Modification of Revenue Procedure (2013-12/formerly 2008-50)

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

.01 Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
.02 General principles underlying EPCRS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
.03 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
SECTION 2. EFFECT OF THIS REVENUE PROCEDURE ON PROGRAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317

.01 Effect on programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 Modifications to VCP submission procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.03 Modifications relating to 403(b) Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 Description of other modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.05 Future enhancements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

317
317
317
318
321

PART II. PROGRAM EFFECT AND ELIGIBILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
SECTION 3. EFFECT OF EPCRS; RELIANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321

.01 Effect of EPCRS on retirement plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 Compliance statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.03 Other taxes and penalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 Reliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

321
322
322
322

SECTION 4. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322

.01 EPCRS Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 Effect of examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.03 Favorable Letter requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 Established practices and procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.05 Correction by plan amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.06 Availability of correction for Employer Eligibility Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.07 Availability of correction for a terminated plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.08 Availability of correction for an Orphan Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.09 Availability of correction for § 457 plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.10 Submission for a determination letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.11 Egregious failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.12 Diversion or misuse of plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.13 Abusive tax avoidance transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

322
322
322
323
323
323
324
324
324
324
324
324
324

PART III. DEFINITIONS, CORRECTION PRINCIPLES, AND RULES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
SECTION 5. DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325

.01 Definitions for Qualified Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 Definitions for 403(b) Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.03 Definitions for Orphan Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 Earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.05 IRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.06 References to Rev. Proc. 2007–44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.07 SEP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.08 SIMPLE IRA Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.09 Under Examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

325
327
329
329
329
329
329
329
329

SECTION 6. CORRECTION PRINCIPLES AND RULES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330

.01 Correction principles; rules of general applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
.02 Correction principles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330

2013–4 I.R.B.

313

January 22, 2013

.03 Correction of an Employer Eligibility Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 Correction of a failure to obtain spousal consent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.05 Submission of a determination letter application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.06 Special rules relating to Excess Amounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.07 Rules relating to reporting plan loan failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.08 Correction under statute or regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.09 Matters subject to excise or other taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.10 Correction for 403(b) Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.11 Correction for SEPs and SIMPLE IRA Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.12 Confidentiality and disclosure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.13 No effect on other law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

335
336
336
339
340
341
341
343
343
344
344

PART IV. SELF-CORRECTION (SCP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
SECTION 7. IN GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
SECTION 8. SELF-CORRECTION OF INSIGNIFICANT OPERATIONAL FAILURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345

.01 Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.03 Multiple failures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

345
345
345
345

SECTION 9. SELF-CORRECTION OF SIGNIFICANT OPERATIONAL FAILURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346

.01 Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 Correction period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.03 Correction by plan amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 Substantial completion of correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.05 Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

346
346
346
346
347

PART V. VOLUNTARY CORRECTION PROGRAM WITH SERVICE APPROVAL (VCP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
SECTION 10. VCP PROCEDURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347

.01 VCP requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 Identification of failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.03 Effect of VCP submission on examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 No concurrent examination activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.05 Determination letter application for plan amendments related to a VCP submission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.06 Determination letter applications not related to a VCP submission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.07 Processing of submission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.08 Compliance statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.09 Effect of compliance statement on examination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.10 Special rules relating to Anonymous Submissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.11 Special rules relating to Group Submissions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.12 Multiemployer and multiple employer plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

347
348
348
348
348
348
348
350
351
351
352
353

SECTION 11. SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR VCP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353

.01 General rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 Use of Appendix C Part II Schedules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.03 Submission requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 Required documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.05 Date fee due generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.06 Additional fee due for SEPs, SIMPLE IRA Plans and Group Submissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.07 Power of attorney requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.08 Penalty of perjury statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.09 Procedural Requirements Checklist for Form 8950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.10 Orphan Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.11 Acknowledgement letter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.12 VCP mailing address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.13 Maintenance of copies of submissions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

January 22, 2013

314

353
353
355
356
356
356
357
357
357
357
357
357
357

2013–4 I.R.B.

.14 Assembling the submission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
SECTION 12. VCP FEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359

.01 VCP fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 VCP fee for Qualified Plans and 403(b) Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.03 VCP fee for nonamender failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 VCP fee for multiple failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.05 VCP fee for Group Submission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.06 VCP fee for SEPs and SIMPLE IRA Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.07 VCP fee for egregious or intentional failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.08 Establishing the number of plan participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.09 Insufficient VCP fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

359
359
360
360
360
360
360
360
361

PART VI. CORRECTION ON AUDIT (AUDIT CAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
SECTION 13. DESCRIPTION OF AUDIT CAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361

.01 Audit CAP requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 Payment of sanction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.03 Additional requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 Failure to reach resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.05 Effect of closing agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.06 Other procedural rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

361
361
361
361
362
362

SECTION 14. AUDIT CAP SANCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362

.01 Determination of sanction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 Factors considered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.03 Transferred Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 Fee for nonamenders discovered during the determination letter application process not related to a
VCP submission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

362
362
362
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

.01 General rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 Failure to properly provide the minimum top-heavy benefit under § 416 to non-key employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.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) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 Failure to distribute elective deferrals in excess of the § 402(g) limit (in contravention of
§ 401(a)(30)) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.05 Exclusion of an eligible employee from all contributions or accruals under the plan for one or more
plan years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.06 Failure to timely pay the minimum distribution required under § 401(a)(9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.07 Failure to obtain participant or spousal consent for a distribution subject to the participant and
spousal consent rules under §§ 401(a)(11), 411(a)(11), and 417 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.08 Failure to satisfy the § 415 limits in a defined contribution plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.09 Orphan Plans; orphan contracts and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

364
365
365
365
365
370
370
371
371

APPENDIX B: CORRECTION METHODS AND EXAMPLES; EARNINGS ADJUSTMENT METHODS AND
EXAMPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
SECTION 1. PURPOSE, ASSUMPTIONS FOR EXAMPLES AND SECTION REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372

.01 Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
.02 Assumptions for Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372

2013–4 I.R.B.

315

January 22, 2013

.03 Designated Roth contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
.04 Section references . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
SECTION 2. CORRECTION METHODS AND EXAMPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373

.01 ADP/ACP Failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.02 Exclusion of Otherwise Eligible Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.03 Vesting Failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.04 § 415 Failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.05 Correction of Other Overpayment Failures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.06 § 401(a)(17) Failures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.07 Correction by Amendment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

373
375
385
386
388
389
389

SECTION 3. EARNINGS ADJUSTMENT METHODS AND EXAMPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390

.01 Earnings Adjustment Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
.02 Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
APPENDIX C: MODEL VCP SUBMISSION DOCUMENTS Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Part I- Model VCP Submission Compliance Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Part II- Appendix C Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402

Schedule 1 - Interim and Certain Discretionary Nonamender Failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule 2 – Nonamender Failures (other than those to which Schedule 1 applies) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule 3 - SEPs and SARSEPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule 4 - SIMPLE IRAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule 5 - Plan Loan Failures (Qualified Plans and 403(b) Plans) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule 6 - Employer Eligibility Failure (§ 401(k) and 403(b) Plans only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule 7 - Failure to Distribute Elective Deferrals in Excess of the § 402(g) limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule 8 - Failure to Pay Required Minimum Distribution Timely under § 401(a)(9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule 9 - Correction by Plan Amendment (in accordance with Appendix B). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

402
404
407
415
422
428
430
432
434

APPENDIX D: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439

PART I. INTRODUCTION
TO EMPLOYEE PLANS
COMPLIANCE RESOLUTION
SYSTEM
SECTION 1. PURPOSE AND
OVERVIEW

.01 Purpose. This revenue procedure updates the comprehensive system of correction programs 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 components of EPCRS are the Self-Correction Program (“SCP”), the Voluntary Correction Program
(“VCP”), and the Audit Closing Agreement Program (“Audit CAP”).
.02 General principles underlying EPCRS. EPCRS is based on the following general principles:

•
•
•

January 22, 2013

Sponsors and other administrators of eligible plans should be encouraged to establish administrative 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 document 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.

316

2013–4 I.R.B.

•
•
•
•
•

Voluntary compliance is promoted by providing for limited fees for voluntary corrections
approved by the Internal Revenue Service (“Service”), thereby reducing employers’ uncertainty 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 incentive 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.
Sponsors should be able to rely on the availability of EPCRS in taking corrective actions
to maintain the tax-favored status of their plans.
.03 Overview. EPCRS includes the following basic elements:

•

•
•

SECTION 2. EFFECT OF THIS
REVENUE PROCEDURE ON
PROGRAMS

Self-correction (SCP). A Plan Sponsor that has established compliance practices and procedures may, at any time without paying any fee or sanction, correct insignificant Operational 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 Operational 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 audit, 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 procedures 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 extent to which correction occurred before audit.

.01 Effect 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.
.02 Modifications 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 Correction Program (VCP) Under the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS),
and a Form 8951, Compliance Fee for Application for Voluntary Correction Program Submission Under the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS ). Section 11.12 provides 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.
.03 Modifications relating to 403(b) Plans. This revenue procedure generally permits Plan
Sponsors maintaining 403(b) Plans to correct a failure in the same manner that the same failure 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 Operational 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 the regulations under § 403(b). These regulations
are generally effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2009. (See section 16 for rules applicable to 403(b) failures that 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.

317

January 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 intended to 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 violation of
§ 403(b) with respect to a plan’s operation other than a failure to operate in accordance 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 remedial amendment
period for years after 2009 that will permit employers to retroactively amend their plans for
Plan Document Failures. To the extent that a remedial amendment period applies under Announcement 2009–89, a 403(b) plan will not have a Plan Document Failure during the period
beginning January 1, 2010, and ending on a date to be announced in future guidance, provided that the Plan Document Failure is corrected through a retroactive plan amendment 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 2009–3.
.04 Description of other modifications. The modifications to Rev. Proc. 2008–50 that are
reflected in this revenue procedure include:

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
January 22, 2013

Replacing references to VCP application procedures with VCP submission procedures
Updating section 4.04 to address established practices and procedures to promote compliance with § 415(c)
Updating section 4.09 regarding the availability of correction of § 457 plans
Adding a definition of Earnings to section 5 that 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 what is meant by “good faith amendments,” “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 specify that a determination
letter application is not required and may not be submitted to correct a Demographic Failure, 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

318

2013–4 I.R.B.

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

2013–4 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 contribution 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, reorganizing 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 Submission is made by an individual who represents the Plan Sponsor, such individual must
satisfy the power of attorney requirements and provide 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 new requirement (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 document 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 submissions 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 documents 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 submissions along with the initial compliance fee
Adding section 12.01(2) to provide notice that VCP compliance fee checks may be converted 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 letter is conditioned) within the applicable remedial amendment period, and (b) the required
amendment is adopted within three months of the expiration of the remedial amendment
period for adopting the proposed amendment

319

January 22, 2013

•
•
•

•

•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•

•

January 22, 2013

Adding section 12.04 to provide that if a VCP submission 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 application process not related to a VCP submission and
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 exclusion 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 amendments 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 (formerly Appendix 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 Appendix 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 determination 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 the method of locating former participants on the
Model VCP Submission Compliance Statement associated with Appendix C Part I or any
issued compliance statements

320

2013–4 I.R.B.

.05 Future enhancements.
(1) Future updates. It is expected that the EPCRS revenue procedure will continue to be updated, 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 certain specific issues under EPCRS. First, comments
are requested regarding methods to correct the failure to implement automatic enrollment (including 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 provision, 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 specified 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 correction 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. Second, 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-tax elective 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 inclusion of the amount so transferred in the participant’s compensation in the year of the transfer
(instead of either (i) a similar transfer with a corrected W–2 for the year of 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 contribution to 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 and Example 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 applies 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

2013–4 I.R.B.

.01 Effect 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 Sponsor corrects a failure in accordance with the applicable requirements of SCP in section 7, VCP

321

January 22, 2013

in sections 10 and 11, or Audit CAP in section 13, the Service will not treat the plan as failing 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 satisfy § 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).
.02 Compliance statement. If a Plan Sponsor or Eligible Organization receives a compliance statement under VCP, the compliance statement is binding upon the Service and the Plan
Sponsor or Eligible Organization as provided in section 10.08.
.03 Excise and other taxes. See section 6.09 for rules relating to excise and other taxes.
.04 Reliance. Taxpayers may rely on this revenue procedure, including the relief described
in section 3.01.
SECTION 4. PROGRAM
ELIGIBILITY

.01 EPCRS 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 Operational 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 for correction of all failures found on examination 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 requirements of § 72(p)(2).
(4) Eligibility for other arrangements. The Service may extend EPCRS to other arrangements.
(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 administration.
.02 Effect 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 Examination, insignificant Operational Failures can 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 failures can be completed under SCP.
.03 Favorable 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 plan document 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 has been 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 forth in Rev. Proc. 2002–10.

January 22, 2013

322

2013–4 I.R.B.

.04 Established 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 requirements. 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 established procedures. In order for a Plan Sponsor or administrator 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 situations 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 Code requirement. 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 plan is 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 established practices and procedures for 403(b) Plans.)
.05 Correction 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 applicable 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 amendment 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 issuance 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. These failures must be corrected 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 deferral 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.
.06 Availability 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.

323

January 22, 2013

.07 Availability 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.
.08 Availability of correction for an Orphan Plan. A failure in an Orphan Plan that is terminating 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.
.09 Availability of correction for § 457 plans. Submissions relating to § 457(b) will be
accepted by the Service on a provisional basis outside 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.
.10 Submission 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.
.11 Egregious failures. SCP is not available to correct Operational Failures that are egregious. 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 correct 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 that the 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.
.12 Diversion 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.
.13 Abusive 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
may have been, a party to an abusive tax avoidance transaction (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 transaction, 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 for examination. However, if the Tax Shelter
Coordinator determines that the plan failures are unrelated to the abusive tax avoidance transaction 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, 2013

324

2013–4 I.R.B.

with respect to those failures. In no event may a 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. 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 been, a party to an
abusive tax avoidance transaction, the matter may be referred to the Internal Revenue Service’s
Employee Plans’ Tax Shelter Coordinator. With respect to plans Under Examination, an abusive 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 determines that a failure is related to the abusive tax avoidance transaction, 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 been taken with regard to the
transaction, the Service reserves the right to conclude that neither Audit CAP nor SCP is available 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) and any 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. DEFINITIONS

The following definitions apply for purposes of this revenue procedure:
.01 Definitions for Qualified Plans. The definitions in this section 5.01 apply to Qualified
Plans.
(1) Qualified Plan. The term “Qualified Plan” means a plan intended to satisfy the requirements 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 the plan providing for the satisfaction of the requirements 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.

325

January 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
terms of such amendment, the plan is considered to have an Operational Failure.
(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 adoption of a plan intended to include a qualified cash 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 “Excess 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 under 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 deferral 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 contribution under § 401(k) or (m); (v) an elective deferral or after-tax employee contribution 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 aggregate 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 additions under 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 account 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 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, 2013

326

2013–4 I.R.B.

has adopted a plan that is identical to an approved volume submitter plan. A plan has a current 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 considers the law changes incorporated in the Plan Sponsor’s most recently expired remedial amendment 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 Sponsor 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 disqualification 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 contributions (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 maintains 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.
.02 Definitions 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 a failure 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 applicable remedial amendment period is a Plan Document Failure. If a plan has not been timely or properly amended during an applicable remedial

2013–4 I.R.B.

327

January 22, 2013

amendment period with respect to provisions required to maintain the status of the plan under § 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 of the plan providing for the satisfaction of the requirements 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 adoption 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 permitted 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) if that excess is maintained in a separate account
in accordance with the rules in the regulations under §§ 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 rules set 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 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 either made from the participant’s or beneficiary’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, 2013

328

2013–4 I.R.B.

(a) additional income tax resulting from income inclusion for employees or other participants (Form 1040), including the tax on 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
(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.
.03 Definitions 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
spouse who is the sole beneficiary of a plan that provided 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.
.04 Earnings. 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.
.05 IRA. The term “IRA” means an individual retirement account (as defined in § 408(a))
or an individual retirement annuity (as defined in § 408(b)).
.06 References 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 procedure to Rev. Proc. 2007–44,
2007–2 C.B. 54, include any modifications published in the Cumulative Bulletin, including
any successor revenue procedure (and references to any section thereof if such references refer
to the successor section in any successor revenue procedure). For 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).
.07 SEP. 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.
.08 SIMPLE IRA Plan. The term “SIMPLE IRA Plan” means a plan intended to satisfy the
requirements of § 408(p).
.09 Under 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 Employee Plans examination); (b) a Plan Sponsor that is under an Exempt Organizations examination (that is, an examination of a Form 990 series or 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.

329

January 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 Employee 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 examination. A plan is considered to be Under Examination if it is aggregated for purposes of satisfying the nondiscrimination requirements of § 401(a)(4), the minimum participation requirements 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 considered 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 submitted 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 that indicates the existence of a failure not previously identified by the Plan Sponsor, the plan is considered to be under an Employee Plans
examination. If, in such a case, the determination letter 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 reviewing 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) verbal or written notification
from Exempt Organizations of an impending Exempt Organizations examination or of an impending 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 litigation for issues raised in an Exempt Organizations examination.
SECTION 6. CORRECTION
PRINCIPLES AND RULES OF
GENERAL APPLICABILITY

.01 Correction 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 purposes of this revenue procedure.
.02 Correction principles. Generally, a failure is not 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 terms of the plan at the time of the failure. Correction
should be accomplished taking into account 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, 2013

330

2013–4 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 appropriate 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 method of 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 determined 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 allocation (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 benefits 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 testing 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 nondiscrimination), 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 correction 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.

331

January 22, 2013

(relating to abandoned plans). Second, the qualified termination administrator, based on plan
records located and updated in accordance with the 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 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 Earnings
between that date and the date of distribution. Fourth, participants and beneficiaries must receive 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 administrator, 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 Voluntary Fiduciary 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 taken into account as correction under
this revenue procedure. (See also section 7.3(b) of the Department of Labor’s Voluntary Fiduciary 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 available 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 Failures 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 an appropriate correction method includes the use of corrective allocations 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 compensation that would have been used under the plan for the 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 corrective 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 the correction 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, including 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, 2013

332

2013–4 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 (including 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 an unpredictable contingent event benefit, the
amount described in § 436(b)(2) with respect to that benefit; (B) in the case of a failure to satisfy § 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 also section 6.06(3) for correction of an Overpayment (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 the correction, 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 rules relating 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 must be fully corrected. Although 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 beneficiaries 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 probable 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.

333

January 22, 2013

exceed the probable difference or (ii) it is not possible to make a precise calculation (for example, where it is impossible to provide plan data), reasonable estimates may be used in calculating 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 can be found on the internet at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/calculator.
(b) Delivery of small benefits. If the total corrective distribution due a participant or beneficiary 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 beneficiary 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 Overpayment to a
participant or beneficiary is $100 or less, the Plan Sponsor is not required to seek the return of
the Overpayment from the participant or beneficiary. The Plan Sponsor is not required to notify
the participant or beneficiary that the Overpayment is not eligible for favorable tax treatment
accorded to distributions from the plan (and, specifically, is not eligible for 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 accordance with this paragraph; provided that, 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 with section 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 favorable tax treatment accorded to distributions from the
plan (and, specifically, is not eligible for tax-free rollover). See section 6.06(1) for such notice
requirements.

January 22, 2013

334

2013–4 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 accordance 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 after-tax employee contributions. If a Qualified Plan or 403(b) Plan has an Operational Failure that consists of excluding an employee that should have been eligible to make an elective deferral or
an after-tax employee contribution, the employer should contribute to the plan on 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 accumulated
with earnings tax deferred in the future. This correction principle applies solely to this limited circumstance. It does not, for example, extend to the correction of a failure to satisfy a
nondiscrimination test, e.g., the ADP test pursuant to § 401(k)(3) and the ACP test pursuant to
§ 401(m)(2). Specific methods and examples to correct this failure are provided in Appendix
A, section .05, and Appendix B, section 2.02. Similarly, the methods and examples provided
for correcting this failure do not extend to other failures. Thus, the correction methods and the
examples in Appendix A, section .05, and Appendix B, section 2.02, cannot, for example, 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 from the plan should be properly reported.
.03 Correction of an Employer Eligibility Failure. (1) The permitted correction of an Employer Eligibility Failure is the cessation of all contributions (including elective 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 occurrence 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 the case 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 or Audit 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 requirements 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 under § 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.

335

January 22, 2013

.04 Correction 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 must notify 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 method in 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 offer 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 benefit (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).
.05 Submission 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 application will be reviewed with respect to all items included in the Cumulative List (as defined in
Rev. Proc. 2007–44) that would apply to the remedial amendment cycle during which the determination 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 is achieved 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 failure 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 last 12 months of the plan’s remedial amendment cycle 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-cycle year. For this purpose, the term “nonamender failure” means a failure to amend the plan

January 22, 2013

336

2013–4 I.R.B.

to correct a disqualifying provision described in § 1.401(b)–1(b) within the applicable remedial 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 provision 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 Operational 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 earlier, in connection with the plan’s termination. The determination letter application 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 under SCP. 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 any abusive 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 to adopt timely
good faith amendments, interim amendments, or amendments required to implement 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 6.05(3)(a) are applicable with respect to a failure to adopt timely good faith, interim, or optional law change
amendments that is corrected (i.e., corrective amendments are adopted by the employer) prior
to the plan’s first on-cycle year following the date by which any such amendment should have
been adopted pursuant to section 5.05 of Rev. Proc. 2007–44. If a Plan Sponsor submits a failure 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 optional law changes,
then a determination letter application is not required and may not be submitted 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 guidance that are not required to preserve the plan’s qualified status, but are implemented at the Plan
Sponsor’s discretion, other than amendments that are integral to plan provisions that are disqualifying 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 amendments being treated as if they had been adopted timely

2013–4 I.R.B.

337

January 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 Plan Sponsor submits an Operational
Failure under VCP or corrects such a failure under Audit CAP, then a determination letter application 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 correction 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 agreement 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-cycle year should also include a copy of the closing agreement 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 application 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. Generally, under VCP or Audit CAP, a Plan Sponsor that is a pre-approved plan adopter is able to amend its
plan to correct a Qualification Failure (provided the amendment satisfies the requirements 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 Plan Sponsor
to lose reliance on the plan’s opinion or advisory letter, except in the limited 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 to the plan that would cause the plan to lose its

January 22, 2013

338

2013–4 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 respect to any amendment proposed or adopted to correct
any Qualification Failure under VCP or Audit CAP.
.06 Special 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 in section 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 distributions from 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 accordance 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 employees in 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 separate 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 (other than elective deferrals) in the current year or
succeeding year. While such amounts remain in the 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 Earnings) 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 resulting from a violation of § 415 consists of annual additions 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 contributions. 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 contributions in the current year and succeeding year. Such unallocated account is adjusted for

2013–4 I.R.B.

339

January 22, 2013

Earnings. While such amounts remain in the unallocated account, the employer is not permitted 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 general. An Overpayment from a defined contribution plan or 403(b) Plan is corrected in accordance 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 Earnings at the
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 was otherwise 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 Overpayment, 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 employer must 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).
.07 Rules relating to reporting plan loan failures. (1) General rules for loans. Unless correction 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 to the 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 participant’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 correction 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, 2013

340

2013–4 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 purposes of determining the tax treatment of subsequent
distributions from the plan to the affected participant. The relief from reporting the participant’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 corrected by 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 applied 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), or (iii)
pro rata against the loan excess and the maximum loan amount under § 72(p)(2)(A) (so that the
corrective repayment would equal the outstanding balance remaining on the original loan excess 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 not cause 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
the original date of the loan.
(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’s Voluntary 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) a single-sum repayment 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, (ii) reamortizing
the outstanding balance of the loan, including accrued 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).
.08 Correction 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.
.09 Matters 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.

341

January 22, 2013

contributions to a plan subject to § 412), prohibited transactions, and failures to file the Form
5500 series cannot be corrected under 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 Service 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 to the 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 of the case under examination, the Service will determine 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 requires the Plan
Sponsor to make a plan contribution that is not deductible, in appropriate cases, 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 supporting 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 (“recipient”) 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 Excess 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 recipient’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, 2013

342

2013–4 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.
.10 Correction for 403(b) Plans. (1) Correction for 403(b) Plans generally. Except as provided 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., Plan Document
Failure, Operational Failure, Demographic Failure, and Employer Eligibility Failure).
(2) Special correction principles. In general, a 403(b) Failure can be corrected by treating
a contract as a § 403(c) annuity contract (or, if applicable, 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, if later), or (b) the employer has failed to adopt
a written 403(b) Plan timely and corrects 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 facilitate
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 and
procedures only applies for failures during 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 accordance with 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 closing agreement for the failure to adopt a written 403(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 set forth 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.
.11 Correction 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 determined by the Service in its discretion (including failures relating to § 402(g), 415, or 401(a)(17),
failures relating to deferral percentages, discontinuance of contributions to a SARSEP or SIMPLE IRA Plan, and retention of Excess Amounts for cases in which there has 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 percentage 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.

343

January 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 of the 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 contributions; 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 contributed 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 limitations of § 402(g) or 408(k)(6)(A)(iii). If an Excess
Amount is attributable to elective deferrals, the Plan Sponsor may effect distribution of the Excess 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 respect to each participant receiving the distribution. In addition, 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 IRA Plan (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 Earnings 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 participant indicating 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 to the 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 attributable to a § 415 failure, the Excess Amount, adjusted
for Earnings through the date of correction, must reduce 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 minimis Excess 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.
.12 Confidentiality and disclosure. Because each correction program relates directly to the
enforcement of Code requirements, the information received or generated by the Service under the program is subject to the confidentiality requirements of § 6103 and is not a written
determination within the meaning of § 6110.
.13 No effect on other law. Correction under these programs has no effect on the rights of any
party under any other law, including Title I of ERISA. The Department of Labor maintains a
Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program under which certain ERISA fiduciary violations may

January 22, 2013

344

2013–4 I.R.B.

be corrected. The Department of Labor also maintains a Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance 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 GENERAL

The 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
.01 Requirements. The requirements of this section 8 are satisfied with respect to an OperaOF INSIGNIFICANT
tional Failure if the Operational Failure is corrected and, given all the facts and circumstances,
OPERATIONAL FAILURES
the Operational Failure is insignificant. This section 8 is available for correcting an insignificant Operational Failure even if the plan or Plan Sponsor is Under Examination and even if
the Operational Failure is discovered on examination.
.02 Factors. 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 participants in the plan; (5) the number of participants affected as a result of the failure relative to
the number of participants who could have been affected by the failure; (6) whether correction
was made within a reasonable time after discovery 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.
.03 Multiple failures. In the case of a plan with more than one Operational Failure in a single 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 insignificant in the aggregate. Operational Failures that have been corrected under SCP in section 9
and VCP in sections 10 and 11 are not taken into account for purposes of determining if Operational Failures are insignificant in the aggregate.
.04 Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of this section 8. It is assumed, in each example, that the eligibility requirements of section 4 relating to SCP (for example, 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 employees exceeded 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 in Example 1, except that the failure to satisfy § 415 occurred during each of
the 2005 and 2007 limitation years. In addition, the three participants affected by 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 in Example 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 ranged from $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.

345

January 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 intended 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 received 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
.01 Requirements. The requirements of this section 9 are satisfied with respect to an OperOF SIGNIFICANT
ational Failure (even if significant) if the Operational Failure is corrected and the correction is
OPERATIONAL FAILURES
either completed or substantially completed (in accordance with section 9.04) by the last day
of the correction period described in section 9.02.
.02 Correction 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 on or 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 Sponsors taking action to locate lost participants.
(2) Extension of correction period for Transferred Assets. In the case of an Operational Failure that relates only to Transferred Assets, or to a plan assumed in connection with a corporate
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 to the 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.)
.03 Correction by plan amendment. In order to complete correction by plan amendment
(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 application. 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 determination letter for the plan.
.04 Substantial completion of correction. Correction of an Operational Failure is substantially completed by the last day of the correction period only if the requirements of either
paragraph (1) or (2) are satisfied.
(1) The requirements of this paragraph (1) are satisfied if:

January 22, 2013

346

2013–4 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 expeditiously 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 of this paragraph (2) are satisfied if:
(a) during the correction period, correction is completed with respect to 65% of all participants 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.
.05 Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of this section 9. It is
assumed, in each example, that the eligibility 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 determination 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 Employer C agreed that Plan A would accept a transfer 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 transaction, 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 Employer 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

2013–4 I.R.B.

.01 VCP 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 conditions in the compliance statement described in section 10.08.

347

January 22, 2013

.02 Identification 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 will not make any investigation or finding under
VCP concerning whether there are failures.
.03 Effect of VCP submission on examination. Because VCP does not arise out of an examination, 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 Sponsor 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 any subsequent examination. See section 5.09 for
the definition of Under Examination.
.04 No 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 pending under VCP could be subject to examination.
.05 Determination 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 evidence of correction, the Plan Sponsor must identify the page, the section,
and the specific plan language that resolves each 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 will be 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.
.06 Determination 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, issuance of 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, in connection 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.
.07 Processing of submission.

January 22, 2013

348

2013–4 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 inappropriate or impracticable, the Service reserves the right 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 complete
under VCP, the Service will contact the Plan Sponsor or the Plan Sponsor’s representative to
discuss the proposed corrections and the plan’s administrative procedures.
(4) Additional information required. If additional information is required, a Service representative 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 Plan Sponsor 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 consideration 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 procedures, 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 agreement 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 compliance 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.

349

January 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 along with 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 outstanding 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 Appendix 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 compliance 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 submission that was previously filed with the Service, then, unless the Plan Sponsor has submitted a
penalty of perjury statement (see section 11.08(1)) with respect to such subsequent modifications, 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. Correction 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 procedure 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 issued (based on the information provided), the Plan 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 correspondence 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 administrative procedures required by the compliance statement have been implemented. This verification does not constitute an examination of the books and records of the employer or the
plan (within the meaning of § 7605(b)). If the Service 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.
.08 Compliance statement. (1) General description of compliance statement. The compliance statement issued for a VCP submission only addresses the failures identified in the submission, the terms of correction (including any revision 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, 2013

350

2013–4 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 the corrective 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 requirements of § 403(b) and the final § 403(b) regulations.
(3) Administrative procedures required. Where current procedures are inadequate for operating the plan in conformance with the applicable requirements of the Code, the compliance
statement will be conditioned upon the 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 of the 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, under the Tax Exempt and Government Entities
Operating Division of the Service.
.09 Effect 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.
.10 Special 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 Sponsor, 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 determination 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.

351

January 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, until each 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.
.11 Special rules relating to Group Submissions. (1) General rules. An Eligible Organization 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 Eligibility 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 practitioner submits failures with respect to more than 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 Organization” 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 prototype 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 has issued 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 Organization 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 issues the compliance statement, the number of plans falls below 20, 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 is 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 special 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, 2013

352

2013–4 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 proposed 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 employer tax identification numbers for the Plan Sponsors of the plans to which the compliance
statement may be applicable, (ii) the plans by name, 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 been satisfied. 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 Service at 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 Submission
pursuant to section 10.11(3)(b) is notified of an impending Employee Plans examination 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 respect to any failures
not identified in the Group Submission at the time the plan comes Under Examination.
.12 Multiemployer and multiple employer plans. (1) In the case of a multiemployer or multiple 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 attributable 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

.01 General 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 proposed methods of correction, and other procedural items set forth in this section 11. Appendix
C of this revenue procedure is provided to assist applicants 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.
.02 Use of Schedules. (1) Schedules 1 through 9 provide descriptions of common qualification failures and standardized correction methods which may be submitted in lieu of individually drafted descriptions. For applicants that do not choose to use the Model Compliance
Statement, the Schedules can be used to satisfy certain requirements of this revenue procedure.

2013–4 I.R.B.

353

January 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 Sponsor failed to adopt timely good faith amendments, interim amendments, or amendments required 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 description 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): If the
Plan Sponsor failed to adopt timely amendments to comply with required legislative or regulatory 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) Plan Loan Failures (Schedule 5): If the Plan Sponsor failed to administer loans in accordance 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 with Appendix B) (Schedule 9): The Plan
Sponsor may submit Schedule 9 if one or more of the following 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, 2013

354

2013–4 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 described in Appendix B, section 2.07(3)(a).
.03 Submission requirements. A VCP submission must include the following information:
(1) Identification of failures. A complete description of the failures, the years in which
the failures occurred, including closed years (that is, years for which the statutory 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 occurred.
(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 correction 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 adjustments, in accordance with section 6.02(4)).
(5) Computations. 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, 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 (whether matched or unmatched) and matching contributions, the Plan Sponsor must submit calculations illustrating the correction method
proposed with respect to each type of contribution. As another example, with respect to a failure to satisfy the ADP test in § 401(k)(3), the Plan 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 affected by 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 included 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, a description of the transaction (including the
dates of the employer change and the plan transfer).

2013–4 I.R.B.

355

January 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 sections 6.02(5)(f) and 12.02(4).
.04 Required documents. A VCP submission must be accompanied by the following documents:
(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 improper exclusion 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 and a SIMPLE IRA Plan, the entire 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.
.05 Date 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
the submission. The VCP fee and the determination 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.
.06 Additional 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 Service and the Plan Sponsor regarding correction of
the failure(s).

January 22, 2013

356

2013–4 I.R.B.

.07 Power 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 Sponsor may authorize an individual, such as an unenrolled return
preparer, to inspect or receive confidential information using Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization. (See Form 8821 and Instructions.) See section 10.10 for special rules relating to
Anonymous Submissions.
.08 Penalty 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 information or 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.”
.09 Procedural 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 provided 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.
.10 Orphan 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).
.11 Acknowledgement 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. A photocopy of Appendix D may be used.
.12 VCP 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
.13 Maintenance of copies of submissions. Plan Sponsors and their representatives should
maintain copies of all correspondence submitted to the Service with respect to their VCP submissions.

2013–4 I.R.B.

357

January 22, 2013

.14 Assembling the submission. (1) The documents comprising a VCP submission, including 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 documents required to be filed for both the VCP submission and the accompanying determination letter application must be provided in duplicate. All
information required for the VCP submission and any accompanying determination letter application 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 Service with regard to the application will be mailed under separate cover, and will not be issued
concurrently with any voluntarily submitted Appendix D VCP 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) or Tax 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 applicable) 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 employees or 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 ensure 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 rationale 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 requested 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 amendment may be necessary. See section 11.14(1).

January 22, 2013

358

2013–4 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 documentation.
SECTION 12. VCP FEES

.01 VCP fees. (1) The compliance fees 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 12.05 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
usually occur within 24 hours, which is faster than 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.
.02 VCP 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 in accordance with the following
chart.

Number of Participants
20 or fewer
21 to 50
51 to 100
101 to 500
501 to 1,000
1,001 to 5,000
5,001 to 10,000
Over 10,000

Fee
$ 750
$ 1,000
$ 2,500
$ 5,000
$ 8,000
$ 15,000
$ 20,000
$ 25,000
(2) If (a) a VCP submission involves the failure to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements 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 the Plan 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 waived in the case of a
terminating Orphan Plan. In such a case, the submission must include a request for a waiver
of the VCP fee.
(5) If (a) a VCP submission involves a failure to adopt a written 403(b) Plan timely in accordance 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 compliance 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.

359

January 22, 2013

.03 VCP 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 contains
only a failure to adopt an amendment (upon which a favorable determination letter is conditioned) 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 expiration of the
remedial amendment period for adopting the amendment as provided in the plan’s most recent
determination letter.
.04 VCP 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).
.05 VCP fee for Group Submission. The compliance fee for a Group Submission is based
on the number of plans affected by the failure as 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 preapproved 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).
.06 VCP fee for SEPs and SIMPLE IRA Plans. (1) In general, the compliance fee for a SEP
or a SIMPLE IRA Plan submission (including an Anonymous Submission) is $250. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Service reserves the right to 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).
.07 VCP 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%.
.08 Establishing 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, 2013

360

2013–4 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-SF or 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
the Plan Sponsor is ready to make a VCP submission to the Service, the Plan Sponsor may use
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.
.09 Insufficient VCP fee. If the compliance fee included with 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

.01 Audit 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 a Qualified Plan, 403(b) Plan, SEP, or SIMPLE
IRA Plan, the requirements of this section 13 are satisfied 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.
.02 Payment 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 payable to the United States Treasury.
.03 Additional 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 Favorable Letter is required, the Plan Sponsor is required to pay the applicable user fee for obtaining
the letter.
.04 Failure to reach resolution. If the Service and the Plan Sponsor cannot reach an agreement 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 comply with § 408(k), or the SIMPLE IRA Plan will be
treated as if it did not comply with § 408(p), as applicable.

2013–4 I.R.B.

361

January 22, 2013

.05 Effect 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.
.06 Other 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

.01 Determination 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 bear a 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).
.02 Factors 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 number 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 Document 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. An additional factor taken into account with respect
to a participant loan that did not comply with the 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).
.03 Transferred Assets. If the examination involves a plan with Transferred Assets and the
Service determines that no new incidents of the failures 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.
.04 Fee for nonamenders discovered during the determination letter application process not
related to a VCP submission. (1) Except as provided in section 14.04(3) and (4), the compliance 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, 2013

362

2013–4 I.R.B.

Employer’s 2nd

Employer’s 1st 5

5 or 6 year

or 6 year

Remedial
Amendment
Cycle

Remedial
Amendment
Cycle

20 or fewer

$ 2,500

21–50

GUST/401(a)(9)
Regs

UCA/OBRA
’93

TRA ’86

T/D/R

ERISA

$ 3,000

$ 3,500

$ 4,000

$ 4,500

$ 5,000

$ 5,500

$ 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

Number of
Participants

(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 Reemployment 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 1st 5 or 6 year Remedial Amendment Cycle (RAC), includes the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (“EGTRRA”) and the 2004 through
the 2009 Cumulative List.
(h) The Employer’s 2nd 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 amendments, or amendments required to reflect 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 amendment period, then the fee is 40% of the applicable fee under “Employer’s 2nd Remedial Amendment 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 favorable 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 amendment is adopted within three months of the expiration of the remedial amendment period for
adopting the amendment.

2013–4 I.R.B.

363

January 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 DATE

This revenue procedure 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 December 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 taxable years beginning before January 1, 2009.

SECTION 17. PAPERWORK
REDUCTION ACT

The collection of information contained in this revenue procedure has been reviewed and
approved by the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (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 collection 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, sections 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 Revenue 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 statements to allow individual plans to continue to maintain their tax favored status. As a result,
favorable tax treatment of the benefits of the eligible employees is retained. The likely respondents 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, depending 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 a collection 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 INFORMATION

The 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 revenue 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 to [email protected].
APPENDIX A
OPERATIONAL FAILURES AND CORRECTION METHODS
.01 General 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 Earnings and actuarial adjustments in accordance with section 6.02(4) of this revenue procedure.

January 22, 2013

364

2013–4 I.R.B.

The correction methods in 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 designed to promote 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 SIMPLE 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 reasonable 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, the sponsor 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 the rule 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 employees. In a defined contribution plan, the permitted correction method is to properly contribute 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.
.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). 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 or actual 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 made elective 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.
.04 Failure 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 employee 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 included in the ADP test and a distribution to a nonhighly compensated employee is not included
in the ADP test.
.05 Exclusion of an eligible employee from all contributions or accruals under the plan for
one or more plan years. (1) Improperly excluded employees: employer provided contributions

2013–4 I.R.B.

365

January 22, 2013

or benefits. For plans with employer provided contributions or benefits (which are neither elective deferrals under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement under § 401(k) nor matching or
after-tax employee contributions that are subject to § 401(m)), the permitted correction method
is to make a contribution to the plan on behalf of the employees excluded from a defined contribution 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 improperly excluded employee is described in the following paragraphs of this section .05(2).
(See Examples 3 through 12 of 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 opportunity is equal to 50% of the employee’s “missed deferral.” 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 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. 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 the employee 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 eligible for but did not receive an allocation of employer 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 nonelective 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 corrective contribution is made on behalf of the affected employee.
(d)(i) If the employee was not provided the opportunity to elect and make elective deferrals (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 of 3% of compensation or the maximum deferral percentage for which the employer provides a matching contribution rate that is at least as
favorable as 100% of the elective deferral made by the employee. If the 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 requirements 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 rate of 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, 2013

366

2013–4 I.R.B.

replace the employee’s missed deferral opportunity and the corresponding matching or nonelective 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 which the first deferral would have been made (but
for the failure), then the missed deferral is deemed to equal 3% of the employee’s compensation 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 plan document to comply with § 401(k)(13)(C)(iii).
The missed deferral determined in accordance with this section .05(2)(d)(ii) replaces the estimate 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 would have been made on behalf of the employee under
§ 401(k)(13), whichever applies under the plan. The employer contribution for the missed deferral 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 employer 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 nonelective 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 Regulations (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 contributions (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 after-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 compensation, 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 employee contributions for the employee’s group (either highly compensated or nonhighly compensated), 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 contributions because he or she was not given the opportunity to make after-tax employee contributions (other than designated Roth contributions), the employer must make a corrective employer nonelective 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 an after-tax employee contribution equal to the missed after-tax

2013–4 I.R.B.

367

January 22, 2013

employee contribution determined under section .05(2)(e). The corrective employer nonelective 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 apply until
after the correction of other qualification failures. Thus, for example, if, in addition to the failure of excluding an eligible employee, the plan also failed the ADP or ACP test, the correction
methods described in section .05(2)(b) through (f) cannot be used until after correction of the
ADP or ACP test failures. For purposes of this section .05(2), 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 employees who were provided with the opportunity to make elective deferrals
or after-tax employee contributions and receive an allocation of employer matching contributions, in accordance with the terms of the plan, and may disregard the employees who were
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 deferrals as designated Roth contributions, 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 contributions made by the employer may be treated as designated 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 an account 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 is equal to 50% of the employee’s
missed deferral attributable to catch-up contributions. For this purpose, the missed deferral
attributable to catch-up contributions is one half of the applicable catch-up contribution limit
for the year in which the employee was improperly excluded. Thus, for example if an eligible 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 to the 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’s catch-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. If an employee
was precluded from making catch-up contributions under this section .05(4), the Plan Sponsor 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 entitled to an additional matching contribution, then the employer must make a corrective employer
nonelective contribution for the matching contribution on behalf of the affected 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 deferral determined under paragraph (a) of this section .05(4). The corrective employer nonelective

January 22, 2013

368

2013–4 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 to the 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 employer matching contributions, in accordance with the terms of the 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 deferral 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 compensation. 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 further 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 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 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 contribution is determined by multiplying the employee’s elected after-tax employee 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 additional matching contribution had either the missed deferral or after-tax employee contribution
been made, then the Plan Sponsor must make a corrective employer nonelective contribution
for the matching contribution on behalf of the affected employee, or a corrective QNEC in the
case of a safe harbor plan under § 401(k)(12). The corrective employer nonelective contribution 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 correcting 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 the ADP test or ACP test, the correction methods described 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 employees who were not impacted by the 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 in this section .05(6), the correction

2013–4 I.R.B.

369

January 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 the missed 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 provides 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.
.06 Failure to timely pay the minimum distribution required under § 401(a)(9). In a defined 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 year in which the initial failure occurred should
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, 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 subject to a restriction on single-sum payments pursuant 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.
.07 Failure to obtain participant or spousal consent for a distribution subject to the participant 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 annuity. In the event that participant or spousal consent is required but cannot be obtained, the
participant must receive a qualified joint and survivor 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 actuarially reduced 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 married participant 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 accrued 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 method is to give each affected participant a choice
between (i) providing informed consent for the distribution actually made, (ii) receiving a qualified 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, 2013

370

2013–4 I.R.B.

the actuarial present value of that survivor annuity benefit (calculated using the applicable interest 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 on single-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.
.08 Failure 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 additions into 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 contribution, 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 contributions 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 be returned to the employee, provided that the
matching contributions relating to such contributions are forfeited (which will also reduce excess 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).
.09 Orphan Plans; orphan contracts and other assets. (1) Orphan Plans. If (a) a plan has
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 similar reasons and (b) the plan is an Orphan Plan, as defined in section 5.03 (i.e., is not a plan
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 Department 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 extent, 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 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 administrator, or owner of the business,

2013–4 I.R.B.

371

January 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 furnished actually comply with, or are required under, Department of Labor regulations.
(2) 403(b) Failures for orphan contracts or other assets. (a) Former employees or beneficiaries. 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 under 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 Department 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 an exchange 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,
.01 Purpose. (1) This appendix sets forth correction methods relating to Operational FailASSUMPTIONS FOR EXAMPLES ures under Qualified Plans. This appendix also sets forth Earnings adjustment methods. In each
AND SECTION REFERENCES
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 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 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,
or SIMPLE IRA Plan, the correction method listed for such failure may similarly be used to
correct the failure.
.02 Assumptions 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 other requirements 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.
.03 Designated 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, 2013

372

2013–4 I.R.B.

including corrective contributions, would be the same whether or not the plan offered designated Roth contributions.
.04 Section references. References to section 2 and section 3 are references to section 2 and
3 in this appendix.
SECTION 2. CORRECTION
METHODS AND EXAMPLES

.01 ADP/ACP Failures. (1) Correction Methods. (a) Appendix A Correction Method. Appendix A.03 sets forth a correction method for a failure to satisfy the actual deferral 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), respectively.
(b) One-to-One Correction Method. (i) General. In addition to the correction method in Appendix 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 Earnings) 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 dollar 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 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)). 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 beginning on 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 sum of 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, 2001 the amount treated as excess 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 Amount is not eligible for favorable tax treatment
accorded to distributions from qualified plans (and, specifically, is not eligible for tax-free
rollover).
(B) If any matching contributions (adjusted for Earnings) are forfeited in accordance with
§ 411(a)(3)(G), the forfeited amount is used in accordance 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.

373

January 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 uses the current year testing
method described in §§ 1.401(k)–2(a)(2), 1.401(m)–2(a)(2), and, for periods prior to the effective 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 either (I) the eligible employees for the year of the failure who were nonhighly compensated
employees for that year or (II) the eligible employees for the year of the failure who were nonhighly compensated employees for that year and who also are nonhighly compensated employees 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 during 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, eligible employees must receive a uniform allocation (as a percentage of compensation) of the
contribution. (See Examples 1 and 2.) 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 contributions. 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 employees 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 compensation 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 compensated 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 to the account balances of eligible nonhighly compensated
employees for 2005, pro rata based on their compensation for 2005 (subject to § 415 for 2005).
Example 2:
The facts are the same as in Example 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, 2013

374

2013–4 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 a matching 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 in Example 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 excess 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 determined 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.

.02 Exclusion 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. Appendix A, section .05(2) sets forth the correction method for the exclusion of an
eligible employee from electing and making elective deferrals (other than designated Roth contributions) 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. (See Example 3.)
Appendix A, section .05(2) also specifies the method for determining missed elective deferrals
and the corrective contributions for employees who were improperly excluded from electing
and making elective deferrals to a safe harbor § 401(k) plan for one or more full plan years.
(See Examples 8, 9, and 10.) 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 designated 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.
(See Example 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 designated Roth contributions) or after-tax employee contributions. (See Example 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 Roth contributions) 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 eligible employee who was permitted to make elective deferrals, but was not permitted to make
catch-up contributions for a full plan 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 partial plan year. This correction for a partial year exclusion may be used in conjunction with the
correction for a full year exclusion.
(ii) Expansion of Correction Method to Partial Year Exclusion. (A) In General. The correction method in Appendix A, section .05, is expanded to cover an employee who was improperly
excluded from electing and making elective deferrals (including designated Roth contributions)
or after-tax employee contributions for a portion of a plan year or from receiving matching contributions (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 Plan Sponsor makes a QNEC on behalf of the excluded
employee. The method and examples described to correct the failure to include otherwise eligible 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 requirements 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.

375

January 22, 2013

(B) Elective Deferral Failures. (1) The appropriate QNEC for the failure to allow an employee to elect and make elective deferrals (including designated Roth contributions) for a
portion of the plan year is equal to the missed deferral opportunity which is an amount equal
to 50% of the employee’s missed deferral. The employee’s missed deferral is determined by
multiplying the ADP of the employee’s group (either highly or nonhighly compensated), determined prior to correction under this section 2.02(1)(a)(ii), by the employee’s plan compensation 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 a rate 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 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. For purposes of correcting 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 4 and 5.)
(2) The appropriate corrective contribution for the plan’s failure to implement an employee’s
election with respect to elective deferrals is equal to the missed deferral opportunity which is
an amount equal to 50% of the employee’s missed deferral. Corrective contributions are adjusted 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 excluded from making elective deferral contributions divided by 12.
The missed deferral for the portion of the plan year 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 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-tax employee contributions. The employee’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 correction 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 after-tax employee contribution is reduced to the extent that (i) the sum of that contribution and

January 22, 2013

376

2013–4 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 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 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-tax employee 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 compensation for the portion of the year during which the employee was improperly excluded. If
the employee elected a flat 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 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 after-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 maximum 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 Appendix A, section .05(5)(d), still apply.
(D) Matching Contribution Failures. (1) The appropriate corrective contribution for the failure to make matching contributions for an employee because the employee was precluded from
making elective deferrals (including designated Roth contributions) or after-tax employee contributions 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-tax contribution for that portion of the plan year had equaled the employee’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 maximum matchable contributions permitted 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(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 contribution 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 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 maximum matchable contributions permitted 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 administrative convenience, in lieu of using the employee’s actual plan compensation for the portion

2013–4 I.R.B.

377

January 22, 2013

of the year during which the employee was improperly excluded, a pro rata portion of the employee’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 Contributions. An Plan Sponsor is not required to make a corrective contribution with respect
to elective deferrals (including designated Roth contributions) or after-tax employee contributions, as provided in sections 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(B) and (C), but is required to make a corrective contribution 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. (See Examples 6 and 7.)
(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:

Compensation

Elective deferral

Match

After-Tax Employee Contribution

$6,000
$12,000

$6,000
$4,500

$0
$1,000

$12,000
$500

$2,400
$500

$1,000
$0

Highly Compensated Employees (HCEs):
R
S

$200,000
$150,000

Nonhighly Compensated Employees (NHCEs):
T
U

$80,000
$50,000

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
the corrective QNEC to be made on behalf 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, 2013

378

2013–4 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, on account 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 compensation 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 offered Employee 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 prorated for 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 opportunity 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 is added to the matching contribution already contributed

2013–4 I.R.B.

379

January 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 after-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). Accordingly, 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 in Example 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 in Example 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 contributions is $1,000, the missed after-tax employee contribution needs
to be reduced by $70, to ensure that the total after-tax employee contributions comply with the plan limit. Accordingly, 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 should have 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 compensation for 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 employees multiplied by $130,000 (compensation earned for the portion of the year in which Employee Y was erroneously 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 with the 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 complies 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 as of 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, 2013

380

2013–4 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 elective 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 make elective 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 exclusion, 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, under 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 exclusion 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 exclusion 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 as Example 8, except that the plan provides for matching contributions equal to 100% of elective deferrals that do not exceed 4% of an 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 exclusion 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 as Example 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.

381

January 22, 2013

Correction:
In accordance with the provisions of section 2.02(1)(a)(ii)(B), Employee M’s missed deferral on account of exclusion 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 contributions, 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 but did 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 contribution 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 a contribution on behalf of the employees improperly excluded
from a defined contribution plan or to provide benefit 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, 2013

382

2013–4 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 employees under the plan’s allocation formula (e.g., the same
ratio of allocation to compensation), taking into account all of the employee’s relevant factors
(e.g., compensation) under that formula for that year. 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 the original allocation
on account of the improper allocation. (See Example 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 exclusion of an eligible employee for a plan year from a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan that provides 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 account
balance of the excluded employee is increased as provided 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 paragraph
(2)(a)(iii)(D) below. (See Examples 16 and 17.)
(B) Increase in Account Balance of Excluded Employee. The account balance of the excluded 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 nonelective contribution is reduced by the excess, if any, of (I) the employee’s allocation of that contribution 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 original allocation 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 of account 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 application 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.

383

January 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) exceeds 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 decreased on a pro rata basis.
(E) Reductions Among Multiple Investment Funds. If an employee’s account balance is
reduced and the employee’s account balance is invested 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 permitted 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 of a 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 compensation. Most of the employees who received allocations under 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 compensation. 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 other eligible employees, adjusted for Earnings. The excluded employees receive
an allocation equal to 10% of compensation (adjusted for Earnings) even though, had the excluded employees originally 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 in Example 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 inclusion 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 other than the excluded employees is reduced by 1% of the
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 total 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 balances are 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 in Example 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, 2013

384

2013–4 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 balance. 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 a pro rata basis among all of the funds in which each employee’s
account balance is invested.

.03 Vesting Failures. (1) Correction Methods. (a) Contribution Correction Method. A failure in a defined contribution plan to apply the proper vesting percentage to an employee’s
account balance that results in forfeiture of too large a portion of the employee’s account balance 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. (See Example 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 be corrected 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 applying section 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 accordance with sections 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(C)(2) and (3) and the reductions after adjustments for Earnings are limited in accordance with section 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 with section 2.02(2)(a)(iii)(D), if the aggregate 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 a pro rata basis. (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 balance was 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
contribution on behalf of Employee R equal to the incorrectly forfeited amount (adjusted for 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 in Example 16.
Correction:
Employer E uses the reallocation correction method to correct the improper forfeiture. Thus, Employee R’s account balance is increased by the amount that was improperly forfeited (adjusted for Earnings) and such increase will

2013–4 I.R.B.

385

January 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
which the other employees’ account balances are reduced. Accordingly, Employer E makes a contribution to the plan
in an amount equal to the excess. The reduction from the account balances is made on a pro rata basis among all of
the funds in which each employee’s account balance is invested.

.04 § 415 Failures. (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 corrected using 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). (See Examples 20 and 21.)
(ii) Adjustment of Future Payments Correction Method. (A) In General. In addition to the
return of overpayment correction method, in the case 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. (See Examples 18 and
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 Overpayments 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%) of the
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 under this
adjustment of future payment correction method is not treated as an Excess Amount 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-living 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 administrative 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, 2013

386

2013–4 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 $174,000 for 2007, and for each year thereafter.
Example 19:
The facts are the same as in Example 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’s remaining benefit payments for 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 in Example 18, except that the benefit was paid to Employee S in the form of a single-sum
distribution in 2006, which exceeded the maximum § 415(b) limits by $110,000.
Correction:
Employer F uses the return of overpayment 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 singlesum 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 in Example 20.
Correction:
Employer F uses the return of overpayment 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 singlesum 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 Correction 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 additions consisting of both (I) either elective deferrals
or after-tax employee contributions or both and (II) either matching or nonelective contributions or both, (B) for whom the matching and nonelective 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 (and has not been reemployed at the time of the correction), 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 an unallocated account, as described in section
6.06(2) of this revenue procedure, to be used to reduce employer nonelective contributions in
succeeding year(s) (or if the amount would have been allocated to other 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 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.

387

January 22, 2013

favorable to the employee in certain cases, for example, if the employee is subsequently reemployed and becomes vested. (See Examples 22 and 23.)
(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 return of 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 for nonelective employer contributions, elective deferrals, 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 had three 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:

Nonelective Contributions
Elective Deferrals
After-tax Contributions

T
$7,500
$10,000
$500

U
$4,500
$5,800
$0

Total Contributions
§ 415(c) Limit
§ 415(c) Excess

$18,000
$15,000
$3,000

$10,300
$10,000
$300

Correction:
Employer G uses the Appendix A correction method to 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 the § 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 contributions, 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 exceeded the § 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 contributions in succeeding year(s). After
correction, it is determined that the ADP and ACP tests for 1998 were satisfied.

.05 Correction 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) excess), may be corrected in accordance with this section 2.05. An Overpayment from a defined

January 22, 2013

388

2013–4 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 rules in section 2.04(2)(a)(iii).
.06 Section 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 employer 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 compensation 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).

.07 Correction by Amendment. (1) Section 401(a)(17) Failures. (a) Contribution Correction Method. In addition to the reduction of account balance correction method 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 received 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 of the failure multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which
is the improperly allocated amount made on behalf of the employee with the largest improperly 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. (See Example 25.)
(b) Example.
Example 25:
The facts are the same as in Example 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). Accordingly, 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 contribution 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 made available. This paragraph does not apply unless (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. (See Example 26.) The Plan Amendment Correction
Method is also available for the Operational Failure of permitting plan loans to employees under a plan that does not provide for plan loans. The plan is amended retroactively to provide for

2013–4 I.R.B.

389

January 22, 2013

the plan loans that were made available. This paragraph does not apply unless (i) the amendment 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 provide 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). Hardship 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 provide 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 requirements 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 Correction 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 plan entry date, may be corrected by using the plan
amendment correction method set forth in this paragraph. The plan 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 included, 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 for a correction that is accomplished through a
plan amendment if the plan is subject to the requirements of § 436(c) at the time of the amendment, as described in section 6.02(4)(e)(ii).
(b) Example.
Example 27:
Employer L maintains a § 401(k) plan applicable to all of its 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, it is discovered that all four employees who were hired by Employer L in 2006 were permitted to make salary reduction contributions to the plan effective with the first weekly paycheck 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

January 22, 2013

.01 Earnings Adjustment Methods. (1) In general. (a) Under section 6.02(4)(a) of this revenue 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 corrective contribution or allocation for Earnings in a defined contribution plan. Consequently,
these Earnings adjustment methods may be used to determine the Earnings adjustments for

390

2013–4 I.R.B.

corrective contributions or allocations made under the correction methods in section 2 and under 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 account balance 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 accordance with section 3.01(4).
(c) The rule in section 6.02(5)(a) of this revenue procedure permitting reasonable estimates
in certain circumstances applies for purposes of this section 3. For this purpose, a determination 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 significantly 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 account balances. Thus, for example, while this section 3 applies in increasing the account balance 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 under 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 which the 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 beginning 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 for corrective 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 contributions, 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.

391

January 22, 2013

(3) Earnings Rate. (a) General Rule. For purposes of this section 3, the Earnings rate generally 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 employees to 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 choices for 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 of the 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 applicable 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 a pro rata portion 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 under the plan in accordance with the plan’s method for allocating
Earnings as if the failure had not occurred. (See Example 28.)
(c) Specific Employee Allocation Method. Under the specific employee allocation method,
the entire Earnings amount is allocated solely to the account balance of the employee on whose
behalf the corrective contribution or allocation is made (regardless of whether the plan’s allocation method would have allocated the Earnings solely 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 allocate 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. (See Example 29.)
(d) Bifurcated Allocation Method. Under the bifurcated allocation method, the entire Earnings amount for the valuation periods ending before the date the corrective contribution or
allocation is made is allocated solely to the account 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, 2013

392

2013–4 I.R.B.

the plan’s method for allocating other Earnings for that valuation period in accordance with
section 3.01(4)(b). (See Example 30.)
(e) Current Period Allocation Method. Under the current period allocation method, the portion 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 Earnings 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 the employee for whom the required contribution
should have been made. The Earnings amount for the valuation period during which the corrective contribution or allocation is made (“second partial valuation period”) 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). (See Example 31.)
.02 Examples.
Example 28:
Employer L maintains a profit-sharing plan that provides only for nonelective contributions. The plan has a single
investment fund. Under the plan, assets are 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 a pro rata simplifying assumption may be
used to determine the Earnings rate for the period from March 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 Periods
3/31/98 - 12/31/98 (First Partial Valuation Period)
1/1/99 - 12/31/99
1/1/00 - 6/1/00 (Second Partial Valuation Period)

Earnings Rate
+15%
+10%
+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 in proportion 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 that shared 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.

393

January 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 Rate
Corrective
Contribution

Amount

Allocated to

$5,000

Employee X

First Partial Valuation
Period Earnings

15%

$7501

All 12/31/1997 Account
Balances4

1999 Earnings

10%

$5752

Employee X ($500)/
All 12/31/1998 Account
Balances ($75)4

Second Partial
Valuation Period
Earnings

12%

$7593

All 12/31/1999 Account
Balances (including
Employee X’s $5,500)4

Total Amount
Contributed

$7,084

1
2
3
4

$5,000 x 15%
$5,750($5,000 +$750) x 10%
$6,325($5,000 +$750 + $575) x 12%
After reduction for distributions during the year for which Earnings are being determined but without regard to contributions
received during the year for which Earnings are being determined.
Example 29:
The facts are the same as in Example 28.
Earnings Adjustment on the Corrective Contribution:
The earnings amount on the corrective contribution is the same as in Example 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, 2013

394

2013–4 I.R.B.

TABLE 2
CALCULATION AND ALLOCATION OF THE
CORRECTIVE AMOUNT ADJUSTED FOR EARNINGS
Earnings Rate
Corrective
Contribution

Amount

Allocated to:

$5,000

Employee X

First Partial Valuation
Period Earnings

15%

$7501

Employee X

1999 Earnings

10%

$5752

Employee X

12%

3

Employee X

Second Partial
Valuation Period
Earnings

$759

Total Amount
Contributed
1
2
3

$7,084

$5,000 x 15%
$5,750($5,000 +$750) x 10%
$6,325($5,000 +$750 + $575) x 12%
Example 30:
The facts are the same as in Example 28.
Earnings Adjustment on the Corrective Contribution:
The earnings amount on the corrective contribution is the same as in Example 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 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 $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.

395

January 22, 2013

TABLE 3
CALCULATION AND ALLOCATION OF THE
CORRECTIVE AMOUNT ADJUSTED FOR EARNINGS
Earnings Rate
Corrective
Contribution

Amount

Allocated to:

$5,000

Employee X

First Partial Valuation
Period Earnings

15%

$7501

Employee X

1999 Earnings

10%

$5752

Employee X

12%

3

Second Partial
Valuation Period
Earnings
Total Amount
Contributed
1
2
3
4

$759

12/31/99 Account Balances
(including Employee X’s
$6,325)4

$7,084

$5,000 x 15%
$5,750($5,000 +$750) x 10%
$6,325($5,000 +$750 + $575) x 12%
After reduction for distributions during the 2000 year but without regard to contributions received during the 2000 year.
Example 31:
The facts are the same as in Example 28.
Earnings Adjustment on the Corrective Contribution:
The earnings amount on the corrective contribution is the same as in Example 28, but the earnings amount is allocated using the current period allocation method. Thus, the Earnings 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, 2013

396

2013–4 I.R.B.

TABLE 4
CALCULATION AND ALLOCATION OF THE
CORRECTIVE AMOUNT ADJUSTED FOR EARNINGS
Earnings Rate
Corrective
Contribution

Amount

Allocated to:

$5,000

Employee X

First Partial Valuation
Period Earnings

15%

$7501

12/31/99 Account Balances
(including Employee X’s
$5,575)4

1999 Earnings

10%

$5752

Employee X

12%

3

Second Partial
Valuation Period
Earnings
Total Amount
Contributed

$759

12/31/99 Account Balances
(including Employee X’s
$5,575)4

$7,084

1
2
3
4

$5,000 x 15%
$5,750 ($5,000 +$750) x 10%
$6,325 ($5,000 +$750 +$575) x 12%
After reduction for distributions during the year for which Earnings are being determined but without regard to contributions
received during the year for which Earnings are being determined.

2013–4 I.R.B.

397

January 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 applicants by providing a standardized
framework to complete the VCP submission process. The Model Compliance Statement helps to ensure that applicants are
including all necessary information needed for 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 certain qualification 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 the requirements 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, 2013

398

2013–4 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.)
SECTION I. PLAN INFORMATION
1. APPLICANT’S NAME
2. APPLICANT’S EIN

3. PLAN NO.
(do not use Social 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 failure listed in Section II. 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 IV. APPLICANT’S PROPOSED PROCEDURES TO LOCATE AND NOTIFY FORMER EMPLOYEES OR
BENEFICIARIES
Attach additional pages, as needed. Label attachment “SECTION IV. APPLICANT’S PROPOSED PROCEDURES TO LOCATE AND NOTIFY FORMER EMPLOYEES OR BENEFICIARIES.” Describe the method(s) that will be used to locate and
notify former 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. Proc. 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 ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES.” Please include an explanation of how and why the 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) #

.

†

Imposition of additional tax under Code section 72(t) with respect to failure(s) #

2013–4 I.R.B.

399

.

January 22, 2013

Plan Name:
†

EIN:

Plan #:

The Applicant requests that the Service grant the following with 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 on account 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 opinion as 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 been adopted timely for the purpose of making available the
extended remedial amendment period currently set forth in Revenue Procedure 2007–44, 2007–2 C.B. 54, or its successors.
However, this compliance statement does not constitute a determination as to whether any such plan amendments, 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 will treat 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 constitute a 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 otherwise cause the employer to lose reliance on the plan’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 allowed to 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 of Rev. 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, 2013

400

2013–4 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 Service will 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 of correction, 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.

401

January 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 used to report the correction of a failure 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 it had 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,” proceed to (3) of this Section I.
If “No,” STOP — do NOT use this Schedule 1
(3) The Plan Sponsor identified did not timely adopt amendments for the following:
(List each statutory, regulatory, or other requirement for which the Plan was not timely amended, and specify for each such
requirement the published cumulative list in which such requirement appears and the location of the corrective amendment in the
documents included with the VCP submission (for example, by amendment number and paragraph number, or in the case of a
restated plan, by page and section number). Do not use a general statement referring only to a cumulative list or statute. For
instance, the following description would not be acceptable: “All interim amendments associated with the 20XX cumulative list
[or the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA)] were not timely adopted.”)
Attach additional pages as needed. Label the attachment “Identification of Nonamender Failures” and include the plan name, plan
sponsor’s EIN and plan number on each page.)

January 22, 2013

402

2013–4 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.

403

January 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 identified above 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) and the regulations thereunder:
†

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)

†

The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA)

†

The Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 (DEFRA)

†

The Retirement Equity Act of 1984 (REA)

†

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA ’86)

†

The Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1992 (UCA)

†

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA)

†

GUST (includes The Uruguay Round Agreements Act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment
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)

†

The changes required 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 contribution plan who failed to adopt the pre-approved plan by
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 required by the 2006 Cumulative List (Notice 2007–3, 2007–1 C.B. 255) for Cycle B individually
designed plans, and any eligible employer using a pre-approved defined benefit plan who failed to adopt the
pre-approved plan by 4/30/12, as required by Announcement 2010–20, 2010–15 I.R.B. 551.)

†

The changes required by the 2007 Cumulative List (Notice 2007–94, 2007–2 C.B. 1179) for Cycle C
individually 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
individually 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?

January 22, 2013

404

† Yes † No

2013–4 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?
† Yes † No

Other (specify the legal requirement and 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, Schedule 2, 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:
Ɣ

Copies of all amendments used to correct the failure(s), either as adopted or in proposed form,

Ɣ

A copy of the plan document in effect prior to any of the amendments used to correct the failure(s),

Ɣ

A copy of the most recent determination letter issued with respect to the plan (if applicable),

2013–4 I.R.B.

405

January 22, 2013

Plan Name:

EIN:

Plan #:

Ɣ

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

Ɣ

For 403(b) Plans, a copy of the signed and dated 403(b) plan document.

January 22, 2013

406

2013–4 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. IDENTIFICATION 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 applicable boxes, and provide the information requested:
†

A.

Employer Eligibility Failure (SARSEPs only)

†

The Plan Sponsor was not eligible to sponsor a 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 SARSEP under the requirements
of § 408(k)(6) because, in one or more plan year(s), fewer than 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:
(insert date beginning no later than the date this VCP
All contributions ceased as of
submission is filed with the Service). The Plan Sponsor will not permit any new salary reduction contributions
to the plan.
†

B.

Failure to satisfy 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 in the plan (§ 408(k)(6)(A)(iii)). The total excess deferrals for each affected
plan year were as follows:

Year

2013–4 I.R.B.

Excess Deferrals

407

January 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 behalf of 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) will be 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 that employee. 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 (before adjusting for Earnings) on behalf of the affected NHCEs for each plan year is as follows:

Year

Excess Deferrals

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 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, 2013

408

2013–4 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 contributions on 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 calculating the contribution the employee would have
been entitled to under the terms of the plan and subtracting any contributions already made on behalf of the participant for the
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 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 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 (before adjusting for Earnings) for each year is:

Year

Corrective 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 affected employee’s IRA 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 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.

409

January 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 to the 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 of the 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:

Year

Corrective 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 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 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 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, 2013

410

2013–4 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 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 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 contributions to 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:

Year

Excess Amounts

Number of Participants Affected

Description of the Proposed Method of Correction
(check all correction methods that apply)
†

Distribution of Excess Elective Deferrals (SARSEPs only)
The Plan Sponsor has effected (or will effect) a corrective distribution of the Excess 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 account from the date(s) that the excess deferrals were made
through the date of correction.

2013–4 I.R.B.

411

January 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:

Year

†

Corrective Distribution

Number of Participants Affected

Distribution of Excess Employer Contributions
The Plan Sponsor has effected (or will effect) the return of excess employer contributions, adjusted for Earnings
through the date of correction, to the Plan Sponsor. The Earnings 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:

Year

†

Return of Excess Employer Contributions

Number 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, 2013

412

2013–4 I.R.B.

Plan Name:

EIN:

Year

Excess Amounts Retained

Plan #:

Number of Participants Affected

The Earnings 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.
†

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 arose and 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:
Ɣ

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.

413

January 22, 2013

Plan Name:

EIN:

Plan #:

Ɣ

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 at the time the failure(s) occurred.

Ɣ

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)

2)

3)

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 contributions on 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.)

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.

For failures involving the contribution of Excess Amounts:
a)

Computations in support of the excess contribution amounts attributable to 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.)

Ɣ

Explanations in support of requests for excise tax relief.

Ɣ

Any other information that would be useful for the purpose of understanding the proposals made under the
submission.

January 22, 2013

414

2013–4 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 Eligibility Failure
†

The plan was adopted by a Plan Sponsor who was (or subsequently became) ineligible to sponsor a SIMPLE
IRA Plan under the requirements of § 408(p) because the Plan Sponsor (and, if applicable, its related
controlled group 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 adopted by a Plan Sponsor who was not eligible to sponsor a SIMPLE IRA Plan under the
requirements of § 408(p) because the Plan Sponsor established or maintained a Qualified Plan with respect to
which contributions 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:
(insert a date no later than the date this
All contributions to the plan ceased as of
VCP submission is filed with the Service). The Plan Sponsor will not permit any new employer or salary
reduction contributions to be made to the plan.

†

B.

Failure to Make Required Employer Contributions
The Plan Sponsor failed to make employer contributions on 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 applicable plan years, the provisions of the plan document required the Plan Sponsor to make employer
contributions 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 period applied. The plan provided for a matching contribution on behalf of each eligible employee
% of compensation.
equal to deferrals up to

(Note: If the 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.

415

January 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:

Year

Corrective Contribution

The Earnings calculation for an affected employee will be based 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, 2013

416

2013–4 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 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 with the 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 from the plan. During the year of exclusion, N made $10,000
in compensation. N’s missed deferral is estimated to be: 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:

Year

Corrective 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 be made 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.

417

January 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 employee or 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 deferrals were made to the SIMPLE IRA in excess of the limitation under the terms of the SIMPLE
IRA (e.g., the applicable limit under § 408(p)(2)(E)).

The total of the Excess Amounts for each affected plan year was as follows:

Year

Excess Amounts

Number of Participants Affected

Description of the Proposed Method of Correction:
(check all correction methods that apply)
†

Distribution 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 affected participant(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 distributions from a SIMPLE IRA and, specifically, is not eligible for tax-free rollover.

January 22, 2013

418

2013–4 I.R.B.

Plan Name:

EIN:

Plan #:

The total corrective distribution (before adjusting for Earnings) for each affected plan year is as follows:

Year

†

Corrective Distribution

Number of Participants Affected

Distribution of Excess Employer Contributions

The Plan Sponsor has effected (or will effect) the return of excess employer contributions, adjusted for Earnings
through the date of correction, to the Plan Sponsor. The Earnings 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 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 return of the excess employer contributions (before adjusting for Earnings) for each affected plan year is
as follows:

Year

†

Return of Excess Employer Contributions

Number 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:

Year

2013–4 I.R.B.

Excess Amounts Retained

419

Number of Participants Affected

January 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/or elective 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 employee or 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 arose and 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 and 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.)

January 22, 2013

420

2013–4 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:
Ɣ

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 issued with respect to such plan document.)

Ɣ

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 at the time the failure(s) occurred.

Ɣ

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)

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 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.)

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.)

Ɣ

Explanations in support of requests for excise tax relief.

Ɣ

Any other information that would be useful for the purpose of understanding the proposals made under the
submission.

2013–4 I.R.B.

421

January 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 Year

†

B.

C.

Total number of loans issued that
violated § 72(p)(2)(A)

Loan terms did not satisfy the limits on the duration of the loan under § 72(p)(2)(B)

Plan Year

†

Number of participants affected

Number of participants affected

Total number of loans issued that
violated § 72(p)(2)(B)

Loan terms did not satisfy § 72(p)(2)(C) relating to the frequency and amortization of payments

Plan Year

January 22, 2013

Number of participants affected

422

Total number of loans issued that
violated § 72(p)(2)(C)

2013–4 I.R.B.

Plan Name:
†

D.

EIN:

Plan #:

Defaulted loan(s) (where the loan terms satisfied the requirements of § 72(p)(2), but default(s) occurred because
loan payments were not made in accordance with the terms of the loan)

Plan Year of loan defaults

Number of participants affected

Total number of loans in default

SECTION II. ELIGIBILITY FOR USE OF APPENDIX C, SCHEDULE 5
A.

Yes

No

†

†

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.

B.

Yes

No

†

†

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.

C.

Yes

No

†

†

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 determined from 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.

423

January 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 this failure 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 (check applicable 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 repayment would 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 the loan 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:

January 22, 2013

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.)

424

2013–4 I.R.B.

Plan Name:

EIN:
†

B.

C.

Option 2:

Plan #:

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 with the requirements of § 72(p)(2)(B) determined
from the original date of the loan.

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 than quarterly, 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.

†

2

The 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)).

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 be reamortized 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 investment return under the plan equals or exceeds the plan loan rate.

2013–4 I.R.B.

425

January 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 the affected 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 or will 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 paid in connection with the failure. (See Income Tax
Regulations § 1.72(p)–1, Q&A-15)

SECTION V. DESCRIPTION OF STEPS TAKEN TO ENSURE 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, 2013

426

2013–4 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:
Ɣ

Loan amortization schedules for affected participants. (A sample representation may be provided if there are
multiple participants affected.)

Ɣ

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 (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.

427

January 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 intended to satisfy the requirements of § 403(b) but was adopted by a Plan Sponsor that was not a
tax-exempt organization described in § 501(c)(3) or a public educational organization described in § 170(b)(1)(A)(ii).
The type of organization sponsoring the Plan during the period of the failure was:
The failure occurred during the following plan year(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 contributions under the plan ceased as of
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, 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).

. (Insert date beginning no later than the

Section 401(k) Plans
1.

All contributions under the plan ceased as of
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, annuity contract, or custodial account and will be distributed no
earlier than the occurrence of one of the permitted events under § 401(k).

January 22, 2013

428

. (Insert date beginning no later than the

2013–4 I.R.B.

Plan Name:

EIN:

Plan #:

SECTION III. CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
Please include an explanation of how and why the failures arose and a description of the measures that will be implemented
to ensure that the same failures will not recur.

2013–4 I.R.B.

429

January 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 Participants

Amount 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 a highly 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 contributions will have already been included in income in the year of deferral.
The excess deferral to be distributed will also be adjusted for Earnings. Earnings will be determined from the end of the year
in which the failure occurred through the year 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 include an explanation of how and why the failures arose and a description of the measures that will be implemented
to ensure that the same failures will not recur.

January 22, 2013

430

2013–4 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:
Ɣ

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.)

2013–4 I.R.B.

431

January 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 Years

Number of Affected Participants

Total Amount of Missed Required
Minimum Distributions

SECTION II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED METHOD OF CORRECTION
†

Defined Contribution plan only — The plan will distribute the required minimum distributions (with Earnings
from the date of the failure to the date of distribution) to affected participants. For each affected participant, the
amount to be distributed for each year in which 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 Benefit plan only — The plan will distribute the required minimum distributions plus an interest payment
representing the loss of use of such amounts. The interest adjustment is determined as follows:

SECTION III. REQUEST FOR RELIEF
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, 2013

432

2013–4 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 arose and 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:
Ɣ

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 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.

433

January 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) Failure in a Defined Contribution Plan (check as applicable)

†

Contributions

†

Forfeitures were allocated on 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 Year

Amounts 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 for the year of the failure (excluding each employee for whom 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, the numerator of which is the improperly allocated amount made on behalf of the employee with the largest
improperly allocated 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 plan years in which the failure occurred, the fraction used to determine the additional amount allocated to
employees other than those for whom there was a § 401(a)(17) failure, and the total required contribution (before adjusting
for Earnings) for each plan year in which the failure occurred:

Plan Year

January 22, 2013

Fraction Used to Determine the
Additional Amount Allocated

434

Total Required Contribution (before
adjusting for Earnings)

2013–4 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 or known 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 accordance with uniform eligibility standards, as described below:

2013–4 I.R.B.

435

January 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 Year

Number 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 loans made 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 Year

Number 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 available. The effective date of the corrective amendment is:
†

D.

Early Inclusion of Otherwise Eligible Employee Failure

Employees:
(check applicable boxes)

January 22, 2013

436

2013–4 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 Year

Number 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 employees. The effective date of the corrective amendment is:
SECTION II. CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
Please include an explanation of how and why the failures arose and a description of the measures that will be implemented
to ensure that the same failures will not recur.

2013–4 I.R.B.

437

January 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:
Ɣ

Copies of all amendments used to correct the failure(s), either as adopted or in proposed form. (required)

Ɣ

A copy of the plan document in effect prior to any of the amendments used to correct the failure(s). (required)

Ɣ

For a § 401(a)(17) failure in a defined contribution 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 to each employee (other than those for whom there was a § 401(a)(17) failure)
must be demonstrated.)

January 22, 2013

438

2013–4 I.R.B.

APPENDIX D
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER
[

]

[INSERT NAME AND

[

]

ADDRESS OF PLAN

[

]

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 to such 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.

439

January 22, 2013