.In any case in which a determination letter application is submitted pursuant to section 6.05, the Plan Sponsor must submit concurrently a copy of the amendment or restated plan document, the appropriate determination letter application form (i.e.,Form 5300, 5307, or 5310), and the appropriate user fee to the same address as the VCP submission. If a restated plan document is submitted as evidenceof correction, the Plan Sponsor must identify the page, the section, and the specific plan language that resolveseach specified Qualification Failure in the VCP submission. Pursuant to section 12.03 of Rev. Proc. 2007–44, in the case of individually designed plans, a restated plan generally willbe required. The user fee for the determination letter application and the compliance fee for the VCP submission must be paid by separate checks made payable to the United States Treasury. .06Determination letter applications not related to a VCP submission. (1) The Service may process a determination letter application submitted under the determination letter program (including an application requested on Form 5310) concurrently with a VCP submission for the same plan. However, issuanceof the determination letter in response to an application made on a Form 5310 will be suspended pending the closure of the VCP submission. (2) A submission of a plan under the determination letter program does not constitute a submission under VCP. If the Plan Sponsor discovers a failure, the failure may not be corrected as part of the determination letter process.The Plan Sponsor may use SCP and VCP instead, as applicable. If the Service, inconnection with a determination letter application, discovers failures, the Service may issue a closing agreement with respect to the failures identified or, if appropriate, refer the case to Employee Plans Examinations. In such a case, the fee structure in section 12 relating to VCP does not apply. Except as provided in section 10.06(3), the sanction in section 14.01 relating to Audit CAP applies. See section 5.08(3) for a description of when a plan submitted for a determination letter is considered to be Under Examination for purposes of EPCRS. (3) If the Service in connection with a determination letter application discovers the plan has not been amended timely for tax legislation changes, the fee structure in section 14.04 applies. .07Processing of submission. January 22, 20133482013–4 I.R.B. (1)Screening of submission. Upon receipt of a VCP submission, the Service will review whether the eligibility requirements of section 4 and the submission requirements of section 11 are satisfied, including whether completed Forms 8950 and 8951 have been included with the VCP submission. (2)Eligibility of submission. If, at any stage of the review process the Service determines that a VCP submission is seriously deficient or that the application of VCP would be inappropri- ate or impracticable, the Service reserves theright to return the submission without contacting the Plan Sponsor. A VCP submission that does not include a Form 8950 or Form 8951 will be considered to be seriously deficient. If no substantive processing of the case has occurred, the Service will refund the compliance fee submitted with the request. (3)Review of submission. Once the Service determines that the submission is compl ete under VCP, the Service will contact the Plan Sponsor or the Plan Sponsor’s represen tative to discuss the proposed corrections and theplan’s administrative procedures. (4)Additional information required. If additional information is required, a Service rep- resentative will generally contact the Plan Sponsor or the Plan Sponsor’s representative and explain what is needed to complete the submission. The Plan Sponsor will have 21 calendar days from the date of this contact to provide the requested information. If the information is not received within 21 days, the matter will be closed, the compliance fee will not be returned, and the case may be referred to Employee Plans Examinations. Any request for an extension of the 21-day time period must be made in writing within the 21-day time period and must be approved by the Service (by the applicable group manager). (5)Additional failures discovered after initial submission. (a) A Plan Sponsor that discovers additional unrelated failures after its initial submission may request that such failures be added to its submission. However, the Service retains the discretion to reject the inclusion of such failures if the request is not timely (for example, if the PlanSponsor makes its request when processing of the submission is substantially complete) or the application of VCP would be inappropriate or impracticable. (b) If the Service discovers an unrelated failure while the request is pending, the failure generally will be added to the failures under consideration. However, the Service retains the discretion to determine that a failure is outside the scope of the voluntary request for consid- eration because the Plan Sponsor did not voluntarily bring this failure forward. In this case, if the additional failure is significant, all aspects of the plan may be examined and the rules pertaining to Audit CAP will apply. (6)Conference right. If the Service initially determines that it cannot issue a compliance statement because the parties cannot agree upon correction or a change in administrative proce- dures, the Plan Sponsor (generally through the Plan Sponsor’s representative) will be contacted by the Service representative and offered a conference with the Service. The conference can be held either in person or by telephone and must be held within 21 calendar days of the date of contact. The Plan Sponsor will have 21 calendar days after the date of the conference to submit additional information in support of the submission. Any request for an extension of the 21-day time period must be made in writing within the 21-day time period and must be approved by the Service (by the applicable group manager). Additional conferences may be held at the discretion of the Service. (7)Failure to reach resolution. If the Service and the Plan Sponsor cannot reach agree- ment with respect to the submission, the matter will be closed, the compliance fee will not be returned, and the case may be referred to Employee Plans Examinations. In the case of an Anonymous Submission that fails to reach resolution under this revenue procedure, the Service will refund 50% of the applicable VCP fee. See section 12 for the VCP fee. (8)Issuance of compliance statement.(a)In general. If agreement has been reached and all applicable compliance fees have been paid, the Service will send to the Plan Sponsor a com- pliance statement signed by the Service specifying the corrective action required. However, the Service reserves the right to require the Plan Sponsor to sign the compliance statement. 2013–4 I.R.B.349January 22, 2013 In such a case, the Service will send to the Plan Sponsor an unsigned compliance statement. Within 30 calendar days of the date the compliance statement is sent, the Plan Sponsor must sign and return the compliance statement alongwith any outstanding compliance fee that may be required. The Service will then issue a signed copy of the compliance statement to the Plan Sponsor. If the Plan Sponsor does not return the compliance statement (along with any out- standing compliance fee)within 30 calendar days, the VCP submission will be closed, and no further action will be taken with respect to the submission. In appropriate circumstances, the plan may be referred to Employee Plans Examinations. (b)Model VCP Submission Compliance Statement. If the Plan Sponsor included the Appen- dix C Part I Model VCP Submission Compliance Statement (“Model Compliance Statement”) with its VCP submission, then the Service will sign and send to the Plan Sponsor the com- pliance statement specifying the corrective action required. The Service reserves the right to issue an individually drafted compliance statement in appropriate circumstances. The format and content of the Model Compliance Statement may not be modified or changed in any way. (c)Modifications to VCP Submission.If a Plan Sponsor materially modifies a VCP submis- sion that was previously filedwith the Service, then, unless the Plan Sponsor has submitted a penalty of perjury statement (see section 11.08(1)) with respect to such subsequent modifica- tions, the Plan Sponsor will be required to sign and return the compliance statement under the general procedures described in section 10.07(8)(a). (9)Timing of correction. The Plan Sponsor must implement the specific corrections and administrative changes set forth in the compliance statement within 150 days of the date of the compliance statement. Any request for an extension of this time period must be made prior to the expiration of the correction period in writing and must be approved by the Service. Correc- tion of the failure to adopt timely good faith amendments, interim amendments, or amendments relating to the implementation of optional law changes, as described in section 6.05(3)(a), must be made by the date of the submission. That is, the submission should include the executed amendments that would correct this failure. See section 6.02(5)(d)(ii) of this revenue proce- dure for a limited extension of the 150-day correction period set forth in this paragraph for Plan Sponsors taking action to locate lost participants. (10)Modification of compliance statement. Once the compliance statement has been is- sued (based on the information provided), thePlan Sponsor cannot request a modification of the compliance terms except by a new request for a compliance statement. However, if the requested modification is minor and is postmarked within the correction period provided for in the compliance statement, the compliance fee will be equal to the lesser of one-half of the original compliance fee or $1,500. The request should be sent to the VCP mailing address provided for in section 11.12. The request should include a letter explaining the modification, a copy of the original compliance statement and related VCP submission, any other correspon- dence relating to the issuance of the original compliance statement, and a check for the VCP compliance fee payable to the United States Treasury, along with completed Forms 8950 and 8951. (11)Verification. Once the compliance statement has been issued, the Service may require verification that the correction methods have been complied with and that any plan adminis- trative procedures required by the compliance statement have been implemented. This veri- fication does not constitute an examination of the books and records of the employer or the plan (within the meaning of § 7605(b)). If theService determines that the Plan Sponsor did not implement the corrections and procedures within the stated time period, the plan may be referred to Employee Plans Examinations. .08Compliance statement.(1)General description of compliance statement. The compli- ance statement issued for a VCP submission only addresses the failures identified in the sub- mission, the terms of correction (including anyrevision of administrative procedures), and the time period within which proposed corrections must be implemented (including any changes in administrative procedures). The compliance statement also provides that the Service will not treat the plan as failing to satisfy the applicable requirements of the Code on account of the January 22, 20133502013–4 I.R.B. failures described in the compliance statement if the conditions of the compliance statement are satisfied. The reliance provided by a compliance statement is limited to the specific failures and years specified and does not provide reliance for any other failure or year. (2)Failure to adopt timely amendments.(a)Failure to amend plan timely. With respect to a failure to amend a plan timely for good faith amendments, interim amendments, or optional law changes, as described in section 6.05(3)(a) of this revenue procedure, the issuance of a compliance statement will result in the corrective amendments being treated as if they had been adopted timely for the purpose of determining the availability of the remedial amendment period in Rev. Proc. 2007–44. However, the issuance of such a compliance statement does not constitute a determination as to whether the good faith amendment,interim amendment, or other corrective amendment to reflect the implementation of optional law changes, as drafted, complies with the change in qualification requirement. The compliance statement does not constitute a determination as to whether thecorrective amendment conforms the terms of the plan to the plan’s prior operations, and whether the amendment complies with the requirements of § 401(a), including the requirements of§§ 401(a)(4), 410(b), and 411(d)(6). (b)Failure to adopt 403(b) Plan timely. A failure to adopt a 403(b) Plan in accordance with the final regulations under § 403(b) and Notice 2009–3 may be corrected under VCP. The issuance of a compliance statement will result in the 403(b) Plan being treated as if it had been adopted timely for the purpose of making available the extended remedial amendment period set forth in Announcement 2009–89. However, the issuance of a compliance statement does not constitute a determination as to whether the written plan, as drafted, complies with the applicable requirementsof § 403(b) and the final § 403(b) regulations. (3)Administrative procedures required. Where current procedures are inadequate for oper- ating the plan in conformance with the applicable requirements of the Code, the compliance statement will be conditioned uponthe implementation of stated administrative procedures. The Service may prescribe appropriate administrative procedures in the compliance statement. (4)Compliance statement conditioned upon timely correction. The compliance statement is conditioned on (i) there being no misstatement or omission of material facts in connection with the submission and (ii) the implementation ofthe specific corrections and satisfaction of any other conditions in the compliance statement. (5)Authority delegated. Compliance statements (including relief from any excise tax or other penalty as provided under section 6.09)are authorized to be signed by managers within Employee Plans Rulings and Agreements, underthe Tax Exempt and Government Entities Operating Division of the Service. .09Effect of compliance statement on examination. The compliance statement is binding upon both the Service and the Plan Sponsor or Eligible Organization (as defined in section 10.11(2)) with respect to the specific tax matters identified therein for the periods specified, but does not preclude or impede an examination of the plan by the Service relating to matters outside the compliance statement, even with respect to the same taxable year or years to which the compliance statement relates. .10Special rules relating to Anonymous Submissions. (1) The Anonymous Submission procedure in this section 10.10 permits submission of a Qualified Plan, 403(b) Plan, SEP, and SIMPLE IRA Plan under VCP without initially identifying the applicable plan, the Plan Spon- sor, or the Eligible Organization. The requirements of this revenue procedure relating to VCP, including sections 10, 11, and 12, apply to these submissions. Information identifying the plan or the Plan Sponsor may be redacted (and the power of attorney statement and the penalty of perjury statement need not be included with the initial submission). In addition, if a determi- nation letter application will be requested as part of the submission, the determination letter application should not be submitted until the time all identifying information is provided to the Service. For purposes of processing the submission, the state of the Plan Sponsor must be identified in the initial submission. All Anonymous Submissions must be numbered or labeled on the first page of the VCP submission by the Plan Sponsor or its representative to facilitate 2013–4 I.R.B.351January 22, 2013 identification and tracking of the submission. The identification number must be unique to the submission and should not be used with respect to any other Anonymous Submission of the Plan Sponsor or representative. If the submission is made by an individual who represents the Plan Sponsor, such individual must satisfy the power of attorney requirements described in section 11.07. As part of the submission, the representative must, under penalty of perjury, assert that the representative complies with the power of attorney requirements described in section 11.07 and that the representative will submit an executed copy of a Form 2848 upon the disclosure of the identity of the Plan Sponsor to the Service. Once the Service and the plan representative reach agreement with respect to the submission, the Service will contact the plan representative in writing indicating the terms of the agreement. The Plan Sponsor will have 21 calendar days from the date of the letter of agreement to identify the plan and Plan Sponsor. If the Plan Sponsor does not submit the identifying material (including the power of attorney statement and the penalty of perjury statement) within 21 calendar days from the date of the letter of agreement, the matter will be closed and the compliance fee will not be returned. (2) Notwithstanding section 10.04, untileach plan and Plan Sponsor is identified to the Service, a submission under this subsection does not preclude or impede an examination of the Plan Sponsor or its plan. Thus, a plan submitted under the Anonymous Submission procedure that comes Under Examination prior to the date the identifying materials of each plan and Plan Sponsor are received by the Service will no longer be eligible under VCP. .11Special rules relating to Group Submissions.(1)General rules. An Eligible Organi- zation may submit a VCP request for a Qualified Plan, a 403(b) Plan, a SEP, or a SIMPLE IRA Plan under a Group Submission for Plan Document, Operational, and Employer Eligibil- ity Failures. If a sponsor of a master or prototype plan submits failures with respect to more than one master or prototype plan, each plan will be treated as a separate submission and a separate fee must be submitted for each prototype plan. Similarly, if a Volume Submitter prac- titioner submits failures with respect to morethan one Volume Submitter Specimen plan, each plan will be treated as a separate submission and a separate fee must be submitted for each specimen plan. For this purpose, in the case of either the prototype plan or specimen plan, the number of plans is determined with reference to the number of basic plan documents, not adoption agreements. See section 12.05. (2)Eligible Organizations. For purposes of a Group Submission, the term “Eligible Or- ganization” means either (a) a Sponsor (as that term is defined in section 4.07 of Rev. Proc. 2005–16, 2005–10 I.R.B. 674, or Rev. Proc. 2011–49, 2011–44 I.R.B. 608) of a master or pro- totype plan, (b) a Volume Submitter practitioner, as that term is defined in section 13.04 of Rev. Proc. 2005–16 or section 13.05 of Rev. Proc. 2011–49, 2011–44 I.R.B. 608, (c) an insurance company or other entity that hasissued annuity contracts or provides services with respect to assets for 403(b) Plans, or (d) an entity that provides its clients with administrative services with respect to Qualified Plans, 403(b) Plans, SEPs, or SIMPLE IRA Plans. An Eligible Or- ganization is not eligible to make a Group Submission unless the failures in the submission result from a systemic error involving the Eligible Organization that affects at least 20 plans and results in at least 20 plans implementing correction. If, at any time before the Service is- sues the compliance statement,the number of plans falls below20, the Eligible Organization must notify the Service that it is no longer eligible to make a Group Submission. Under these circumstances, the compliance fee may be retained by the Service. (3)Special Group Submission procedures. (a) In general, a Group Submission i s subject to the same procedures as any VCP submission in accordance with sections 10 and 11, except that the Eligible Organization is responsible for performing the procedural obligations imposed on the Plan Sponsor under sections 10 and 11. See section 11.03(12) for a specia l submission requirement with respect to Group Submissions. (b) The Eligible Organization must provide notice to all Plan Sponsors of the plans included in the Group Submission. The notice must be provided at least 90 days before the Eligible Organization provides the Service with the information required in section 10.11(3)(c). The purpose of the notice is to provide each Plan Sponsor with information relating to the Group Submission request. The notice should explain the reason for the Group Submission and inform January 22, 20133522013–4 I.R.B. the Plan Sponsor that the Plan Sponsor’s plan will be included in the Group Submission unless the Plan Sponsor responds within the 90-day period requesting that the Plan Sponsor’s plan be excluded from the Group Submission. (c) When an Eligible Organization receives an unsigned compliance statement on the pro- posed correction and agrees to the terms of the compliance statement, the Eligible Organization must return to the Service within 120 calendar days not only the signed compliance statement and any additional compliance fee under section 12.05, but also a list containing (i) the em- ployer tax identification numbers for the Plan Sponsors of the plans to which the compliance statement may be applicable, (ii) the plans byname, plan number, type of plan, and number of plan participants, (iii) a certification that each Plan Sponsor received notice of the Group Submission, and (iv) a certification that each Plan Sponsor timely filed the Form 5500 series return for the most recent plan year for which the Form 5500 series return was required to have been filed. This list can be submitted at any stage of the submission process provided that the requirements of section 10.11(3)(b) have beensatisfied. Applicants are encouraged to submit the list on a computer disk in Microsoft Word. Only those plans for which correction is actually made within 240 calendar days of the date of the signed compliance statement (or within such longer period as may be agreed to by the Serviceat the request of the Eligible Organization) will be covered by the compliance statement. (d) Notwithstanding section 4.02, if a Plan Sponsor of a plan that is eligible to be included in the Group Submission and has not requested to be excluded from the Group Subm ission pursuant to section 10.11(3)(b) is notified of an impending Employee Plans e xamination after the Eligible Organization filed the Group Submission with the Service, the Plan Sponsor’s plan will be included in the Group Submission. However, with respect to such plan, the Group Submission will not preclude or impede an examination of the plan with respe ct to any failures not identified in the Group Submission at the time the plan comes Under Exami nation. .12Multiemployer and multiple employer plans. (1) In the case of a multiemployer or mul- tiple employer plan, the plan administrator (rather than any contributing or adopting employer) must request consideration of the plan under VCP. The request must be with respect to the plan, rather than a portion of the plan affecting any particular employer. (2) If a VCP submission for a multiemployer or multiple employer plan has failures that apply to fewer than all of the employers under the plan, the plan administrator may choose to have the compliance fee (in section 12) or sanction (in section 14) calculated separately for each employer based on the participants attributable to that employer, rather than having the compliance fee calculated based on the participants of the entire plan. For example, the plan administrator may choose to apply the provisions of this paragraph when the failure is attrib- utable in whole or in part to data, information,actions, or inactions that are within the control of the employers rather than the multiemployer or multiple employer plan (such as a failure attributable in whole or in part to the failure of an employer to provide the plan administrator with full and complete information). SECTION 11. SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR VCP .01General rules. (1) A VCP submission must satisfy the requirements of this section 11. (2) A VCP submission must include completed Forms 8950 and 8951. (3) A VCP submission must include a description of the failures, a description of the pro- posed methods of correction, and other procedural items set forth in this section 11. Appendix C of this revenue procedure is provided to assistapplicants in satisfying these requirements. Applicants are encouraged to use the Model Compliance Statement format set forth in Part I of Appendix C and, where appropriate, one or more of Schedules 1 through 9 contained in Part II of Appendix C (“Schedules”), without modifying the text and format of the Appendix C documents. .02Use of Schedules. (1) Schedules 1 through 9 provide descriptions of common qualifi- cation failures and standardized correction methods which maybe submitted in lieu of indi- vidually drafted descriptions. For applicants that do not choose to use the Model Compliance Statement, the Schedules can be used to satisfycertain requirements of this revenue procedure. 2013–4 I.R.B.353January 22, 2013 (2) Multiple Schedules may be included in a single VCP submission. (3) A Schedule may be used only if its printed content applies without modification to the applicant’s situation. (4) The following failures are described in the Schedules: (a) Interim and Certain Discretionary Nonamender Failures (Schedule 1): If the Plan Spon- sor failed to adopt timely good faith amendments, interim amendments, or amendments re- quired to reflect the changed operation of the plan on account of the Plan Sponsor’s decision to implement optional law changes (see section 6.05(3)(a) of this revenue procedure for a de- scription of each of these amendments), the Plan Sponsor may submit Schedule 1. Schedule 1 may be used only if the corrective amendment was adopted before the expiration of the plan’s extended remedial amendment period (as determined under Rev. Proc. 2007–44) for that amendment. (b) Nonamender Failures and Failure to Adopt a 403(b) Plan Timely (Schedule 2):Ifthe Plan Sponsor failed to adopt timely amendmentsto comply with required legislative or regu- latory changes (other than as described in section 11.02(4)(a)) or failed to adopt a 403(b) Plan timely in accordance with the final regulations under § 403(b) and Notice 2009–3,the Plan Sponsor may submit Schedule 2. (c) SEPs and SARSEPs (Schedule 3): If the Plan is a SEP or a SARSEP and experienced one or more of the failures shown on Schedule 3, and the Plan Sponsor proposes to correct such failure(s) by using the method(s) provided on such schedule, the Plan Sponsor may submit Schedule 3. (d) SIMPLE IRAs (Schedule 4): If the Plan is a SIMPLE IRA and experienced one or more of the failures shown on Schedule 4, and the Plan Sponsor proposes to correct such failure(s) by using the method(s) provided on such schedule, the Plan Sponsor may submit Schedule 4. (e)PlanLoanFailures(Schedule 5): If the Plan Sponsor failed to administer loans in ac- cordance with the provisions of § 72(p)(2), the failure solely relates to employees who are neither key employees (as defined in § 416(i)(1)) nor self-employed individuals (as defined in § 401(c)(1)(B)), and proposes to correct such failure(s) by using the method(s) provided on such schedule, the Plan Sponsor may submit Schedule 5. (f) Employer Eligibility Failure (Schedule 6): If the Plan Sponsor failed to satisfy the criteria for an employer to sponsor either a 403(b) Plan or a § 401(k) plan, and proposes to correct such failure by using the method provided on such schedule, the Plan Sponsor may submit Schedule 6. (g) Failure to Distribute Elective Deferrals in Excess of the § 402(g) Limit (Schedule 7):If the plan failed to distribute elective deferrals made in excess of the §402(g) limit and the Plan Sponsor proposes to correct such failure using the method described in Appendix A, section .04, the Plan Sponsor may submit Schedule 7. (h) Failure to Pay Required Minimum Distributions Timely under § 401(a)(9) (Schedule 8): If the plan failed to make required minimum distributions pursuant to § 401(a)(9) and proposes to correct such failure using the method described in Appendix A, section .06, then the Plan Sponsor may submit Schedule 8. (i) Correction by Plan Amendment (in accordance wi th Appendix B) (Schedule 9):ThePlan Sponsor may submit Schedule 9 if one or more of the fo llowing applies: 1. Section 401(a)(17) failure being corrected using the method described in Appendix B, section 2.07(1)(a); 2. Hardship distribution failure being corrected using the method described in Appendix B, section 2.07(2)(a); January 22, 20133542013–4 I.R.B. 3. Loans permitted in operation but not permitted by Plan document being corrected using the method described in Appendix B, section 2.07(2)(a); or 4. Early inclusion of otherwise eligible employee(s) being corrected using the method de- scribed in Appendix B, section 2.07(3)(a). .03Submission requirements. A VCP submission must include the following information: (1)Identification of failures. A complete description of the failures, the years in w hich the failures occurred, including closed years (that is, years for which the statuto ry period has expired), and the number of employees affected by each failure. (2)Explanation. An explanation of how and why the failures arose, including a description of the administrative procedures applicable to the failures in effect at the time the failures oc- curred. (3)Proposed method of correction. A detailed description of the method for correcting the failures that the Plan Sponsor has implemented or proposes to implement. Each step of the cor- rection method must be described in narrative form. The description must include the specific information needed to support the suggested correction method. This information includes, for example, the number of employees affected and the expected cost of correction (both of which may be approximated if the exact number cannot be determined at the time of the request), the years involved, and calculations or assumptions the Plan Sponsor used to determine the amounts needed for correction. (4)Earnings or actuarial adjustments. A description of the methodology that will be used to calculate Earnings or actuarial adjustments on any corrective contributions or distributions (indicating the computation periods and the basis for determining Earnings or actuarial adjust- ments, in accordance with section 6.02(4)). (5)Computations. Specific calculations for each affected employee or a representative sam- ple of affected employees. The sample calculations must be sufficient to demonstrate each as- pect of the correction method proposed. For example, if a Plan Sponsor requests a compliance statement with respect to a failure to satisfy the contribution limits of § 415(c) and proposes a correction method that involves elective deferrals (whethermatched or unmatched) and match- ing contributions, the Plan Sponsor must submitcalculations illustrating the correction method proposed with respect to each type of contribution. As another example, with respect to a fail- ure to satisfy the ADP test in § 401(k)(3), thePlan Sponsor must submit the ADP test results both before the correction and after the correction. (6)Former employees or beneficiaries. The method(s) that will be used to locate and notify former employees and beneficiaries, or an affirmative statement that no former employees or beneficiaries were affectedby the failures or will be affected by the correction. (7)Change in administrative procedures. A description of the measures that have been or will be implemented to ensure that the same failures will not recur. (8)Request for excise tax relief (§ 4972, 4973, 4974, or 4979) or additional tax relief under §72(t). If excise tax or additional tax relief is sought, a specific request for relief should be in- cluded in the submission, along with explanations, where applicable, supporting such request. (9)Loan failures and income tax reporting relief. A specific request for relief needs to be made if the applicant either wants relief from reporting a corrected participant loan as a deemed distribution or wants to report the loan as a deemed distribution in the year of correction instead of the year in which the deemed distribution occurred. (10)Transferred Assets. If a submission includes a failure that relates to Transferred Assets and the failure occurred prior to the transfer, adescription of the transaction (including the dates of the employer change and the plan transfer). 2013–4 I.R.B.355January 22, 2013 (11)403(b) Plans. In the case of a 403(b) Plan submission, a statement that the Plan Sponsor has contacted all other entities involved with the plan and has been assured of cooperation in implementing the applicable correction, to the extent necessary. For example, if the plan’s failure is the failure to satisfy the requirements of § 403(b)(1)(E) regarding elective deferrals, the Plan Sponsor must, prior to making the VCP submission, contact the insurance company or custodian with control over the plan’s assets to assure cooperation in effecting a distribution of the excess deferrals adjusted for Earnings thereon. A submission under VCP must also contain a statement as to the type of employer (e.g., a tax-exempt organization described in § 501(c)(3)) that is making the VCP submission. (12)Group Submissions. A Group Submission must be signed by the Eligible Organization or the Eligible Organization’s authorized representative and accompanied by a copy of the relevant portions of the plan document(s). (13)Orphan Plans. If the plan is an Orphan Plan, the applicant should indicate whether relief from correction or from the VCP compliance fee is being requested and the support for such relief. See sections6.02(5)(f) and 12.02(4). .04Required documents. A VCP submission must be accompanied by the following docu- ments: (1)Forms 8950 and 8951.Forms 8950 and 8951 must be included with a VCP submission. (2)Plan document.A copy of the entire plan document or the relevant portions of the plan document. For example, in a case involving an improperexclusion of eligible employees from a profit-sharing plan with a cash or deferred arrangement, relevant portions of the plan document include the eligibility, allocation,and cash or deferred arrangement provisions of the basic plan document (and the adoption agreement, if applicable), along with applicable definitions in the plan. In the case of a SEP anda SIMPLE IRA Plan, theentire plan document should be submitted. (3)Determination letter application. In any case in which correction of a Qualification Failure is made by plan amendment, as permitted under section 4.05, and the Plan Sponsor is submitting a determination letter request as required under section 6.05, the Plan Sponsor must submit, concurrently and to the same address as the VCP submission, a copy of the amendment or restated plan document, the appropriate application form (i.e., Form 5300, 5307, or 5310), the appropriate user fee, and the most recent version of the Form 8717,User Fee for Employee Plan Determination, Opinion and Advisory Letter Request. The user fee for the determination letter application and the compliance fee for the VCP submission must be paid by separate checks made payable to the United States Treasury. Include a photocopy of each check with the submission. If the appropriate fees are not included in the submission, the submission may be returned. If a restated plan document is being submitted as evidence of correction, the Plan Sponsor must indentify the page and section of the document, and the specific plan language that resolves the Qualification Failure. .05Date fee due generally. Except as provided in sections 11.06 and 12.02(4), the VCP fee under section 12 and, if applicable, the determination letter user fee must be included with thesubmission. TheVCPfeeandthedetermination letter user fee must be paid by separate checks made payable to the United States Treasury. Include a photocopy of each check with the submission. If the appropriate fees are not included in the submission, the submission may be returned. .06Additional fee due for SEPs, SIMPLE IRA Plans, and Group Submissions. In the case of a SEP, a SIMPLE IRA Plan, or a Group Submission, the initial fee described in section 12.02, 12.04, or 12.05 must be included in the submission and any additional fee is due at the time the compliance statement is signed by the Plan Sponsor and returned to the Service, or when agreement has been reached between the Serviceand the Plan Sponsor regarding correction of the failure(s). January 22, 20133562013–4 I.R.B. .07Power of attorney requirements. To appear before the Service in connection with the submission, the Plan Sponsor’s representative must comply with the requirements of section 9.02(11) and (12) of Rev. Proc. 2012–4, 2012–1 I.R.B. 125, and submit Form 2848,Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative. A Form 2848 that designates a representative not qualified to sign Part II of the Form 2848,e.g., an unenrolled return preparer, will not be accepted. However, a Plan Sponsormay authorize an individual, such as an unenrolled return preparer, to inspect or receive confidential information using Form 8821,Tax Information Au- thorization. (See Form 8821 and Instructions.) See section 10.10 for special rules relating to Anonymous Submissions. .08Penalty of perjury statement. (1) The Plan Sponsor must sign the penalty of perjury statement on the Form 8950 as part of a VCP submission. In addition, the following declaration must accompany any new factual informationor change in the VCP submission made at a later time:“Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this submission, including accompanying documents, and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the facts presented in support of this submission are true, correct, and complete.”The declaration must be signed by the Plan Sponsor, not the Plan Sponsor’s representative. (2) If the VCP submission is an Anonymous Submission made pursuant to section 10.10, and the submission is made by an individual authorized to represent the Plan Sponsor, the individual must submit the following statement:“Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I am an authorized representative of the Plan Sponsor who complies with the Power of Attorney requirements described in section 11.07 of Revenue Procedure 2013–12. I will submit an executed Form 2848 upon the disclosure of the identity of the Plan Sponsor to the Service.” .09Procedural Requirements Checklist. The Service will be able to respond more quickly to a VCP submission if the submission is carefully prepared and complete. The checklist pro- vided on Form 8950 and the instructions to Forms 8950 and 8951 are designed to assist Plan Sponsors and their representatives in preparing the information and documents required under this revenue procedure. .10Orphan Plan. The VCP submission should indicate if, appropriate, that it concerns an Orphan Plan and should include information that establishes that the applicant is an Eligible Person as defined in section 5.03(2). .11Acknowledgement letter. The Service will acknowledge receipt of a VCP submission if the Plan Sponsor or the Plan Sponsor’s representative completes the Acknowledgement Form in Appendix D and includes it in the submission. A separate Acknowledgement Form should be included for each plan submitted. Aphotocopy of Appendix D may be used. .12VCP mailing addresses. Use the following addresses for VCP submissions and any accompanying determination letter applications: First class mail: Internal Revenue Service P.O. Box 12192 Covington, KY 41012–0192 Express mail or private delivery service: Internal Revenue Service 201 West Rivercenter Blvd . Attn: Extracting Stop 312 Covington, KY 41011 .13Maintenance of copies of submissions.PlanSponsorsandtheirrepresentatives should maintain copies of all correspondence submitted to the Service with respect to their VCP sub- missions. 2013–4 I.R.B.357January 22, 2013 .14Assembling the submission. (1) The documents comprising a VCP submission, includ- ing any required determination letter application, must be mailed to the Service in a single package. As the Service will process the VCP submission and accompanying determination letter application separately, any documentsrequired to be filed for both the VCP submis- sion and the accompanying determination letter application must be provided in duplicate. All information required for the VCP submissionand any accompanying determination letter ap- plication must be assembled separately behind the appropriate form (e.g.Form 8951 and Form 5300). For example, if the VCP submission and determination letter application require the inclusion of a plan amendment, then two copies of the amendments will be needed — one for the VCP submission and one for the determination letter application. If a determination letter application is included with a VCP submission, any acknowledgement letter issued by the Ser- vice with regard to the application will be mailed under separate cover, and will not be issued concurrently with any voluntarily submitted Appendix DVCP Acknowledgement Letter. (2) The Service will be able to process a VCP submission more quickly if it is assembled in the following order: 1. Form 8951, with the check for the VCP fee attached to the front of the form. Include a photocopy of the check. 2. Signed Form 8950. 3.Power of Attorney(Form 2848) orTax Information Authorization(Form 8821) attached to Form 8950. 4. The following narrative information: •Description of the failures (if the failures relate to Transferred Assets, include a description of the related employer transaction). •An explanation of how and why the failures occurred. •Description of the method for correcting failures, including earnings methodology (if ap- plicable) and supporting computations (if applicable). •Description of the method(s) used to locate or notify former employees or beneficiaries affected by the failures or corrections. If no former employeesor beneficiaries are affected by the failures or corrections, then affirmatively state that position when addressing this issue. •Description of the administrative procedures that have been or will be implemented to en- sure that the failures do not recur. •Whether a request is being made in order for participant loans corrected under this revenue procedure to not be treated as deemed distributions under §72(p) and the supporting ratio- nale for such request. Alternatively, whether a request is being made for participant loans corrected under this revenue procedure to be treated as deemed distributions under §72(p) in the year of correction. •Whether relief is being requested from imposition of the excise taxes under § 4972, 4973, 4974, or 4979, or the 10% additional income tax under § 72(t), and the supporting rationale for such relief. •If the plan is an Orphan Plan, whether relief from the VCP compliance fee is being re- quested on Form 8951, and the supporting rationale for such relief. 5. If the VCP submission includes either the Model Compliance Statement or any Schedule, as provided in Appendix C, include any required information and enclosures, and any related schedules. 6. Appendix D Acknowledgement Letter. 7. Copy of opinion, advisory or determination letter (if applicable). 8. Relevant plan document language or plan document (if applicable). If you are including a determination letter application, a second copy of the relevant plan document or plan amend- ment may be necessary. See section 11.14(1). January 22, 20133582013–4 I.R.B. 9. Any other items that may be relevant to the VCP submission. 10. If appropriate, the determination letter application, including all required documenta- tion. SECTION 12. VCP FEES.01VCP fees. (1) The compliance f ees for all submissions under VCP are determined under this section 12. All fees must be paid upon filing the VCP submission (except for any special fees described in sections 12.0 5 and 12.06(2)). The check made payable to the United States Treasury must be attached to the front of Form 8951. (2) The check may be converted to an electronic fund transfer. “Electronic fund transfer” is the term used to refer to the process by which the Service electronically instructs the financial institution holding the funds to transfer funds from the account named on the check to the U.S. Treasury account, rather than processing the check. By sending a completed, signed check to the Service, the Service is authorized to copy the check and to use the account information from the check to make an electronic fund transfer from the account for the same amount as the check. If the electronic fund transfer cannot be processed for technical reasons, the Service is authorized to process the copy of the check. The electronic fund transfer from an account will usuallyoccurwithin24hours,whichisfasterthan a check is normally processed. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure there are sufficient funds available in the checking account when the check is sent to the Service. The check will not be returned from the financial institution. .02VCP fee for Qualified Plans and 403(b) Plans. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section 12, the compliance fee for a submission under VCP for Qualified Plans and 403(b) Plans (including Anonymous Submissions) is determined inaccordance with the following chart. Number of Participants Fee 20 or fewer $750 21 to 50 $1,000 51 to 100 $2,500 101 to 500 $5,000 501 to 1,000 $8,000 1,001 to 5,000 $ 15,000 5,001 to 10,000 $ 20,000 Over 10,000 $ 25,000 (2) If (a) a VCP submission involves the failure to satisfy the minimum distribution require- ments of § 401(a)(9) for 50 or fewer participants, (b) such failure is the only failure described in the submission, and (c) the failure would result in the imposition of the excise tax under § 4974, the compliance fee is $500. (3) If (a) a VCP submission involves a loan failure that is corrected in accordance with section 6.07, (b) the failure does not affect more than 25% of thePlan Sponsor’s participants in any of the year(s) in which the failure occurred, and (c) the failure is the only failure described in the submission, the compliance fee for a VCP submission determined under the provisions of section 12.02(1) is reduced by 50%. (4) At the discretion of the Service, the compliance fee may be waiv ed in the case of a terminating Orphan Plan. In sucha case, the submission must incl ude a request for a waiver of the VCP fee. (5) If (a) a VCP submission involves a failureto adopt a written 403(b) Plan timely in accor- dance with the final regulations under § 403(b) and Notice 2009–3, (b) the failure is the only failure included in the submission, and (c) the VCP submission is made within the one-year period beginning with the date of publication of this revenue procedure, the applicable com- pliance fee under section 12.02(1) is reduced by 50%. The VCP submission must be sent to the Service no later than December 31, 2013, in order to be eligible for the reduced fee. 2013–4 I.R.B.359January 22, 2013 .03VCP fee for nonamender failures. (1) In general, the compliance fee for plans with a nonamender failure, as described in section 6.05, is determined in accordance with the chart in section 12.02(1). The applicable fee for a VCP submission that contains only nonamender failures is reduced by 50% if it is submitted within a one-year period following the expiration of the plan’s remedial amendment period for complying with such changes. (2) Notwithstanding section 12.03(1), the compliance fee for a submission that contains only a failure to adopt timely good faith amendments, interim amendments, or amendments required to implement optional law changes, as described in section 6.05(3)(a), is $375. (3) Notwithstanding section 12.03(1), the compliance fee for a submission that co ntains only a failure to adopt an amendment (upon which a favorable determination letter i s condi- tioned) within the applicable remedial amendment period as described in section 6 .05(3)(d) is $500, provided the required amendment is adopted within three months of the expira tion of the remedial amendment period for adoptingthe amendment as provided in the plan’s mo st recent determination letter. .04VCP fee for multiple failures. Generally, the VCP fee is determined under section 12.02(1). However, if the submission consists of failures, each of which is subject to reduced fees under section 12.02(2), 12.02(3), 12.02(5),12.03(1), 12.03(2), or 12.03(3), and if the sum of the reduced fees is less than the fee under section 12.02 (1), then the reduced fee applies. See section 11.02(4). .05VCP fee for Group Submission. The compliance fee for a Group Submission is based on the number of plans affected by the failureas described in the compliance statement. The initial fee for the first 20 plans is $10,000. An additional fee is due equal to the product of the number of plans in excess of 20 multiplied by $250. The maximum compliance fee for a Group Submission is $50,000. If additional plans are added following the Group Submission, the additional fee is paid subject to the $50,000 maximum compliance fee. With respect to pre- approved plans, the compliance fee is determined based on the number of basic plan documents submitted and the number of employers who have adopted each basic plan by using an adoption agreement associated with that basic plan. For example, a pre-approved defined contribution basic plan has three associated adoption agreements: a profit sharing adoption agreement, a § 401(k) adoption agreement, and a money purchase adoption agreement. The compliance fee would be based on the number of employers that adopted the basic plan by using any of the three associated adoption agreements. See section 10.11(1). .06VCP fee for SEPs and SIMPLE IRA Plans. (1) In general, the compliance fee for a SEP or a SIMPLE IRA Plan submission (includingan Anonymous Submission) is $250. Notwith- standing the preceding sentence,the Service reserves the rightto impose the fee schedule under section 12.02 (or section 12.07) in appropriate circumstances. (2) In any case in which a SEP or SIMPLE IRA Plan correction is not similar to a correction for a similar Qualification Failure (as provided under section 6.10(1)), the Service may impose an additional fee. If the failure involves an Excess Amount under a SEP or a SIMPLE IRA Plan and the Plan Sponsor retains the Excess Amount in the SEP or SIMPLE IRA Plan, a fee equal to at least 10% of the Excess Amount with no adjustment for Earnings will be imposed. This is in addition to the SEP or SIMPLE IRA Plan compliance fee set forth in section 12.06(1). .07VCP fee for egregious or intentional failures. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section 12, in cases involving failures that are egregious (as described in section 4.11) or where the failure is not inadvertent (i.e.,is not a result of an oversight or mistake), the compliance fee for Qualified Plans, 403(b) Plans, SEPs, and SIMPLE IRA Plans is the greater of (1) the fee that would be determined under the preceding provisions of this section 12 or (2) an amount equal to a negotiated percentage of the Maximum Payment Amount, with such percentage not to exceed 40%. .08Establishing the number of plan participants. Compliance fees under this section 12 are determined based on the total number of plan participants. For a description of a participant, see the Instructions for Form 5500. For new plans and ongoing plans, the number of plan January 22, 20133602013–4 I.R.B. participants is determined from the most recently filed Form 5500 series. Thus, with respect to the applicable 2010 or 2011 Form 5500, the Plan Sponsor would use the number shown in item 6f (or the equivalent item on the Form 5500-SFor EZ) to establish the total number of plan participants. In the case of a terminated plan, the Form 5500 used to determine the number of plan participants must be the one filed for the plan year prior to the plan year for which the Final Form 5500 return was filed. If the submission involves a plan with Transferred Assets and no new incidents of the failure occurred after the end of the second plan year that begins after the corporate merger, acquisition, or other similar employer transaction, the Plan Sponsor may calculate the number of plan participants based on the Form 5500 information that would have been filed by the Plan Sponsor for the plan year that includes the employer transaction if the Transferred Assets were maintained as a separate plan. If the Plan Sponsor is not required to file a Form 5500 series return with regard to any Qualified Plan or 403(b) Plan eligible for VCP, the number of plan participants for compliance fee purposes will generally be the number of plan participants as of the last day of the most recently completed plan year preceding the date of the VCP submission. However, if this information has not been compiled by the time thePlanSponsorisreadytomakeaVCPsubmissiontotheService,thePlanSponsormayuse the number of plan participants associated with the most recently completed prior plan year for which information on the number of plan participants is available. This exception would not apply if the VCP submission is mailed to the Service more than seven months after the close of the most recently completed plan year preceding the date of the VCP submission. .09Insufficient VCP fee. If the compliance fee includedwith the VCP submission is less than the compliance fee required under this section 12, the submission may be returned. PART VI. CORRECTION ON AUDIT (AUDIT CAP) SECTION 13. DESCRIPTION OF AUDIT CAP .01Audit CAP requirements. If the Service identifies a Qualification or 403(b) Failure (other than a failure that has been corrected in accordance with SCP or VCP) upon an Employee Plans or Exempt Organizations examination of aQualified Plan, 403(b) Plan, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA Plan, the requirements of this section 13 aresatisfied with respect to the failure if the Plan Sponsor corrects the failure, pays a sanction in accordance with section 14, satisfies any additional requirements of section 13.03, and enters into a closing agreement with the Service. This section 13 also applies if the Service identifies a participant loan that did not comply with the requirements of § 72(p)(2) (other than a loan failure that is corrected in accordance with SCP or VCP) upon an Employee Plans or Exempt Organizations examination of a Qualified Plan or 403(b) Plan. .02Payment of sanction. Payment of the sanction under section 14 generally is required at the time the closing agreement is signed. All sanction amounts should be submitted by certified check or cashier’s check made payableto the United States Treasury. .03Additional requirements. Depending on the nature of the failure, the Service will discuss the appropriateness of the plan’s existing administrative procedures with the Plan Sponsor. If existing administrative procedures are inadequate for operating the plan in conformance with the applicable requirements of the Code, the closing agreement may be conditioned upon the implementation of stated procedures. In addition, pursuant to section 6.05, the Plan Sponsor may be required to obtain a Favorable Letter before the closing agreement is signed. If a Favor- able Letter is required, the Plan Sponsor is required to pay the applicable user fee for obtaining the letter. .04Failure to reach resolution. If the Service and the Plan Sponsor cannot reach an agree- ment with respect to the correction of the failure(s) or the amount of the sanction then the plan will be disqualified, the plan or contract will be treated as if it did not comply with § 403(b), the SEP will be treated as if it did not complywith § 408(k), or the SIMPLE IRA Plan will be treated as if it did not complywith § 408(p), as applicable. 2013–4 I.R.B.361January 22, 2013 .05Effect of closing agreement. A closing agreement constitutes an agreement between the Service and the Plan Sponsor that is binding with respect to the tax matters identified in the agreement for the periods specified. .06Other procedural rules. The procedural rules for Audit CAP are set forth in Internal Revenue Manual (“IRM”) 7.2.2. EPCRS. SECTION 14. AUDIT CAP SANCTION .01Determination of sanction. Except as otherwise provided in section 14.04, the sanction under Audit CAP is a negotiated percentage of the Maximum Payment Amount. Sanctions will not be excessive and will beara reasonable relationship to the nature, extent, and severity of the failures, based on the factors below. In the case of any participant loan that did not comply with the requirements of § 72(p)(2), the Maximum Payment Amount will include the tax the Service could collect as a result of the loan not being excluded from gross income under § 72(p)(2). .02Factors considered. Factors include: (1) the steps taken by the Plan Sponsor to ensure that the plan had no failures; (2) the steps taken to identify failures that may have occurred; (3) the extent to which correction had progressed before the examination was initiated, including full correction; (4) the number and type of employees affected by the failure; (5) the num- ber of nonhighly compensated employees who would be adversely affected if the plan were not treated as qualified or as satisfying the requirements of § 403(b), 408(k), or 408(p); (6) whether the failure is a failure to satisfy the requirements of § 401(a)(4), 401(a)(26), or 410(b), either directly or through § 403(b)(12); (7) whether the failure is solely an Employer Eligibility Failure; (8) the period over which the failure(s)occurred (for example, the time that has elapsed since the end of the applicable remedial amendment period under § 401(b) for a Plan Docu- ment Failure); and (9) the reason for the failure(s) (for example, data errors such as errors in transcription of data, the transposition of numbers, or minor arithmetic errors). Factors relating only to Qualified Plans also include: (1) whether the plan is the subject of a Favorable Letter; and (2) whether the failure(s) were discovered during the determination letter process. If one of the failures discovered during an Employee Plans examination includes the failure to amend the plan timely for relevant legislation, it is expected that the sanction will be greater than the applicable fee described in section 14.04. Anadditional factor taken into account with respect to a participant loan that did not comply withthe requirements of § 72(p)(2) is the extent to which the failure is a result solely of action (or inaction) of the employer or its agents (or the extent to which the failure is a result of the employee’s or beneficiary’s actions or inaction). .03Transferred Assets. If the examination involves a plan with Transferred Assets and the Service determines that no new incidents of thefailures that relate to the Transferred Assets occur after the end of the second plan year that begins after the corporate merger, acquisition, or other similar employer transaction, the sanction under Audit CAP will not exceed the sanction that would apply if the Transferred Assets were maintained as a separate plan. .04Fee for nonamenders discovered during the determination letter application process not relatedtoaVCPsubmission. (1) Except as provided in section 14.04(3) and (4), the compli- ance fee for nonamenders (as defined in section 6.05(2)(a)(ii)) not voluntarily identified by the Plan Sponsor, but instead discovered by the Service in connection with the determination letter application process as described in section 5.03(3) is determined in accordance with the chart below. This fee schedule applies if the only failure discovered during the application process is the nonamender failure. January 22, 20133622013–4 I.R.B. Number of Participants Employer’s 2 nd 5or6year Remedial Amendment Cycle Employer’s 1 st 5 or 6 year Remedial Amendment Cycle GUST/401(a)(9) Regs UCA/OBRA ’93 TRA ’86 T/D/RERISA 20 or fewer $ 2,500$ 3,000$ 3,500$ 4,000$ 4,500$ 5,000$ 5,500 21–50 $ 5,000$ 6,000$ 7,000$ 8,000$ 9,000$10,000$11,000 51–100 $ 7,500$ 9,000$10,500$12,000$13,500$15,000$16,500 101–500 $12,500$15,000$17,500$20,000$22,500$25,000$27,500 501–1,000 $17,500$21,000$24,500$28,000$31,500$35,000$38,500 1,001–5,000 $25,000$30,000$35,000$40,000$45,000$50,000$55,000 5,001–10,000 $32,500$39,000$45,500$52,000$58,500$65,000$71,500 Over 10,000 $40,000$48,000$56,000$64,000$72,000$80,000$88,000 (2) The acronyms listed in the chart in section 14.04(1) refer to the following laws: (a) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), (b) Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA); Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 (DEFRA); and Retirement Equity Act of 1984 (REA) together (T/D/R), (c) Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA ’86), (d) Unemployment Compensation Act of 1992 (UCA); Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA ’93), (e) The Uruguay Round Agreements Act; the Uniformed Services Employment and Reem- ployment Rights Act of 1994; the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996; the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997; the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998; and the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (collectively known as “GUST”), (f) Final and temporary regulations under § 401(a)(9), 74 FR 18987, published on April 17, 2002 (“401(a)(9) Regs”), and (g) The Employer’s 1 st 5 or 6 year Remedial Amendment Cycle (RAC), includes the Eco- nomic Growth and Tax Relief ReconciliationAct of 2001 (“EGTRRA”) and the 2004 through the 2009 Cumulative List. (h) The Employer’s 2 nd 5 or 6 year Remedial Amendment Cycle, includes the 2010 through the 2014 Cumulative List. (3) If the sole failure consists of the failure to adopt good faith amendments, interim amend- ments, or amendments required toreflect the changed operation of the plan on account of the Plan Sponsor’s decision to implement optional law changes (as described in section 6.05(3)(a)) by their applicable deadlines, but before the expiration of the plan’s extended remedial amend- ment period, then the fee is 40% of the applicable fee under “Employer’s 2 nd Remedial Amend- ment Cycle” on the chart in section 14.04(1). (4) If the sole failure consists of a failure to timely adopt an amendment (upon which a favor- able determination letter was conditioned) within the applicable remedial amendment period, the fee is $1,000 regardless of the number of plan participants, provided the required amend- ment is adopted within three months of the expiration of the remedial amendment period for adopting the amendment. 2013–4 I.R.B.363January 22, 2013 PART VII. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS; EFFECTIVE DATE; PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SECTION 15. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS Rev. Proc. 2008–50 is modified and superseded by this revenue procedure. SECTION 16. EFFECTIVE DATEThis revenueprocedure is generally effective April 1, 2013. However, Plan Sponsors are permitted, at their option, to apply the provisions of this revenue procedure on or after De- cember 31, 2012. Plan Sponsors that choose this option must include Forms 8950 and 8951 with their VCP submissions made to the new mailing addresses set forth in section 11.12. For 403(b) Plans, the definitions under Rev. Proc. 2008–50 apply to failures that occurred in tax- able years beginning before January 1, 2009. SECTIO N 17. PAPERWORK REDUCT ION ACT The col lection of information contained in thisrevenue procedure has been reviewed and approv ed by the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the Paperwork Reduc- tion A ct (44 U.S.C. 3507) under control number 1545–1673. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collec- tion of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number. The collection of information in this revenue procedure is in sections 4.05, 6.02(5)(d), 6.05, 6.09(5), 6.09(6), 10.01, 10.02, 10.05–.07, 10.10–10.12, 11.02–11.05, 11.07–11.14, 13.01, sec- tions 2.01–2.07 of Appendix B, Appendix C, and Appendix D. This information is required to enable the Commissioner, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division of the Internal Rev- enue Service to consider the issuance of various types of closing agreements and compliance statements. This information will be used to issue closing agreements and compliance state- ments to allow individual plans to continue tomaintain their tax favored status. As a result, favorable tax treatment of the benefits of the eligible employees is retained. The likely respon- dents are individuals, state or local governments, businesses or other for-profit institutions, nonprofit institutions, and small businesses or organizations. The estimated total annual reporting or recordkeeping burden is 86,148 hours. The estimated annual burden per respondent/recordkeeper varies from .5 to 45.5 hours, de- pending on individual circumstances, with an estimated average of 20.4 hours. The estimated number of respondents or recordkeepers is 4,300. The estimated frequency of responses is occasional. Books or records relating to acollection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. § 6103. DRAFTING INFORMATIONThe principal author of this revenue procedure is Paul C. Hogan of the Employee Plans, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. For further information regarding this rev- enue procedure, please contact the Employee Plans’ taxpayer assistance telephone service at 877–829–5500 (a toll-free number) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you can direct your questions to Mr. Hogan by sending a question via electronic mail toRetirementPlanQuestions@irs.gov. APPENDIX A OPERATIONAL FAILURES AND CORRECTION METHODS .01General rule. (i) This appendix sets forth Operational Failures and Correction Methods relating to Qualified Plans. In each case, the method described corrects the Operational Failure identified in the headings below. Corrective allocations and distributions should reflect Earn- ings and actuarial adjustments in accordance with section 6.02(4) of this revenue procedure. January 22, 20133642013–4 I.R.B. The correction methodsin this appendix are acceptable to correct Qualification Failures under VCP, and to correct Qualification Failures under SCP that occurred notwithstanding that the plan has established practices and procedures reasonably designedtopromote and facilitate overall compliance with the Code, as provided in section 4.04 of this revenue procedure. To the extent a failure listed in this appendix could occur under a 403(b) Plan, a SEP, or a SIM- PLE IRA Plan, the correction method listed for such failure may similarly be used to correct the failure. (ii) Correction methods permitted in Appendix A and Appendix B are deemed to be reason- able and appropriate methods of correcting a failure. As provided in section 6.02(2), there may be more than one reasonable and appropriate correction of a failure. Any correction method used that is not described in Appendix A or Appendix B would need to satisfy the correction principles of section 6.02. For example, thesponsor of a 403(b) Plan that failed to satisfy the universal availability requirement of § 403(b)(12)(A)(ii) might propose to determine the missed deferral for an excluded employee using a percentage based on the average deferrals for all employees in the plan instead of using therule for calculating missed deferrals set out in .05(6)(b). In doing so, the proposed correction method would fall outside Appendix A, and the Plan Sponsor would need to satisfy the general correction principles of section 6.02 and other applicable rules in this revenue procedure. .02 Failure to properly provide the minimum top-heavy benefit under § 416 to non-key em- ployees. In a defined contribution plan, the permitted correction method is to properly con- tribute and allocate the required top-heavy minimums to the plan in the manner provided for in the plan on behalf of the non-key employees (and any other employees required to receive top-heavy allocations under the plan). In a defined benefit plan, the minimum required benefit must be accrued in the manner provided in the plan. .03Failure to satisfy the ADP test set forth in § 401(k)(3), the ACP test set forth in § 401(m)(2), or, for plan years beginning on or before December 31, 2001, the multiple use test of § 401(m)(9). The permitted correction method is to make qualified nonelective contributions (QNECs) (as defined in § 1.401(k)–6) on behalf of the nonhighly compensated employees to the extent necessary to raise the actual deferral percentage oractual contribution percentage of the nonhighly compensated employees to the percentage needed to pass the test or tests. For purposes of correcting a failed ADP, ACP, or multiple use test, any amounts used to fund QNECs must satisfy the definition of QNEC in § 1.401(k)–6). The contributions must be made on behalf of all eligible nonhighly compensated employees (to the extent permitted under § 415) and must be the same percentage of compensation. QNECs contributed to satisfy the ADP test need not be taken into account for determining additional contributions (e.g.,a matching contribution), if any. For purposes of this section .03, employees who would have received a matching contribution had they madeelective deferrals must be counted as eligible employees for the ACP test, and the plan must satisfy the ACP test. Under this correction method, a plan may not be treated as two separate plans, one covering otherwise excludable employees and the other covering all other employees (as permitted in § 1.410(b)–6(b)(3)), in order to reduce the number of employees eligible to receive QNECs. Likewise, under this correction method, the plan may not be restructured into component plans in order to reduce the number of employees eligible to receive QNECs. .04Failure to distribute elective deferrals in excess of the § 402(g) limit (in contravention of § 401(a)(30)). The permitted correction method is to distribute the excess deferral to the em- ployee and to report the amount as taxable in the year of deferral and in the year distributed. The inclusion of the deferral and the distribution in gross income applies whether or not any portion of the excess deferral is attributable to a designated Roth contribution (see § 402A(d)(3)). In accordance with § 1.402(g)–1(e)(1)(ii), a distribution to a highly compensated employee is in- cluded in the ADP test and a distribution to a nonhighly compensated employee is not included in the ADP test. .05Exclusion of an eligible employee from all contributions or accruals under the plan for oneormoreplanyears.(1)Improperly excluded employees: employer provided contributions 2013–4 I.R.B.365January 22, 2013 or benefits. For plans with employer provided contributions or benefits (which are neither elec- tive deferrals under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement under § 401(k) nor matching or after-tax employee contributions that are subjectto § 401(m)), the permitted correction method is to make a contribution to the plan on behalfof the employees excluded from a defined con- tribution plan or to provide benefit accruals for the employees excluded from a defined benefit plan. (2)Improperly excluded employees: contributions subject to § 401(k) or 401(m).(a)For plans providing benefits subject to § 401(k) or 401(m), the corrective contribution for an im- properly excluded employee is described in the following paragraphs of this section .05(2). (SeeExamples 3through12of Appendix B.) (b) If the employee was not provided the opportunity to elect and make elective deferrals (other than designated Roth contributions) to a§ 401(k) plan that does not satisfy § 401(k)(3) by applying the safe harbor contribution requirements of § 401(k)(12) or 401(k)(13), the employer must make a QNEC to the plan on behalf of the employee that replaces the “missed deferral opportunity.” The missed deferral opportunityis equal to 50% of the employee’s “missed de- ferral.” The missed deferral is determined by multiplying the actual deferral percentage for the year of exclusion (whether or not the plan is using current or prior year testing) for the employee’s group in the plan (either highly compensated or nonhighly compensated) by the employee’s compensation for that year. The employee’s missed deferral amount is reduced further to the extent necessary to ensure thatthe missed deferral does not exceed applicable plan limits, including the annual deferral limit under § 402(g) for the calendar year in which the failure occurred. Under this correction method, a plan may not be treated as two separate plans, one covering otherwise excludable employees and the other covering all other employees (as permitted in § 1.410(b)–6(b)(3)) in order to reduce the applicable ADP, the corresponding missed deferral, and the required QNEC. Likewise, restructuring the plan into component plans is not permitted in order to reduce the applicable ADP, the corresponding missed deferral, and the required QNEC. The QNEC required for theemployee for the missed deferral opportunity for the year of exclusion is adjusted for Earnings to the date the corrective QNEC is made on behalf of the affected employee. (c) If the employee should have been eligiblefor but did not receive an allocation of em- ployer matching contributions under a non-safe harbor plan because he or she was not given the opportunity to make elective deferrals, the employer must make a corrective employer non- elective contribution on behalf of the affected employee. The corrective employer nonelective contribution is equal to the matching contribution the employee would have received had the employee made a deferral equal to the missed deferral determined under section .05(2)(b). The corrective employer nonelective contribution must be adjusted for Earnings to the date the cor- rective contribution is made on behalf of the affected employee. (d)(i) If the employee was not provided the opportunity to elect and make elective defer- rals (other than designated Roth contributions) to a safe harbor § 401(k) plan that uses a rate of matching contributions to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of § 401(k)(12), then the missed deferral is deemed equal to the greater of3% of compensation or the maximum defer- ral percentage for which the employer provides amatching contribution rate that is at least as favorable as 100% of the elective deferralmade by the employee. Ifthe employee was not provided the opportunity to elect and make elective deferrals (other than Roth contributions) to a safe harbor § 401(k) plan that uses nonelective contributions to satisfy the safe harbor re- quirements of § 401(k)(12), then the missed deferral is deemed equal to 3% of compensation. In either event, this estimate of the missed deferral replaces the estimate based on the ADP test in a traditional § 401(k) plan. The required QNEC on behalf of the excluded employee is equal to (i) 50% of the missed deferral, plus (ii) either (A) an amount equal to the contribution that would have been required as a matching contribution based on the missed deferral in the case of a safe harbor § 401(k) plan that uses a rateof matching contributions to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of § 401(k)(12) or (B) the nonelective contribution that would have been made on behalf of the employee in the case of a safe harbor § 401(k) plan that uses nonelective contributions to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of § 401(k)(12). The QNEC required to January 22, 20133662013–4 I.R.B. replace the employee’s missed deferral opportunity and the corresponding matching or non- elective contribution is adjusted for Earnings to the date the corrective QNEC is made on behalf of the employee. (ii) If the employee was not provided the opportunity to make an affirmative election with respect to elective deferrals (other than designated Roth contributions) to a safe harbor § 401(k) plan that uses an automatic contribution arrangement to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of § 401(k)(13) and the failure occurs for a period that does not extend past the last day of the first plan year which begins after the date on whichthe first deferral would have been made (but for the failure), then the missed deferral is deemed to equal 3% of the employee’s compensa- tion under the plan. If the failure occurs for a plan year or plan years subsequent to the period described in the prior sentence, then the missed deferral for each subsequent plan year is equal to the qualified percentage specified in the plandocumenttocomplywith§401(k)(13)(C)(iii). The missed deferral determined in accordance with this section .05(2)(d)(ii) replaces the esti- mate based on the ADP test in a traditional § 401(k) plan. The required corrective employer contribution on behalf of the excluded employee is equal to (i) the missed deferral opportunity, which is an amount equal to 50% of the missed deferral, plus (ii) an amount equal to either the matching contribution that would apply under § 401(k)(13) based on the missed deferral or the nonelective contribution that wouldhave been made on behalf of the employee under § 401(k)(13), whichever applies under the plan. The employer contribution for the missed de- ferral opportunity must be a QNEC. The corrective employer contribution consisting of the QNEC required to replace the employee’s missed deferral opportunity and the corresponding matching or nonelective contribution is adjusted for Earnings to the date the corrective em- ployer contribution is made on behalf of the employee. (iii) In the case of a failure to make the required nonelective contribution for a plan year under a safe harbor § 401(k) plan that uses the nonelective contribution under § 401(k)(12)(C) to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of § 401(k)(12) or that uses the nonelective contribution under § 401(k)(13)(D)(i)(I) to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of § 401(k)(13), the non- elective contribution (which must be a QNEC in the case of a plan that uses § 401(k)(12) to satisfy ADP) required to be made on behalf of the employee is equal to 3% of the employee’s compensation during the period of the failure. For this purpose, the period of the failure for any plan year ends at the end of the plan year or, if earlier, the later of June 18, 2009 or the date 30 days after notice was provided to employees as required under applicable Treasury Regu- lations (see § 1.401(k)–3(g)(ii) of the proposed regulations, at 74 FR 23134). (e) If the employee should have been eligible to elect and make after-tax employee contri- butions (other than designated Roth contributions), the employer must make a QNEC to the plan on behalf of the employee that is equal to the “missed opportunity for making after-tax employee contributions.” The missed opportunity for making after-tax employee contributions is equal to 40% of the employee’s “missed after-tax contributions.” The employee’s missed af- ter-tax contributions are equal to the actual contribution percentage (ACP) for the employee’s group (either highly compensated or nonhighly compensated) times the employee’s compen- sation, but with the resulting amount not to exceed applicable plan limits. If the ACP consists of both matching and after-tax employee contributions, then, in lieu of basing the employee’s missed after-tax employee contributions on the ACP for the employee’s group, the employer is permitted to determine separately the portion of the ACP that is attributable to after-tax em- ployee contributions for the employee’s group(either highly compensated or nonhighly com- pensated), multiplied by the employee’s compensation for the year of exclusion. The QNEC must be adjusted for Earnings to the date the corrective QNEC is made on behalf of the affected employee. (f) If the employee was improperly excluded from an allocation of employer matching con- tributions because he or she wasnot given the opportunity to make after-tax employee contri- butions (other than designated Roth contributions), the employer must make a corrective em- ployer nonelective contribution on behalf of the affected employee. The corrective employer nonelective contribution is equal to the matching contribution the employee would have re- ceived had the employee made an after-tax employee contribution equal to the missed after-tax 2013–4 I.R.B.367January 22, 2013 employee contribution determined under section .05(2)(e). The corrective employer nonelec- tive contribution must be adjusted for Earnings to the date the corrective contribution is made on behalf of the affected employee. (g) The methods for correcting the failures described in this section .05(2) do not app ly until after the correction of other qualification failures. Thus, for example, if, in addi tion to the fail- ure of excluding an eligible employee, the plan also failed the ADP or ACP test, the cor rection methods described in section .05(2)(b) through (f) cannot be used until after correc tion of the ADP or ACP test failures. For purposes of this section .05(2), in order to determine wh ether the plan passed the ADP or ACP test, the plan may rely on a test performed with respect to those eligible employees who were provided with the opportunity to make elective d eferrals or after-tax employee contributions and receive an allocation of employer match ing contribu- tions, in accordance with the terms of the plan, and may disregard the employees wh owere improperly excluded. (3)Improperly excluded employees: designated Roth contributions. For employees who were improperly excluded from plans that (i) are subject to § 401(k) (as described in section .05(2)) and (ii) provide for the optional treatment of elective deferralsas designated Roth con- tributions, the correction is the same as described under section .05(2).Thus, for example, the corrective employer contribution required to replace the missed deferral opportunity is made in accordance with the method described in section .05(2)(b) in the case of a § 401(k) plan that is not a safe harbor § 401(k) plan or .05(2)(d) in the case of a safe harbor § 401(k) plan. However, none of the corrective contributionsmade by the employer may be treated as desig- nated Roth contributions (and may not be included in an employee’s gross income) and thus may not be contributed or allocated to a Roth account (as described in § 402A(b)(2)). The corrective employer contribution must be allocated to anaccount established for receiving a QNEC or any other employer contribution in which the employee is fully vested and subject to the withdrawal restrictions that apply to elective deferrals. (4)Improperly excluded employees: catch-up contributions only.(a)Correction for missed catch-up contributions. If an eligible employee was not provided the opportunity to elect and make catch-up contributions to a § 401(k) plan, the employer must make a QNEC to the plan on behalf of the employee that replaces the “missed deferral opportunity” attributable to the failure to permit an eligible employee to make a catch-up contribution pursuant to § 414(v). The missed deferral opportunity for catch-up contributions isequal to 50% of the employee’s missed deferral attributable tocatch-up contributions. For thispurpose, the missed deferral attributable to catch-up contributions is one halfof the applicable catch-up contribution limit for the year in which the employee was improperly excluded. Thus, for example if an eligi- ble employee was improperly precluded from electing and making catch-up contributions in 2006, the missed deferral attributable to catch-up contributions is $2,500, which is one half of $5,000, the 2006 catch-up contribution limit for a § 401(k) plan. The eligible employee’s missed deferral opportunity is $1,250 (i.e.,50% of the missed deferral attributable to catch-up contributions of $2,500). The QNEC required to replace the missed deferral opportunity for the year of exclusion is adjusted for Earnings tothe date the corrective QNEC is made on behalf of the affected employee. For purposes of this correction, an eligible employee, pursuant to § 414(v)(5), refers to any participant who (i) would have attained age 50 by the end of the plan’s taxable year and (ii) in the absence of the plan’scatch-up provision, could not make additional elective deferrals on account of the plan or statutory limitations described in § 414(v)(3) and § 1.414(v)–1(b)(1). (b)Correction for missed matching contributions on catch-up contributions.Ifanemployee was precluded from making catch-up contributions under this section .05(4), the Plan Spon- sor should ascertain whether the affected employee would have been entitled to an additional matching contribution on account of the missed deferral. If the employee would have been enti- tled to an additional matching contribution, then the employer must make a corrective employer nonelective contribution for the matching contribution on behalf of theaffected employee. The corrective employer nonelective contribution is equal to the additional matching contribution the employee would have received had the employee made a deferral equal to the missed defer- ral determined under paragraph (a) of this section .05(4). The corrective employer nonelective January 22, 20133682013–4 I.R.B. contribution must be adjusted for Earnings to the date the corrective contribution is made on behalf of the affected employee. If in addition tothe failure to provide matching contributions under this section .05(4)(b), the plan also failed the ACP test, the correction methods described in this section cannot be used until after correction of the ACP test failure. For purposes of this section, in order to determine whether the plan passed the ACP test the plan may rely on a test performed with respect to those eligible employees who were provided with the opportunity to make elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions and receive an allocation of em- ployer matching contributions, in accordance with the terms ofthe plan, and may disregard any employer matching contribution that was not made on account of the plan’s failure to provide an eligible employee with the opportunity to make a catch-up contribution. (5)Failure to implement an employee election.(a)Missed opportunity for elective deferrals. For eligible employees who filed elections to make elective deferrals under the Plan which the Plan Sponsor failed to implement on a timely basis, the Plan Sponsor must make a QNEC to the plan on behalf of the employee to replace the“missed deferral opportunity.” The missed de- ferral opportunity is equal to 50% of the employee’s “missed deferral.” The missed deferral is determined by multiplying the employee’s elected deferral percentage by the employee’s com- pensation. If the employee elected a dollar amount for an elective deferral, the missed deferral would be the specified dollar amount. The employee’s missed deferral amount is reduced fur- ther to the extent necessary to ensure that the missed deferral does not exceed applicable plan limits, including the annual deferral limit under § 402(g) for the calendar year in which the failure occurred. The QNEC must be adjusted for Earnings to the date the corrective QNEC is made on behalf of the affected employee. (b)Missed opportunity for after-tax employee contributions. For eligible employees who filed elections to make after-tax employee contributions under the Plan which the Plan Spon- sor failed to implement on a timely basis, the Plan Sponsor must make a QNEC to the plan on behalf of the employee to replace the employee’s missed opportunity for after-tax employee contributions. The missed opportunity for making after-tax employee contributions is equal to 40% of the employee’s “missed after-tax contributions.” The missed after-tax employee con- tribution is determined by multiplying the employee’s elected after-taxemployee contribution percentage by the employee’s compensation. The QNEC must be adjusted for Earnings to the date the corrective QNEC is made on behalf of the affected employee. (c)Missed opportunity affecting matching contributions. In the event of failure described in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section .05(5), if the employee would have been entitled to an addi- tional matching contribution had either the missed deferral or after-taxemployee contribution been made, then the Plan Sponsor must make a corrective employer nonelective contribution for the matching contribution on behalf of theaffected employee, or a corrective QNEC in the case of a safe harbor plan under § 401(k)(12). Thecorrective employernonelective contribu- tion or QNEC is equal to the matching contribution the employee would have received had the employee made a deferral equal to the missed deferral determined under this paragraph. The corrective employer nonelective contribution or QNEC must be adjusted for Earnings to the date the corrective contribution or QNEC is made on behalf of the affected employee. (d)Coordination with correction of other Qualification Failures. The method for correct- ing the failures described in this section .05(5) does not apply until after the correction of other qualification failures. Thus, for example, if in addition to the failure to implement an employee’s election, the plan also failed theADP test or ACP test, the correction methods de- scribed in section .05(5)(a), (b), or (c) cannot be used until after correction of the ADP or ACP test failures. For purposes of this section .05(5), in order to determine whether the plan passed the ADP or ACP test the plan may rely on a test performed with respect to those eligible em- ployees who were not impacted bythe Plan Sponsor’s failure to implement employee elections and received allocations of employer matching contributions, in accordance with the terms of the plan, and may disregard employees whose elections were not properly implemented. (6)Failure of a 403(b) Plan to satisfy the universal availability requirement of § 403(b)(12)(A)(ii). (a) Subject to the specific rules inthis section .05(6), the correction 2013–4 I.R.B.369January 22, 2013 methods set forth in this section .05 (and section 2.02 of Appendix B) for a Qualified Plan also apply to a 403(b) Plan that has a similar failure. (b) If the employee was not provided the opportunity to elect and make elective deferrals to a 403(b) Plan, then, in lieu of determining themissed deferral based on the actual deferral percentage as described in section .05(2)(b), the missed deferral is deemed equal to the greater of 3% of compensation or the maximum deferral percentage for which the Plan Sponsor pro- vides a matching contribution rate that is at least as favorable as 100% of the elective deferral made by the employee. (7)Improper exclusion of an eligible employee from a SIMPLE IRA plan subject to the requirements of § 408(p). (a) Subject to the specific rules in this section .05(7), the correction methods set forth in this section .05 for a Qualified Plan also apply to a SIMPLE IRA plan that has a similar failure. (b) If the employee was not provided the opportunity to elect and make elective deferrals to a SIMPLE IRA plan, then, in lieu of determining the missed deferral based on the actual deferral percentage as described in section .05(2)(b), the missed deferral is deemed to be 3% of compensation. .06Failure to timely pay the minimum distribution required under § 401(a)(9).Inade- fined contribution plan, the permitted correction method is to distribute the required minimum distributions (with Earnings from the date of the failure to the date of the distribution). The amount required to be distributed for each yearin which the initial failure occurred should be determined by dividing the adjusted accountbalance on the applicable valuation date by the applicable distribution period. For this purpose, adjusted account balance means the ac- tual account balance, determined in accordance with § 1.401(a)(9)–5, Q&A–3, reduced by the amount of the total missed minimum distributions for prior years. In a defined benefit plan, the permitted correction method is to distribute the required minimum distributions, plus an interest payment based on the plan’s actuarial equivalence factors in effect on the date that the distribution should have been made. See section 6.02(4)(d) of this revenue procedure. If this correction is made at the time the plan is subjectto a restriction on single-sum payments pur- suant to § 436(d), the Plan Sponsor must contribute to the plan the applicable amount under section 6.02(4)(e)(ii)(A) as part of the correction. .07Failure to obtain participant or spousal consent for a distribution subject to the partic- ipant and spousal consent rules under §§ 401(a)(11), 411(a)(11), and 417. (1) The permitted correction method is to give each affected participant a choice between providing informed consent for the distribution actually made or receiving a qualified joint and survivor annu- ity. In the event that participant or spousal consent is required but cannot be obtained, the participant must receive a qualified joint andsurvivor annuity based on the monthly amount that would have been provided under the plan at his or her retirement date. This annuity may be actuarially reduced to take into account distributions already received by the participant. However, the portion of the qualified joint and survivor annuity payable to the spouse upon the death of the participant may not be actuariallyreduced to take into account prior distributions to the participant. Thus, for example, if, in accordance with the automatic qualified joint and survivor annuity option under a plan, a marriedparticipant who retired would have received a qualified joint and survivor annuity of $600 per month payable for life with $300 per month payable to the spouse for the spouse’s life beginning upon the participant’s death, but instead received a single-sum distribution equal to the actuarial present value of the participant’s ac- crued benefit under the plan, then the $600 monthly annuity payable during the participant’s lifetime may be actuarially reduced to take the single-sum distribution into account. However, the spouse must be entitled to receive an annuity of $300 per month payable for life beginning at the participant’s death. (2) An alternative permitted correction methodis to give each affected participant a choice between (i) providing informed consent for the distribution actually made, (ii) receiving a qual- ified joint and survivor annuity (both (i) and (ii)of this section .07(2) are described in section .07(1) of this Appendix A), or (iii) a single-sum payment to the participant’s spouse equal to January 22, 20133702013–4 I.R.B. the actuarial present value of that survivor annuity benefit (calculated using the applicable in- terest rate and mortality table under § 417(e)(3)). For example, assuming the actuarial present value of a $300 per month annuity payable to the spouse for the spouse’s life beginning upon the participant’s death was $7,837 (calculated using the applicable interest rate and applicable mortality table under § 417(e)(3)), the single-sum payment to the spouse under clause (iii) of this section .07(2) is equal to $7,837. If the single-sum payment is made to the spouse, then the payment is treated in the same manner as a distribution under § 402(c)(9) for purposes of rolling over the payment to an IRA or other eligible retirement plan. If correction is made at the time the plan is subject to a restriction onsingle-sum payments pursuant to § 436(d), then the alternative permitted correction in this section .07(2) is available only if the Plan Sponsor (or other person) contributes to the plan the applicable amount under section 6.02(4)(e)(ii)(A) as part of the correction. .08Failure to satisfy the § 415 limits in a defined contribution plan. For limitation years beginning before January 1, 2009, the permitted correction for failure to limit annual additions (other than elective deferrals and after-tax employee contributions) allocated to participants in a defined contribution plan as required in § 415 (even if the excess did not result from the allocation of forfeitures or from a reasonable error in estimating compensation) is to place the excess annual additionsinto an unallocated account, similar to the suspense account described in § 1.415–6(b)(6)(iii) (as it appeared in the April 1, 2007 edition of 26 CFR part 1) prior to amendments made by the final regulations under § 415, to be used as an employer contribu- tion, other than elective deferrals, in the succeeding year(s). While such amounts remain in the unallocated account, the Plan Sponsor is not permitted to make additional contributions to the plan. The permitted correction for failure to limit annual additions that are elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions (even if the excess did not result from a reasonable error in determining compensation, the amount of elective deferrals or after-tax employee contribu- tions that could be made with respect to an individual under the § 415 limits) is to distribute the elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions using a method similar to that described under § 1.415–6(b)(6)(iv) (as it appeared in the April 1, 2007 edition of 26 CFR part 1) prior to amendments made by the final regulations under § 415. Elective deferrals and after-tax employee contributions that are matched may bereturned to the employee, provided that the matching contributions relatingto such contributions are forfeited (which will also reduce ex- cess annual additions for the affected individuals). The forfeited matching contributions are to be placed into an unallocated account to be used as an employer contribution, other than elective deferrals, in succeeding periods. For limitation years beginning on or after January 1, 2009, the failure to limit annual additions allocated to participants in a defined contribution plan as required in § 415 is corrected in accordance with section 6.06(2) and (3). .09Orphan Plans; orphan contracts and other assets.(1)Orphan Plans.If(a)aplanhas one or more failures (whether a Qualification Failure or a 403(b) Failure) that result from the Plan Sponsor having ceased to exist, the Plan Sponsor no longer maintaining the plan, or sim- ilarreasonsand(b)theplanisanOrphanPlan,asdefinedinsection5.03(i.e.,isnotaplan to which ERISA applies), the permitted correction is to terminate the plan and distribute plan assets to participants and beneficiaries. This correction must satisfy four conditions. First, the correction must comply with conditions, standards, and procedures substantially similar to those set forth in section 2578.1 of the Department of Labor regulations (relating to abandoned plans). Second, the qualified termination administrator, as defined in 2578.1(g) of the Depart- ment of Labor regulations, based on plan records located and updated in accordance with the Department of Labor regulations, must have reasonably determined whether, and to what ex- tent, the survivor annuity requirements of §§ 401(a)(11) and 417 apply to any benefit payable under the plan and take reasonable steps to comply with those requirements (if applicable). Third, each participant and beneficiary must have been provided a nonforfeitable right to his or her accrued benefits as of the date of deemed termination under the Department of Labor regulations, subject to income, expenses, gains, and losses between that date and the date of distribution. Fourth, participants and beneficiaries must receive notification of their rights un- der § 402(f). In addition, notwithstanding correction under this revenue procedure, the Service reserves the right to pursue appropriate remedies under the Code against any party who is re- sponsible for the plan, such as the Plan Sponsor, plan administrator, or owner of the business, 2013–4 I.R.B.371January 22, 2013 even in its capacity as a participant or beneficiary under the plan. However, with respect to the first through third conditions above, notice need not be furnished to the Department of Labor, and notices furnished to the Plan Sponsor, participants, or beneficiaries need not indicate that the procedures followed or notices furnishedactually comply with, or are required under, De- partment of Labor regulations. (2)403(b) Failures for orphan contracts or other assets.(a)Former employees or bene- ficiaries. In any case in which a 403(b) Failure results from the Plan Sponsor having ceased involvement with respect to specific assets (including an insurance annuity contract) held un- der a defined contribution plan on behalf of a participant who is a former employee or on behalf of a beneficiary, a permitted correction is to distribute those plan assets to the participant or beneficiary. Compliance with the distribution rules of section 2578.1(d)(2)(vii) of the Depart- ment of Labor regulations satisfies this paragraph .09(2)) (b)Failures Relating to Information Sharing Agreements. In any case in which a 403(b) Failure results from a contract issued in anexchange not being part of a 403(b) Plan due to the failure to have an information sharing agreement pursuant to § 1.403(b)–10(b)(2)(i)(C), a permitted correction is for the assets held under the contract to be transferred to another vendor to which contributions are being made under the plan in order to become a contract which is held under the plan without regard to the special rules in § 1.403(b)–10(b). APPENDIX B CORRECTION METHODS AND EXAMPLES; EARNINGS ADJUSTMENT METHODS AND EXAMPLES SECTION 1. PURPOSE, ASSUMPTIONS FOR EXAMPLES AND SECTION REFERENCES .01Purpose. (1) This appendix sets forth correction methods relating to Operational Fail- ures under Qualified Plans. This appendix alsosets forth Earnings adjustment methods. In each case, the method described corrects the Operational Failure identified in the headings below. Corrective allocations and distributions should reflect Earnings and actuarial adjustments in accordance with section 6.02(4)of this revenue procedure. The correction methods in this ap- pendix are acceptable to correct Qualification Failures under VCP, and to correct Qualification Failures under SCP that occurred notwithstanding that the plan has established practices and procedures reasonably designed to promote and facilitate overall compliance with the Code, as provided in section 4.04 of this revenue procedure. (2) To the extent a failure listed in this appendix could occur under a 403(b) Plan, SEP, orSIMPLEIRAPlan,thecorrectionmethodlistedforsuchfailuremaysimilarlybeusedto correct the failure. .02Assumptions for Examples. Unless otherwise specified, for ease of presentation, the examples assume that: (1) the plan year and the § 415 limitation year are the calendar year; (2) the Plan Sponsor maintains a single plan intended to satisfy § 401(a) and has never maintained any other plan; (3) in a defined contribution plan, the plan provides that forfeitures are used to reduce future employer contributions; (4) the Qualification Failures are Operational Failures and the eligibility and oth er require- ments for SCP, VCP, or Audit CAP, whichever applies, are satisfied; and (5) there are no Qualification Failures other than the described Operational Failures, and if a corrective action would result in any additional Qualification Failure, appropriate corrective action is taken for that additional Qualification Failure in accordance with EPCRS. .03Designated Roth contributions. The examples in this Appendix B generally do not identify whether the plan offers designated Roth contributions. The results in the examples, January 22, 20133722013–4 I.R.B. including corrective contributions, would be the same whether or not the plan offered desig- nated Roth contributions. .04Section references. References to section 2 and section 3 are references to section 2 and 3 in this appendix. SECTION 2. CORRECTION METHODS AND EXAMPLES .01ADP/ACP Failures.(1)Correction Methods.(a)Appendix A Correction Method.Ap- pendix A.03 sets forth a correction method for a failure to satisfy the actual deferra l percentage (“ADP”), actual contribution percentage (“ACP”), or, for plan years beginning on or before December 31, 2001, multiple use test set forth in §§ 401(k)(3), 401(m)(2), and 401( m)(9), re- spectively. (b)One-to-One Correction Method.(i)General.InadditiontothecorrectionmethodinAp- pendix A, a failure to satisfy the ADP test or ACP test may be corrected by using the one-to-one correction method set forth in this section 2.01(1)(b). Under the one-to-one correction method, an excess contribution amount is determined and assigned to highly compensated employees as provided in paragraph (1)(b)(ii) below. That excess contribution amount (adjusted for Earn- ings) is either distributed to the highly compensated employees or forfeited from the highly compensated employees’ accounts as provided in paragraph (1)(b)(iii) below. That same dol- lar amount (i.e., the excess contribution amount, adjusted for Earnings) is contributed to the plan and allocated to nonhighly compensated employees as provided in paragraph (1)(b)(iv) below. Under this correction method, a planmay not be treated as two separate plans, one covering otherwise excludable employees and the other covering all other employees (as per- mitted in § 1.410(b)– 6(b)(3)). Likewise, restructuring the plan into component plans is not permitted. This correction method may also be used to correct a failure to satisfy the multiple use test for plan years beginningon or before December 31, 2001. (ii)Determination of the Excess Contribution Amount. The excess contribution amount for the year is equal to the excess of (A) the sumof the excess contributions (as defined in § 401(k)(8)(B)), the excess aggregate contributions (as defined in § 401(m)(6)(B)), and for plan years beginning on or before December 31, 2001the amount treated asexcess contributions or excess aggregate contributions under the multiple use test for the year, as assigned to each highly compensated employee in accordance with§§ 401(k)(8)(C) and 401(m)(6)(C), over (B) previous corrections that complied with§§ 401(k)(8) and 401(m)(6), and, for plan years beginning on or before December 31, 2001, the multiple use test. (iii)Distributions and Forfeitures of the Excess Contribution Amount. (A) The portion of the excess contribution amount assigned to a particular highly compensated employee under paragraph (1)(b)(ii) is adjusted for Earnings from the end of the plan year of the year of the failure through the date of correction. The amount assigned to a particular highly compensated employee, as adjusted, is distributed or, to the extent the amount was forfeitable as of the close of the plan year of the failure, is forfeited. If the amount is forfeited, it is used in accordance with the plan provisions relating to forfeitures that were in effect for the year of the failure. If the amount so assigned to a particular highly compensated employee has been previously distributed, the amount is an Excess Amount within the meaning of section 5.01(3) of this revenue procedure. Thus, pursuant to section 6.06 of this revenue procedure, the Plan Sponsor must notify the employee that the Excess Amountis not eligible for favorable tax treatment accorded to distributionsfrom qualified plans (and, specifically, is not eligible for tax-free rollover). (B) If any matching contributions (adjusted forEarnings) are forfeited in accordance with § 411(a)(3)(G), the forfeited amount is used inaccordance with the plan provisions relating to forfeitures that were in effect for the year of the failure. (C) If a payment was made to an employee and that payment is a forfeitable match described in either paragraph (1)(b)(iii)(A) or (B), then it is an Overpayment defined in section 5.01(6) of this revenue procedure that must be corrected (see sections 2.04 and 2.05 below). (iv)Contribution and Allocation of Equivalent Amount . (A) The Plan Sponsor makes a contribution to the plan that is equal to the aggregate amounts distributed and forfeited under 2013–4 I.R.B.373January 22, 2013 paragraph (1)(b)(iii)(A) (i.e., the excess contribution amount adjusted for Earnings, as provided in paragraph (1)(b)(iii)(A), which does not include any matching contributions forfeited in accordance with § 411(a)(3)(G) as provided in paragraph (1)(b)(iii)(B)).The contribution must be a QNEC as defined in § 1.401(k)–6. (B)(1)This paragraph (1)(b)(iv)(B)(1)applies to a plan that usesthe current year testing method described in§§ 1.401(k)–2(a)(2), 1.401(m)–2(a)(2), and, for periods prior to the ef- fective date of those regulations, Notice 98–1, 1998–1 C.B. 327. The contribution made under paragraph (1)(b)(iv)(A) is allocated to the account balances of those individuals who were ei- ther (I) the eligible employees for the year ofthe failure who were nonhighly compensated employees for that year or (II) the eligible employees for the year of the failure who were non- highly compensated employees for that year and who also are nonhighly compensated employ- ees for the year of correction. Alternatively, the contribution is allocated to account balances of eligible employees described in (I) or (II) of the preceding sentence, except that the allocation is made only to the account balances of those employees who are employees on a date dur- ing the year of the correction that is no later than the date of correction. Regardless of which of these four options (described in the two preceding sentences) the Plan Sponsor selects, el- igible employees must receive auniform allocation (as a percentage of compensation) of the contribution. (SeeExamples 1and2.) Under the one-to-one correction method, the amount allocated to the account balance of an employee (i.e., the employee’s share of the total amount contributed under paragraph (1)(b)(iv)(A)) is not further adjusted for Earnings and is treated as an annual addition under § 415 for the year of the failure for the employee for whom it is allocated. (2)This paragraph (1)(b)(iv)(B)(2)applies to a plan that uses the prior year testing method described in§§ 1.401(k)–2(a)(2) and 1.401(m)–2(a)(2) and, for periods prior to the effective date of those regulations, Notice 98–1. Paragraph (1)(b)(iv)(B)(1) is applied by substituting “the year prior to the year of the failure” for “the year of the failure.” (2)Examples. Example 1: Employer A maintains a profit-sharing plan with a cash or deferred arrangement that is intended to satisfy § 401(k) using the current year testing method. The plan does not provide for matching contributions or after-tax employee con- tributions. In 2007, it was discovered that the ADP test for 2005 was not performed correctly. When the ADP test was performed correctly, the test was not satisfied for 2005. For 2005, the ADP for highly compensated employees was 9% and the ADP for nonhighly compensated employees was 4%. Accordingly, the ADP for highly compensated em- ployees exceeded the ADP for nonhighly compensated employees by more than two percentage points (in violation of § 401(k)(3)). There were two highly compensated employees eligible under the § 401(k) plan during 2005, Employee P and Employee Q. Employee P made elective deferrals of $10,000, which is equal to 10% of Employee P’s compen- sation of $100,000 for 2005. Employee Q made elective deferrals of $9,500, which is equal to 8% of Employee Q’s compensation of $118,750 for 2005. Correction: On June 30, 2007, Employer A uses the one-to-one correction method to correct the failure to satisfy the ADP test for 2005. Accordingly, Employer A calculates the dollar amount of the excess contributions for the two highly com- pensated employees in the manner described in § 401(k)(8)(B). The amount of the excess contribution for Employee P is $4,000 (4% of $100,000) and the amount of the excess contribution for Employee Q is $2,375 (2% of $118,750), or a total of $6,375. In accordance with § 401(k)(8)(C), $6,375, the excess contribution amount, is assigned $3,437.50 to Employee P and $2,937.50 to Employee Q. It is determined that the Earnings on the assigned amounts through June 30, 2007 are $687 and $587 for Employees P and Q, respectively. The assigned amounts and the Earnings are distributed to Employees P and Q. Therefore, Employee P receives $4,124.50 ($3,437.50 + $687) and Employee Q receives $3,524.50 ($2,937.50 + $587). In addition, on the same date, Employer A makes a corrective contribution to the § 401(k) plan equal to $7,649 (the sum of the $4,124.50 distributed to Employee P and the $3,524.50 distributed to Employee Q). The corrective contribution is allocated tothe account balances of eligible nonhighly compensated employees for 2005,pro ratabased on their compensation for 2005 (subject to § 415 for 2005). Example 2: The facts are the same as inExample 1, except that for 2005 the plan also provides for (1) after-tax employee contributions and (2) matching contributions equal to 50% of the sum of an employee’s elective deferrals and after-tax employee contributions that do not exceed 10% of the employee’s compensation. The plan provides that matching contributions are subject to the plan’s 20% per year of service vesting schedule and that matching contributions are forfeited and used to reduce employer contributions if associated elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions are distributed to correct an ADP or ACP test failure. For 2005, nonhighly compensated employees made after-tax January 22, 20133742013–4 I.R.B. employee contributions and no highly compensated employee made any after-tax employee contributions. Employee P received a matching contribution of $5,000 (50% of $10,000) and Employee Q received amatching contribution of $4,750 (50% of $9,500). Employees P and Q were 100% vested in 2005. It was determined that the plan satisfied the requirements of the ACP test for 2005. Correction: The same corrective actions are taken as inExample 1. In addition, in accordance with the plan’s terms, corrective action is taken to forfeit Employee P’s and Employee Q’s matching contributions associated with their distributed ex- cess contributions. Employee P’s distributed excess contributions and associated matching contributions are $3,437.50 and $1,718.75, respectively. Employee Q’s distributed excess contributions and associated matching contributions are $2,937.50 and $1,468.75, respectively. Thus, $1,718.75 is forfeited from Employee P’s account and $1,468.75 is forfeited from Employee Q’s account. In addition, the Earnings on the forfeited amounts are also forfeited. It is deter- mined that the respective Earnings on the forfeited amount for Employee P is $250 and for Employee Q is $220. The total amount of the forfeitures of $3,657.50 (Employee P’s $1,718.75 + $250 and Employee Q’s $1,468.75 + $220) is used to reduce contributions for 2007 and subsequent years. .02Exclusion of Otherwise Eligible Employees.(1)Exclusion of Eligible Employees in a §401(k) or (m) Plan.(a)Correction Method.(i)Appendix A Correction Method for Full Year Exclusion.AppendixA,section.05(2)setsforththecorrection method for the exclusion of an eligible employee from electing and making elective deferrals (other than designated Roth con- tributions) and after-tax employee contributions to a plan that provides benefits that are subject to the requirements of § 401(k) or 401(m)for one or more full plan years. (SeeExample 3.) Appendix A, section .05(2) also specifies themethod for determining missed elective deferrals and the corrective contributions for employeeswho were improperly excluded from electing and making elective deferrals to a safe harbor § 401(k) plan for one or more full plan years. (SeeExamples 8, 9,and10.) Appendix A, section .05(3) sets forth the correction method for the exclusion of an eligible employee from electing and making elective deferrals in a plan that (i) is subject to § 401(k) and (ii) provides employees with the opportunity to make desig- nated Roth contributions. Appendix A, section .05(4) sets forth the correction method for the situation where an eligible employee was permitted to make an elective deferral, but was not provided with the opportunity to make catch-up contributions under the terms of the plan and § 414(v), and correction is being made by making a QNEC on behalf of the excluded employee. (SeeExample 11.) Appendix A, section .05(5) sets forth the correction method for the failure by a plan to implement an employee’s election with respect to elective deferrals (including des- ignated Roth contributions) or after-tax employee contributions. (SeeExample 12.) In section 2.02(1)(a)(ii) below, the correction methods for (I) the exclusion of an eligible employee from all contributions (including designated Rothcontributions) under a § 401(k) or (m) plan for a full year, as described in Appendix A, sections .05(2) and .05(3), (II) the exclusion of an eli- gible employee who was permitted to make elective deferrals, but was not permitted to make catch-up contributions for a fullplan year as described in Appendix A, section .05(4), and (III) the exclusion of an eligible employee on account of the failure to implement an employee’s election to make elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions to the plan as described in Appendix A, section .05(5) are expanded to include correction for the exclusion from these contributions (including designated Roth contributions) under a § 401(k) or (m) plan for a par- tial plan year. This correction for a partial year exclusion maybe used in conjunction with the correction for a full year exclusion. (ii)Expansion of Correction Method to Partial Year Exclusion.(A)In General.Thecorrec- tion method in Appendix A, section .05, is expanded to cover an employee who was improperly excluded from electing andmaking elective deferrals (including designated Roth contributions) or after-tax employee contributions for a portion of a plan yearor from receiving matching con- tributions (on either elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions) for a portion of a plan year. In such a case, a permitted correction method for the failure is for the Plan Sponsor to satisfy this section 2.02(1)(a)(ii). The PlanSponsor makes a QNEC on behalf of the excluded employee. The method and examples described to correct the failure to include otherwise el- igible employees do not apply until after correction of other qualification failures. Thus, for example, in the case of a § 401(k) plan that does not apply the safe harbor contribution require- ments of § 401(k)(12) or 401(k)(13) the correction for improperly excluding an employee from making elective deferrals, as described in the narrative and the examples in this section cannot be used until after correction of the ADP test failure. (See Appendix A, section .05(2)(g).) 2013–4 I.R.B.375January 22, 2013 (B)Elective Deferral Failures.(1)The appropriate QNEC for the failure to allow an em- ployee to elect and make elective deferrals (including designated Roth contributions) for a portion of the plan year is equal to the misseddeferral opportunity which is an amount equal to 50% of the employee’s missed deferral. Theemployee’s missed deferral is determined by multiplying the ADP of the employee’s group (either highly or nonhighly compensated), de- termined prior to correction under this section 2.02(1)(a)(ii), by the employee’s plan compen- sation for the portion of the year during which the employee was improperly excluded. In a safe harbor § 401(k) plan, the employee’s missed deferral is determined by multiplying 3% (or, if greater, whatever percentage of the participant’s compensation which, if contributed as an elective deferral, would have been matched at arate of 100% or more) by the employee’s plan compensation for the portion of the year during which the employee was improperly excluded. The missed deferral for the portion of the plan year during which the employee was improperly excluded from being eligible to make elective deferrals is reduced to the extent that (i) the sum of the missed deferral (as determined in the preceding two sentences of this paragraph) and any elective deferrals actually made by the employee for that year would exceed (ii) the maxi- mum elective deferrals permitted under the plan for the employee for that plan year (including the § 402(g) limit). The corrective contribution is adjusted for Earnings. For purposes of cor- recting other failures under this revenue procedure (including determination of any required matching contribution) after correction has occurred under this section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(B), the employee is treated as having made pre-tax elective deferrals equal to the employee’s missed deferral for the portion of the year during which the employee was improperly excluded. (See Examples 4and5.) (2)The appropriate corrective contribution for the plan’s failure to implement an employee’s election with respect to elective deferrals is equaltothemisseddeferralopportunitywhichis an amount equal to 50% of the employee’s missed deferral. Corrective contributions are ad- justed for Earnings. The missed deferral is determined by multiplying the employee’s deferral percentage by the employee’s plan compensation for the portion of the year during which the employee was improperly excluded. If the employee elected a fixed dollar amount that can be attributed to the period of exclusion, then the flat dollar amount for the period of exclusion may be used for this purpose. If the employee elected a fixed dollar amount to be deferred for the entire plan year, then that dollar amount is multiplied by a fraction. The fraction is equal to the number of months, including partial months where applicable, during which the eligible employee was excludedfrom making elective deferral contributions divided by 12. The missed deferral for the portion of the planyear during which the eligible employee was improperly excluded from making elective deferrals is reduced to the extent that (i) the sum of the missed deferral (as determined in the preceding three sentences) and any elective deferrals actually made by the employee for that year would exceed (ii) the maximum elective deferrals permitted under the plan for the employee for that plan year (including the § 402(g) limit). The corrective contribution is adjusted for Earnings. The requirements relating to the passage of the ADP test before this correction method can be used, as described in Appendix A, section .05(5)(d), still apply. (C)After-Tax Employee Contribution Failures.(1)The appropriate corrective contribution for the failure to allow employees to elect and make after-tax employee contributions for a por- tion of the plan year is equal to the missed after-tax employee contributions opportunity, which is an amount equal to 40% of theemployee’s missed after-tax employee contributions. The em- ployee’s missed after-tax employee contributions are determined by multiplying the ACP of the employee’s group (either highly or nonhighly compensated), determined prior to correc- tion under this section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(C), by the employee’s plan compensation for the portion of the year during which the employee was improperly excluded. If the ACP consists of both matching and after-tax employee contributions, then, for purposes of the preceding sentence, in lieu of basing the missed after-tax employee contributions on the ACP for the employee’s group (either highly compensated or nonhighly compensated), the Plan Sponsor is permitted to determine separately the portions of the ACP that are attributable to matching contributions and after-tax employee contributions and base the missed after-tax employee contributions on the portion of the ACP that is attributable to after-tax employee contributions. The missed af- ter-tax employee contribution is reduced to the extent that (i) the sum of that contribution and January 22, 20133762013–4 I.R.B. the actual total after-tax employee contributions made by the employee for the plan year would exceed (ii) the sum of the maximum after-tax employee contributions permitted under the plan for the employee for the plan year. The corrective contribution is adjusted for Earnings. The requirements relating to the passage of the ACPtest before this correction method can be used, as described in Appendix A, section .05(2)(g), still apply. (2)The appropriate corrective contribution for the plan’s failure to implement an employee’s election with respect to after-tax employee contributions for a portion of the plan year is equal to the missed after-tax employee contributions opportunity, which is an amount equal to 40% of the employee’s missed after-taxemployee contributions. Corrective contributions are adjusted for Earnings. The missed after-tax employee contribution is determined by multiplying the employee’s elected after-tax employee contribution percentage by the employee’s plan com- pensation for the portion of the year during which the employee was improperly excluded. If the employee elected a flat dollar amount that canbe attributed to the period of exclusion, then the flat dollar amount for the period of exclusion may be used for this purpose. If the employee elected a flat dollar amount to be contributed for the entire plan year, then that dollar amount is multiplied by a fraction. The fraction is equal to the number of months, including partial months where applicable, during which the eligible employee was excluded from making af- ter-tax employee contributions divided by 12.The missed after-tax employee contribution is reduced to the extent that (i) the sum of that contribution and the actual total after-tax employee contributions made by the employee for the plan year would exceed (ii) the sum of the maxi- mum after-tax employee contributions permitted under the plan for the employee for the plan year. The requirements relating to the passage of the ACP test before this correction method can be used, as described in AppendixA, section .05(5)(d), still apply. (D)Matching Contribution Failures.(1)The appropriate corrective contribution for the fail- ure to make matching contributions for an employee because the employee was precluded from making elective deferrals (including designated Roth contributions) or after-tax employee con- tributions for a portion of the plan year is equal to the matching contribution that would have been made for the employee if (1) the employee’s elective deferrals for that portion of the plan year had equaled the employee’s missed deferrals (determined under section 2.02(1)(a)(i)(B)) or (2) the employee’s after-taxcontribution for that portion ofthe plan year had equaled the em- ployee’s missed after-tax employee contribution (determined under section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(C)). This matching contribution is reduced to the extent that (i) the sum of this contribution and other matching contributions actually made on behalf of the employee for the plan year would exceed (ii) the maximum matching contribution permitted if the employee had made the max- imum matchable contributions permitted underthe plan for the plan year. The corrective con- tribution is adjusted for Earnings. The requirements relating to the passage of the ACP test before this correction method can be used, as described in Appendix A, section .05(2)(g), still apply. (2)The appropriate corrective contribution for the failure to make matching contributions for an employee because of the failure by the plan to implement an employee’s election with respect to elective deferrals (including designated Roth contributions) or, where applicable, after-tax employee contributions for a portion of the plan year is equal to the matching contri- bution that would have been made for the employee if the employee made the elective deferral as determined under section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(B)(2), or where applicable, the after-tax employee contribution determined under section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(C)(2). This matching contribution is re- duced to the extent that (i) the sum of this contribution and other matching contributions actu- ally made on behalf of the employee for the plan year would exceed (ii) the maximum matching contribution permitted if the employee had made the maximum matchable contributions per- mitted under the plan for the plan year. The corrective contribution is adjusted for Earnings. The requirements relating to the passage of the ACP test before this correction method can be used, as described in Appendix A, section .05(5)(d), still apply. (E)Use of Prorated Compensation. For purposes of this paragraph (1)(a)(ii), for adminis- trative convenience, in lieu ofusing the employee’s actual plan compensation for the portion 2013–4 I.R.B.377January 22, 2013 of the year during which the employee was improperly excluded, a pro rata portion of the em- ployee’s plan compensation that would have been taken into account for the plan year, if the employee had not been improperly excluded, may be used. (F)Special Rule for Brief Exclusion from Elective Deferrals and After-Tax Employee Con- tributions. An Plan Sponsor is not required to make a corrective contribution with respect to elective deferrals (including designated Rothcontributions) or after-tax employee contribu- tions, as provided in sections 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(B) and (C), but is required to make a corrective con- tribution with respect to any matching contributions, as provided in section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(D), for an employee for a plan year if the employee has been provided the opportunity to make elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions under the plan for a period of at least the last 9 months in that plan year and during that period the employee had the opportunity to make elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions in an amount not less than the maximum amount that would have been permitted if no failure had occurred. (SeeExamples 6and7.) (b)Examples. Example 3: Employer B maintains a § 401(k) plan. The plan provides for matching contributions for eligible employees equal to 100% of elective deferrals that do not exceed 3% of an employee’s compensation. The plan allows employees to make after-tax employee contributions up to a maximum of the lesser of 2% of compensation or $1,000. The after-tax employee contributions are not matched. The plan provides that employees who complete one year of service are eligible to participate in the plan on the next designated entry date. The entry dates are January 1, and July 1. In 2007, it is discovered that Employee V, an NHCE with compensation of $30,000, was excluded from the plan for the 2006 plan year even though she satisfied the plan’s eligibility requirements as of January 1, 2006. For the 2006 plan year, the relevant employee and contribution information is as follows: CompensationElective deferralMatchAfter-Tax Employee Contribution Highly Compensated Employees (HCEs): R $200,000$6,000$6,000$0 S $150,000$12,000$4,500$1,000 Nonhighly Compensated Employees (NHCEs): T $80,000$12,000$2,400$1,000 U $50,000$500$500$0 HCEs: ADP - 5.5% ACP - 3.33% ACP attributable to matching contributions - 3% ACP attributable to after-tax employee contributions - 0.33% NHCEs: ADP - 8% ACP -2.63% ACP attributable to matching contributions - 2% ACP attributable to after-tax employee contributions - 0.63% Correction: Employer B uses the correction method for a full year exclusion, described in Appendix A, section .05(2), to correct the failure to include Employee V in the plan for the full plan year beginning January 1, 2006. Employer B calculates thecorrectiveQNECtobemadeonbehalf of Employee V as follows: Elective deferrals: Employee V was eligible to, but was not provided with the opportunity to, elect and make elective deferrals in 2006. Thus, Employer B must make a QNEC to the plan on behalf of Employee V equal to the missed deferral opportunity for Employee V, which is 50% of Employee V’s missed deferral. The QNEC is adjusted for Earnings. The missed deferral for Employee V is determined by using the ADP for NHCEs for 2006 and multiplying that percentage by Employee V’s compensation for 2006. Accordingly, the missed deferral for Employee V on account of the employee’s improper exclusion from the plan is $2,400 (8% x $30,000). The missed deferral opportunity is $1,200 (i.e., 50% x $2,400). Thus, the required corrective contribution for the failure to provide Employee V with the opportunity to make elective deferrals to the plan is $1,200 (plus Earnings). The corrective contribution is made to a pre-tax QNEC account for Employee V (not to a designated Roth contributions account even if the plan offers designated Roth contributions, as provided in section .05(3) of Appendix A). January 22, 20133782013–4 I.R.B. Matching contributions: Employee V should have been eligible for, but did not receive, an allocation of employer matching contributions because Employee V was not provided the opportunity to make elective deferrals in 2006. Thus, Employer B must make a corrective employer nonelective contribution to the plan on behalf of Employee V that is equal to the matching contribution Employee V would have received had the missed deferral been made. The corrective employer nonelective contribution is adjusted for Earnings. Under the terms of the plan, if Employee V had made an elective deferral of $2,400 or 8% of compensation ($30,000), the employee would have been entitled to a matching contribution equal to 100% of the first 3% of Employee V’s compensation ($30,000) or $900. Accordingly, the contribution required to replace the missed employer matching contribution is $900 (plus Earnings). After-tax employee contributions: Employee V was eligible to, but was not provided with the opportunity to, elect and make after-tax employee contributions in 2006. Employer B must make a QNEC to the plan equal to the missed opportunity for making after-tax employee contributions for Employee V, which is 40% of Employee V’s missed after-tax employee contribution. The QNEC is adjusted for Earnings. The missed after-tax employee contribution for Employee V is estimated by using the ACP for NHCEs (to the extent that the ACP is attributable to after-tax employee contributions) for 2006 and multiplying that percentage by Employee V’s compensation for 2006. Accordingly, the missed after-tax employee contribution for Employee V, onaccount of the employee’s improper exclusion from the plan is $189 (0.63% x $30,000). The missed opportunity to make after-tax employee contributions to the plan is $76 (40% x $189). Thus, the required corrective contribution for the failure to provide Employee V with the opportunity to make the $189 after-tax employee contribution to the plan is $76 (plus Earnings). The total required corrective contribution, before adjustments for Earnings, on behalf of Employee V is $2,176 ($1,200 for the missed deferral opportunity plus $900 for the missed matching contribution plus $76 for the missed opportunity to make after-tax employee contributions). The required corrective contribution is further adjusted for Earnings. The corrective contribution for the missed deferral opportunity ($1,200), the missed opportunity for after-tax employee contributions ($76), and related Earnings must be made in the form of a QNEC. Example 4: Employer C maintains a § 401(k) plan. The plan provides for matching contributions for each payroll period that are equal to 100% of an employee’s elective deferrals that do not exceed 2% of the eligible employee’s plan com- pensation during the payroll period. The plan provides for after-tax employee contributions. The after-tax employee contribution cannot exceed $1,000 for the plan year. The plan provides that employees who complete one year of service are eligible to participate in the plan on the next January 1 or July 1 entry date. Employee X, a nonhighly compensated employee, who met the eligibility requirements and should have entered the plan on January 1, 2006, was not offered the opportunity to elect to have elective contributions made on his behalf to the plan. In August of 2006, the error was discovered and Employer C offeredEmployee X the opportunity to make elective deferrals and after-tax employee contributions as of September 1, 2006. Employee X made elective deferrals equal to 4% of the employee’s plan compensation for each payroll period from September 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 (resulting in elective deferrals of $400). Employee X’s plan compensation for 2006 was $36,000 ($26,000 for the first eight months and $10,000 for the last four months). Employer C made matching contributions equal to $200 on behalf of Employee X, which is 2% of Employee X’s plan compensation for each payroll period from September 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 ($10,000). After being allowed to participate in the plan, Employee X made $250 of after-tax employee contributions for the 2006 plan year. The ADP for nonhighly compensated employees for 2006 was 3% and the ACP for nonhighly compensated employees for 2006 was 2.3%. The ACP attributable to matching contributions for nonhighly compensated employees for 2006 was 1.8%. The ACP attributable to employee contributions for nonhighly compensated employees for 2006 was 0.5%. Correction: In accordance with section 2.02(1)(a)(ii), Employer C uses the correction method described in Appendix A, section .05, to correct for the failure to provide Employee X the opportunity to elect and make elective deferrals and after-tax employee contributions, and, as a result, the failure of Employee X to receive matching contributions for a portion of the plan year (January 1, 2006 through August 31, 2006). Thus, Employer C makes a corrective contribution on behalf of Employee X that satisfies the requirements of section 2.02(1)(a)(ii). Employer C elects to utilize the provisions of section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(E) to determine Employee X’s compensation for the portion of the year in which Employee X was not provided the opportunity to make elective deferrals and after-tax employee contributions. Thus, for administrative convenience, in lieu of using actual plan compensation of$26,000 for the period Employee X was excluded, Employee X’s annual plan compensation is proratedfor the 8-month period that the employee was excluded from participating in the plan. The corrective contribution is determined as follows: (1)Corrective contribution for missed deferral: Employee X was eligible to, but was not provided with the op- portunity to, elect and make elective deferrals from January 1 through August 31 of 2006. Employer C must make a QNEC to the plan on behalf of Employee X equal to Employee X’s missed deferral opportunity for that period, which is 50% of Employee X’s missed deferral. The corrective contribution is adjusted for Earnings. Employee X’s missed deferral is determined by multiplying the 3% ADP for nonhighly compensated employees by $24,000 (8/12ths of the employee’s 2006 compensation of $36,000). Accordingly,the missed deferral is $720. The missed deferral is not reduced because when this amount is added to the amount already deferred, no plan limit (including § 402(g)) was exceeded. Accordingly, the required QNEC is $360 (i.e.50% multiplied by the missed deferral amount of $720). The required QNEC is adjusted for Earnings. (2)Corrective contribution for missed matching contribution: Under the terms of the plan, if Employee X had made an elective deferral of $720 or 3% of compensation for the period of exclusion ($24,000), the employee would have been entitled to a matching contribution equal to 2% of $24,000 or $480. The missed matching contribution is not reduced because no plan limit is exceeded when this amount isadded to the matching contribution already contributed 2013–4 I.R.B.379January 22, 2013 for the 2006 plan year. Accordingly, the required corrective employer contribution is $480. The required corrective employer contribution is adjusted for Earnings. (3)Corrective contribution for missed after-tax employee contribution: Employee X was eligible to, but was not provided with the opportunity to elect and make after-tax employee contributions from January 1 through August 31 of 2006. Employer C must make a QNEC to the plan on behalf of Employee X equal to the missed opportunity to make after-tax employee contributions. The missed opportunity to make after-tax employee contributions is equal to 40% of Employee X’s missed after-tax employee contributions. The QNEC is adjusted for Earnings. The missed af- ter-tax employee contribution amount is equal to the 0.5% ACP attributable to employee contributions for nonhighly compensated employees multiplied by $24,000 (8/12ths of the employee’s 2006 plan compensation of $36,000). Ac- cordingly, the missed after-tax employee contribution amount is $120. The missed after-tax employee contribution is not reduced because the sum of $120 and the previously made after-tax employee contribution of $250 is less than the overall plan limit of $1,000. Therefore, the required QNEC is $48 (i.e., 40% multiplied by the missed after-tax employee contribution of $120). The QNEC is adjusted for Earnings. The total required corrective contribution, before adjustments for Earnings, on behalf of Employee X is $888 ($360 for the missed deferral opportunity plus $480 for the missed matching contribution plus $48 for the missed opportunity to make after-tax employee contributions). The corrective contribution for the missed deferral opportunity ($360), the missed opportunity for after-tax employee contributions ($48), and related Earnings must be made in the form of a QNEC. Example 5: The facts (including the ADP and ACP results) are the same as inExample 4, except that it is now determined that Employee X, after being included in the plan in 2006, made after-tax employee contributions of $950. Correction: The correction is the same as inExample 4, except that the QNEC required to replace the missed after-tax employee contribution is re-calculated to take into account applicable plan limits in accordance with the provisions of section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(C). The QNEC is determined as follows: The missed after-tax employee contribution amount is equal to the 0.5% ACP attributable to after-tax employee contributions for nonhighly compensated employees multiplied by $24,000 (8/12ths of the employee’s 2006 plan compensation of $36,000). The missed after-tax employee contribution amount, based on this calculation, is $120. However, the sum of this amount ($120) and the previously made after-tax employee contribution ($950) is $1,070. Because the plan limit for after-tax employee contributionsis $1,000, the missed after-taxemployee contribution needs to be reduced by $70, to ensure that the total after-tax employee contributions comply with the plan limit. Accord- ingly, the missed after-tax employee contribution is $50 ($120 minus $70) and the required QNEC is $20 (i.e.40% multiplied by the missed after-tax employee contribution of $50). The QNEC is adjusted for Earnings. Example 6: Employer D sponsors a § 401(k) plan. The plan has a one year of service eligibility requirement and provides for January 1 and July 1 entry dates. Employee Y, who shouldhave been provided the opportunity to elect and make elective deferrals for the plan year beginning on January 1, 2006, was not provided the opportunity to elect and make elective deferrals until July 1, 2006. Employee Y made $5,000 in elective deferrals to the plan in 2006. Employee Y was a highly compensated employee with compensationfor 2006 of $200,000. Employee Y’s compensation from January 1 through June 30, 2006 was $130,000. The ADP for highly compensated employees for 2006 was 10%. The ADP for nonhighly compensated employees for 2006 was 8%. The § 402(g) limit for deferrals made in 2006 was $15,000. Correction: QNEC for missed deferral: Employee Y’s missed deferral is equal to the 10% ADP for highly compensated em- ployees multiplied by $130,000 (compensation earned for the portion of the year in which Employee Y was erro- neously excluded,i.e., January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2006). The missed deferral amount, based on this calculation is $13,000. However, the sum of this amount ($13,000) and the previously made elective contribution ($5,000) is $18,000. The 2006 § 402(g) limit for elective deferrals is$15,000. In accordance withthe provisions of section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(B), the missed deferral needs to be reduced by $3,000 to ensure that the total elective contribution com- plies with the applicable § 402(g) limit. Accordingly, the missed deferral is $10,000 ($13,000 minus $3,000) and the required QNEC is $5,000 (i.e.,50% multiplied by the missed deferral of $10,000). The QNEC is adjusted for Earnings. Example 7: Employer E maintains a § 401(k) plan. The plan provides for matching contributions for each payroll period that are equal to 100% of an employee’s elective deferrals that do not exceed 2% of the eligible employee’s plan compensation during the payroll period. The plan also provides that the annual limit on matching contributions is $750. The plan provides for after-tax employee contributions. The after-tax employee contribution cannot exceed $1,000 during a plan year. The plan provides that employees who complete one year of service are eligible to participate in the plan on the next January 1 or July 1 entry date.Employee Z, a nonhighly compensated employee who met the eligibility requirements and should have entered the plan on January 1, 2006, was not offered the opportunity to elect to have elective contributions made on his behalf to the plan. In March of 2006, the error was discovered and Employer E offered the employee an election opportunity asof April 1, 2006. Employee Z had the opportunity to make the maximum elective deferrals and/or after-tax employee contributions that could have been made under the terms of the plan for the entire 2006 plan year. The employee made elective deferrals equal to 3% of the employee’s plan compensation for each payroll period from April 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 (resulting in elective deferrals of $960). The employee’s plan compensation for 2006 was $40,000 ($8,000 for the first three months and $32,000 for the last nine months). Employer E made matching contributions equal to $640 for the excluded employee, which is 2% of January 22, 20133802013–4 I.R.B. the employee’s plan compensation for each payroll period from April 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 ($32,000). After being allowed to participate in the plan, the employee made $500 in after-tax employee contributions. The ADP for nonhighly compensated employees for 2006 was 3% and the ACP for nonhighly compensated employees for 2006 was 2.3%. The portion of the ACP attributable to matching contributions for nonhighly compensated employees for 2006 was 1.8%. The portion of the ACP attributable to after-tax employee contributions for nonhighly compensated employees for 2006 was 0.5%. Correction: Employer E uses the correction method for partial year exclusions, pursuant to section 2.02(1)(a)(ii), to correct the failure to include an eligible employee in the plan.Because Employee Z was given an opportunity to make elec- tive deferrals and after-tax employee contributions to the plan for at least the last 9 months of the plan year (and the amount of the elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions that the employee had the opportunity to make was not less than the maximum elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions that the employee could have made if the employee had been given the opportunity to makeelective deferrals and after-tax employee contributions on January 1, 2006), under the special rule set forth in section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(F), Employer E is not required to make a QNEC for the failure to provide the employee with the opportunity to make either elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions. The employer only needs to make a corrective employer nonelective contribution for the failure to provide the employee with the opportunity to receive matching contributions on deferrals that could have been made during the first 3 months of the plan year. The calculation of the corrective employer contribution required to correct this failure is shown as follows: The missed matching contribution is determined by calculating the matching contribution that the employee would have received had the employee been provided the opportunity to make elective deferrals during the period of exclu- sion, i.e., January 1, 2006 through March 31, 2006. Assuming that the employee elected to defer an amount equal to 3% of compensation (which is the ADP for the nonhighly compensated employees for the plan year), then, un- der the terms of the plan, the employee would have been entitled to a matching contribution of 2% of compensation. Pursuant to the provisions of section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(E), Employer E determines compensation by prorating Employee Z’s annual compensation for the portion of the year that Employee Z was not given the opportunity to make elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions. Accordingly, the missed matching contribution for the period of exclu- sion is obtained by multiplying 2% by Employee Z’s compensation of $10,000 (3/12ths of the employee’s 2006 plan compensation of $40,000). Based on this calculation, the missed matching contribution is $200. However, when this amount is added to the matching contribution already received ($640), the total($840) exceeds the $750 plan limit on matching contributions by $90. Accordingly, pursuant to section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(D), the missed matching contribution figure is reduced to $110 ($200 minus $90). The required corrective employer contribution is $110. The corrective contribution is adjusted for Earnings. Example 8: Employer G maintains a safe harbor § 401(k) plan that requires matching contributions that satisfy the requirements of § 401(k)(12), which are equal to: 100% of elective deferrals that do not exceed 3% of an employee’s compensation and 50% of elective deferrals that exceed 3% but do not exceed 5% of an employee’s compensation. Employee M, a nonhighly compensated employee who met the eligibility requirements and should have entered the plan on January 1, 2006, was not offered the opportunity to defer under the plan and was erroneously excluded for all of 2006. Employee M’s compensation for 2006 was $20,000. Correction: In accordance with the provisions of section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(B), Employee M’s missed deferral on account of exclu- sion from the safe harbor § 401(k) plan is 3% of compensation. Thus, the missed deferral is equal to 3% multiplied by $20,000, or $600. Accordingly, the required QNEC for Employee M’s missed deferral opportunity in 2006 is $300, i.e., 50% of $600. The missed matching contribution, based on the missed deferral of $600, is $600. The required corrective contribution for Employee M’s missed matching contribution is $600. Since the matching contribution is required to satisfy the requirements of § 401(k)(12), the corrective contribution must be made in the form of a QNEC. The total QNEC, before adjustments for Earnings, on behalf of Employee M is $900 (i.e.,$300 for the missed deferral opportunity, plus $600 for the missed matching contribution). The QNEC is adjusted for Earnings. Example 9: Same facts asExample 8, except that the plan provides for matching contributions equal to 100% of elective de- ferrals that do not exceed 4% ofan employee’s compensation. Correction: In accordance with the provisions of section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(B), Employee M’s missed deferral on account of exclu- sion from the safe harbor § 401(k) plan is 4% of compensation. The missed deferral is 4% of compensation because the plan provides for a 100% match for deferrals up to that level of compensation. (See Appendix A, section .05(2)(d).) Therefore, in this case, Employee M’s missed deferral is equal to 4% multiplied by $20,000, or $800. The QNEC for Employee M’s missed deferral opportunity in 2006 is $400,i.e., 50% multiplied by $800. The missed matching contribution, based on the missed deferral of $800, is $800. Thus, the required corrective contribution for Employee M’s missed matching contribution is $800. Since the matching contribution is required to satisfy the requirements of § 401(k)(12), the corrective contribution must be made in the form of a QNEC. The total QNEC, before adjustments for Earnings, on behalf of Employee M is $1,200 (i.e.,$400 for the missed deferral opportunity plus $800 for the missed matching contribution). The QNEC is adjusted for Earnings. Example 10: Same facts asExample 8 , except that the plan uses a rate of nonelective contributions to satisfy the requirements of § 401(k)(12) and provides for a nonelective contribution equal to 3% of compensation. 2013–4 I.R.B.381January 22, 2013 Correction: In accordance with the provisions of section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(B), Employee M’s missed deferral on account of exclu- sion from the safe harbor § 401(k) plan is 3% of compensation. Thus, the missed deferral is equal to 3% multiplied by $20,000, or $600. Thus, the QNEC for Employee M’s missed deferral opportunity in 2006 is $300 (50% of $600). The required nonelective contribution, based on the plan’s formula of 3% of compensation for nonelective contribu- tions, is $600. Since the nonelective contribution is required to satisfy the requirements of § 401(k)(12), the corrective contribution is made in the form of a QNEC. The total required QNEC, before adjustments for Earnings, on behalf of Employee M is $900 (i.e., $300 for the missed deferral opportunity, plus $600 for the missed nonelective contribution). The QNEC is adjusted for Earnings. Example 11: Employer H maintains a § 401(k) plan. The plan limit on deferrals is the lesser of the deferral limit under § 401(a)(30) or the limitation under § 415. The plan also provides that eligible participants (as defined in § 414(v)(5)) may make contributions in excess of the plan’s deferral limits, up to the limitations on catch-up contributions for the year. The plan also provides for a 60% matching contribution on elective deferrals. The deferral limit under § 401(a)(30) for 2006 is $15,000. The limitation on catch-up contributions under the terms of the plan and § 414(v)(2)(B)(i) is $5,000. Employee R, age 55, was provided with the opportunity to make elective deferrals up to the plan limit, but was not provided the option to make catch-up contributions. Employee R is a nonhighly compensated employee who earned $60,000 in compensation and made elective deferrals totaling $15,000 in 2006. Correction: In accordance with the provisions of Appendix A, section .05(4), Employee R’s missed deferral on account of the plan’s failure to offer the opportunity to make catch-up contributions is $2,500 (or one half of the limitation on catch-up contributions for 2006). The missed deferral opportunity is $1,250 (or 50% of $2,500). Thus, the required QNEC for Employee R’s missed deferral opportunity relating to catch-up contributions in 2006 is $1,250 adjusted for Earnings. In addition, Employee R was entitled to an additional matching contribution, under the terms of the plan, equal to 60% of the missed deferral that is attributable to the catch-up contribution that the employee would have made had the failure not occurred. In this case, the missed deferral is $2,500 and the corresponding matching contribution is $1,500 (i.e., 60% of $2,500). Thus, the required corrective contribution for the additional matching contribution that should have been made on behalf of Employee R is $1,500 adjusted for Earnings. Example 12: Employer K maintains a § 401(k) plan. The plan provides for matching contributions for eligible employees equal to 100% of elective deferrals that do not exceed 3% of an employee’s compensation. On January 1, 2006, Employee T made an election to contribute 10% of compensation for the 2006 plan year. However, Employee T’s election was not processed, and the required amounts were not withheld from Employee T’s salary in 2006. Employee T’s salary was $30,000 in 2006. Correction: Employer K uses the correction method described in Appendix A, section .05(5), to correct the failure to implement Employee T’s election to make elective deferrals under the plan for the full plan year beginning January 1, 2006. Employer K calculates the corrective QNEC to be made on behalf of Employee T as follows: (1)Elective deferrals: Employee T’s election to make elective deferrals, pursuant to an election, in 2006 was not implemented. Thus, pursuant to section .05(5)(a) of Appendix A, Employer K must make a QNEC to the plan on behalf of Employee T equal to the missed deferral opportunity for Employee T, which is 50% of Employee T’s missed deferral. The QNEC is adjusted for Earnings. The missed deferral for Employee T is determined by using T’s elected deferral percentage (10%) for 2006 and multiplying that percentage by Employee T’s compensation for 2006 ($30,000). Accordingly, the missed deferral for Employee V, on account of the employee’s improper exclusion from the plan is $3,000 (10% x $30,000). The missed deferral opportunity is $1,500 (i.e., 50% x $3,000). Thus, the required QNEC for the failure to provide Employee V with the opportunity to make elective deferrals to the plan is $1,500 (adjusted for Earnings). (2)Matching contributions: Employee T should have been eligible for butdid not receive an allocation of employer matching contributions because no elective deferrals were made on behalf of Employee T in 2006. Thus, pursuant to section .05(5)(c) of Appendix A, Employer K must make a corrective employer nonelective contribution to the plan on behalf of Employee T that is equal to the matching contribution Employee T would have received had the missed deferral been made. The corrective employer nonelective contribution is adjusted for Earnings. Under the terms of the plan, if Employee T had made an elective deferral of $3,000 or 10% of compensation ($30,000), the employee would have been entitled to a matching contribution equal to 100% of the first 3% of Employee T’s compensation ($30,000) or $900. Accordingly, the contribution required to replace the missed employer matching contribution is $900 (adjusted for Earnings). The total required corrective contribution, before adjustments for Earnings, on behalf of Employee T is $2,400 ($1,500 for the missed deferral opportunity plus $900 for the missed matching contribution). The corrective contribu- tion for the missed deferral opportunity ($1,500) and related Earnings must be made in the form of a QNEC. (2)Exclusion of Eligible Employees In a Profit-Sharing Plan.(a)Correction Methods.(i) Appendix A Correction Method. Appendix A, section .05, sets forth the correction method for correcting the failure to make acontribution on behalf of the employees improperly excluded from a defined contribution plan or to providebenefit accruals for the employees improperly excluded from a defined benefit plan. In the case of a defined contribution plan, the correction method is to make a contribution on behalf of the excluded employee. Section 2.02(2)(a)(ii) of January 22, 20133822013–4 I.R.B. this Appendix B clarifies the correction method in the case of a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan that provides for nonelective contributions (within the meaning of § 1.401(k)–6). (ii)Additional Requirements for Appendix A Correction Method as applied to Profit-Sharing Plans. To correct for the exclusion of an eligible employee from nonelective contributions in a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan under the Appendix A correction method, an allocation amount is determined for each excluded employee on the same basis as the allocation amounts were determined for the other employeesunder the plan’s allocation formula (e.g.,thesame ratio of allocation to compensation), taking into account all of the employee’s relevant factors (e.g., compensation) under that formula for thatyear. The Plan Sponsor makes a corrective contribution on behalf of the excluded employee that is equal to the allocation amount for the excluded employee. The corrective contribution is adjusted for Earnings. If, as a result of excluding an employee, an amount was improperly allocated to the account balance of an eligible employee who shared in the original allocation of the nonelective contribution, no reduction is made to the account balance of the employee who shared in theoriginal allocation on account of the improper allocation. (SeeExample 15.) (iii)Reallocation Correction Method.(A)In General. Subject to the limitations set forth in section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(F) below, in addition to the Appendix A correction method, the exclu- sion of an eligible employee for a plan year froma profit-sharing or stock bonus plan that pro- vides for nonelective contributions may be corrected using the reallocation correction method set forth in this section 2.02(2)(a)(iii). Under the reallocation correction method, the accoun t balance of the excluded employee is increased asprovided in paragraph (2)(a)(iii)(B) below, the account balances of other employees are reduced as provided in paragraph (2)(a)(iii)(C) below, and the increases and reductions are reconciled, as necessary, as provided in paragrap h (2)(a)(iii)(D) below. (SeeExamples 16and17.) (B)Increase in Account Balance of Excluded Employee. The account balance of the ex- cluded employee is increased by an amount that is equal to the allocation the employee would have received had the employee shared in the allocation of the nonelective contribution. The amount is adjusted for Earnings. (C)Reduction in Account Balances of Other Employees.(1) The account balance of each employee who was an eligible employee who shared in the original allocation of the nonelec- tive contribution is reduced by the excess, if any, of (I) the employee’s allocation of that con- tribution over (II) the amount that would have been allocated to that employee’s account had the failure not occurred. This amount is adjusted for Earnings taking into account the rules set forth in section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C)(2)and(3) below. The amount after adjustment for Earnings is limited in accordance with section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C)(4)below. (2) This paragraph (2)(a)(iii)(C)(2) applies if most of the employees with account balances that are being reduced are nonhighly compensated employees. If there has been an overall gain for the period from the date of the originalallocation of the contribution through the date of correction, no adjustment for Earnings is required to the amount determined under section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C)(1) for the employee. If the amount for the employee is being adjusted for Earnings and the plan permits investment ofaccount balances in more than one investment fund, for administrative convenience, the reduction to the employee’s account balance may be adjusted by the lowest rate of return of any fund for the period from the date of the original allocation of the contribution through the date of correction. (3) If an employee’s account balance is reduced and the original allocation was made to more than one investment fund or there was a subsequent distribution or transfer from the fund receiving the original allocation, then reasonable, consistent assumptions are used to determine the Earnings adjustment. (4) The amount determined in section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C)(1) for an employee after the ap- plication of section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C)(2)and(3) may not exceed the account balance of the employee on the date of correction, and the employee is permitted to retain any distribution made prior to the date of correction. 2013–4 I.R.B.383January 22, 2013 (D)Reconciliation of Increases and Reductions. If the aggregate amount of the increases under section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(B) exceeds the aggregate amount of the reductions under section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C), the Plan Sponsor makes a corrective contribution to the plan for the amount of the excess. If the aggregate amount of the reductions under section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C) ex- ceeds the aggregate amount of the increases under section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(B), then the amount by which each employee’s account balance is reduced under section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C) is de- creased on apro ratabasis. (E)Reductions Among Multiple Investment Funds. If an employee’s account balance is reduced and the employee’s account balance isinvested in more than one investment fund, then the reduction may be made from the investment funds selected in any reasonable manner. (F)Limitations on Use of Reallocation Correction Method. If any employee would be per- mitted to retain any distribution pursuant to section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C)(4), then the reallocation correction method may not be used unless most of the employees who would be permitted to retain a distribution are nonhighly compensated employees. (b)Examples. Example 13: Employer D maintains a profit-sharing plan that provides for discretionary nonelective employer contributions. The plan provides that the employer’s contributions are allocated to account balances in the ratio that each eligible employee’s compensation for the plan year bears to the compensation of all eligible employees for the plan year and, therefore, the only relevant factor for determining an allocation is the employee’s compensation. The plan provides for self-directed investments among four investment funds and daily valuations of account balances. For the 2006 plan year, Employer D made a contribution to the plan ofa fixed dollar amount. However, five employees who met the eligibility requirements were inadvertently excluded from participating in the plan. The contribution resulted in an allocation on behalf of each of the eligible employees, other than the excluded employees, equal to 10% of com- pensation. Most of the employees who received allocationsunder the plan for the year of the failure were nonhighly compensated employees. No distributions have been made from the plan since 2006. If the five excluded employees had shared in the original allocation, the allocation made on behalf of each employee would have equaled 9% of com- pensation. The excluded employees began participating in the plan in the 2007 plan year. Correction: Employer D uses the Appendix A correction method to correct the failure to include the five eligible employees. Thus, Employer D makes a corrective contribution to the plan. The amount of the corrective contribution on behalf of the five excluded employees for the 2006 plan year is equal to 10% of compensation of each excluded employee, the same allocation that was made for othereligible employees, adjusted for Earnings. The excluded employees receive an allocation equal to 10% of compensation (adjusted for Earnings) even though, had the excluded employees origi- nally shared in the allocation for the 2006 contribution, their account balances, as well as those of the other eligible employees, would have received an allocation equal to only 9% of compensation. Example 14: The facts are the same as inExample 13. Correction: Employer D uses the reallocation correction method to correct the failure to include the five eligible employees. Thus, the account balances are adjusted to reflect what would have resulted from the correct allocation of the employer contribution for the 2006 plan year among all eligible employees, including the five excluded employees. The inclu- sion of the excluded employees in the allocation of that contribution would have resulted in each eligible employee, including each excluded employee, receiving an allocation equal to 9% of compensation. Accordingly, the account balance of each excluded employee is increased by 9% of the employee’s 2006 compensation, adjusted for Earnings. The account balance of each of the eligible employees otherthantheexcludedemployeesisreducedby1%ofthe employee’s 2006 compensation, adjusted for Earnings. Employer D determines the adjustment for Earnings using the rate of return of each eligible employee’s excess allocation (using reasonable, consistent assumptions). Accordingly, for an employee who shared in the original allocation and directed the investment of the allocation into more than one investment fund or who subsequently transferred a portion of a fund that had been credited with a portion of the 2006 allocation to another fund, reasonable, consistent assumptions are followed to determine the adjustment for Earnings. It is determined that the total of the initially determined reductions in account balances exceeds the total of the required increases in account balances. Accordingly, these initially determined reductions are decreased pro rata so that the to- tal of the actual reductions in account balances equals the total of the increases in the account balances, and Employer D does not make any corrective contribution. The reductions from the account balancesare made on a pro rata basis among all of the funds in which each employee’s account balance is invested. Example 15: The facts are the same as inExample 13. Correction: The correction is the same as in Example 14, except that, because most of the employees whose account balances are being reduced are nonhighly compensated employees, for administrative convenience, Employer D uses the rate of January 22, 20133842013–4 I.R.B. return of the fund with the lowest rate of return for the period of the failure to adjust the reduction to each account bal- ance. It is determined that the aggregate amount (adjusted for Earnings) by which the account balances of the excluded employees is increased exceeds the aggregate amount (adjusted for Earnings) by which the other employees’ account balances are reduced. Accordingly, Employer D makes a contribution to the plan in an amount equal to the excess. The reduction from account balances is made on apro ratabasis among all of the funds in which each employee’s account balance is invested. .03Vesting Failures.(1)Correction Methods.(a)Contribution Correction Method. A fail- ure in a defined contribution plan to apply theproper vesting percentage to an employee’s account balance that results in forfeiture of too large a portion of the employee’s account bal- ance may be corrected using the contribution correction method set forth in this paragraph. The Plan Sponsor makes a corrective contribution on behalf of the employee whose account balance was improperly forfeited in an amount equal to the improper forfeiture. The corrective contribution is adjusted for Earnings. If, as a result of the improper forfeiture, an amount was improperly allocated to the account balance of another employee, no reduction is made to the account balance of that employee. (SeeExample 16.) (b)Reallocation Correction Method. In lieu of the contribution correction method, in a defined contribution plan under which forfeitures of account balances are reallocated among the account balances of the other eligible employees in the plan, a failure to apply the proper vesting percentage to an employee’s account balance which results in forfeiture of too large a portion of the employee’s account balance may becorrected under the reallocation correction method set forth in this paragraph. A corrective reallocation is made in accordance with the reallocation correction method set forth in section 2.02(2)(a)(iii), subject to the limitations set forth in section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(F). In applyingsection 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(B), the account balance of the employee who incurred the improper forfeiture is increased by an amount equal to the amount of the improper forfeiture and the amount is adjusted for Earnings. In applying section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C)(1), the account balance of each employee who shared in the allocation of the improper forfeiture is reduced by the amount of the improper forfeiture that was allocated to that employee’s account. The Earnings adjustments for the account balances that are being reduced are determined in accordancewith sections 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C)(2)and(3) and the reduc- tions after adjustments for Earnings are limited in accordance withsection 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C)(4). In accordance with section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(D),if the aggregate amount of the increases exceeds the aggregate amount of the reductions, the Plan Sponsor makes a corrective contribution to the plan for the amount of the excess. In accordance withsection 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(D), if the aggre- gate amount of the reductions exceeds the aggregate amount of the increases, then the amount by which each employee’s account balance is reduced is decreased on apro ratabasis. (See Example 17.) (2)Examples. Example 16: Employer E maintains a profit-sharing plan that provides for nonelective contributions. The plan provides for self-directed investments among four investment funds and daily valuation of account balances. The plan provides that forfeitures of account balances are reallocated among the account balances of other eligible employees on the basis of compensation. During the 2006 plan year, Employee R terminated employment with Employer E and elected and received a single-sum distribution of the vested portion of his account balance. No other distributions have been made since 2006. However, an incorrect determination of Employee R’s vested percentage was made resulting in Employee R receiving a distribution of less than the amount to which he was entitled under the plan. The remaining portion of Employee R’s account balancewas forfeited and reallocated (and these reallocations were not affected by the limitations of § 415). Most of the employees who received allocations of the improper forfeiture were nonhighly compensated employees. Correction: Employer E uses the contribution correction method to correct the improper forfeiture. Thus, Employer E makes a contributiononbehalfofEmployee R equal to the incorrec tly forfeited amount (adjustedfor Earnings) and Employee R’s account balance is increased accordingly and subsequently distributed to Employee R. No reduction is made from the account balances of the employees who received an allocation of the improper forfeiture. Example 17: The facts are the same as inExample 16. Correction: Employer E uses the reallocation correction method to correct the improper forfeiture. Thus, Employee R’s ac- count balance is increased by the amount that was improperly forfeited (adjusted for Earnings) and such increase will 2013–4 I.R.B.385January 22, 2013 be distributed to Employee R. The account of each employee who shared in the allocation of the improper forfeiture is reduced by the amount of the improper forfeiture that was allocated to that employee’s account (adjusted for Earnings). Because most of the employees whose account balances are being reduced are nonhighly compensated employees, for administrative convenience, Employer E uses the rate of return of the fund with the lowest rate of return for the period of the failure to adjust the reduction to each account balance. It is determined that the amount (adjusted for Earnings) by which the account balance of Employee R is increased exceeds the aggregate amount (adjusted for Earnings) by whichtheotheremployees’accountbalances are reduced. Accordingly, Employer E makes a contribution to the plan in an amount equal to the excess. The reduction from theaccount balances is made on a pro rata basis among all of the funds in which each employee’s account balance is invested. .04§415Failures.(1)Failures Relating to a § 415(b) Excess.(a)Correction Methods.(i) Return of Overpayment Correction Method. Overpayments as a result of amounts being paid in excess of the limits of § 415(b) may be correctedusing the return of Overpayment correction method set forth in this paragraph (1)(a)(i). The Plan Sponsor takes reasonable steps to have the Overpayment (with appropriate interest) returned by the recipient to the plan and reduces future benefit payments (if any) due to the employee to reflect § 415(b). To the extent the amount returned by the recipient is less than the Overpayment, adjusted for Earnings at the plan’s earnings rate, then the Plan Sponsor or another person contributes the difference to the plan. In addition, in accordance with section 6.06 of this revenue procedure, the Plan Sponsor must notify the recipient that the Overpayment was not eligible for favorable tax treatment accorded to distributions from qualified plans (and, specifically, was not eligible for tax-free rollover). (SeeExamples 20and21.) (ii)Adjustment of Future Payments Correction Method.(A)In General.Inadditiontothe return of overpayment correction method, in thecase of plan benefits that are being distributed in the form of periodic payments, Overpayments as a result of amounts being paid in excess of the limits in § 415(b) may be corrected by using the adjustment of future payments correction method set forth in this paragraph (1)(a)(ii). Future payments to the recipient are reduced so that they do not exceed the § 415(b) maximum limit and an additional reduction is made to recoup the Overpayment (over a period not longer than the remaining payment period) so that the actuarial present value of the additional reduction is equal to the Overpayment plus interest at the interest rate used by the plan to determine actuarial equivalence. (SeeExamples 18and 19.) (B)Joint and Survivor Annuity Payments. If the employee is receiving payments in the form of a joint and survivor annuity, with the employee’s spouse to receive a life annuity upon the employee’s death equal to a percentage (e.g., 75%) of the amount being paid to the employee, the reduction of future annuity payments to reflect § 415(b) reduces the amount of benefits payable during the lives of both the employee and spouse, but any reduction to recoup Over- payments made to the employee does not reduce the amount of the spouse’s survivor benefit. Thus, the spouse’s benefit will be based on the previous specified percentage (e.g.,75%)ofthe maximum permitted under § 415(b), instead of the reduced annual periodic amount payable to the employee. (C)Overpayment Not Treated as an Excess Amount. An Overpayment corrected un der this adjustment of future payment correction method is not treated as an Excess Am ount as defined in section 5.01(3) of this revenue procedure. (b)Examples. Example 18: Employer F maintains a defined benefit plan funded solely through employer contributions. The plan provides that the benefits of employees are limited to the maximum amount permitted under § 415(b), disregarding cost-of-liv- ing adjustments under § 415(d) after benefit payments have commenced. At the beginning of the 2006 plan year, Employee S retired and started receiving an annual straight life annuity of $185,000 from the plan. Due to an admin- istrative error, the annual amount received by Employee S for 2006 included an Overpayment of $10,000 (because the § 415(b)(1)(A) limit for 2006 was $175,000). This error was discovered at the beginning of 2007. Correction: Employer F uses the adjustment of future payments correction method to correct the failure to satisfy the limit in § 415(b). Future annuity benefit payments to Employee S are reduced so that they do not exceed the § 415(b) maximum limit, and, in addition, Employee S’s future benefit payments from the plan are actuarially reduced to recoup the Overpayment. Accordingly, Employee S’s future benefit payments from the plan are reduced to $175,000 and further reduced by $1,000 annually for life, beginning in 2007. The annual benefit amount is reduced by $1,000 annually for January 22, 20133862013–4 I.R.B. life because, for Employee S, the actuarial present value of a benefit of $1,000 annually for life commencing in 2007 is equal to the sum of $10,000 and interest at the rate used by the plan to determine actuarial equivalence beginning with the date of the first Overpayment and ending with the date the reduced annuity payment begins. Thus, Employee S’s remaining benefit payments are reduced so that Employee S receives $174,000for 2007, and for each year thereafter. Example 19: The facts are the same as inExample 18. Correction: Employer F uses the adjustments of future payments correction method to correct the § 415(b) failure, by recouping the entire excess payment made in 2006 from Employee S’sremaining benefit paymentsfor 2007. Thus, Employee S’s annual annuity benefit for 2007 is reduced to $164,400 to reflect the excess benefit amounts (increased by interest) that were paid from the plan to Employee S during the 2006 plan year. Beginning in 2008, Employee S begins to receive annual benefit payments of $175,000. Example 20: The facts are the same as inExample 18, except that the benefit was paid toEmployee S in the form of a single-sum distribution in 2006, which exceeded the maximum § 415(b) limits by $110,000. Correction: EmployerFusesthereturnofoverpayment correction method to correct the § 415(b) failure. Thus, Employer F notifies Employee S of the $110,000 Overpayment and that the Overpayment was not eligible for favorable tax treatment accorded to distributions from qualified plans (and, specifically, was not eligible for tax-free rollover). The notice also informs Employee S that the Overpayment (with interest at the rate used by the plan to calculate the single- sum payment) is owed to the plan. Employer F takes reasonable steps to have the Overpayment (with interest at the rate used by the plan to calculate the single-sum payment) paid to the plan. Employee S pays the $110,000 (plus the requested interest) to the plan. It is determined that the plan’s rate of return for the relevant period was 2 percentage points more than the rate used by the plan to calculate the single-sum payment. Accordingly, Employer F contributes the difference to the plan. Example 21: The facts are the same as inExample 20. Correction: EmployerFusesthereturnofoverpayment correction method to correct the § 415(b) failure. Thus, Employer F notifies Employee S of the $110,000 Overpayment and that the Overpayment was not eligible for favorable tax treatment accorded to distributions from qualified plans (and, specifically, was not eligible for tax-free rollover). The notice also informs Employee S that the Overpayment (with interest at the rate used by the plan to calculate the single- sum payment) is owed to the plan. Employer F takes reasonable steps to have the Overpayment (with interest at the rate used by the plan to calculate the single-sum payment) paid to the plan. As a result of Employer F’s recovery efforts, some, but not all, of the Overpayment (with interest) is recovered from Employee S. It is determined that the amount returned by Employee S to the plan is less than the Overpayment adjusted for Earnings at the plan’s rate of return. Accordingly, Employer F contributes the difference to the plan. (2)Failures Relating to a § 415(c) Excess.(a)Correction Methods.(i)Appendix A Cor- rection Method. Appendix A, section .08, sets forth the correction method for correcting the failure to satisfy the § 415(c) limits on annual additions. (ii)Forfeiture Correction Method. In addition to the Appendix A correction method, the failure to satisfy § 415(c) with respect to a nonhighly compensated employee (A) who in the limitation year of the failure had annual additionsconsisting of both (I) either elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions or both and (II) either matching or nonelective contribu- tions or both, (B) for whom the matching andnonelective contributions equal or exceed the portion of the employee’s annual addition that exceeds the limits under § 415(c) (“§ 415(c) excess”) for the limitation year, and (C) who has terminated with no vested interest in the matching and nonelective contributions (andhas not been reemployed at the time of the cor- rection), may be corrected by using the forfeiture correction method set forth in this paragraph. The § 415(c) excess is deemed to consist solely of the matching and nonelective contributions. If the employee’s § 415(c) excess (adjusted for Earnings) has previously been forfeited, the § 415(c) failure is deemed to be corrected. If the § 415(c) excess (adjusted for Earnings) has not been forfeited, that amount is placed in anunallocated account, asdescribed in section 6.06(2) of this revenue procedure, to be used toreduce employer nonelective contributions in succeeding year(s) (or if the amount would have been allocated toother employees who were in the plan for the year of the failure if the failure had not occurred, then that amount is re- allocated to the other employees in accordance with the plan’s allocation formula). Note that while this correction method will permit more favorable tax treatment of elective deferrals for the employee than the Appendix A correction method, this correction method could be less 2013–4 I.R.B.387January 22, 2013 favorable to the employee in certain cases, forexample, if the employee is subsequently reem- ployed and becomes vested. (SeeExamples 22and23.) (iii)Return of Overpayment Correction Method. A failure to satisfy § 415(c) that includes a distribution of the § 415(c) excess attributable to nonelective contributions and matching contributions may be corrected using the returnof Overpayment correction method set forth in section 6.06(3) of this revenue procedure. (b)Examples. Example 22: Employer G maintains a § 401(k) plan. The plan provides fornonelective employer contributions, elective defer- rals, and after-tax employee contributions. The plan provides that the nonelective contributions vest under a 5-year cliff vesting schedule. The plan provides that when an employee terminates employment, the employee’s nonvested account balance is forfeited five years after a distribution of the employee’s vested account balance and that forfeitures are used to reduce employer contributions. For the 1998 limitation year, the annual additions made on behalf of two nonhighly compensated employees in the plan, Employees T and U, exceeded the limit in § 415(c). For the 1998 limitation year, Employee T had § 415 compensation of $60,000, and, accordingly, a § 415(c)(1)(B) limit of $15,000. Employee T made elective deferrals and after-tax employee contributions. For the 1998 limitation year, Employee U had § 415 compensation of $40,000, and, accordingly, a § 415(c)(1)(B) limit of $10,000. Employee U made elective deferrals. Also, on January 1, 1999, Employee U, who hadthree years of service with Employer G, terminated his employment and received his entire vested account balance(which consisted of his elective deferrals). The annual additions for Employees T and U consisted of: TU Nonelective Contributions $7,500$4,500 Elective Deferrals $10,000$5,800 After-tax Contributions $500$0 Total Contributions $18,000$10,300 §415(c)Limit $15,000$10,000 § 415(c) Excess $3,000$300 Correction: Employer G uses the Appendix A correction methodto correct the § 415(c) excess with respect to Employee T (i.e., $3,000). Thus, a distribution of plan assets (and corresponding reduction of the account balance) consisting of $500 (adjusted for Earnings) of after-tax employee contributions and $2,500 (adjusted for Earnings) of elective deferrals is made to Employee T. Employer G uses the forfeiture correction method to correct t he § 415(c) excess with respect to Employee U. Thus, the § 415(c) excess is deemed to consist solely of the nonelective contributions. Accordingly, Employee U’s nonvested account balance is reduced by $300 (adjusted for Earnings) which is placed in an unallocated account, as described in section 6.06(2) of this revenue procedure, to be used to reduce employer contributions in succeeding year(s). After correction, it is determined that the ADP and ACP tests for 1998 were satisfied. Example 23: Employer H maintains a § 401(k) plan. The plan provides for nonelective employer contributions, matching contri- butions, and elective deferrals. The plan provides for matching contributions that are equal to 100% of an employee’s elective deferrals that do not exceed 8% of the employee’s plan compensation for the plan year. For the 1998 limitation year, Employee V had § 415 compensation of $50,000, and, accordingly, a § 415(c)(1)(B) limit of $12,500. During that limitation year, the annual additions for Employee V totaled $15,000, consisting of $5,000 in elective deferrals, a $4,000 matching contribution (8% of $50,000), and a $6,000 nonelective employer contribution. Thus, the annual additions for Employee V exceededthe § 415(c) limit by $2,500. Correction: Employer H uses the Appendix A correction method to correct the § 415(c) excess with respect to Employee V (i.e., $2,500). Accordingly, $1,000 of the unmatched elective deferrals (adjusted for Earnings) are distributed to Employee V. The remaining $1,500 excess is apportioned equally between the elective deferrals and the associated matching employer contributions, so Employee V’s account balance is further reduced by distributing to Employee V $750 (adjusted for Earnings) of the elective deferrals and forfeiting $750 (adjusted for Earnings) of the associated employer matching contributions. The forfeited matching contributions are placed in an unallocated account, as described in section 6.06(2) of this revenue procedure, to be used to reduce employer contributionsin succeeding year(s). After correction, it is determined that the ADP and ACP tests for 1998 were satisfied. .05Correction of Other Overpayment Failures. An Overpayment, other than one described in section 2.04(1) (relating to a § 415(b) excess) or section 2.04(2) (relating to a § 415(c) ex- cess), may be corrected in accordance with this section 2.05. An Overpayment from a defined January 22, 20133882013–4 I.R.B. benefit plan is corrected in accordance with the rules in section 2.04(1). An Overpayment from a defined contribution plan is corrected in accordance with the rulesin section 2.04(2)(a)(iii). .06Section 401(a)(17) Failures.(1)Reduction of Account Balance Correction Method.The allocation of contributions or forfeitures under a defined contribution plan for a plan year on the basis of compensation in excess of the limit under § 401(a)(17) for the plan year may be corrected using the reduction of account balance correction method set forth in section 6.06(2) of this revenue procedure. (2)Example. Example 24: Employer J maintains a money purchase pension plan. Under the plan, an eligible employee is entitled to an em- ployer contribution of 8% of the employee’s compensation up to the § 401(a)(17) limit ($220,000 for 2006). During the 2006 plan year, an eligible employee, Employee W, inadvertently was credited with a contribution based on com- pensation above the § 401(a)(17) limit. Employee W’s compensation for 2006 was $250,000. Employee W received a contribution of $20,000 for 2006 (8% of $250,000), rather than the contribution of $17,600 (8% of $220,000) provided by the plan for that year, resulting in an improper allocation of $2,400. Correction: The § 401(a)(17) failure is corrected using the reduction of account balance method by reducing Employee W’s account balance by $2,400 (adjusted for Earnings) and crediting that amount to an unallocated account, as described in section 6.06(2) of this revenue procedure, to be used to reduce employer contributions in succeeding year(s). .07Correction by Amendment.(1)Section 401(a)(17) Failures.(a)Contribution Correc- tion Method.Inadditiontothereductionofaccountbalance correctionmethod under section 6.06(2) of this revenue procedure, a Plan Sponsor may correct a § 401(a)(17) failure for a plan year under a defined contribution plan by using the contribution correction method set forth in this paragraph. The Plan Sponsor contributes an additional amount on behalf of each of the other employees (excluding each employee for whom there was a § 401(a)(17) failure) who re- ceived an allocation for the year of the failure, and amends the plan (as necessary) to provide for the additional allocation. The amount contributed for an employee is equal to the employee’s plan compensation for the year ofthe failure multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the improperly allocated amount made on behalf of the employee with the largest improp- erly allocated amount, and the denominator of which is the limit under § 401(a)(17) applicable to the year of the failure. The resulting additional amount for each of the other employees is adjusted for Earnings. (SeeExample 25.) (b)Example. Example 25: The facts are the same as inExample 24. Correction: Employer J corrects the failure under VCP using the contribution correction method by (1) amending the plan to increase the contribution percentage for all eligible employees (other than Employee W)for the 2003 plan year and (2) contributing an additional amount (adjusted for Earnings) for those employees for that plan year. To determine the increase in the plan’s contribution percentage (and the additional amount contributed on behalf of each eligible employee), the improperly allocated amount ($2,400) is divided by the § 401(a)(17) limit for 2006 ($220,000). Ac- cordingly, the plan is amended to increase the contribution percentage by 1.09 percentage points ($2,400/$220,000) from 8% to 9.09%. In addition, each eligible employee for the 2006 plan year (other than Employee W) receives an additional contribution of 1.09% multiplied by that employee’s plan compensation for 2006. This additional contri- bution is adjusted for Earnings. (2)Hardship Distribution Failures and Plan Loan Failures.(a)Plan Amendment Correction Method. The Operational Failure of making hardship distributions to employees under a plan that does not provide for hardship distributions may be corrected using the plan amendment correction method set forth in this paragraph. The plan is amended retroactively to provide for the hardship distributions that were madeavailable. This paragraph does not apply un- less (i) the amendment satisfies § 401(a), and (ii) the plan as amended would have satisfied the qualification requirements of § 401(a) (including the requirements applicable to hardship distributions under § 401(k), if applicable) had the amendment been adopted when hardship distributions were first made available. (SeeExample 26.) The Plan Amendment Correction Method is also available for the Operational Failure of permitting plan loans to employees un- der a plan that does not provide for plan loans. The plan is amended retroactively to provide for 2013–4 I.R.B.389January 22, 2013 the plan loans that were made available. This paragraph does not apply unless (i) the amend- ment satisfies § 401(a), and (ii) the plan as amended would have satisfied the qualification requirements of § 401(a) (and the requirements applicable to plan loans under § 72(p)) had the amendment been adopted when plan loans were first made available. (b)Example. Example 26: Employer K, a for-profit corporation, maintains a § 401(k) plan. Although plan provisions in 2005 did not pro- vide for hardship distributions, beginning in 2005 hardship distributions of amounts allowed to be distributed under § 401(k) were made currently and effectively available to all employees (within the meaning of § l.401(a)(4)–4). The standard used to determine hardship satisfied the deemed hardship distribution standards in § 1.401(k)–1(d). Hard- ship distributions were made to a number of employees during the 2005 and 2006 plan years, creating an Operational Failure. The failure was discovered in 2007. Correction: Employer K corrects the failure under VCP by adopting a plan amendment, effective January 1, 2005, to pro- vide a hardship distribution option that satisfies the rules applicable to hardship distributions in § 1.401(k)–1(d). The amendment provides that the hardship distribution option is available to all employees. Thus, the amendment satisfies § 401(a), and the plan as amended in 2005 would have satisfied § 401(a) (including § 1.401(a)(4)–4 and the require- ments applicable to hardship distributions under § 401(k)) if the amendment had been adopted in 2005. (3)Early Inclusion of Otherwise Eligible Employee Failure.(a)Plan Amendment Correc- tion Method. The Operational Failure of including an otherwise eligible employee in the plan who either (i) has not completed the plan’s minimum age or service requirements, or (ii) has completed the plan’s minimum age or service requirements but became a participant in the plan on a date earlier than the applicable planentry date, may be corrected by using the plan amendment correction method set forth in this paragraph. Theplan is amended retroactively to change the eligibility or entry date provisions to provide for the inclusion of the ineligible employee to reflect the plan’s actual operations. The amendment may change the eligibility or entry date provisions with respect to only those ineligible employees that were wrongly in- cluded, and only to those ineligible employees, provided (i) the amendment satisfies § 401(a) at the time it is adopted, (ii) the amendment would have satisfied § 401(a) had the amendment been adopted at the earlier time when it is effective, and (iii) the employees affected by the amendment are predominantly nonhighly compensated employees. For a defined benefit plan, a contribution may have to be made to the plan fora correction that is accomplished through a plan amendment if the plan is subject to the requirements of § 436(c) at the time of the amend- ment, as described in section 6.02(4)(e)(ii). (b)Example. Example 27: Employer L maintains a § 401(k) plan applicable to all ofits employees who have at least six months of service. The plan is a calendar year plan. The plan provides that Employer L will make matching contributions based upon an employee’s salary reduction contributions. In 2007, itis discovered that all four employees who were hired by Em- ployer L in 2006 were permitted to make salary reduction contributions to the plan effective with the first weekly pay- check after they were employed. Three of the four employees are nonhighly compensated. Employer L matched these employees’ salary reduction contributions in accordance with the plan’s matching contribution formula. Employer L calculates the ADP and ACP tests for 2006 (taking into account the salary reduction and matching contributions that were made for these employees) and determines that the tests were satisfied. Correction: Employer L corrects the failure under SCP by adopting a plan amendment, effective for employees hired on or after January 1, 2006, to provide that there is no service eligibility requirement under the plan and submitting the amendment to the Service for a determination letter. SECTION 3. EARNINGS ADJUSTMENT METHODS AND EXAMPLES .01Earnings Adjustment Methods.(1)In general. (a) Under section 6.02(4)(a) of this rev- enue procedure, whenever the appropriate correction method for an Operational Failure in a defined contribution plan includes a corrective contribution or allocation that increases one or more employees’ account balances (now or in the future), the contribution or allocation is adjusted for Earnings and forfeitures. This section 3 provides Earnings adjustment methods (but not forfeiture adjustment methods) that may be used by a Plan Sponsor to adjust a cor- rective contribution or allocation for Earningsin a defined contribution plan. Consequently, these Earnings adjustment methods may be used to determine the Earnings adjustments for January 22, 20133902013–4 I.R.B. corrective contributions or allocations made under the correction methods in section 2 and un- der the correction methods in Appendix A. If an Earnings adjustment method in this section 3 is used to adjust a corrective contribution or allocation, that adjustment is treated as satisfying the Earnings adjustment requirement of section 6.02(4)(a) of this revenue procedure. Other Earnings adjustment methods, different from those illustrated in this section 3, may also be appropriate for adjusting corrective contributions or allocations to reflect Earnings. (b) Under the Earnings adjustment methods of this section 3, a corrective contribution or allocation that increases an employee’s accountbalance is adjusted to reflect an “earnings amount” that is based on the Earnings rate(s) (determined under section 3.01(3)) for the period of the failure (determined under section 3.01(2)). The Earnings amount is allocated in accor- dance with section 3.01(4). (c)Theruleinsection6.02(5)(a)ofthisrevenue procedure permitting reasonable estimates in certain circumstances applies for purposes of this section 3. For this purpose, a determina- tion of Earnings made in accordance with the rules of administrative convenience set forth in this section 3 is treated as a precise determination of Earnings. Thus, if the probable difference between an approximate determination of Earnings and a determination of Earnings under this section 3 is insignificant and the administrative cost of a precise determination would signif- icantly exceed the probable difference, reasonable estimates may be used in calculating the appropriate Earnings. (d) This section 3 does not apply to corrective distributions or corrective reductions in ac- count balances. Thus, for example, while this section 3 applies in increasing the account bal- ance of an improperly excluded employee to correct the exclusion of the employee under the reallocation correction method described in section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(B), this section 3 does not apply in reducing the account balances of other employees under the reallocation correction method. (See section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C) for rules that apply to the Earnings adjustments for such reductions.) In addition, this section 3 does not apply in determining Earnings adjustments un- der the one-to-one correction method described in section 2.01(1)(b)(iii). (2)Period of the Failure.(a)General Rule. For purposes of this section 3, the “period of the failure” is the period from the date that the failure began through the date of correction. For example, in the case of an improper forfeiture of an employee’s account balance, the beginning of the period of the failure is the date as of whichthe account balance was improperly reduced. See section 6.02(4)(f) of this revenue procedure. (b)Rules for Beginning Date for Exclusion of Eligible Employees from Plan.(i)General Rule. In the case of an exclusion of an eligible employee from a plan contribution, the begin- ning of the period of the failure is the date on which contributions of the same type (e.g., elective deferrals, matching contributions, or discretionary nonelective employer contributions) were made for other employees for the year of the failure. In the case of an exclusion of an eligible employee from an allocation of a forfeiture, the beginning of the period of the failure is the date on which forfeitures were allocated to other employees for the year of the failure. (ii)Exclusion from a § 401(k) or (m) Plan. For administrative convenience, for purposes of calculating the Earnings rate forcorrective contributions for a plan year (or the portion of the plan year) during which an employee was improperly excluded from making periodic elective deferrals or after-tax employee contributions, or from receiving periodic matching contribu- tions, the Plan Sponsor may treat the date on which the contributions would have been made as the midpoint of the plan year (or the midpoint of the portion of the plan year) for which the failure occurred. Alternatively, in this case, the Plan Sponsor may treat the date on which the contributions would have been made as the first date of the plan year (or the portion of the plan year) during which an employee was excluded, provided that the Earnings rate used is one half of the Earnings rate applicable under section 3.01(3) for the plan year (or the portion of the plan year) for which the failure occurred. 2013–4 I.R.B.391January 22, 2013 (3)Earnings Rate.(a)General Rule. For purposes of this section 3, the Earnings rate gen- erally is based on the investment results that would have applied to the corrective contribution or allocation if the failure had not occurred. (b)Multiple Investment Funds. If a plan permits employeesto direct the investment of account balances into more than one investment fund, the Earnings rate is based on the rate applicable to the employee’s investment choicesfor the period of the failure. For administrative convenience, if most of the employees for whom the corrective contribution or allocation is made are nonhighly compensated employees, the rate of return of the fund with the highest rate of return under the plan for the period of the failure may be used to determine the Earnings rate for all corrective contributions or allocations. If the employee had not made any applicable investment choices, the Earnings rate may be based on the rate of return under the plan as a whole (i.e., the average of the rates earned by all ofthe funds in the valuation periods during the period of the failure weighted by the portion of the plan assets invested in the various funds during the period of the failure). (c)Other Simplifying Assumptions. For administrative convenience, the Earnings rate ap- plicable to the corrective contribution or allocation for a valuation period with respect to any investment fund may be assumed to be the actual Earnings rate for the plan’s investments in that fund during that valuation period. For example, the Earnings rate may be determined without regard to any special investment provisions that vary according to the size of the fund. Further, the Earnings rate applicable to the corrective contribution or allocation for a portion of a valuation period may be apro rataportion of the Earnings rate for the entire valuation period, unless the application of this rule would result in either a significant understatement or overstatement of the actual Earnings during that portion of the valuation period. (4)Allocation Methods.(a)In General. For purposes of this section 3, the Earnings amount generally may be allocated in accordance with any of the methods set forth in this paragraph (4). The methods under paragraph (4)(c), (d), and (e) are intended to be particularly helpful where corrective contributions are made at dates between the plan’s valuation dates. (b)Plan Allocation Method. Under the plan allocation method, the Earnings amount is allocated to account balances underthe plan in accordance with the plan’s method for allocating Earnings as if the failure had not occurred. (SeeExample 28.) (c)Specific Employee Allocation Method. Under the specific employee allocation method, the entire Earnings amount is allocated solelyto the account balance of the employee on whose behalf the corrective contribution or allocation is made (regardless of whether the plan’s allo- cation method would have allocated the Earningssolely to that employee). In determining the allocation of plan Earnings for the valuation period during which the corrective contribution or allocation is made, the corrective contribution or allocation (including the Earnings amount) is treated in the same manner as any other contribution under the plan on behalf of the employee during that valuation period. Alternatively, where the plan’s allocation method does not allo- cate plan Earnings for a valuation period to a contribution made during that valuation period, plan Earnings for the valuation period during which the corrective contribution or allocation is made may be allocated as if that employee’s account balance had been increased as of the last day of the prior valuation period by the corrective contribution or allocation, including only that portion of the Earnings amount attributable to Earnings through the last day of the prior valuation period. The employee’s account balance is then further increased as of the last day of the valuation period during which the corrective contribution or allocation is made by that portion of the Earnings amount attributable to Earnings after the last day of the prior valuation period. (SeeExample 29.) (d)Bifurcated Allocation Method. Under the bifurcated allocation method, the entire Earn- ings amount for the valuation periods ending before the date the corrective contribution or allocation is made is allocated solely to theaccount balance of the employee on whose behalf the corrective contribution or allocation is made. The Earnings amount for the valuation period during which the corrective contribution or allocation is made is allocated in accordance with January 22, 20133922013–4 I.R.B. the plan’s method for allocating other Earnings for that valuation period in accordance with section 3.01(4)(b). (SeeExample 30.) (e)Current Period Allocation Method. Under the current period allocation method, the por- tion of the Earnings amount attributable to the valuation period during which the period of the failure begins (“first partial valuation period”) is allocated in the same manner as Earn- ings for the valuation period during which the corrective contribution or allocation is made in accordance with section 3.01(4)(b). The Earnings for the subsequent full valuation periods ending before the beginning of the valuation period during which the corrective contribution or allocation is made are allocated solely to theemployee for whom the required contribution should have been made. The Earnings amount for the valuation period during which the cor- rective contribution or allocation is made (“second partial valuationperiod”) is allocated in accordance with the plan’s method for allocating other Earnings for that valuation period in accordance with section 3.01(4)(b). (SeeExample 31.) .02Examples. Example 28: Employer L maintains a profit-sharing plan that providesonly for nonelective contributions. The plan has a single investment fund. Under the plan, assetsare valued annually (the last day of the plan year) and Earnings for the year are allocated in proportion to account balances as of the last day of the prior year, after reduction for distributions during the current year but without regard to contributions received during the current year (the “prior year account balance”). Plan contributions for 1997 were made on March 31, 1998. On April 20, 2000, Employer L determines that an operational failure occurred for 1997 because Employee X was improperly excluded from the plan. Employer L decides to correct the failure by using the Appendix A correction method for the exclusion of an eligible employee from nonelective contributions in a profit-sharing plan. Under this method, Employer L determines that this failure is corrected by making a contribution on behalf of Employee X of $5,000 (adjusted for Earnings). The Earnings rate under the plan for 1998 was +20%. The Earnings rate under the plan for 1999 was +10%. On May 15, 2000, when Employer L determines that a contribution to correct for the failure will be made on June 1, 2000, a reasonable estimate of the Earnings rate under the plan from January 1, 2000 to June 1, 2000 is +12%. Earnings Adjustment on the Corrective Contribution: The $5,000 corrective contribution on behalf of Employee X is adjusted to reflect an earnings amount based on the Earnings rates for the period of the failure (March 31, 1998 through June 1, 2000) and the earnings amount is allocated using the plan allocation method. Employer L determines that apro ratasimplifying assumption may be used to determine the Earnings rate for the period fromMarch 31, 1998 to December 31, 1998, because that rate does not significantly understate or overstate the actual investment return for that period. Accordingly, Employer L determines that the Earnings rate for that period is 15% (9/12 of the plan’s 20% Earnings rate for the year). Thus, applicable Earnings rates under the plan during the period of the failure are: Time PeriodsEarnings Rate 3/31/98 - 12/31/98 (First Partial Valuation Period) +15% 1/1/99 - 12/31/99+10% 1/1/00 - 6/1/00 (Second Partial Valuation Period)+12% If the $5,000 corrective contribution had been contributed for Employee X on March 31, 1998, (1) Earnings for 1998 would have been increased by the amount of the Earnings on the additional $5,000 contribution from March 31, 1998 through December 31, 1998 and would have been allocated as 1998 Earnings in proportion to the prior year (December 31, 1997) account balances, (2) Employee X’s account balance as of December 31, 1998 would have been increased by the additional $5,000 contribution, (3) Earnings for 1999 would have been increased by the 1999 Earnings on the additional $5,000 contribution (including 1998 Earnings thereon) allocated in proportion to the prior year (December 31, 1998) account balances along with other 1999 Earnings, and (4) Earnings for 2000 would have been increased by the Earnings on the additional $5,000 (including 1998 and 1999 Earnings thereon) from January 1 to June 1, 2000 and would be allocated inproportion to the prior year (December 31, 1999) account balances along with other 2000 Earnings. Accordingly, the $5,000 corrective contribution is adjusted to reflect an Earnings amount of $2,084 ($5,000[(1.15)(1.10)(1.12)–1]) and the earnings amount is allocated to the account balances under the plan allocation method as follows: (a) Each account balance thatshared in the allocation of Earnings for 1998 is increased, as of December 31, 1998, by its appropriate share of the Earnings amount for 1998, $750 ($5,000(.15)). (b) Employee X’s account balance is increased, as of December 31, 1998, by $5,000. (c) The resulting December 31, 1998 account balances will share in the 1999 Earnings, including the $575 for 1999 Earnings included in the corrective contribution ($5,750(.10)), to determine the account balances as of December 31, 1999. However, each account balance other than Employee X’s account balance has already shared in the 1999 Earnings, excluding the $575. Accordingly, Employee X’s account balance as of December 31, 1999 will include $500 of the 1999 portion of the earnings amount based on the $5,000 corrective contribution allocated to Employee X’s account balance as of December 31, 1998 ($5,000(.10)).Then each account balance that originally shared in the 2013–4 I.R.B.393January 22, 2013 allocation of Earnings for 1999 (i.e., excluding the $5,500 additions to Employee X’s account balance) is increased by its appropriate share of the remaining 1999 portion of the earnings amount, $75. (d) The resulting December 31, 1999 account balances (including the $5,500 additions to Employee X’s account balance) will share in the 2000 portion of the earnings amount based on the estimated January 1, 2000 to June 1, 2000 Earnings included in the corrective contribution equal to $759 ($6,325(.12)). (See Table 1.) TABLE 1 CALCULATION AND ALLOCATION OF THE CORRECTIVE AMOUNT ADJUSTED FOR EARNINGS Earnings RateAmountAllocated to Corrective Contribution $5,000 Employee X First Partial Valuation Period Earnings 15% $750 1 All 12/31/1997 Account Balances 4 1999 Earnings10% $575 2 Employee X ($500)/ All 12/31/1998 Account Balances ($75) 4 Second Partial Valuation Period Earnings 12% $759 3 All 12/31/1999 Account Balances (including Employee X’s $5,500) 4 Total Amount Contributed $7,084 1 $5,000 x 15% 2 $5,750($5,000 +$750) x 10% 3 $6,325($5,000 +$750 + $575) x 12% 4 After reduction for distributions during the year for which Earnings are being determined but without regard to contributions received during the year for whichEarnings are being determined. Example 29: The facts are the same as inExample 28. Earnings Adjustment on the Corrective Contribution: The earnings amount on the corrective contribution is the same as inExample 28, but the earnings amount is allocated using the specific employee allocation method. Thus, the entire earnings amount for all periods through June 1, 2000 (i.e., $750 for March 31, 1998 to December 31, 1998,$575 for 1999, and $759 for January 1, 2000 to June 1, 2000) is allocated to Employee X. Accordingly, Employer L makes a contribution on June 1, 2000 to the plan of $7,084 ($5,000(1.15)(1.10)(1.12)). Employee X’s account balance as of December 31, 2000 is increased by $7,084. Alternatively, Employee X’s account balance as of December 31, 1999 is increased by $6,325 ($5,000(1.15)(1.10)), which shares in the allocation of Earnings for 2000, and Employee X’s account balance as of December 31, 2000 is increased by the remaining $759. (See Table 2.) January 22, 20133942013–4 I.R.B. TABLE 2 CALCULATION AND ALLOCATION OF THE CORRECTIVE AMOUNT ADJUSTED FOR EARNINGS Earnings RateAmountAllocated to: Corrective Contribution $5,000 Employee X First Partial Valuation Period Earnings 15% $750 1 Employee X 1999 Earnings10% $575 2 Employee X Second Partial Valuation Period Earnings 12% $759 3 Employee X Total Amount Contributed $7,084 1 $5,000 x 15% 2 $5,750($5,000 +$750) x 10% 3 $6,325($5,000 +$750 + $575) x 12% Example 30: The facts are the same as inExample 28. Earnings Adjustment on the Corrective Contribution: The earnings amount on the corrective contribution is the same as inExample 28, but the earnings amount is allocated using the bifurcated allocation method. Thus, the Earnings for the first partial valuation period (March 31, 1998 to December 31, 1998) and the Earnings for 1999 are allocated to Employee X. Accordingly, Employer L makes a contribution on June 1, 2000 to the planof $7,084 ($5,000(1.15)(1.10)(1.12)). Employee X’s account balance as of December 31, 1999 is increased by $6,325 ($5,000(1.15)(1.10)); and the December 31, 1999 account balances of employees (including Employee X’s increased account balance) will share in estimated January 1, 2000 to June 1, 2000 Earnings on the corrective contribution equal to $759 ($6,325(.12)). (See Table 3.) 2013–4 I.R.B.395January 22, 2013 TABLE 3 CALCULATION AND ALLOCATION OF THE CORRECTIVE AMOUNT ADJUSTED FOR EARNINGS Earnings RateAmountAllocated to: Corrective Contribution $5,000 Employee X First Partial Valuation Period Earnings 15% $750 1 Employee X 1999 Earnings10% $575 2 Employee X Second Partial Valuation Period Earnings 12% $759 3 12/31/99 Account Balances (including Employee X’s $6,325) 4 Total Amount Contributed $7,084 1 $5,000 x 15% 2 $5,750($5,000 +$750) x 10% 3 $6,325($5,000 +$750 + $575) x 12% 4 After reduction for distributions during the 2000 year but without regard to contributionsreceived during the 2000 year. Example 31: The facts are the same as inExample 28. Earnings Adjustment on the Corrective Contribution: The earnings amount on the corrective contribution is the same as inExample 28, but the earnings amount is allo- cated using the current period allocation method. Thus, theEarnings for the first partial valuation period (March 31, 1998 to December 31, 1998) are allocated as 2000 Earnings. Accordingly, Employer L makes a contribution on June 1, 2000 to the plan of $7,084 ($5,000 (1.15)(1.10)(1.12)). Employee X’s account balance as of December 31, 1999 is increased by the sum of $5,500 ($5,000(1.10)) and the remaining 1999 Earnings on the corrective contribution equal to $75 ($5,000(.15)(.10)). Further, both (1) the estimated March 31, 1998 to December 31, 1998 Earnings on the corrective contribution equal to $750 ($5,000(.15)) and (2) the estimated January 1, 2000 to June 1, 2000 Earnings on the corrective contribution equal to $759 ($6,325(.12)) are treated in the same manner as 2000 Earnings by allocating these amounts to the December 31, 2000 account balances of employees in proportion to account balances as of December 31, 1999 (including Employee X’s increased account balance). (See Table 4.) Thus, Employee X is allocated the Earnings for the full valuation period during the period of the failure. January 22, 20133962013–4 I.R.B. TABLE 4 CALCULATION AND ALLOCATION OF THE CORRECTIVE AMOUNT ADJUSTED FOR EARNINGS Earnings RateAmountAllocated to: Corrective Contribution $5,000 Employee X First Partial Valuation Period Earnings 15% $750 1 12/31/99 Account Balances (including Employee X’s $5,575) 4 1999 Earnings10% $575 2 Employee X Second Partial Valuation Period Earnings 12% $759 3 12/31/99 Account Balances (including Employee X’s $5,575) 4 Total Amount Contributed $7,084 1 $5,000 x 15% 2 $5,750 ($5,000 +$750) x 10% 3 $6,325 ($5,000 +$750 +$575) x 12% 4 After reduction for distributions during the year for which Earnings are being determined but without regard to contributions received during the year for whichEarnings are being determined. 2013–4 I.R.B.397January 22, 2013 APPENDIX C Model VCP Submission Documents INSTRUCTIONS Appendix C is composed of two parts. Part I sets forth a Model Compliance Statement, which is designed to assist VCP applicantsby providing a standardized framework to complete the VCP submission process. The Model Compliance Statement helps toensure that applicants are including all necessary information neededfor processing a VCP submission. The format and content of the Model Compliance Statement may not be modified in any way. Part II contains Schedules (formerly Appendix F Schedules) that set forth standardized descriptions of failures and correction methods that can be used to resolve certainqualification failures.These Schedules can be used with the Model Compliance Statement by attaching the appropriate Schedule to the applicable parts of the Model Compliance Statement. If you are not using the Model Compliance Statement,the Schedules still may be used to satisfy therequirements of section 11.03 of Rev. Proc. 2013–12 relating to the description of qualification failures, correction methods, and changes to plan administrative procedures. However, if a Schedule is used, the format and content may not be modified. January 22, 20133982013–4 I.R.B. APPENDIX C-PART I MODEL VCP SUBMISSION COMPLIANCE STATEMENT Plan Name: EIN:Plan #: (Please include the plan name, Applicant’s EIN, and plan number on each page of the compliance statement.) SECTIONI.PLANINFORMATION 1. APPLICANT’S NAME 2. APPLICANT’S EIN3. PLAN NO. (do not use Soci al Security Number) 4. PLAN NAME SECTION II. APPLICANT’S DESCRIPTION OF FAILURES Attach additional pages, as needed. Label attachment “SECTION II. APPLICANT’S DESCRIPTION OF FAILURES.” List and number each failure separately. If using the Appendix C, Part II Schedules, simply specify the Schedule(s) that are to be part of this compliance statement and attach them to this compliance statement. SECTION III. APPLICANT’S DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED METHOD OF CORRECTION Attach additional pages, as needed. Label attachment “SECTION III. APPLICANT’S DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED METHOD OF CORRECTION.” Describe the correction method applicable to each failurelisted in Section II. If using the Appen- dix C, Part II Schedules, simply specify the Schedule(s) that are to be part of this compliance statement and attach them to this compliance statement. SECTION IV. A PPLICANT’S PROPOSED PROCEDURES TO LOCATE AND NOTIFY FORMER EMPLOYEES OR BENEFICIARI ES Attach addit ional pages, as needed. Label attachment “SECTION IV. APPLICANT’S PROPOSED PROCEDURES TO LO- CATE AND NOTI FY FORMER EMPLOYEES OR BENEFICIARIES.” Describe the method(s) that will be used to locate and notify form er employees and beneficiaries, or provide an affirmative statement that no former employees or beneficiaries were affected by each failure listed in Part II or will be affected by the correction methods described in Section III. See section 6.02(5) (d) of Rev. P roc. 2013–12. SECTION V. APPLICANT’S PROPOSED REVISION TO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES Attach additional pages, as needed. Label attachment “SECTION V. APPLICANT’S PROPOSED REVISION TO ADMINIS- TRATIVE PROCEDURES.” Please include anexplanation of how and whythe failures arose and a description of the measures that will be implemented to ensure that the same failures do not occur in the future. If using the Appendix C, Part II Schedules, simply specify the Schedule(s) that are to be part of this compliance statement and attach them to this compliance statement. SECTION VI. REQUESTS RELATED TO EXCISE TAXES, ADDITIONAL TAX, AND TAX REPORTING The Applicant requests that the Internal Revenue Service (“Service”) not pursue the following taxes under the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) (attach supporting rationale as required by section 6.09 of Rev. Proc. 2013–12): Excise tax under Code section 4972 with respect to failure(s) # . Excise tax under Code section 4973 with respect to failure(s) # . Excise tax under Code section 4974 with respect to failure(s) # . Excise tax under Code section 4979 with respect to failure(s) # . Impositio n of additional tax under Code section 72(t) with respect to failure(s) # . 2013–4 I.R.B.399January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: The Applicant requests that the Service grant the followingwith respect to plan loan failures as described in section 6.07 of Rev. Proc. 2013–12: With respect to failure(s) # , that a deemed distribution corrected pursuant to this VCP submission not be required to be reported on Form 1099-R and that repayments made by such correction not result in the affected participant having additional basis in the plan for purposes of determining the tax treatment of subsequent distributions from the plan. With respect to failure(s) # , that a deemed distribution be reported on Form 1099-R with respect to affected participants for the year of correction instead of the year of the failure. SECTION VII. ENFORCEMENT RESOLUTION (to be completed by IRS only) The Applicant will neither attempt to nor otherwise amortize, deduct, or recover from the Service any portion of the compliance fee nor receive any Federal tax benefit onaccount of payment of such compliance fee. The Service will not pursue the sanction of revoking the tax-favored status of the plan under § 401(a), 403(b), 408(k), or 408(p) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) on account of the failure(s) described in this submission. This compliance statement considers only the acceptability of the correction method(s) and the revision(s) of administrative procedures described in the submission and does not express an opinionas to the accuracy or acceptability of any calculations or other materials submitted with the submission. The reliance provided by this compliance statement is limited to the specific failures and years specified and does not provide reliance for any other failure or year. In no event may this compliance statement be relied on for the purpose of concluding that the plan or Plan Sponsor was not a party to an abusive tax avoidance transaction. The compliance statement should not be construed as affecting the rights of any party under any other law, including Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This compliance statement is conditioned on (1) there being no misstatement or omission of material facts in connection with the submission and (2) the completion of all corrections described in this compliance statement within one hundred fifty (150) days of the date of the compliance statement. The Service will treat the failure to adopt interim amendments or amendments for optional law changes, as described in section 6.05(3)(a) of Rev. Proc. 2013–12 as if they had beenadopted timely for the purpose of making available the extended remedial amendment period currently set forth inRevenue Procedure 2007–44, 2007–2 C.B. 54, or its successors. However, this compliance statement does not constitute adeterminationastowhetheranysuchplanamendments,as drafted, comply with the applicable changes in qualification requirements. With regard to failure # relating to the 403(b) Plan failure to timely adopt a written plan, as required under the final § 403(b) regulations and Notice 2009–3, the Service willtreat the written plan as if it had been adopted timely for the purposes of making available the extended remedial amendment period set forth in Announcement 2009–89. However, this compliance statement does not constitutea determination as to whether the written plan, as drafted, complies with the applicable requirements associated with § 403(b) and the final § 403(b) regulations. With regard to failure # (provided that no modification has been made to either the plan document or adoption agreement of the plan that would otherwisecause the employer to lose reliance on theplan’s opinion or advisory letter), the corrective amendment will not cause the plan to lose its status as a Master or Prototype plan or Volume Submitter plan and (provided that no modification has been made that would otherwise affect the employer’s eligibility for the six-year remedial amendment cycle) the employer will be allowedto remain within the six-year remedial amendment cycle described in Revenue Procedure 2007–44, 2007–2 C.B. 54, on a continuing basis until the expiration of the next six-year remedial amendment cycle as provided in section 18.01 ofRev. Proc. 2007–44, or, if different, the deadline announced by the Service, as provided in section 18.03 of that revenue procedure. In addition, the issuance of this compliance statement constitutes a determination of the effect of the corrective plan amendment on the qualification of the plan, and a subsequent filing of a determination letter request on such amendment will not be required until the expiration of the next six-year remedial amendment cycle. The Service will not pursue the following on account of the qualification failure(s) described in this submission: Excise tax under Code section 4972. Excise tax under Code section 4973. Excise tax under Code section 4974. Excise tax under Code section 4979. January 22, 20134002013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: With respect to the Overpayment failures described in this submission that were corrected by removing improper distributions from the IRA(s) of the affected participant(s) and returning those distributions to the plan, the Service will not pursue % of the 10% additional income tax under Code § 72(t). With respect to the loan failure(s) described in this submission: Loan(s) that are corrected in accordance with one of the methods described in section 6.07(2) or 6.07(3) of Rev. Proc. 2013–12: The Servicewill not require deemed distributions under Code § 72(p) to be reported on Form 1099-R with respect to the participant(s) affected by the failure(s), and repayments made pursuant to the correction of such loan(s) will not result in an affected participant having additional basis in the plan for the purpose of determining the tax treatment of subsequent distributions from the plan to such participant(s). Loan(s) that are not being corrected in accordance with one of the methods described in section 6.07(2) or 6.07(3) of Rev. Proc. 2013–12: The Service will require deemed distributions under Code § 72(p) to be reported on Form 1099-R with respect to the participant(s) affected by the failure(s). However, the plan will be permitted to report deemed distributions on Form 1099-R in the year ofcorrection, instead of the year of the failure. Approved: Manager, Employee Plans Voluntary Compliance Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division Date: 2013–4 I.R.B.401January 22, 2013 APPENDIX C PART II, SCHEDULE 1 Interim and Certain Discretionary Nonamender Failures Plan Name: EIN:Plan #: (Please include the plan name, Applicant’s EIN, and plan number on each page of the submission, including attachments.) Instructions: (1) This Schedule 1 can be usedto report the correction of afailure to timely adopt good faith, interim amendments, or discretionary amendments required because of the plan’s implementation of an optional law change. Correction under this Schedule 1 results in the corrective amendment being treated as if ithad been timely adopted for purposes of determining the availability of the extended remedial amendment period.Thus, a Plan Sponsor may use this Schedule 1 for the failure to adopt a required interim or discretionary amendment ONLY if the corrective amendment was adopted before the expiration of the plan’s extended remedial amendment period (as determined under Rev. Proc. 2007–44) for that amendment.If the corrective amendment was adopted after the expiration of the extended remedial amendment period, then the Plan Sponsor must use Appendix C Part II, Schedule 2. (2) In accordance with (1) above, this Schedule 1 may be used to correct the failure to timely adopt a discretionary amendment required because of the plan’s implementation of an optional law change. For other failures to operate the plan in accordance with plan terms, do not use this Schedule 1. (3) All corrective amendments must be properly identified. Separate signed and dated amendments should be submitted. If the amendments are incorporated into a signed and dated restated document, the VCP submission must specify the page and section of the document that contains the amendment. SECTION I. IDENTIFICATION OF FAILURES (1) Were the amendments used to correct the failures under this Schedule 1 adopted before the expiration of the applicable extended remedial amendment period? Check applicable box and follow applicable instruction below: YES NO If “Yes,” proceed to (2) of this Section 1. If “No,”STOP — do NOT use this Schedule 1.In cases where late or non-amender failures are corrected after the expiration of the plan’s extended remedial amendment period, use Schedule 2. (2) Were the amendments adopted to correct the failure to timely adopt interim amendments or amendments required to implement optional law changes (see section 6.05(3)(a) of Rev. Proc. 2013–12)? YES NO If “Yes,” pr oceed to (3) of this Section I. If “No,”STO P — do NOT use this Schedule 1 (3) The Plan S ponsor identified did not timely adopt amendments for the following: (List each st atutory, regulatory, or other requirement for which the Plan was not timely amended, and specify for each such requiremen t the published cumulative list in which such requirement appears and the location of the corrective amendment in the documents i ncluded with the VCP submission (for example, by amendment number and paragraph number, or in the case of a restated pl an, by page and section number). Do not use a general statement referring only to a cumulative list or statute. For instance, t he following description wouldnotbe acceptable: “All interim amendments associated with the 20XX cumulative list [or the Pens ion Protection Act of 2006 (PPA)] were not timely adopted.”) Attach addi tional pages as needed. Label the attachment “Identification of Nonamender Failures” and include the plan name, plan sponsor’s E IN and plan number on each page.) January 22, 20134022013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: SECTION II. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED METHOD OF CORRECTION The Plan Sponsor has adopted amendments reflecting the items listed in Section I(3) of this Schedule 1. These amendments are effective retroactive to the effective dates of the specific provisions contained in the amendments. The signed and dated amendments have been enclosed with this submission. SECTION III. CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES The Applicant has taken the following step(s) to ensure that the failure(s) will not recur: SECTION IV. ENCLOSURES In addition to the applicable items listed on the Procedural Requirements Checklist for Form 8950, the Plan Sponsor encloses copies of the signed and dated amendments used to correct the failure(s) identified in Part I of this Schedule 1. 2013–4 I.R.B.403January 22, 2013 APPENDIX C PART II, SCHEDULE 2 Nonamender Failures (other than those to which Schedule 1 applies) and Failure to Adopt a 403(b) Plan Timely Plan Name: EIN:Plan #: (Please include the plan name, Applicant’s EIN, and plan number on each page of the submission, including attachments.) SECTION I. IDENTIFICATION OF FAILURES A. Qualified Plans: The plan identifiedabove was not amended to comply with the applicable provisions of the following legislative and regulatory requirements by the applicable deadlines in accordance with § 401(b) andthe regulations thereunder: The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) The Tax Equity a nd Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA) The Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 (DEFRA) The Retirement Equity Act of 1984 (REA) The Tax Reform A ct of 1986 (TRA ’86) The Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1992 (UCA) The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA) GUST (include s The Uruguay Round AgreementsAct, the Uniformed ServicesEmployment andReemployment Rights Act of 1 994, the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996,the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, the Internal Revenue Servi ce Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, and the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000) The changes re quired by the Cumulative List for the plan’s last on-cycle year: The changes required by the 2004 Cumulative List (Notice 2004–84, 2004–2 C.B. 1030) for an eligible employer using a pre-approved defined contributionplanwhofailedtoadoptthepre-approvedplanby 4/30/10, as required by Announcement 2008–23, 2008-1 C.B. 731. The changes required by the 2005 Cumulative List (Notice 2005–101, 2005–2 C.B. 1219) for Cycle A individually designed plans. The changes r equired by the 2006 Cumulative List (Notice 2007–3, 2007–1 C.B. 255) for Cycle B individually designed pla ns, and any eligible employer using a pre-approved defined benefit plan who failed to adopt the pre-approve d plan by 4/30/12, as required by Announcement 2010–20, 2010–15 I.R.B. 551.) The changes r equired by the 2007 Cumulative List (Notice 2007–94, 2007–2 C.B. 1179) for Cycle C individuall y designed plans. The changes required by the 2008 Cumulative List (Notice 2008–108, 2008–50 I.R.B. 1275) for Cycle D individually designed plans. The changes required by the 2009 Cumulative List (Notice 2009–98, 2009–52 I.R.B. 974) for Cycle E individually designed plans. The changes required by the 2010 Cumulative List (Notice 2010–90, 2010–52 I.R.B. 909) for Cycle A individual ly designed plans. The changes required by the 2011 Cumulative List (Notice 2011–97, 2011–52 I.R.B. 923) for Cycle B individually designed plans. The changes required by the 2012 Cumulative List (Notice 2012–76, 2012–52 I.R.B. 775) for Cycle C individually designed plans. Amendments required as a condition for a favorable determination letter. If this item was selected answer the following questions by checking the applicable boxes: Is this the sole failure for the VCP submission?YesNo January 22, 20134042013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: Were the amendments signed within three months of the expiration of the remedial amendment period for adopting the amendments?YesNo Other (specify the legal requirementand applicable Cumulative List): B. 403(b) Plan: The Plan Sponsor did not timely adopt a written plan as required by the final 403(b) regulations and Notice 2009–3, 2009–2 I.R.B. 250. SECTION II. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED METHOD OF CORRECTION A. Qualified Plan. The Plan Sponsor has adopted (or will adopt) amendments that satisfy the requirements of all of the items checked in Section IA of this Appendix C Part II, Schedule2, retroactively to the effective dates of the specific provisions contained in the amendments. The amendments and restated plan documents (where applicable) are enclosed with this submission. B. 403(b) Plan. Failure to adopt a written plan timely. The Plan Sponsor has adopted a written plan retroactive to the later of the effective date of the final 403(b) regulations or the initial effective date of the plan. A copy of the signed and dated 403(b) plan is enclosed with this submission. SECTION III. CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES The Plan Sponsor has taken the following step(s) to ensure that the failure(s) will not recur: SECTION IV. ENCLOSURES In addition to the applicable items listed on the Procedural Requirements Checklist for Form 8950, the Plan Sponsor encloses the following documents, as appropriate, with this submission: ●Copies of all amendments used to correct the failure(s), either as adopted or in proposed form, ●A copy of the plan document in effect prior to any ofthe amendments used to correct the failure(s), ●A copy of the most recent determination letter issued with respect to the plan (if applicable), 2013–4 I.R.B.405January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: ● If required by Section 6.05 of Rev. Proc. 2013–12, a determination letter application (Form 5300, 5307, or 5310 along with Form 8717 and the applicable user fee payment made payable to the United States Treasury), or ●For 403(b) Plans, a copy of the signed and dated 403(b) plan document. January 22, 20134062013–4 I.R.B. APPENDIX C PART II, SCHEDULE 3 SEPs and SARSEPs Plan Name: EIN:Plan #: (Please include the plan name, Applicant’s EIN, and plan number on each page of the submission, including attachments.) Instructions: This Schedule 3 is available for Simplified Employee Pension plans (SEPs), including SEPs that include salary reduction arrangements (i.e.Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pension plans (SARSEPs)). SECTION I. IDE NTIFICATION OF FAILURE(S) AND PROPOSED METHOD(S) OF CORRECTION The following failure(s) occurred with respect to the plan identified above. Check the failure(s) that apply. Within each failure, check applica ble boxes, and provide the information requested: A. Employer Eligibility Failure(SARSEPs only) The Plan Sponsor was not eligible to sponsora SARSEP because the plan was established on . (Plan Sponsors were not permitted to establish SARSEPs after December 31, 1996.) The plan was adopted by a Plan Sponsor who was (or subsequently became) ineligible to sponsor a SARSEP under the requirements of §408(k)(6) because the Plan Sponsor (and, if applicable its related controlled group or affiliated service group employers) had more than 25 employees (including leased employees, if applicable) during the following plan year(s): The plan was adopted by a Plan Sponsor that became ineligible to sponsor a SARSEPunder the requirements of § 408(k)(6) because, in one or more plan year(s),fewerthan 50% of the employees eligible to participate in the plan elected to make salary reduction contributions. The failure occurred during the following plan year(s): Description of Proposed Method of Correction: All contributions ceased as of (insert date beginning no later than the date this VCP submission is filed with the Service). The Plan Sponsor will not permit any new salary reduction contributions to the plan. B. Failure to s atisfy the deferral percentage test(SARSEPs only) At least one highly compensated employee (“HCE”) deferred an amount which, as a percentage of compensation, was more than 125% of the average deferral percentage (“ADP”) for all nonhighly compensated employees (“NHCEs”) eligible to participate inthe plan (§ 408(k)(6)(A)(iii)). The total excess deferrals for each affected plan year were as follows: YearExcess Deferrals 2013–4 I.R.B.407January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: Description of the Proposed Method of Correction The Plan Sponsor has made (or will make) nonforfeitable contributions on behalf of all eligible NHCEs. Each eligible NHCE will receive a contribution equal to a uniform percentage of compensation. The uniform percentage is equal to the difference between the (1) ADP that would have been required for an HCE’s deferral percentage to have passed the nondiscrimination test and (2) the actual ADP for NHCEs. (Example:In a particular plan year, an HCE defers 10% of compensation. The ADP for NHCEs for the same plan year is 5% of compensation. However, in order for the plan to pass the nondiscrimination test, the ADP should have been 8% of compensation. The corrective contribution on behalf of each eligible NHCE will be equal to 3% of compensation.) The corrective contribution made on behalfof each NHCE will also be adjusted for Earnings. Earnings will be calculated from the last day of the plan year for which the failure occurred through the date of the corrective contribution. The corrective contribution (adjusted for Earnings) willbe made to each affected NHCE’s SARSEP IRA account. If an affected employee does not have a SARSEP IRA account, a SARSEP IRA account will be established for thatemployee. Earnings will be calculated for an affected NHCE’s account on the basis of one of the following methods (check one): Actual investment results of the affected NHCE’s SARSEP IRA account. The interest rate incorporated in the Department of Labor’s Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program Online Calculator (“VFCP Online Calculator”) (http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/calculator/main.html), since the actual Earnings of the affected NHCE’s SARSEP IRA account cannot be ascertained. Actual investment results for years in which data is available, or the rate incorporated in the VFCP Online Calculator for years in which the actual Earnings of the affected NHCE’s SARSEP IRA account cannot be ascertained. The VFCP Online Calculator was or will be used for the following year(s): The total corrective contribution (beforeadjusting for Earnings) on behalf of the affected NHCEs for each plan year is as follows: YearExcess Deferrals Former employees affectedby the failure (check one): There are no former employees affected by the failure. Affected former employees (or if deceased, their estate orknown beneficiary) will be contacted, and corrective contributions will be made to their SARSEP IRA accounts. To the extent that an affected former employee or beneficiary cannot be located following a mailing to the last known address, the Plan Sponsor will take the actions specified below to locate that employee or beneficiary: January 22, 20134082013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: After such actions are taken, if an affected employee or beneficiary is not found but is subsequently located on a later date, the Plan Sponsor will make corrective contributions to the affected SARSEP IRA account at that time. C. Failure to Make Required Employer Contributions(SEPs or SARSEPs) The Plan Sponsor failed to make employer contributionson behalf of eligible employees as required under the terms of the plan. The failure occurred on account of the erroneous exclusion of eligible employees. Other (describe): The failure occurred for the following plan year(s): Description of the Proposed Method of Correction: The Plan Sponsor has contributed (or will contribute) additional amounts to the plan on behalf of each affected employee. For each affected employee, the corrective contribution will be determined by calculatingthe contribution the employee would have been entitled to under the terms of the plan and subtracting any contributions already made on behalfoftheparticipantforthe plan year. The required contribution made on behalf of an affected participant will be adjusted for Earnings. Earnings will be calculated from the last day of the plan yearfor which the failure occurred through the date of the corrective contribution. The corrective contribution (adjusted for Earnings) will be made to each affected employee’s SEP(or SARSEP, if applicable) IRA account. If an affected employee does not have a SEP (or SARSEP,if applicable) IRA account, a SEP (or SARSEP, if applicable) account will be established for that employee. The total corrective contribution (beforeadjusting for Earnings) for each year is: YearCorrective Contribution Earnings will be calculated for an affected employee on the basis of the following method(s) (check one): Actual investment results of the affected employee’s SEP or SARSEP IRA account. The interest rate incorporated in the VFCP Online Calculator, since the actual Earnings of the affected employee’s IRA account cannot be ascertained. Actual investment results for years in which data is available, or the rate incorporated in the VFCP Online Calculator for years in which the actual Earnings of the affectedemployee’s IRA cannot be ascertained. The VFCP Online Calculator was or will be used for the following year(s): Former employees affectedby the failure (check one): There are no former employees affected by the failure. Affected former employees (or if deceased, their estate orknown beneficiary) will be contacted, and corrective contributions will be made to their SEP or SARSEP IRA accounts. To the extent that an affected former employee or beneficiary cannot be located following a mailing to the last known address, the Plan Sponsor will take the actions specified below to locate that employee or beneficiary: 2013–4 I.R.B.409January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: After such actions are taken, if an affected employee or beneficiary is not found but is subsequently located on a later date, the Plan Sponsor will make corrective contributions to the affected SEP or SARSEP IRA account at that time. D. Failure to provide eligible employees with the opportunity to make elective deferrals(SARSEPs only) The plan did not provide employee(s) who satisfied the applicable eligibility requirements with the opportunity to make elective deferrals to the SAR SEP. The failure occurred for the following plan year(s): Description of the Proposed Method of Correction: The Plan Sponsor has contributed (or will contribute) additional amounts to the plan on behalf of each affected employee. The corrective contribution will be made to compensate the affected employee(s) for the missed deferral opportunity. The corrective contribution on behalf of each affected employee is equal to 50%of what the employee’s deferral might have been had he or she been provided with the opportunity to make elective deferrals tothe plan. Since the employee’s deferral decision is not known, the deferral amount is estimated by determining the average of the deferral percentages for the employee’s group (highly compensated or nonhighly compensated). (Example:N, an NHCE, was erroneously excluded from the plan. During the year of exclusion, N made $10,000 in compensation. The average ofthe deferral percentages for other NHCEs who were provided with the opportunity to make elective deferrals was 5%. N’s missed deferral is estimated to be: 5% times $10,000 or $500. The required corrective contribution on behalf of N, before adjusting for Earnings, is 50% of $500 or $250.) The total corrective contribution (before adjusting for Earnings) on behalf of the affected NHCEs for each plan year is as follows: YearCorrective Contribution The corrective contribution made on behalf of each affected employee willalso be adjusted for Earnings. Earnings will be calculated from the date(s) that the contribution(s) should have been made through the date of the corrective contribution. The corrective contribution (adjusted for Earnings) will be made to each affected employee’s SARSEP IRA account. If an affected employee does not have a SARSEP IRA account, a SARSEP IRA account will be established for thatemployee. Earnings will be calculated on the basis of one of the following methods (check one): Actual investment results of the affected employee’s SARSEP IRA account. The interest rate incorporated in the VFCP Online Calculator, since the actual Earnings of the affected employee’s IRA account cannot be ascertained. January 22, 20134102013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: Actual investment results for years in which data is available, or the rate incorporated in the VFCP Online Calculator for years in which the actual Earnings of the affected employee’s IRA account cannot be ascertained. The VFCP Online Calculator was or will be used for the following year(s): Former employees affectedby the failure (check one): There are no former employees affected by the failure. Affected former employees (or if deceased, their estate orknown beneficiary) will be contacted, and corrective contributions will be made to their SARSEP IRA accounts. To the extent that an affected former employee or beneficiary cannot be located following a mailing to the last known address, the Plan Sponsor will take the actions specified below to locate that employee or beneficiary: After such actions are taken, if an affected employee or beneficiary is not found but is subsequently located on a later date, the Plan Sponsor will make corrective contributionsto the affected SEP or SARSEP IRA account at that time. E.Excess Amounts Contributed The Plan Sponsor contributed Excess Amounts to the Plan on behalf of participants as follows: (check boxes that apply) Amounts were contributed in excess of the benefit the participants were entitled to under the plan. SARSEP only: Elective deferrals were contributed to the SARSEP in excess of the limitation under the terms of the SARSEP (e.g., the lesser of 25% of compensation or the applicable limit under § 402(g)). The total of the Excess Amounts for each affected plan year was as follows: YearExcess AmountsNumber of Participants Affected Description of the Proposed Method of Correction (check all c orrection methods that apply) Distributi on of Excess Elective Deferrals (SARSEPs only) The Plan Sponsor has effected (or will effect) a corrective distribution of theExcess Amounts, adjusted for Earnings through the date of correction, to the affected participant(s). The Earnings adjustment will be based on the actual rates of return of the participant’s SARSEP IRA accountfrom the date(s) that the excess deferrals were made through the date of correction. 2013–4 I.R.B.411January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: Affected participants were (or will be) informed that the corrective distribution of an Excess Amount is not eligible for favorable tax treatment accorded to distributions from a SARSEP and, specifically, is not eligible for tax-free rollover. The total corrective distribution (before adjusting for Earnings) for each affected year is as follows: YearCorrective DistributionNumber of Participants Affected Distribution of Excess Employer Contributions The Plan Sponsor has effected (or will effect) the returnof excess employer contributions, adjusted for Earnings through the date of correction, to the Plan Sponsor. TheEarnings adjustment will be based on the actual rates of return of the SEP or SARSEP from the date(s) that the excess employer contributions were made through the date of correction. The amount returned to the Plan Sponsor is not includible in the gross income of the affected participant(s). The Plan Sponsor is not entitled to a deduction for such excess employer contributions. The amount returned is reported on Form 1099-R as a distribution issued to the affected participant(s), indicating the taxable amount as zero. The amount to be returned to the Plan Sponsor (before adjusting for Earnings) for each affected year is as follows: YearReturn of Excess Employer ContributionsNumber of Participants Affected Retention of Excess Amounts Note: If this correction method is selected, an additional VCP fee is required. (See section 12.06(2) of Rev. Proc. 2013–12.) The Excess Amounts (including Earnings) were retained in the SARSEP or SEP IRA accounts of the affected participants as follows: January 22, 20134122013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: YearExcess Amounts RetainedNumber of Participants Affected The Earnings adjustment will be based on the actual ratesof return of the SEP or SARSEP from the date(s) that the excess employer contributions were made through the date of correction. Excess Amounts of $100 or less. (See section 6.02(5)(e) of Rev. Proc. 2013–12.) For one or more participants, the total Excess Amount (employer contributions and/or elective deferrals before adjusting for Earnings) is $100 or less. The Excess Amount will not be distributed. SECTION II. CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES Please include an explanation of how and why the failures aroseand a description of the measures that will be implemented to ensure that the same failures will not recur. SECTION III. REQUEST(S) FOR EXCISE TAX RELIEF (check applicable boxes) Excise tax pursuant to § 4979. The Applicant requests that the Service not pursue the excise tax under § 4979. (This applies only to failures to satisfy the nondiscrimination test for elective deferrals. See section 6.09(4) of Rev. Proc. 2013–12 for an example of a situation where a request for relief under § 4979 would be considered. Please enclose a written explanation in support of your request for relief from this excise tax.) Excise tax pursuant to § 4972. The Applicant requests that the Service not pursue the excise tax under § 4972. (This applies to situations where corrective contributions made in accordance with this submission would be nondeductible contributions for the year of correction and thus would be subject to the excise tax under § 4972. See section 6.09(3) of Rev. Proc. 2013–12. Please enclose a written explanation in support of your request for relief from this excise tax.) SECTION IV. ENCLOSURES In addition to the applicable items listed on the Procedural Requirements Checklist for Form 8950, the Plan Sponsor encloses the following with this submission: ● The applicable plan document. (This could be an IRS form document, such as a Form 5305-SEP or 5305A-SEP, or a prototype plan document developed by a financial institution. If a prototype plan document is used, include a copy of the most recent favorable opinion letter issued for such plan document). 2013–4 I.R.B.413January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: ●A written explanation of how and why the failure(s) described in this submission occurred, including a description of the administrative procedures applicable to the failure(s) in effect atthe time the failure(s) occurred. ●For failures that involve corrective contributions or corrective distributions, a description of assumptions and supporting calculations used to determine the amounts needed for correction: 1) For failures to satisfy the nondiscrimination test for elective deferrals, computations in support of the proposed correction including: a) The determination of HCEs and NHCEs, b) The deferral percentages of individual employees and the applicable ADP calculations, c) The determination of corrective contributionson behalf of NHCEs to correct the ADP test, and d) Calculations showing how the Earnings adjustment and the ultimate corrective contribution on behalf of affected employees will be determined. (Please use estimates, including an estimated correction date, if corrective distributions have not been made yet.) 2) For failures to make required employer contributions and for failures to provide eligible employees with the opportunity to make elective deferrals: a) Computations in support of the corrective contribution amounts attributable to each participant. In the case of a failure to provide eligible employees with the opportunity to make elective deferrals, please include computations showing how the average deferral percentage, missed deferral, and corrective contribution amount was determined. b) Calculations showing how the Earnings adjustment and the ultimate corrective contribution on behalf of affected employees will be determined. 3) For failures involving the contribution of Excess Amounts: a) Computations in support of the excess contribution amounts attributableto each participant; and b) Calculations showing how the Earnings adjustment and the ultimate corrective distribution amounts are determined. (Please use estimates, including an estimated correction date, if corrective distributions have not been made yet.) ●Explanations in support of requests for excise tax relief. ●Any other information that would be useful for the purpose of understanding the proposals made under the submission. January 22, 20134142013–4 I.R.B. APPENDIX C PART II, SCHEDULE 4 SIMPLE IRAs Plan Name: EIN:Plan #: (Please include the plan name, Applicant’s EIN, and plan number on each page of the submission, including attachments.) SECTION I. IDENTIFICATION OF FAILURE(S) AND PROPOSED METHOD(S) OF CORRECTION The following failure(s) occurred with respect to the SIMPLE IRA Plan identified above: (Check failure(s) that apply. Within each failure, check applicable boxes, and provide the information requested.) A. Employer Eligi bility Failure The plan was ado pted by a Plan Sponsor who was (or subsequently became) ineligible to sponsor a SIMPLE IRA Plan under t he requirements of § 408(p) because the Plan Sponsor (and, if applicable, its related controlled gr oup or affiliated service group employers) had more than 100 employees (including leased employees, if applicable) who earned $5,000 or more in compensation during the following plan year(s): The plan was ad opted by a Plan Sponsor who was not eligible to sponsor a SIMPLE IRA Plan under the requirements of § 408(p) because the Plan Sponsor establishedor maintained a Qualified Plan with respect to which contri butions were made (or under which benefits were accrued) during any plan year of the SIMPLE IRA Plan. The failure occurred during the following plan year(s): Description of the Proposed Method of Correction: All contribu tions to the plan ceased as of (insert a date no later than the date this VCP submissi on is filed with the Service). The Plan Sponsor will not permit any new employer or salary reduction co ntributions to be made to the plan. B. Failure to Make Required Employer Contributions The Plan Sponsor failed to make employer contributionson behalf of eligible employees as required under the terms of the plan. The failure occurred on account of the erroneous exclusion of eligible employees Other (describe): The failure occurred for the following plan years: For the appl icable plan years, the provisions of the plan document required the Plan Sponsor to make employer contributi ons based on the following formula: 2% nonelective contribution on behalf of each eligible employee who earned at least $5,000 in compensation for the year. Matching contribution on behalf of each eligible employee equal to deferrals up to 3% of compensation. Grace perio d applied. The plan provided for a matching contribution on behalf of each eligible employee equal to def errals up to % of compensation. (Note: If th e failure occurred for multiple plan years and different employer contribution criteria applied during those years , check the applicable box, and indicate the plan years for which the formula applied.) 2013–4 I.R.B.415January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: Description of the Proposed Method of Correction: The Plan Sponsor has contributed (or will contribute) additional amounts to the plan on behalf of each affected employee. For each affected employee, the corrective contribution will be determined by calculating the contribution the employee would have been entitled to receive under the terms of the plan and subtracting any contributions already made on behalf of the employee for the plan year. The corrective contribution made on behalf of an affected employee will be adjusted for Earnings. Earnings will be calculated from the last day of the plan year for which the failure occurred through the date of the corrective contribution. The corrective contribution (adjusted for Earnings) will be made to each affected employee’s SIMPLE IRA account. If an affected employee does not have a SIMPLE IRA account, an account will be established for that employee. If the plan did not provide eligible employees with the opportunity to make elective deferrals and the plan provides for matching contributions, the corrective matching contribution will be based on the assumption that the eligible employee would have made an elective deferral equal to 3% of compensation. The total corrective contribution (before adjusting for Earnings) for each plan year is: YearCorrective Contribution The Earnings calculation for an affected employee will bebased on one of the following method(s) (check one): Actual investment results of the affected employee’s SIMPLE IRA account. The interest rate incorporated in the Department of Labor’s Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program Online Calculator (VFCP Online Calculator) (http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/calculator/main.html), since the actual Earnings of the affected employee’s IRA account cannot be ascertained. Actual investment results for years in which data for the affected employee is available, and the rate incorporated in the VFCP Online Calculator for years in which the actual investment results of the affected employee’s IRA account cannot be ascertained. The VFCP Online Calculator was or will be used for the following year(s): Former employees affected by the failure (check one): There are no former employees affected by the failure. Affected former employees (or if deceased, their estate or known beneficiary) will be contacted, and corrective contributions will be made to their SIMPLE IRA accounts. To the extent that an affected former employee or beneficiary cannot be located following a mailing to the last known address, the Plan Sponsor will take the actions specified below to locate that employee or beneficiary: January 22, 20134162013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: After such actions are taken, if an affected employeeor beneficiary is not found but is subsequently located on a later date, the Plan Sponsor will make corrective contributions to the affected SIMPLE IRA account at that time. C. Failure to provide eligible employees with the opportunity to make elective deferrals The Plan Sponsor did not provide employee(s) who satisfied the applicable eligibility requirements with the opportunity to make elective deferrals to the SIMPLE IRA plan. The failure occurred for the following plan year(s): Description of the Proposed Method of Correction The Plan Sponsor has contributed (or will contribute) additional amounts to the plan on behalf of each affected employee. The corrective contribution will be made to compensate the affected employee(s) for the missed deferral opportunity. The corrective contribution on behalf of each affected employee is equal to 50% of what the employee’s deferral might have been had he or she been provided withthe opportunity to make elective deferrals to the plan. Since the employee’s deferral decision is not known, the deferral amount is estimated by assuming that the excluded employee would have made an elective deferral equal to 3% of his or her compensation. (Example:N, a nonhighly compensated employee was erroneously excluded fromthe plan. During the year of exclusion, N made $10,000 in compensation. N’s missed deferral is estimated tobe: 3% times $10,000 or $300. The required corrective contribution on behalf of N, before adjusting for Earnings, is 50% of $300 or $150). Thus, the required corrective contribution for an employee who was erroneously excluded from making elective deferrals from a SIMPLE IRA Plan is equal to 1.5% of compensation (adjusted for Earnings). The total corrective contribution (before adjusting for Earnings) on behalf of the affected employees for each plan year is as follows: YearCorrective contribution The corrective contribution made on behalf of each affected employee will also be adjusted for Earnings. Earnings will be calculated from the date(s) that the contribution(s) should have been made through the date of the corrective contribution. The corrective contribution (adjusted for Earnings) will bemade to each affected employee’s SIMPLE IRA account. If an affected employee does not have a SIMPLE IRA account, a SIMPLE IRA account will be established for that employee. Earnings will be calculated on the basis of one of the following methods (check one): Actual investment results of the affected employee’s SIMPLE IRA account. The interest rate incorporated in the VFCP Online Calculator, since the actual Earnings of the affected employee’s IRA account cannot be ascertained. Actual investment results for years in which data for the affected employee is available, and the rate incorporated in the VFCP Online Calculator for years in which the actual investment results of the affected employee’s IRA account cannot be ascertained. The VFCP Online Calculator was or will be used for the following year(s): 2013–4 I.R.B.417January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: Former employees affected by the failure (check one): There are no former employees affected by the failure. Affected former employees (or if deceased, their estate or known beneficiary) will be contacted, and corrective contributions will be made to their SIMPLE IRA accounts. To the extent that an affected former employee or beneficiary cannot be located following a mailing to the last known address, the Plan Sponsor will take the actions specified below to locate that employee or beneficiary: After such actions are taken, if an affected employeeor beneficiary is not found but is subsequently located on a later date, the Plan Sponsor will make a corrective contribution to the affected SIMPLE IRA account at that time. D. Excess Amounts Contributed The Plan Sponsor contributed Excess Amounts to the plan on behalf of participants as follows: (check boxes that apply) Amounts were contributed in excess of the benefit the participants were entitled to under the plan. Elective def errals were made to the SIMPLE IRA in excess of the limitation under the terms of the SIMPLE IRA (e.g.,th e applicable limit under § 408(p)(2)(E)). The total of t he Excess Amounts for each affected plan year was as follows: YearExcess Amoun ts Number of Par ticipants Affected Descriptio n of the Proposed Method of Correction: (check all c orrection methods that apply) Distributi on of Excess Elective Deferrals The Plan Sponsor has effected (or will effect) a distribution of the Excess Amounts, adjusted for Earnings through the date of correction, to the affectedparticipant(s). The Earnings adjustment will be based on the actual rates of return of the participant’s SIMPLE IRA account from the date(s) that the excess deferrals were made through the date of correction. Affected participants were (or will be) informed that the distribution of an Excess Amount is not eligible for favorable tax treatment accorded to distributionsfrom a SIMPLE IRA and, specifically, is not eligible for tax-free rollover. January 22, 20134182013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: The total corrective distribution (before adjusting for Earnings) for each affectedplan year is as follows: YearCorrective DistributionNumber of Participants Affected Distribution of Excess Employer Contributions The Plan Sponsor has effected (or will effect) the returnof excess employer contributions, adjusted for Earnings through the date of correction, to the Plan Sponsor. TheEarnings adjustment will be based on the actual rates of return on the affected participants’ SIMPLE IRA accounts from the date(s) that the excess employer contributions were made through the date of correction. The amount returned to the Plan Sponsor is not includible in the gross income of the affected participant(s). The Plan Sponsor is not entitled to adeduction for such excess employer contributions. The amount returned is reported on Form 1099-Ras a distribution issued to the affected participant(s), indicating the taxable amount as zero. The return of the excess employer contributions (before adjusting for Earnings) for each affected plan year is as follows: YearReturn of Excess Employer ContributionsNumber of Participants Affected Retention of Excess Amounts Note:If this correction method is selected, an additional VCP fee is required. (See section 12.06(2) of Rev. Proc. 2013–12.) The Excess Amounts (including Earnings) were retained in the SIMPLE IRA accounts of the affected participants as follows: YearExcess Amounts RetainedNumber of Participants Affected 2013–4 I.R.B.419January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: The Earnings adjustment will be based on the actual rates of return of the SIMPLE IRA from the date(s) that the excess employer contributions were made through the date of correction. Excess Amounts of $100 or less (See section 6.02(5)(e) of Rev. Proc. 2013–12.) For one or more participants, the total Excess Amount (employer contributions and/orelective deferrals before adjusting for Earnings) is $100 or less. The Excess Amount will not be distributed. Former employees affected by the Excess Amounts failure (check one): There are no former employees affected by the failure. Affected former employees (or if deceased, their estate or known beneficiary) will be contacted, and corrective contributions will be made to their SIMPLE IRA accounts. To the extent that an affected former employee or beneficiary cannot be located following a mailing to the last known address, the Plan Sponsor will take the actions specified below to locate that employee or beneficiary. After such actions are taken, if an affected employeeor beneficiary is not found but is subsequently located on a later date, the Plan Sponsor will make corrective contributions to the affected SIMPLE IRA account at that time. SECTION II. CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES Please include an explanation of how and why the failures aroseand a description of the measures that will be implemented to ensure that the same failures will not recur. SECTION III. REQUEST(S) FOR EXCISE TAX RELIEF (check if applicable) Excise tax pursuant to § 4972. The Plan Sponsor requests that the Service not pursue the excise tax under § 4972. (This applies to situations where corrective contributions made in accordance with this submission would be nondeductible contributions for the year of correction andsubject to the excise tax under § 4972. See section 6.09(3) of Rev. Proc. 2013–12. Please enclose a written explanation in support of your request for relief from this excise tax.) January 22, 20134202013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: SECTION IV. ENCLOSURES In addition to the applicable items listed on the Procedural Requirements Checklist for Form 8950, the Plan Sponsor encloses the following with this submission: ● The applicable plan document. (This could be an IRS form document, such as a 5305-SIMPLE or 5304 SIMPLE, or a prototype document developed by a financial institution. If a prototype plan document is used, please send a copy of the most recent opinion letter issuedwith respect to such plan document.) ●A written explanation of how and why the failure(s) described in this submission occurred, including a description of the administrative procedures applicable to the failure(s) in effect atthe time the failure(s) occurred. ●For failures that involve corrective contributions or corrective distributions, a description of assumptions and supporting calculations used to determine the amount needed for correction: 1) For failures to make required employer contributions and for failures to provide eligible employees with the opportunity to make elective deferrals: a) Computations in support of the corrective contribution amounts attributable to each participant. In the case of a failure to provide eligible employees with the opportunity to make elective deferrals, please include computations showing how the average deferral percentage, missed deferral, and corrective contribution amount were determined. b) Calculations showing how the Earnings adjustment and the ultimate corrective contribution on behalf of affected employees will be determined. (Please use estimates, including an estimated correction date, if corrective contributions have not been made yet.) 2) For failures involving the contribution of Excess Amounts: a) Computations in support of the excess contribution amounts attributable to each participant. b) Calculations showing how the Earnings adjustment and the ultimate corrective distribution amounts are determined. (Please use estimates, including an estimated correction date, if corrective distributions have not been made yet.) ●Explanations in support of requests for excise tax relief. ●Any other information that would be useful for the purpose of understanding the proposals made under the submission. 2013–4 I.R.B.421January 22, 2013 APPENDIX C PART II, SCHEDULE 5 Plan Loan Failures (Qualified Plans and 403(b) Plans) Plan Name: EIN:Plan #: (Please include the plan name, Applicant’s EIN, and plan number on each page of the submission, including attachments.) The plan identified above did not comply with the requirements of § 72(p)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. (Note: The conditions of § 72(p)(2) must be satisfied for a participant loan to be exempt from being treated as a distribution to the participant under § 72(p)(1).) The failure occurred for the following reason(s) (check applicable boxes and provide the information requested): A. The loan(s) exceeded the limit under § 72(p)(2)(A) Plan YearNumber of participants affectedTotal number of loans issued that violated § 72(p)(2)(A) B. Loan terms did not satisfy the limits on the duration of the loan under § 72(p)(2)(B) Plan YearNumber of part icipants affected Total number o f loans issued that violated § 72( p)(2)(B) C. Loan terms di d not satisfy § 72(p)(2)(C) relating to the frequency and amortization of payments Plan YearNumber of participants affectedTotal number of loans issued that violated § 72(p)(2)(C) January 22, 20134222013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: D. Defaulted loan(s) (where the loan terms satisfied therequirements of § 72(p)(2), butdefault(s) occurred because loan payments were not made in accordance with the terms of the loan) Plan Year of loan defaultsNumber of participants affectedTotal number of loans in default SECTION II. ELIGIBILITY FOR USE OF APPENDIX C, SCHEDULE 5 Yes No A. Is any affected participant either a key employee (as defined in § 416(i)(1)) or an owner-employee (as defined in § 401(c)(3))? If “Yes,”proceed to Section II B. If “No,”skip Section II B and proceed to Section II C. Yes No B. Is the purpose of this request limited to permitting the Plan Sponsor to report the loan as a deemed distribution in the year of correction instead of the year of the failure? If “Yes,”complete Section III and then proceed directly to Section IV D. (Sections IV A, B, and C do not apply.) If “No,”STOP — do NOT use this schedule. Any request for relief should be made by filing a detailed written attachment describing the relief requested and the reasons why such relief should be granted. Yes No C. Will correction be completed before the maximum period for repayment of the loan (pursuant to § 72(p)(2)(B)) has expired? (Note: The maximum period is determinedfrom the original date of the loan. Generally, this period is five years from the original date of the loan, except for home loans as described in § 72(p)(2)(B)(ii).) If ”Yes,” and the Plan Sponsor wants relief from reporting the loan as a deemed distribution,complete Section III and then answer applicable questions in Sections IV A through IV C. If “No,”complete Section III and then proceed to Section IV D. SECTION III. EXPLANATION OF HOW AND WHY THE PLAN LOAN FAILURES OCCURRED 2013–4 I.R.B.423January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: SECTION IV. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED METHOD OF CORRECTION If the Plan Sponsor is requesting relief from reporting loans as deemed distributions, then complete Sections IV A, B, or C, as applicable. If the Plan Sponsor is only requesting postponement of reporting loans as deemed distributions on Form 1099-R, then proceed directly to Section IV D. A. Correction for Loans in Excess of § 72(p)(2)(A): Any participant affected by thisfailure will make a corrective repayment to the plan. After repaying the excess of the loan amount over the maximum loan amount under § 72(p)(2)(A) (the “excess loan amount”), the remaining balance of the loan will be repaid over the remaining period of the original loan (not beyond the period permitted under § 72(p)(2)(B), determined from the original date of the loan) in a manner that complies with the frequency and level payment requirements of § 72(p)(2)(C). The excess loan amount that will be repaid by the participant is determined based on how previously made payments have been applied to the loan. The previous loan payments were applied as follows (checkapplicable box, and complete necessary information): Prior loan payments were made in accordance with an amortization schedule that complied with the requirements of § 72(p)(2)(B) relating to the terms of the loan and § 72(p)(2)(C) relating to frequency, and level loan payments. For the purpose of determining the excess loan amount and the remaining outstanding amount of the loan to be repaid over the remaining period of the loan, the previously made loan payments will be applied as follows (check box that applies) 1. Solely to reduce the portion of the loan that did not exceed the maximum loan amount under § 72(p)(2)(A). Result: The corrective repaymentwould equal the excess loan amount plus interest thereon. 2. To reduce the excess loan amount to the extent of the interest thereon, with the remainder of the repayments applied to reduce the portion of theloan that did not exceed the maximum loan amount under § 72(p)(2)(A). Result: The corrective repayment would equal the excess loan amount. 3. Pro rata against the excess loan amount and the maximum loan amount under § 72(p)(2)(A). Result: The corrective repayment would equal the outstanding balance remaining on the excess loan amount on the date that corrective repayment is made. Prior loan payments were not made in accordance with an amortization schedule that complied with the requirements of § 72(p)(2)(B) or (C): Methodology for determining the excess loan amount that will be repaid and the remaining outstanding balance of the loan that will be amortized over the remaining period of the loan: After the corrective repayment is made: (Check one of the two options listed below) Option 1: The remaining loan balance will be repaid according to the original amortization schedule. (This option is available only if the original amortization schedule would result in the loan being repaid within the maximum period permitted under § 72(p)(2)(B) determined from the original date of the loan.) January 22, 20134242013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: Option 2: The loan will be reformed to amortize the remaining principal balance as of the date of repayment over the remaining period of the original loan, provided that the recalculated payments over the remaining period comply withthe requirements of § 72(p)(2)(B) determined from the original date of the loan. B. Correction for loans with terms that: (i) provided for a repayment period that exceeded the period permitted under § 72(p)(2)(B) and/or (ii) provided for payments that did not provide for substantially level amortization with payments not less frequently thanquarterly, as provided under § 72(p)(2)(C): (check the box that applies) 1. The loan balance will be reamortized with payments made on a substantially level basis (per § 72(p)(2)(C)), made at least quarterly. 2The reamortized loan balance will be paid over a remaining period that does not extend beyond five years from the date of the original loan (per § 72(p)(2)(B)). C. Correction for defaulted loans with terms that complied with the requirements of § 72(p)(2)(A), (B), and (C):(check the box that applies) 1. A lump sum repayment will be made to the plan in an amount equal to the additional repayments that the affected participant would have made to the plan if there had been no failure to repay the plan, plus interest accrued on the missed repayments. 2. The outstanding balance of the loan, including accrued interest, will bereamortized over a remaining period that does not extend beyond five years from the date of the original loan. 3. The Applicant will use a combination of the methods described in #1 and #2 above, as follows: Determination of Interest Accrued on Missed Repayments: (check the box that applies) Plan loan rate Rate of return of investments under plan Note: This option may only be used if the rate of investmentreturn under the plan equals orexceeds the plan loan rate. 2013–4 I.R.B.425January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: The interest rate for missed payments was determined as follows: The additional unpaid interest (will be /has been (check one)) paid by the: (check the box that applies) Plan Sponsor Affected participants (Note: Irrespective of the Plan Sponsor’s election to have theaffected participants pay the unpaid interest, in accordance with section 6.02(6) of Rev. Proc. 2013–12, the Service may, based on the facts and circumstances, determine that the Plan Sponsor should pay all or a portion of the additional unpaid interest. If the Service makes this determination, the Plan Sponsor will be requested to revise this submission.) D. Correction for Deemed Distributions (check if applicable) The Plan Sponsor is not eligible to orwill not correct in accordance with Parts IV A through IV C of this Appendix C, Part II Schedule 5. The Plan Sponsor proposes that the loans be reported as deemed distributions (using Form 1099 R) for the year of correction instead of the year of the failure. The Plan Sponsor shall pay any applicable income tax withholding amount that was required to be paidinconnectionwiththefailure. (See Income Tax Regulations § 1.72(p)–1, Q&A-15) SECTION V. DESCRIPTION OF STEPS TAKEN TOENSURE THAT THE FAILURE DOES NOT RECUR SECTION VI. REQUEST FOR RELIEF Yes No The Plan Sponsor requests relief from reporting participant loans as deemed distributions. The Plan Sponsor requests that the plan be permitted to report the participant loans as deemed distributions in the year of correction instead of the year of the failure. January 22, 20134262013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: SECTION VII. ENCLOSURES In addition to the applicable items listed on the Procedural Requirements Checklist for Form 8950, the Plan Sponsor encloses the following with this submission: ●Loan amortization schedules for affected participants. (A sample representation may be provided if there are multiple participants affected.) ●Specific calculations for each affected employee or a representative sample of affected employees. (The sample calculations must be sufficient to demonstrateeach aspect of the correction method proposed (e.g., for a failure with respect to a loan that exceeds the maximum amount permitted by § 72(p)(2)(A), the calculations must include the amounts of the excess loan amounts that will be repaid to the plan, determination of the outstanding loan balance, and the proposed method of repayment of the outstanding loan balance; for the correction of a defaulted loan, the enclosure should set forth the periods of such loan defaults.) 2013–4 I.R.B.427January 22, 2013 APPENDIX C PART II, SCHEDULE 6 Employer Eligibility Failure (§401(k) and 403(b) Plans only) Plan Name: EIN:Plan #: (Please include the plan name, Applicant’s EIN, and plan number on each page of the submission, including attachments.) SECTION I. IDENTIFICATION OF FAILURE The following failure occurred with respect to the plan identified above (check failure that applies) 403(b) Plans The plan was int ended to satisfy the requirements of § 403(b) but was adopted by a Plan Sponsor that was not a tax-exempt org anization described in § 501(c)(3)or a public educational organization described in § 170(b)(1)(A)(ii). The type of orga nization sponsoring the Plan during the period of the failure was: The failure occ urredduringthefollowingplanyear(s): Section 401(k) Plans The plan was intended to include a qualified cash or deferred arrangement and satisfy the requirements of §§ 401(a) and 401(k) but was adopted by an employer that failed to meet the eligibility requirements to establish a § 401(k) Plan. Describe why the employer was ineligible to maintain the § 401(k) plan: SECTION II. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED METHOD OF CORRECTION Section 403( b) Plans 1. All contribut ions under the plan ceased as of . (Insert date beginning no later than the date the VCP su bmission was filed with the Service.) 2. No new employe e or employer contributions will be permitted in the future. 3. The assets in t he plan will remain in the trust, annuity contract, or custodial account and will be distributed no earlier than the occurrence of one of the permitted events under § 403(b)(7) or § 403(b)(11). Section 401(k) Plans 1. All contributions under the plan ceased as of . (Insert date beginning no later than the date the VCP submission was filed with the Service.) 2. No new employee or employer contributions will be permitted in the future. 3. The assets in the plan will remain in the trust, annuitycontract, or custodial account and will be distributed no earlier than the occurrence of one of the permitted events under § 401(k). January 22, 20134282013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: SECTION III. CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES Please include an explanation of how and why the failures aroseand a description of the measures that will be implemented to ensure that the same failures will not recur. 2013–4 I.R.B.429January 22, 2013 APPENDIX C PART II, SCHEDULE 7 Failure to Distribute Elective Deferrals in Excess of the § 402(g) Limit Plan Name: EIN:Plan #: (Please include the plan name, Applicant’s EIN, and plan number on each page of the submission, including attachments.) SECTION I. IDENTIFICATION OF FAILURE Calendar Years (Year of Deferral)Number of Affected ParticipantsAmount of Excess Deferrals Distributed (excluding Earnings) SECTION II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED METHOD OF CORRECTION The plan will distribute the excess deferral to the employee(s)and report the amount as taxable in the year of deferral and in the year distributed. In accordance with Income Tax Regulations § 1.402(g)–1(e)(1)(ii), a distribution to ahighly compensated employee is included in the Average Deferral Percentage (ADP) test; however, a distribution to a nonhighly compensated employee is not included in the ADP test. For any distributions attributable to elective deferrals designated as Roth Contributions, all distributions will be reported as taxable in the year distributed. Designated Roth contributionswill have already been included inincome in the year of deferral. The excess deferral to be distributed willalso be adjusted for Earnings. Earnings will be determined from the end of the year in which the failure occurred through theyear of correction. Earnings will be included in the distribution amount that is to be reported as taxable in the year of distribution. SECTION III . CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES Please incl ude an explanation of how and why the failures arose and a description of the measures that will be implemented to ensure th at the same failures will not recur. January 22, 20134302013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: SECTION IV. ENCLOSURES In addition to the applicable items listed on the Procedural Requirements Checklist for Form 8950, the Plan Sponsor encloses the following with this submission: ●Specific calculations for each affected employee or a representative sample of affected employees. (The sample calculations must be sufficient to demonstrateeach aspect of the correction method proposed.) 2013–4 I.R.B.431January 22, 2013 APPENDIX C PART II, SCHEDULE 8 Failure to Pay Required Minimum Distributions Timely under § 401(a)(9) Plan Name: EIN:Plan #: (Please include the plan name, Applicant’s EIN, and plan number on each page of the submission, including attachments.) SECTION I. IDENTIFICATION OF FAILURE Calendar YearsNumber of Affec ted Participants Total Amount of Missed Required Minimum Distri butions SECTION II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED METHOD OF CORRECTION Defined Contribution plan only— The plan will distribute the requiredminimum distributions (with Earnings from the date of the failure to the date ofdistribution) to affected participants. For each affected participant, the amount to be distributed for each year inwhich the failure occurred will be determined by dividing the adjusted account balance on the applicable valuation date by the applicable distribution period. For this purpose, adjusted account balance means the actual account balance, determined in accordance with § 1.401(a)(9)–5 Q&A-3 of the Income Tax Regulations, reduced by the amount of the total missed minimum distributions for prior years. Defined Ben efit plan only— The plan will distribute the required minimum distributions plus an interest payment representi ng the loss of use of such amounts. The interest adjustment is determined as follows: SECTIONIII.REQUESTFORRELIEF A. The Applicant requests relief with regard to excise taxes under § 4974 Yes No At least one affected participant is either an owner-employee (see § 401(c)(3)) or, if the Plan Sponsor is a corporation, a 10 percent owner of such corporation. January 22, 20134322013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: If “Yes,” the Applicant submits the following explanation for its request for relief from the § 4974 excise tax: SECTION IV. CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES Please include an explanation of how and why the failures aroseand a description of the measures that will be implemented to ensure that the same failures will not recur. SECTION V. ENCLOSURES In addition to the applicable items listed on the Procedural Requirements Checklist for Form 8950, the Plan Sponsor encloses the following with this submission: ●Specific calculations for each affected employee or a representative sample of affected employees. (The sample calculations must be sufficient to demonstrate each aspectof the correction method proposed. For a defined benefit plan, these specific calculations must illustrate the interest rate used to represent the loss of the use of the missed required minimum distributions.) 2013–4 I.R.B.433January 22, 2013 APPENDIX C PART II, SCHEDULE 9 Correction by Plan Amendment (in accordance with Appendix B) Plan Name: EIN:Plan #: (Please include the plan name, Applicant’s EIN, and plan number on each page of the submission, including attachments.) SECTION I. IDENTIFICATION OF FAILURE(S) AND PROPOSED METHOD(S) OF CORRECTION The following failure(s) occurred with respect to the plan identified above (check failure(s) that apply) A. § 401(a)(17) Fa ilure in a Defined ContributionPlan (check as applicable) Contributions Forfeitures were allocatedon the basis of compensation in excess of the limit under § 401(a)(17) as provided below: Enter the plan years in which the failure occurred, the amount of the allocations in excess of § 401(a)(17) made for each plan year (including Earnings), and the number of participants affected by the failure for each plan year: Plan YearAmounts Allocated in Excess of § 401(a)(17) Number of Participants Affected Description of Proposed Method of Correction: An additional amount has been (or will be) contributed to the plan on behalf of each of the employees who received an allocation f or the year of the failure (excluding each employee forwhom there was a § 401(a)(17) failure). The amount contributed for an employee is equal to the employee’s plan compensation for the year of the failure multiplied by a fraction, th e numerator of which is the improperly allocated amount made on behalf of the employee with the largest improperly a llocated amount, and the denominator of which is the limit under § 401(a)(17) applicable to the year of the failure. In addition, the plan will be retroactively amended to reflect the increased contribution and allocation percentages for the plan ’s participants. Enter the pl an years in which the failure occurred, the fraction used to determine the additional amount allocated to employees o ther than those for whom there was a § 401(a)(17) failure,and the total required contribution (before adjusting for Earning s) for each plan year in which the failure occurred: Plan YearFraction Us ed to Determine the Additional Amount Allocated Total Requi red Contribution (before adjusting f or Earnings) January 22, 20134342013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: The resulting additional amount will be adjusted for Earnings from the end of the plan year in which the failure occurred through the date of the corrective contribution. The method for determining the Earnings adjustment is as follows: Former employees affected by the failure (check one): There are no former employees affected by the failure. Affected former employees (or if deceased, their estate orknown beneficiary) will be contacted and contributions will be made to the plan on their behalf. To the extent that an affected former employee or beneficiary cannot be located following a mailing to the last known address, the Plan Sponsor will take the actions specified below to locate that employee or beneficiary: After such actions are taken, if an affected employee or beneficiary is not found but is subsequently located on a later date, the Plan Sponsor will make corrective contributions on behalf of the affected employee at that time. B. Hardship Distribution Failure Hardship distributions were made to participants under the plan. All plan participants were entitled to request hardship distributions, and all requests were evaluated in accordancewith uniform eligibility standards, as described below: 2013–4 I.R.B.435January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: Enter the plan years in which the failure occurred, the number of hardship distributions made for each plan year, and the number and amount of distributions made to highly compensated employees (HCEs) and nonhighly compensated employees (NHCEs) respectively, affected by the failure for each plan year. Plan YearNumber of Hardship Distributions Made During the Plan Year Number of Hardship Distributions Made to NHCEs Number of Hardship Distributions Made to NHCEs Number of Hardship Distributions Made to HCEs Amount of Distribution Description of the Proposed Method of Correction: The failure was (or will be) corrected by retroactively amending the plan to provide for the hardship distributions that were made available. The effective date of the corrective amendment is: C. Plan Loan Failure Plan loans were made to participants under the plan. All plan participants were entitled to request plan loans under uniform standards of eligibility, and all plan loansmade satisfied the requirements of § 72(p). Enter the plan years in which the failure occurred, the number of participant plan loans made for each plan year, and the number and amount of plan loans made to highly compensated employees (HCEs) and nonhighly compensated employees (NHCEs) respectively, affected by the failure for each plan year. Plan YearNumber of Plan Loans Made During the Plan Year Number of Plan Loans Made to NHCEs Amount of Plan Loans Number of Plan Loans Made to HCEs Amount of Plan Loans Description of the Proposed Method of Correction: The failure was (or will be) corrected by retroactively amending the plan to provide for the plan loans that were made avail- able. The effective date of the corrective amendment is: D. Early Inclusion of Otherwise Eligible Employee Failure Employees: (check applicable boxes) January 22, 20134362013–4 I.R.B. Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: Who had not satisfied the plan’s minimum age or service requirements were treated as eligible participants on a date prior to their being eligible under the plan and were entitled to the same benefits under the plan to which they would have been entitled had they completed the minimum age or service requirements of the plan. Who had completed the plan’s minimum age or service requirements were treated as eligible participants prior to the applicable plan entry date and were entitled to the same benefits under the plan to which they would have been entitled had they entered the plan timely. The plan’s minimum age or service requirements and plan entry date, as applicable, for the years of the failure were as follows: Enter the plan years in which the failure occurred and the number of participants affected by the failure, broken down by type of employee (highly compensated employee (HCE)or nonhighly compensated employee (NHCE) respectively, for each plan year. Plan YearNumber of NHCEs Affected by the Failure During the Plan Year Number of HCEs Affected by the Failure During the Plan Year Description of the Proposed Correction Method: The failure was (or will be) corrected by retroactively amending the plan to provide for the inclusion of the ineligible employ- ees. The effective date of the corrective amendment is: SECTION II. CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES Please include an explanation of how and why the failures aroseand a description of the measures that will be implemented to ensure that the same failures will not recur. 2013–4 I.R.B.437January 22, 2013 Plan Name:EIN:Plan #: SECTION III. ENCLOSURES In addition to the applicable items listed on the Procedural Requirements Checklist for Form 8950, the Plan Sponsor encloses the following with this submission: ●Copies of all amendments used to correct the failure(s), either as adopted or in proposed form. (required) ●A copy of the plan document in effect prior to any ofthe amendments used to correct the failure(s). (required) ●For a § 401(a)(17) failure in a definedcontribution plan, specific calculations for each affected employee or a representative sample of affected employees. (The sample calculations must be sufficient to demonstrate each aspect of the correction method proposed. For example, the determination of the fraction used to determine the additional amount to be allocated toeach employee (other than those for whom there was a § 401(a)(17) failure) must be demonstrated.) January 22, 20134382013–4 I.R.B. APPENDIX D ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER [][INSERTNAMEAND []ADDRESSOFPLAN []SPONSOR OR []AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE []AT LEFT] Applicant’s Name: Plan Name: [insert plan name] Plan No. [insert plan number] Control No.: (to be completed by IRS) Received Date: (to be completed by IRS) The Internal Revenue Service,Employee Plans Voluntary Compliance, has received your VCP submission for the above-captioned plan. Your request has been assigned the control number listed above. This number should be referred to in any communication to us concerning your submission. If a determination letter application was included with your VCP submission, any acknowledgement letter issued by the Service with regard tosuch application will be mailed to you under separate cover. You will be contacted when the VCP case is assigned to an agent. If you need to inquire about the status of your case prior to that date, please call (626) 312–4921 (not a toll-free number). Please leave a message with the name of the plan, the Control Number, your name, and a phone number where you can be reached. Thank you. 2013–4 I.R.B.439January 22, 2013 Part IV. Items o fGeneralInterest Guidance Rega rding Deduction and Capitalization of Expenditur es Related to Tangible P roperty; Corrections Announceme nt 2013–4 AGENCY: Int ernal Revenue Service (IRS), Trea sury. ACTION: Cor recting amendments. SUMMARY: Th is document contains correcting amendments to the temporary regulation s (T.D. 9564, 2012–14 I.R.B. 614), whic h were published in theFederal Registero n Tuesday, December 27, 2011, relating t o guidance regarding deduction and capita lization of expenditures related to tangib le property. These amendments revise th e general asset account regula- tions to p rovide the time and manner of making a g eneral asset account election. The amend atory instructions of T.D. 9564 inadvert ently redesignated paragraphs (m)(2) a nd (m)(3) for the general asset ac- count re gulations as in effect before T.D. 9564 as p aragraphs (l)(2) and (l)(3) for the gene ral asset account regulations as amende d by T.D. 9564. These correcting amendm ents will affect all taxpayers that makeag eneral asset account election. DATES: These amendments are effective Decemb er 19, 2012. FOR FUR THER INFORMATION CONTAC T: Kathleen Reed or Patrick Clint on, Office Associate Chief Coun- sel (I ncome Tax & Accounting), (202) 622–4 930 (not a toll-free call). SUPPL EMENTARY INFORMATION: Backg round The re gulations that are the subject of these corrections are under section 168 of the In ternal Revenue Code. Need f or Correction As pub lished on December 27, 2011 (76 FR 81060), T.D. 9564 contains errors whic h may prove to be misleading and are in ne ed of clarification. ***** Correction of Publication Accordingly, 26 CFR Part 1 is amended by making the f ollowing correcting amendments. PART 1—INCOM ETAXES Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 contin ues to read as follows: Authority: 2 6U.S.C.7805*** Section 1.16 8(i)–1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 168 (i)(4). * * * Par. 2. Secti on 1.168(i)–0 is amended by revising t he entry in the table of con- tents for par agraph (m) of § 1.168(i)–1 to read as follo ws: § 1.168(i)– 0 Table of contents for the general ass et account rules. ***** § 1.168(i)– 1 General asset accounts. ***** (m) [Reserv ed]. For further guidance, see the entry f or § 1.168(i)–1T(m). Par. 3. Sect ion1.168(i)–1isamended by revisin g paragraphs (l)(2) and (l)(3) to read as fol lows: § 1.168(i) –1 General asset accounts. ***** (l) * * * (2)Time fo r making election. The elec- tion to app ly this section shall be made on the taxpay er’s timely filed (including ex- tensions) income tax return for the taxable year in wh ich the assets included in the general a sset account are placed in service by the tax payer. (3)Manne r of making election.Inthe year of el ection, a taxpayer makes the election under this section by typing or legibly printing at the top of the Form 4562, “G ENERAL ASSET ACCOUNT ELECTIO N MADE UNDER SECTION 168(i)( 4),” or in the manner provided for on Form 4 562 and its instructions. The taxpaye r shall maintain records (for ex- ample, “General Asset Account #1—all 1995 ad ditions in asset class 00.11 for Salt Lake Ci ty, Utah facility”) that identify the assets inc luded in each general asset account, that establish the unadjusted de- preciable bas is and depreciation reserve of the general as set account, and that reflect the amount rea lized during the taxable year upon dis positions from each general asset accoun t. (But see section 179(c) and§1.179–5 for the recordkeeping re- quirements f or section 179 property.) The taxpayer’s recordkeeping practices should be consiste ntly applied to the general as- set account s. If Form 4562 is revised or renumbered , any reference in this section to that for m shall be treated as a reference to the revi sed or renumbered form. ***** Guy R. Traynor, Federal Register Liaison, Publication & Regulations Branch, Legal Processing Division, Associate Chief Counsel Procedure & Administration. (Filed by the Office of the Federal Register on December 18, 2012, 8:45 a.m., and published in the issue of the Federal Register for December 19, 2012, 77 F.R. 75016) Recommendations for Proposed e-signature Standards Announcement 2013–8 The IRS is seeking recommendations for electronic signature (e-signature) stan- dards. Background The IRS ha s supported the use of e-sig- natures on tax forms, statements, appli- cations , information requests, and similar transac tions. However, the IRS has never establi shed a formal set of e-signature standar ds for the tax industry. E-signature standa rds will impact tax return prepar- ers, ta xpayers, business owners, and other stakeh olders. The e-signature process benefi ts each of these groups and the IRS becaus e it promotes efficiency, reduces burde n and improves identity proofing metho ds to confirm the identity of the signe r. January 22, 20134402013–4 I.R.B. Efforts to develop e-signature standards The IRS previously created work groups to study and advance e-signature alternatives, developstandards and busi- ness requirements, and identify industry best practices. In addition, the IRS has provided e-signature alternatives to indus- try partners and taxpayers on an ad hoc basis, including options based on signature requirements for electronic documents from the Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (RRA 98). More recently, IRS expanded the use of alternative signatures to include IRS issued Personal Identifi- cation Numbers (PINs), self-select PINs, individual identification information, and a number of other techniques. IRS has approved various signature methods based on their legal acceptability and appropri- ateness for specific transactions. These options enable the IRS to expand its capabilities forreceiving and storing electronic transactions using various types of electronic media. In order to provide improved customer service and thereby increase adoption of electronic filing, the IRS continues to explore and evaluate new e-signature technologies that are poten- tially suitable for all types of electronic communications. Currently, the IRS has a review process in place for the approval of alternative sig- nature methods. The use of e-signatures on IRS forms is approved on an ad hoc ba- sis. If an e-signature proposal is approved, the IRS implements the appropriate policy change(s). Also, pilots have been con- ducted on specific IRS form types and transactions, specifically Form 4506-T (Request for Copy of Tax Return Tran- script), Form 8879 (IRS e-file Signature Authorization), and Form 8655 (Report- ing Agent Authorization) using signature methods such as a PIN, click-through, tablet PCs, a digital signature, and the electronic signature pad. Approval of e-signature methods on an ad hoc basis and the testing and subsequent approval of pilots have been successful; however, the IRS needs to implement con- sistent standards for IRS partners and ex- ternal stakeholders. Request for recommendations As a foundation, IRS proposes estab- lishing five core signing requirements: 1. A person (i.e., the signer) must use an acceptable electronic form of signature; 2. The electronic form of signature must be executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic record, (e.g., to indicate a person’s approval of the information contained in the electronic record), 3. The electronic form of signature must be attached to or associated with the electronic record being signed; 4. There must be a means to identify and authenticate a particular person as the signer; and 5. There must be a means to preserve the integrity of the signed record. The signing requirements set forth above are similar to requirements imple- mented under both the Government Pa- perwork Elimination Act (GPEA) and the Electronic Signatures in Global and Na- tional Commerce Act (E-SIGN). Adopting these signing requirements would create consistency for IRS partners and exter- nal stakeholders, and promote efficiency regarding the use of e-signatures. In addition, adopting the standards would improve e-authentication and deter iden- tity theft. Before adopting these core require- ments, the IRS requests recommendations from the public on these related issues: 1. Acceptable standards for use of an e-signature on transactions and formsbasedonthefivecoresigning requirements listed above 2. How to accomplishthe e-signature requirements which satisfy GPEA and E-SIGN 3. Requirementsfor creating a legally binding e-signature in electronic transactions 4. Factors the IRS should consider when deciding which signing process to use 5. How to apply e-signature standards for remote transactions on IRS forms whicharenotrequiredtobesenttothe IRS 6. Industry best practices for IRS consideration How to submit recommendations Allrecommendations/comments should be submitted electronically toesignature@irs.govon or before March 1, 2013. Please include the IRB announcement number in the subject line of your email. Correction to the Schedule of User Fees Found in Appendix A of Revenue Procedure 2013–1 Announcement 2013–9 This announcement addresses a typo- graphical error in the Schedule of User Fees found in Appendix A of Revenue Pro- cedure 2013–1, 2013–1 I.R.B. 1, wherein the reduced user fee for a letter ruling, method or period change or closing agree- ment request involving a personal or busi- ness tax issue from a person with gross income of less than $250,000 was incor- rectly listed as $1,000, when the correct re- duced fee for this type of request is $2,000. Accordingly, the user fee associated with paragraph (4)(a) in Appendix A, Sched- ule of User Fees of Revenue Procedure 2013–1, 2013–1 I.R.B. 68, is $2,000. The online versions of Internal Revenue Bul- letin 2013-1, available atwww.irs.gov/irb/, will be updated to reflect this correction. The Service will provide relief for tax- payers who submitted ruling requests that otherwise meet the requirements for a re- duced user fee under paragraph (4)(a) of Appendix A, Revenue Procedure 2013–1, accompanied by a fee of $1,000 in reliance on the erroneous information in Rev. Proc. 2013–1. For those taxpayers the Service will not require the payment of an addi- tional $1,000. The Service will not, how- ever, refund user fees to those taxpayers who submitted the correct fee of $2,000 with their initial filing. This relief applies only to requests received by the Service prior to February 1, 2013. For all such requests received on or after February 1, 2013, the correct user fee of $2,000 will be required. Effect on Other Documents Revenue Procedure 2013-1, 2013-1 I.R.B. 1, is corrected. The principal author of this announce- ment is Melissa A. Jarboe of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure & Administration). For further informa- tion regarding this announcement, contact 2013–4 I.R.B.441January 22, 2013 Melissa A. Jarboe at (202) 622–3620 or George Bowden at (202) 622–3400 (not toll-free numbers). January 22, 20134422013–4 I.R.B. Definition of Terms Revenue rulings and revenue procedures (hereinafter referred to as “rulings”) that have an effect on previous rulings use the following defined terms to describe the ef- fect: Amplifieddescribes a situation where no change is being made in a prior pub- lished position, but the prior position is be- ingextendedtoapplytoavariationofthe fact situation set forth therein. Thus, if an earlier ruling held that a principle ap- plied to A, and the new ruling holds that the same principle also applies to B, the earlier ruling is amplified. (Compare withmodi- fied,below). Clarifiedis used in those instances where the language in a prior ruling is be- ing made clear because the language has caused, or may cause, some confusion. It is not used where a position in a prior ruling is being changed. Distinguisheddescribes a situation where a ruling mentions a previously pub- lished ruling and points out an essential difference between them. Modifiedis used where the substance of a previously published position is being changed. Thus, if a prior ruling held that a principle applied to A but not to B, and the new ruling holds that it applies to both A and B, the prior ruling is modified because it corrects a published position. (Compare withamplifiedandclarified, above). Obsoleteddescribes a previously pub- lished ruling that is not considered deter- minative with respect to future transac- tions. This term is most commonly used in a ruling that lists previously published rul- ings that are obsoleted because of changes in laws or regulations. A ruling may also be obsoleted because the substance has been included in regulations subsequently adopted. Revokeddescribes situations where the position in the previously published ruling is not correct and the correct position is beingstatedinanewruling. Supersededdescribes a situation where the new ruling does nothing more than re- state the substance and situation of a previ- ously published ruling (or rulings). Thus, the term is used to republish under the 1986 Code and regulations the same po- sition published under the 1939 Code and regulations. The term is also used when it is desired to republish in a single rul- ing a series of situations, names, etc., that were previously published over a period of time in separate rulings. If the new rul- ing does more than restate the substance of a prior ruling, a combination of terms is used. For example,modifiedandsu- persededdescribes a situation where the substance of a previously published ruling is being changed in part and is continued without change in part and it is desired to restate the valid portion of the previously published ruling in a new ruling that is self contained. In this case, the previously pub- lished ruling is first modified and then, as modified, is superseded. Supplementedis used in situations in which a list, such as a list of the names of countries, is published in a ruling and that list is expanded by adding further names in subsequent rulings. After the original rul- ing has been supplemented several times, a new ruling may be published that includes the list in the original ruling and the ad- ditions, and supersedes all prior rulings in the series. Suspendedis used in rare situations to show that the previous published rulings will not be applied pending some future action such as the issuance of new or amended regulations, the outcome of cases in litigation, or the outcome of a Service study. Abbreviations The fol lowing abbreviations in current use and for merly used will appear in material publis hedintheBulletin. A—Individual. Acq.—A cquiescence. B—Individual. BE—Beneficiary. BK—Bank . B.T.A.—Board of Tax Appeals. C—Individual. C.B.—Cu mulative Bulletin. CFR—Code of Federal Regulations. CI—City. COOP—Coo perative. Ct.D.—Court Decision. CY—County. D—Decede nt. DC—Dummy Corporation. DE—Donee. Del. Order —Delegation Order. DISC—Domestic International Sales Corporation. DR—Donor. E—Estate. EE—Employee. E.O.—Executive Order. ER—Emp loyer. ERISA—Employee Retirement Income Security Act. EX—Executor. F—Fiduc iary. FC—Foreign Country. FICA—Federal Insurance Contributions Act. FISC—Fo reign International Sales Company. FPH—Foreign Personal Holding Company. F.R.—Federal Register. FUTA—Fed eral Unemployment Tax Act. FX—Foreign corporation. G.C.M.—Chief Counsel’s Memorandum. GE—Grante e. GP—General Partner. GR—Grantor. IC—Insura nce Company. I.R.B.—Internal Revenue Bulletin. LE—Lessee. LP—Limited Partner. LR—Lessor. M—Minor. Nonacq.—No nacquiescence. O—Organization. P—Parent Corporation. PHC—Persona l Holding Company. PO—Possession of the U.S. PR—Partner. PRS—Pa rtnership. PTE—Prohibited Transaction Exemption. Pub. L.—Public Law. REIT—Re al Estate Investment Trust. Rev. Proc.—Revenue Procedure. Rev. Rul.—Revenue Ruling. S—Subsi diary. S.P.R.—Statement of Procedural Rules. Stat.—Statutes at Large. T—Target Corporation. T.C.—Tax Court. T.D.—Treasury Decision. TFE—Trans feree. TFR—Transferor. T.I.R.—Technical Information Release. TP—Taxpay er. TR—Trust. TT—Trustee. U.S.C.—Uni ted States Code. X—Corporation. Y—Corporation. Z—Corporat ion. 2013–4 I.R.B.iJanuary 22, 2013 Numerical Finding List 1 Bulletins 2013–1 through 2013–4 Announcements: 2013-1, 2013-1 I.R.B.251 2013-2, 2013-2 I.R.B.271 2013-3, 2013-2 I.R.B.271 2013-4, 2013-4 I.R.B.440 2013-5, 2013-3 I.R.B.306 2013-6, 2013-3 I.R.B.307 2013-7, 2013-3 I.R.B.308 2013-8, 2013-4 I.R.B.440 2013-9, 2013-4 I.R.B.441 2013-10, 2013-3 I.R.B.311 Notices: 2013-1, 2013-3 I.R.B.281 Proposed Regulations: REG-141066-09, 2013-3 I.R.B.289 Revenue Procedures: 2013-1, 2013-1 I.R.B.1 2013-2, 2013-1 I.R.B.92 2013-3, 2013-1 I.R.B.113 2013-4, 2013-1 I.R.B.126 2013-5, 2013-1 I.R.B.170 2013-6, 2013-1 I.R.B.198 2013-7, 2013-1 I.R.B.233 2013-8, 2013-1 I.R.B.237 2013-9, 2013-2 I.R.B.255 2013-10, 2013-2 I.R.B.267 2013-11, 2013-2 I.R.B.269 2013-12, 2013-4 I.R.B.313 2013-14, 2013-3 I.R.B.283 Revenue Rulings: 2013-1, 2013-2 I.R.B.252 Treasury Decisions: 9603, 2013-3 I.R.B.273 9608, 2013-3 I.R.B.274 1 A cumulative list of all revenue rulings, revenue procedures, Treasury decisions, etc., published in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2012–27 through 2012–52 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2012–52, dated December 27, 2012. January 22, 2013ii2013–4 I.R.B. Finding List of Current Actions on Previously Published Items 1 Bulletins 2013–1 through 2013–4 Notices: 2012-60 Superseded by Notice 2013-1, 2013-3 I.R.B.281 Proposed Regulations: REG-140668-07 Corrected by Ann. 2013-6, 2013-3 I.R.B.307 Revenue Procedures: 2004-66 Modified and supersended by Rev. Proc. 2013-11, 2013-2 I.R.B.269 2008-35 Modified and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2013-14, 2013-3 I.R.B.283 2008-50 Modified and superseded by Rev. Proc. 2013-12, 2013-4 I.R.B.313 2011-49 Modified by Rev. Proc. 2013-6, 2013-1 I.R.B.198 2012-1 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2013-1, 2013-1 I.R.B.1 2012-2 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2013-2, 2013-1 I.R.B.92 2012-3 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2013-3, 2013-1 I.R.B.113 2012-4 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2013-4, 2013-1 I.R.B.126 2012-5 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2013-5, 2013-1 I.R.B.170 2012-6 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2013-6, 2013-1 I.R.B.198 2012-7 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2013-7, 2013-1 I.R.B.233 2012-8 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2013-8, 2013-1 I.R.B.237 Revenue Procedures— Continued: 2012-9 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2013-9, 2013-2 I.R.B.255 2012-10 Superseded by Rev. Proc. 2013-10, 2013-2 I.R.B.267 2012-30 Corrected and carified by Ann. 2013-3, 2013-2 I.R.B.271 Updated by Ann. 2013-10, 2013-3 I.R.B.311 2013-1 Corrected by Ann. 2013-9, 2013-4 I.R.B.441 Treasury Decisions: 9564 Corrected by Ann. 2013-4, 2013-4 I.R.B.440 Amended by Ann. 2013-7, 2013-3 I.R.B.308 1 A cumulative list of current actions on previously published items in Internal Revenue Bulletins 2012–27 through 2012–52 is in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2012–52, dated December 27, 2012. 2013–4 I.R.B.iiiJanuary 22, 2013 Internal Revenue Service W ashington,DC20224 Official Business Penalty for Private Use, $300 INTERNAL REVENUE BULLETIN The Introduction at the beginning of this issue describes the purpose and content of this publication. The weekly Internal Revenue Bulletin is sold on a yearly subscription basis by the Superintendent of Documents. Current subscribers are notified by the Superin- tendent of Documents when their subscriptions must be renewed. CUMULATIVE BULLETINS The contents of this weekly Bulletin are consolidated semiannually into a permanent, indexed, Cumulative Bulletin. These are sold on a single copy basis andare notincluded as part of the subscription to the Internal Revenue Bulletin. The IRS will not create Cumulative Bulletins after the 2008–2 edition. Subscribers to the weekly Bulletin are notified when copies of the Cumulative Bulletin are available. Certain issues of Cumulative Bulletins are out of print and are not available. Persons desiring available Cumulative Bulletins, which are listed on the reverse, may purchase them from the Superintendent of Documents. ACCESS THE INTERNAL REVENUE BULLETIN ON THE INTERNET You may view the Internal Revenue Bulletin on the Internet at www.irs.gov. Select Businesses. Under Businesses Topics, select More Topics. Then select Internal Revenue Bulletins. INTERNAL REVENUE BULLETINS ON CD-ROM Internal Revenue Bulletins are available annually as partof Publication 1796 (Tax Products CD-ROM). The CD-ROM can be purchased from National Technical Information Service (NTIS) on the Internet at www.irs.gov/cdorders (discount for online orders) or by calling 1-877-233-6767. The first release is available in mid-December and the final release is available in late January. HOW TO ORDER Check the publications and/or subscription(s) desired on the reverse, complete the order blank, enclose the proper remittance, detach entire page, and mail to the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 979050, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. Please allow two to six weeks, plus mailing time, for delivery. WE WELCOME COMMENTS ABOUT THE INTERNAL REVENUE BU LLETIN If you have comments concerning the format or production of the Internal Revenue Bulletin or suggestions for improving it, we would be p leased to hear from you. 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