Enlarge image | Form Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pension— OMB No. 1545-1012 5305A-SEP (Rev. June 2006) Individual Retirement Accounts Do not file Contribution Agreement with the Internal Department of the Treasury Revenue Service Internal Revenue Service (Under section 408(k) of the Internal Revenue Code) amends its salary reduction SEP by adopting the following Model Salary Reduction Name of employer SEP under Internal Revenue Code section 408(k) and the instructions to this form. Note: An employer may not establish a salary reduction SEP after 1996. Article I—Eligibility Requirements (check applicable boxes—see instructions) Provided the requirements of Article III are met, the employer agrees to permit elective deferrals to be made in each calendar year to the individual retirement accounts or individual retirement annuities (IRAs), established by or for all employees who are at least years old (not to exceed 21 years) and have performed services for the employer in at least years (not to exceed 3 years) of the immediately preceding 5 years. This simplified employee pension (SEP) includes does not include employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement, includes does not include certain nonresident aliens, and includes does not include employees whose total compensation during the year is less than $450*. Article II—Elective Deferrals (see instructions) A. Salary Reduction Amount. An eligible employee may elect to have his or her compensation reduced by a specified percentage or amount per pay period, as designated in writing to the employer. B. Timing of Elective Deferrals. No deferral election may be based on compensation an eligible employee received, or had a right to receive, before execution of the deferral election. Article III—SEP Requirements (see instructions) The employer agrees that each employee’s elective deferrals to the SEP will be: A. Based only on the first $220,000* of compensation. B. Limited annually to the smaller of: (1) 25% of compensation; or (2) the section 402(g) limit for the tax year. C. Limited further, under section 415, if the employer makes nonelective contributions to this or another SEP. D. Paid to the employee’s IRA trustee, custodian, or insurance company (for an annuity contract) or, if necessary, an IRA established for an employee by the employer. E. Made only if at least 50% of the employer’s employees eligible to participate elect to have amounts contributed to the SEP. If the 50% requirement is not satisfied as of the end of any calendar year, then all of the elective deferrals made by the employees for that calendar year will be considered “disallowed deferrals” (IRA contributions that are not SEP-IRA contributions). F. Made only if the employer had 25 or fewer employees eligible to participate at all times during the prior calendar year. G. Adjusted only if deferrals to this SEP for any calendar year do not meet the “deferral percentage limitation” described on page 3. Article IV—Excess SEP Contributions (see instructions) Elective deferrals by a “highly compensated employee” must satisfy the deferral percentage limitation under section 408(k)(6)(A)(iii). Amounts in excess of this limitation will be deemed excess SEP contributions for the affected highly compensated employee or employees. Article V—Notice Requirements (see instructions) A. The employer will notify each highly compensated employee, by March 15 following the end of the calendar year to which any excess SEP contributions relate, of the excess SEP contributions to the highly compensated employee’s SEP-IRA for the applicable year. The notification will specify the amount of the excess SEP contributions, whether they must be withdrawn, the calendar year in which any excess contributions are includible in income, and must provide an explanation of applicable penalties if the excess contributions that must be withdrawn are not withdrawn on time. B. The employer will notify each employee who makes an elective deferral to a SEP that, until March 15 after the year of the deferral, any transfer or distribution from that employee’s SEP-IRA of SEP contributions (or income on these contributions) attributable to elective deferrals made that year will be includible in income for purposes of sections 72(t) and 408(d)(1). C. The employer will notify each employee by March 15 of each year of any disallowed deferrals to the employee’s SEP-IRA for the preceding calendar year. Such notification will specify the amount of the disallowed deferrals and the calendar year in which those deferrals are includible in income and must provide an explanation of applicable penalties if the disallowed deferrals are not withdrawn on time. Article VI—Top-Heavy Requirements (see instructions) A. Unless paragraph B is checked, the employer will satisfy the top-heavy requirements of section 416 by making a minimum contribution each year to the SEP-IRA of each employee eligible to participate in this SEP (other than a key employee as defined in section 416(i)). This contribution, in combination with other nonelective contributions, if any, is equal to the smaller of 3% of each eligible nonkey employee’s compensation or a percentage of such compensation equal to the percentage of compensation at which elective (not including catch-up elective deferral contributions) and nonelective contributions are made under this SEP (and any other SEP maintained by the employer) for the year for the key employee for whom such percentage is the highest for the year. * This is the amount for 2006. For later years, the limit may be increased for cost-of-living adjustments. Increases, if any, to the amounts in this form that are subject to cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), are announced by the IRS in a news release, in the Internal Revenue Bulletin, and on the IRS website at www.irs.gov. For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see page 7. Cat. No. 64362R Form 5305A-SEP (Rev. 6-2006) |
Enlarge image | Form 5305A-SEP (Rev. 6-2006) Page 2 Article VI—Top-Heavy Requirements (continued) B. The top-heavy requirements of section 416 will be satisfied through contributions to nonkey employees’ SEP-IRAs under this employer’s other SEP. C. To satisfy the minimum contribution requirement under section 416, all nonelective SEP contributions will be taken into account but elective deferrals will not be taken into account. Article VII—Effective Date (see instructions) This SEP will be effective upon adoption and establishment of IRAs for all eligible employees. Employer’s signature Date Name and title Instructions 5305-SEP, Simplified Employee SEP to that participant’s IRA by the later of Pension—Individual Retirement Accounts January 31 of the year following the year for Section references are to the Internal Revenue Contribution Agreement, or a nonmodel SEP which a contribution is made or 30 days after Code unless otherwise noted. instead of, or in addition to, this form. the contribution is made. Do not use Form 5305A-SEP if you: Employers who have established a salary Purpose of Form reduction SEP using Form 5305A-SEP and 1. Have any leased employees as defined in have provided each participant a copy of the Form 5305A-SEP is a model salary reduction section 414(n)(2). completed Form 5305A-SEP and the other simplified employee pension (SEP) used by an employer to permit employees to make 2. Currently maintain any other qualified documents and disclosures described in elective deferrals to a SEP described in retirement plan. This does not prevent you Instructions for the Employer and Instructions section 408(k). from also maintaining a Model SEP (Form for the Employee, are not required to file the Do not file Form 5305A-SEP with the IRS. 5305-SEP) or other SEP to which either annual information returns, Forms 5500 or Instead, keep it with your records. elective or nonelective contributions are 5500-EZ, for the SEP. However, under Title I of made. the Employee Retirement Income Security Act Note: SEPs permitting elective deferrals 3. Have more than 25 employees eligible to of 1974 (ERISA), this relief from the annual cannot be established after 1996. If you participate in the SEP at any time during the reporting requirements may not be available to established a SEP before 1997 that permitted prior calendar year. If you are a member of one an employer who selects, recommends, or elective deferrals, under current law you may of the groups described in paragraph 2 under influences its employees to choose IRAs into continue to maintain such SEP for years after Excess SEP Contributions—Deferral which contributions will be made under the 1996. Percentage Limitation on page 3, you may use SEP, if those IRAs are subject to provisions If you used the March 2002 version of this SEP only if in the prior year there were that impose any limits on a participant’s ability Form 5305-A SEP for your SEP, you are not never more than 25 employees eligible to to withdraw funds (other than restrictions required to use this version of the form. participate in this SEP, in total, of all the imposed by the Code that apply to all IRAs). members of such groups, trades, or For additional information on Title I Instructions for the Employer businesses. In addition, all eligible employees requirements, see the Department of Labor What Is A SEP? of all the members of such groups, trades, or regulations at 29 CFR 2520.104-49. businesses must be eligible to make elective A SEP is a written arrangement (a plan) that deferrals to this SEP. Forms and Publications You May provides you with an easy way to make 4. Are a state or local government or a Use contributions towards your employees’ tax-exempt organization. An employer may need to use any of the retirement income. Under a salary reduction SEP, employees may choose whether or not to Completing the Agreement following forms or publications: make elective deferrals to the SEP or to ● Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. receive the amounts in cash. If elective This SEP agreement is considered adopted ● Form 5330, Return of Excise Taxes Related deferrals are made, you contribute the when: to Employee Benefit Plans. Employers who amounts deferred by your employees directly 1. You have completed all blanks on the are liable for the 10% tax on excess into a traditional individual retirement form. contributions use this form to pay the excise arrangement (traditional IRA) set up by or for 2. You have given all eligible employees the tax. each employee with a bank, insurance following information: ● Pub. 560, Retirement Plans for Small company, or other qualified financial a. A copy of Form 5305A-SEP. Any Business (SEP, SIMPLE, and Qualified Plans). institution. The traditional IRA, established by individual who in the future becomes eligible ● Pub. 590, Individual Retirement or for an employee, must be one for which the to participate in this SEP must be given Form Arrangements (IRAs). IRS has issued a favorable opinion letter or a 5305A-SEP, upon becoming an eligible model traditional IRA published by the Service employee. Deducting Contributions as Form 5305, Traditional Individual b. A statement that traditional IRAs other You may deduct, subject to any applicable Retirement Trust Account, or Form 5305-A, than the traditional IRAs into which employer limits, contributions made to a SEP. This SEP Traditional Individual Retirement Custodial SEP contributions will be made may provide is maintained on a calendar year basis, and Account. It cannot be a SIMPLE IRA (an IRA different rates of return and different terms contributions to the SEP are deductible for designed to accept contributions made under concerning, among other things, transfers and your tax year with or within which the a SIMPLE IRA Plan described in section withdrawals of funds from the IRAs. particular calendar year ends. See section 408(p)) or a Roth IRA. Adopting Form 404(h). Contributions made for a particular tax 5305A-SEP does not establish an employer c. A statement that, in addition to the IRA described in section 408(c). information provided to an employee at the year and contributed by the due date of your time the employee becomes eligible to income tax return, including extensions, are The information provided below is intended participate, the administrator of the SEP must deemed made in that tax year and the to help you understand and administer the furnish each participant within 30 days of the contributions are deductible if they would elective deferral rules of your SEP. effective date of any amendment to the SEP, a otherwise be deductible had they actually When To Use Form 5305A-SEP copy of the amendment and a written been contributed by the end of that tax year. explanation of its effects. See Rev. Rul. 90-105, 1990-2 C.B. 69. Use this form only if you intend to permit d. A statement that the administrator will However, the deductibility of your elective deferrals to a SEP. If you want to give written notification to each participant of contributions may be limited if the establish a SEP to which nonelective employer any employer contributions made under the contributions may be made, use Form |
Enlarge image | Form 5305A-SEP (Rev. 6-2006) Page 3 contributions are excess contributions. See nature or location of the employment or the SEP or arrangement has made excess Excess SEP Contributions—Deferral services performed (such as the exception for elective deferrals for a calendar year, the Percentage Limitation on page 3 and the agricultural labor in section 3401(a)(2)). employee must withdraw those deferrals by Compensation also includes earned income April 15 following the calendar year to which Deferral Percentage Limitation Worksheet on under section 401(c)(2). Compensation does the deferrals relate. Deferrals not withdrawn page 8. not include any employer SEP contributions, by April 15 will be subject to the IRA Effective Date including elective deferrals. Compensation, for contribution limits of sections 219 and 408 purposes of the $450 rule, is the same, except and may be considered excess contributions Insert the date the provisions of this it includes deferrals made to this SEP and any to the employee’s IRA. For the employee, agreement are effective. amount not includible in gross income under these excess elective deferrals are subject to a 6% tax on excess contributions under Eligible Employees section● The maximum125 or sectionan employee132(f)(4).may elect to section 4973. Income on excess elective All eligible employees must be allowed to defer under this SEP for a year is the smaller deferrals is includible in the employee’s participate in the SEP. An eligible employee is of 25% of the employee’s compensation or income in the year it is withdrawn from the any employee who: (1) is at least 21 years the limitation under section 402(g), as IRA. The income must be withdrawn by April old, and (2) has performed “service” for you explained below. 15, following the calendar year for which the in at least 3 of the immediately preceding 5 Note: The deferral limit is 25% of deferrals were made. If the income is years. compensation (minus any employer SEP withdrawn after that date and the recipient is You can establish less restrictive eligibility contributions, including elective deferrals). not 59 ⁄1 2 years of age, it may be subject to requirements, but not more restrictive ones. Compute this amount using the following the 10% tax on early distributions under Service means any work performed for you formula: Compensation (before subtracting section 72(t). for any period of time, however short. If you employer SEP contributions) 20%. Excess SEP Contributions—Deferral are a member of an affiliated service group, a ● If you make nonelective contributions to Percentage Limitation controlled group of corporations, or trades or this SEP for a calendar year, or maintain any The amount each of your “highly businesses under common control, service other SEP to which contributions are made compensated employees” may contribute to a includes any work performed for any period for that calendar year, then contributions to salary reduction SEP is also limited by the of time for any other member of such group, all such SEPs may not exceed the smaller of “deferral percentage limitation.” This is based trades, or businesses. $44,000 (this is the amount for 2006; for later on the amount of money deferred, on Excludable Employees years, it may be increased for cost-of-living average, by your nonhighly compensated adjustments) or 25% of compensation for any employees. Deferrals made by a highly The following employees do not have to be employee. compensated employee that exceed this covered by the SEP: (1) employees covered ● by a collective bargaining agreement whose Catch-up elective deferral contributions deferral percentage limitation for a calendar retirement benefits were bargained for in (see Section 402(g) Limit below) are not year are considered “excess SEP good faith by you and their union, (2) subject to the 25% limit. contributions” and must be removed from the nonresident alien employees who did not earn Section 402(g) Limit employee’s SEP-IRA, as discussed below, U.S. source income from you, and (3) unless the following exception applies. employees who received less than $450 (this Section 402(g) limits the maximum amount of Excess SEP contributions of a highly is the amount for 2006; for later years, it may compensation an employee may elect to compensated employee who is 50 or older be increased for cost-of-living adjustments) in defer under a SEP (and certain other before the end of the calendar year do not compensation during the year. arrangements) during the calendar year. This have to be removed from the employee’s limit is $15,000 for 2006 and later years. After SEP-IRA to the extent the amount of the Elective Deferrals 2006, the $15,000 amount may be increased excess SEP contributions is less than the You may permit your employees to make for cost-of-living adjustments. In the case of catch-up elective deferral contribution limit elective deferrals through salary reduction an eligible employee who is 50 or older (see Section 402(g) Limit above) reduced by that, at the employee’s option, may be before the end of the calendar year, an any catch-up elective deferral contributions contributed to the SEP or received by the additional amount of compensation already made for the year. employee in cash during the year. (“catch-up elective deferral contributions”) The deferral percentage limitation for your may be deferred during the year. The limit on highly compensated employees is computed Notwithstanding any limit in Article IIIB(1) or catch-up elective deferral contributions is by first averaging the “deferral percentages” IIIC, an eligible employee who is 50 or older $5,000 for 2006 and later years. After 2006, (defined below) for the eligible nonhighly before the end of the calendar year can defer the $5,000 amount may be increased for compensated employees for the year and an additional amount of compensation during cost-of-living adjustments. then multiplying this result by 1.25. the year up to the catch-up elective deferral contribution limit (see Section 402(g) Limit Excess Elective Deferrals Only elective deferrals are included in this below). Amounts deferred for a year in excess of the computation. Nonelective SEP contributions may not be included. The determination of You must inform your employees how they section 402(g) limit are considered “excess the deferral percentage for any employee is may make, change, or terminate elective elective deferrals” and are subject to the rules made under section 408(k)(6). deferrals. You must also provide a form on described below. For purposes of this computation, the which they may make their deferral elections. The limit applies to the total elective calculation of the number and identity of You may use the Model Salary Reduction deferrals the employee makes for the highly compensated employees, and their SEP Deferral Form (elective form) on page 5, calendar year, from all employers, under the deferral percentages, is made on the basis of or a form that explains the information following arrangements: the entire “affiliated employer” (defined contained in this form in a way that is written to be understood by the average plan ● Salary reduction SEPs under section below). participant. 408(k)(6); A worksheet is provided on page 8 to ● Cash or deferred arrangements under assist in figuring the deferral percentage. You SEP Requirements section 401(k); may want to photocopy it for yearly use. ● Elective deferrals may not be based on ● Salary reduction arrangements under The following definitions apply for purposes more than $220,000 of compensation (this is section 403(b); and of computing the deferral percentage the amount for 2006; for later years, it may be ● SIMPLE IRA Plans under section 408(p). limitation under this SEP: increased for cost-of-living adjustments). Compensation, for purposes other than the Thus, an employee may have excess 1. Deferral percentage is the ratio $450 rule (see Excludable Employees above), elective deferrals even if the amount deferred (expressed as a percentage to 2 decimal is defined as wages under section 3401(a) for under this SEP alone does not exceed the places) of an employee’s elective deferrals for income tax withholding at the source but section 402(g) limit. a calendar year to the employee’s compensation for that year. For this purpose, without regard to any rules that limit the If an employee who elects to defer an employee’s elective deferrals does not remuneration included in wages based on the compensation under this SEP and any other include any catch-up elective deferral |
Enlarge image | Form 5305A-SEP (Rev. 6-2006) Page 4 contributions that exceed the limit in Article excess SEP contributions arose, the SEP no Your notification to each affected employee IIIB(1) or IIIC or the section 402(g) limit longer will be treated as meeting the rules of of the disallowed deferrals must clearly state: applicable to employees under 50. No more section 408(k)(6). In this case, any ● The amount of the disallowed deferrals; than $220,000 (this is the amount for 2006; for contribution to an employee’s IRA will be ● The calendar year in which the disallowed later years, it may be increased for subject to the IRA contribution limits of deferrals and earnings are includible in gross cost-of-living adjustments) of compensation sections 219 and 408 and thus may be income; and per individual is taken into account. The considered an excess contribution to the deferral percentage of an employee who is employee’s IRA. ● That the employee must withdraw the eligible to make an elective deferral, but who Your notification to each affected employee disallowed deferrals (and allocable income) does not make a deferral during the year, is of the excess SEP contributions must from the IRA by April 15 following the zero. If a highly compensated employee also specifically state in a manner written to be calendar year of notification by the employer. makes elective deferrals under another salary understood by the average employee: Those disallowed deferrals not withdrawn by reduction SEP maintained by the employer, ● The amount of the excess SEP April 15 following the year of notification will then the deferral percentage of that highly contributions attributable to that employee’s be subject to the IRA contribution limits of compensated employee includes elective elective deferrals; sections 219 and 408 and thus may be deferrals made under the other SEP. considered an excess contribution to the ● The amount of these excess SEP employee’s IRA. For the employee, these 2. Affiliated employer includes (a) any contributions that must be withdrawn; disallowed deferrals may be subject to the corporation that is a member of a controlled ● The calendar year in which the excess SEP 6% tax on excess contributions under section group of corporations, described in section contributions that must be withdrawn are 4973. If income allocable to a disallowed 414(b) that includes the employer, (b) any includible in gross income; and deferral is not withdrawn by April 15 following trade or business that is under common ● Information stating that the employee must the calendar year of notification by the control, defined in section 414(c) with the withdraw the excess SEP contributions that employer, the employee may be subject to employer, (c) any organization that is a must be withdrawn (and allocable income) the 10% tax on early distributions under member of an affiliated service group, defined from the SEP-IRA by April 15 following the section 72(t) when withdrawn. in section 414(m) that includes the employer, calendar year of notification by the employer. Disallowed deferrals should be reported the and (d) any other entity required to be Excess contributions not withdrawn by April same way excess SEP contributions are aggregated with the employer under 15 following the year of notification will be reported. regulations under section 414(o). subject to the IRA contribution limits of sections 219 and 408 for the preceding Restrictions on Withdrawals 3. A highly compensated employee is an individual described in section 414(q) who: calendar year and may be considered excess Your highly compensated employees may not a. Was a 5% owner defined in section contributions to the employee’s IRA. For the withdraw or transfer from their SEP-IRAs any 416(i)(1)(B)(i) during the current or preceding employee, the excess contributions may be SEP contributions (or income on these year; or subject to the 6% tax on excess contributions contributions) attributable to elective deferrals under section 4973. If income allocable to an made for a particular calendar year until b. For the preceding year had compensation excess SEP contribution is not withdrawn by March 15 of the following year. Before that in excess of $95,000 (if the preceding year April 15 following the calendar year of date, however, you may notify your was 2005, $100,000 if the preceding year was notification by the employer, the employee employees when the deferral percentage 2006) and was in the top-paid group (the top may be subject to the 10% tax on early limitation test has been completed for a 20% of employees, by compensation). For distributions under section 72(t) when particular calendar year and that this later years, the amount may be increased for withdrawn. withdrawal restriction no longer applies. In cost-of-living adjustments. For information on reporting excess SEP general, any transfer or distribution made contributions that must be withdrawn, see before March 15 of the following year (or Excess SEP Contributions— Notice 87-77, 1987-2 C.B. 385, Notice 88-33, notification, if sooner) will be includible in the Notification 1988-1 C.B. 513, Notice 89-32, 1989-1 C.B. employee’s gross income and the employee You must notify each affected employee, if 671, and Rev. Proc. 91-44, 1991-2 C.B. 733. may also be subject to a 10% tax on early any, by March 15 of the amount of any excess To avoid the complications caused by withdrawal. This restriction does not apply to SEP contributions made to that employee’s excess SEP contributions, you may want to an employee’s excess elective deferrals. SEP-IRA for the preceding calendar year and what amount must be withdrawn. If needed, monitor elective deferrals on a continuing Top-Heavy Requirements basis throughout the calendar year to insure use the model form on page 5 of these that the deferrals comply with the limits as Elective deferrals may not be used to satisfy instructions. Excess SEP contributions that they are paid into each employee’s SEP-IRA. the minimum contribution requirement under must be withdrawn are includible in the section 416. In any year in which a key employee’s gross income in the preceding Disallowed Deferrals employee makes an elective deferral, this calendar year. However, if these excess SEP If you determine at the end of any calendar SEP is deemed top-heavy for purposes of contributions (not including allocable income) year that more than half of your eligible section 416, and you are required to make a total less than $100, then the excess employees have chosen not to make elective minimum top-heavy contribution under either contributions that must be withdrawn are deferrals for that year, then all elective this SEP or another SEP for each nonkey includible in the employee’s gross income in deferrals made by your employees for that employee eligible to participate in this SEP. the calendar year of notification. Income year will be considered disallowed deferrals, A key employee under section 416(i)(1) is allocable to these excess SEP contributions is for example, IRA contributions that are not any employee who, at any time during the includible in gross income in the year of SEP-IRA contributions. preceding year was: withdrawal from the IRA. You must notify each affected employee by ● An officer of the employer with If you do not notify any of your employees March 15 that the employee’s deferrals for compensation greater than $140,000 (this is by March 15 of an excess SEP contribution the previous calendar year are no longer the amount for 2006; for later years, it may be that must be withdrawn, you must pay a 10% considered SEP-IRA contributions. Such increased for cost-of-living adjustments); tax on such excess SEP contribution for the disallowed deferrals are includible in the ● A 5% owner of the employer, as defined in preceding calendar year. The tax is reported in employee’s gross income in that preceding section 416(i)(1)(B)(i); or Part VIII of Form 5330. If you do not notify your calendar year. Income allocable to the employees by December 31 of the calendar disallowed deferrals is includible in the ● A 1% owner of the employer with year following the calendar year in which the employee’s gross income in the year of compensation greater than $150,000. withdrawal from the IRA. |
Enlarge image | Form 5305A-SEP (Rev. 6-2006) Page 5 Model Salary Reduction SEP Deferral Form I. Salary reduction deferral Subject to the requirements of the Model Salary Reduction SEP of , I authorize the (name of employer) following amount or percentage to be withheld from each of my paychecks and contributed to my SEP-IRA: (a) % (not to exceed 25%) of my salary; or (b) $. This salary reduction authorization shall remain in effect until I provide written modification or termination of its terms to my employer. II. Amount of deferral I understand that the total amount I defer in any calendar year may not exceed the smaller of: (a) 25% of my compensation (determined without including any SEP-IRA contributions); or (b) the section 402(g) limit for the year. III. Commencement of deferral The deferral election specified in Iabove shall not become effective before . Specify (Month, day, year) a date no earlier than the first day of the first pay period beginning after this authorization. IV. Distributions from SEP-IRAs I understand that I should not withdraw or transfer any amounts from my SEP-IRA that are attributable to elective deferrals and income on elective deferrals for a particular calendar year (except for excess elective deferrals) until March 15 of the subsequent year or, if sooner, when my employer notifies me that the deferral percentage limitation test for that plan year has been completed. Any such amounts that I withdraw or transfer before this time will be includible in income for purposes of sections 72(t) and 408(d)(1). Signature of employee Date Notification of Excess SEP Contributions To: (name of employee) Our calculations indicate that the elective deferrals you made to your SEP-IRA for calendar year exceed the maximum permissible limits under section 408(k)(6), and that $ must be withdrawn from your SEP-IRA. These excess SEP contributions are includible in your gross income for the (insert the year identified above, or if less than $100, the following year) calendar year. These excess SEP contributions must be distributed from your SEP-IRA by April 15, 20 (insert year after the calendar year in which this notice is given) in order to avoid possible penalties. Income allocable to the excess amounts must be withdrawn at the same time and is includible in income in the year of withdrawal. Excess SEP contributions remaining in your SEP-IRA account after that time are subject to a 6% excise tax, and the income on these excess SEP contributions may be subject to a 10% penalty when finally withdrawn. You made total excess contributions for the year of $ . This amount may be different from the amount you have to withdraw if you have unused catch-up elective deferral contributions under this SEP for the year. Signature of employer Date Form 5305A-SEP (Rev. 6-2006) |
Enlarge image | Form 5305A-SEP (Rev. 6-2006) Page 6 Instructions for the Employee Section 402(g) Limit If you do not withdraw excess elective deferrals and any allocable income by April The following instructions explain what a Section 402(g) limits the maximum amount of 15, the excess elective deferrals will be simplified employee pension (SEP) is, how compensation you can defer in each calendar subject to the IRA contribution limits of contributions to a SEP are made, and how to year to all salary reduction SEPs, SIMPLE IRA sections 219 and 408 and will be considered treat these contributions for tax purposes. For plans under section 408(p), section 403(b) excess contributions to your IRA. Such more information, see the SEP agreement on salary reduction arrangements, and cash or excess deferrals are subject to a 6% excise pages 1 and 2 and the Instructions for the deferred arrangements under section 401(k), tax for each year they remain in the SEP-IRA. Employer beginning on page 2. regardless of the number of employers you The excise tax is reported in Part III of Form may have worked for during the year. This 5329. What Is A SEP? limit is $15,000 for 2006 and later years. After A SEP is a written arrangement (a plan) that 2006, the $15,000 amount may be increased Income earned on excess elective deferrals allows an employer to make contributions for cost-of-living adjustments. If you are 50 or is includible in your gross income in the year toward your retirement without becoming older before the end of the calendar year, you you withdraw it from your IRA. The income involved in more complex retirement plans. A can defer an additional amount of should be withdrawn by April 15 following the SEP may include a salary reduction compensation (“catch-up elective deferral calendar year in which the deferrals were arrangement, like the one provided on this contributions”) during the year. The limit on made. If the income is withdrawn after that form. Under this arrangement, you can elect to catch-up elective deferral contributions is date and you are not 59 ⁄1 2 years of age, it have your employer contribute part of your pay $5,000 for 2006 and later years. After 2006, may be subject to the 10% tax on early to your own traditional individual retirement the $5,000 amount may be increased for distributions. Report the tax in Part I of Form account or annuity (traditional IRA), set up by cost-of-living adjustments. 5329. Also see Pub. 590 for a discussion of exceptions to the age 59 ⁄1 2 rule. you or on your behalf with a bank, insurance For a highly compensated employee, there company, or other qualified financial may be a further limit on the amount you can Excess SEP Contributions institution. The part contributed is tax defer. Figured by your employer and known If you are a highly compensated employee, deferred. Only the remaining part of your pay as the deferral percentage limitation, it limits you may have excess SEP contributions for a is currently taxable. This type of SEP is the percentage of pay that a highly calendar year that may have to be withdrawn available only to an employer with 25 or fewer compensated employee can elect to defer to from your SEP-IRA. If you have excess SEP eligible employees. a SEP-IRA. Your employer will notify any contributions that do not have to be The traditional IRA must be one for which highly compensated employee who has withdrawn (because you had unused the IRS has issued a favorable opinion letter or exceeded the limitation. catch-up elective deferral contributions), the a model traditional IRA published by the IRS Tax Treatment following rules on including the contributions as Form 5305, Traditional Individual in income, withdrawing the contributions, and Retirement Trust Account, or Form 5305-A, Elective deferrals that do not exceed the penalties if you don’t withdraw them do not Traditional Individual Retirement Custodial limits discussed above are excluded from apply to these excess SEP contributions. Account. It cannot be a SIMPLE IRA (an IRA your gross income in the year of the deferral. Your employer must notify you of any excess designed to accept contributions made under They are not included as taxable wages on contributions, whether or not they must be a SIMPLE IRA Plan described in section Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. withdrawn. This notification should show the 408(p)) or a Roth IRA. However, elective deferrals are treated as amount of the excess SEP contributions, the Your employer must provide you with a wages for social security, Medicare, and amount that must be withdrawn, the calendar copy of the SEP agreement containing unemployment (FUTA) tax purposes. year to include any excess contributions in eligibility requirements and a description of the Excess Amounts income, and the penalties that may be basis upon which contributions may be made. assessed if the contributions that must be There are three situations which will result in withdrawn are not withdrawn from your IRA All amounts contributed to your IRA belong excess amounts in a salary reduction within the applicable time period. to you, even after you quit working for your SEP-IRA. Your employer must notify you of the employer. 1. Making excess elective deferrals (for excess SEP contributions by March 15 Forms and Publications You May example, amounts in excess of the section following the calendar year for which you Use 402(g) limit). You must determine whether you made the excess SEP contributions. An employee may use either of the two forms have exceeded the limit in the calendar year. Generally, you include the excess SEP and the publications listed below. 2. Highly compensated employees who contributions in income for the calendar year ● Form 5329, Additional Taxes on Qualified make excess SEP contributions (for example, in which you made the original deferrals. This amounts in excess of the deferral percentage may require you to file an amended individual Plans (including IRAs) and Other Tax-Favored limitation referred to above). The employer income tax return. However, any excess SEP Accounts. Use Form 5329 to pay tax on must determine if an employee has made contribution less than $100 (not including excess contributions and/or tax on early excess SEP contributions. allocable income) must be included in income distributions. 3. Having disallowed deferrals (for example, in the calendar year of notification. Income ● Form 8606, Nondeductible IRAs. Use Form more than half of your employer’s eligible earned on these excess contributions must 8606 to report nondeductible IRA employees choose not to make elective be included in your gross income when you contributions. deferrals for a year). All elective deferrals withdraw it from your IRA. ● Pub. 590, Individual Retirement made by employees for that year are You must withdraw these excess SEP Arrangements (IRAs). considered disallowed deferrals, as discussed contributions (and allocable income) from ● Pub. 560, Retirement Plans for Small below. Your employer must also determine if your IRA. You may withdraw these amounts Business (SEP, SIMPLE, and Qualified Plans). there are disallowed deferrals. without penalty, until April 15 following the calendar year in which you were notified by Elective Deferrals Excess Elective Deferrals your employer of the excess SEP Annual Limitation Excess elective deferrals are includible in your contributions. Otherwise, the excess SEP The maximum amount that you may defer to a gross income in the calendar year of deferral. contributions are subject to the IRA SEP for a calendar year is limited to the Income earned on the excess elective contribution limits of sections 219 and 408 smaller of 25% of compensation or the section deferrals is includible in the year of and will be considered an excess contribution 402(g) limit. The 25% limit is reduced if your withdrawal from the IRA. You should to your IRA. Thus, the excess SEP employer makes nonelective contributions on withdraw excess elective deferrals and any contributions are subject to a 6% excise tax your behalf to this or another SEP for the year. allocable income by April 15 following the reportable in Part III of Form 5329 for each In that case, the total contributions on your year to which the deferrals relate. These year the contributions remain in your IRA. behalf to all such SEPs may not exceed the amounts may not be transferred or rolled over If you do not withdraw the income earned smaller of $44,000 (this is the amount for tax-free to another IRA. on the excess SEP contributions by April 15 2006; for later years, it may be increased for following the calendar year of notification by cost-of-living adjustments) or 25% of your employer, the income may be subject to compensation. |
Enlarge image | Form 5305A-SEP (Rev. 6-2006) Page 7 a 10% tax on early distributions if you are not these contributions) attributable to elective disclosure statement that contains the 59 ⁄1 2 years of age when you withdraw it. deferrals made during the year until March 15 following information in plain, nontechnical Report the tax in Part I of Form 5329. Also of the following year or, if sooner, at the time language: see Pub. 590. your employer notifies you that the deferral per- 1. The law that relates to your IRA. If you have both excess elective deferrals centage limitation test (discussed under Annual 2. The tax consequences of various options and excess SEP contributions, the amount Limitation on page 6) has been completed for concerning your IRA. of excess elective deferrals that you withdraw that year. In general, any transfer or distribution 3. Participation eligibility rules, and rules on by April 15 will reduce any excess SEP made before this time is includible in your gross the deductibility of retirement savings. contributions that must be withdrawn for the income and may also be subject to a 10% tax corresponding calendar year. on early distribution. Report this tax in Part I of 4. Situations and procedures for revoking Form 5329. You may, however, remove excess your IRA, including the name, address, and Disallowed Deferrals elective deferrals from your SEP-IRA before this telephone number of the person designated You are not required to make elective time but you may not roll over or transfer these to receive notice of revocation. (This deferrals to a SEP-IRA. However, if more than deferrals to another IRA. information must be clearly displayed at the 50% of your employer’s eligible employees beginning of the disclosure statement.) choose not to make elective deferrals in a If the restrictions above do not apply, you 5. A discussion of the penalties that may calendar year, then no employee may may withdraw funds from your SEP-IRA and be assessed because of prohibited activities participate for that calendar year. If you make no more than 60 days later place those funds concerning the IRA. elective deferrals during a year in which this in the same or another IRA, but not in a happens, then your deferrals for that year will SIMPLE IRA. This is called a “rollover” and 6. Financial disclosure that provides the be “disallowed,” and the deferrals will be can be done without penalty only once in any following information. treated as ordinary IRA contributions (which 1-year period. However, there are no restrictions on the number of times that you a. Projects value growth rates of the IRA may be excess IRA contributions) rather than may make “transfers” if you arrange to have under various contribution and retirement SEP-IRA contributions. these funds transferred between the trustees schedules, or describes the method of Disallowed deferrals and any income the or the custodians so that you never have computing and allocating annual earnings and deferrals have earned may be withdrawn, possession of the funds. charges that may be assessed. without penalty until April 15 following the You may not, however, roll over or transfer b. Describes whether, and for what period, calendar year in which you are notified of the excess elective deferrals, excess SEP the growth projections are guaranteed, or a disallowed deferrals. Amounts left in the IRA contributions, or disallowed deferrals from statement of earnings rate and the terms on after that date will be subject to the same your SEP-IRA to another IRA. These amounts which these projections are based. penalties discussed in Excess SEP Contributions above. may be reduced only by a distribution to you. c. States the sales commission to be charged in each year expressed as a Income Allocable To Excess Employer To Provide Information on percentage of $1,000. Amounts SEP-IRAs and Form 5305A-SEP In addition, the financial institution must The rules for determining and allocating Your employer must give you a copy of the provide you with a financial statement each income to excess elective deferrals, excess following information: year. You may want to keep these statements SEP contributions, and disallowed deferrals to evaluate your IRA’s investment are the same as those governing regular IRA 1. A copy of a completed Form performance and to report IRA distributions contributions. The trustee or custodian of 5305A-SEP, the Model Salary Reduction SEP for tax purposes. your SEP-IRA will inform you of the income Deferral Form (used to defer amounts to the allocable to these amounts. SEP), and, if applicable, a copy of the Notice of Excess SEP Contributions. Your employer Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. You are Additional Top-Heavy Contributions should also provide you with a statement of not required to provide the information any contributions made during the calendar requested on a form that is subject to the If you are not a key employee, your employer year to your SEP-IRA. Highly compensated Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form must make an additional contribution to your employees must also be notified at the time displays a valid OMB control number. Books SEP-IRA for a year in which the SEP is the deferral percentage limitation test is or records relating to a form or its instructions considered “top heavy.” (Your employer can completed. must be retained as long as their contents tell you if you are a key employee. Also, see 2. A statement that traditional IRAs other may become material in the administration of Top-Heavy Requirements on page 4 for the than SEP-IRAs receiving contributions under any Internal Revenue law. Generally, tax definition of a key employee.) This additional this SEP may have different rates of return returns and return information are contribution will not exceed 3% of your and different terms (for example, transfers confidential, as required by section 6103. compensation. It may be less if your employer and withdrawals from the IRAs). has already made a contribution to your The time needed to complete this form will SEP-IRA, and for certain other reasons. 3. A statement that the administrator of an vary depending on individual circumstances. amended SEP must furnish to each The estimated average time is: IRA Contribution for SEP participant within 30 days of the amendment, Recordkeeping 4 hr., 29 min. Participants a copy of the amendment and an explanation of its effects. Learning about the In addition to any SEP amounts, you may 4. A statement that the administrator must law or the form 5 hr., 1 min. make regular IRA contributions to an IRA. notify each participant in writing of any Preparing the form 58 min. However, the amount of your contribution that employer contributions to the SEP-IRA. The If you have comments concerning the you may deduct on your income tax return is notification must be made by the later of accuracy of these time estimates or subject to various income limits. See Form January 31 following the year of the suggestions for making this form simpler, we 8606. Also, you may want to see Pub. 590. contribution or 30 days after the contribution would be happy to hear from you. You can is made. SEP-IRA Amounts—Rollover or write to the Internal Revenue Service, Tax Transfer To Another IRA Financial Institution Requirements Products Coordinating Committee, SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, 1111 Constitution Ave. If you are a highly compensated employee, The financial institution where your IRA is NW, IR-6406, Washington, DC 20224. Do not you may not withdraw or transfer from your maintained must provide you with a send this form to this address. Instead, keep SEP-IRA any SEP contributions (or income on it for your records. |
Enlarge image | Form 5305A-SEP (Rev. 6-2006) Page 8 Deferral Percentage Limitation Worksheet (see instructions on page 3) (b) Status (f) Permitted (g) Permitted (h) Excess (a) Employee Name H = HCE* (c) Compensation (d) Deferrals (e) Ratio ratio amount (for HCE* only) O = Other (see below) (see below) (d) (c) (for HCE* only, see (for HCE* only) (d) minus (g) below) (c) (f) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 * Highly compensated employee. See the definition on page 4. Column (c). Compensation. Enter compensation from this employer and any related employers. Column (d). Deferrals. Enter all SEP elective deferrals other than catch-up elective deferral contributions. See Deferral percentage on page 3. Column (f). Permitted ratio. Column (h). Excess. Amounts in this column may have to be withdrawn by the HCE. See instructions on page 3. A Enter the total of the ratios in column (e) for the employees marked as “O” in column (b) B Divide line A by the number of employees marked as “O” in column (b) C Permitted ratio. Multiply line B by 1.25 and enter the permitted ratio here |