NY Bar Responds to IRS Request for Comments on 409A Documentary Noncompliance

Responds to IRS Notice 2008-113

NY Bar Link

"[W]e propose below a three-pronged program. The first would set out specific, narrowly targeted types of violations which may be viewed as presenting a low probability of abuse and which we therefore view as appropriate for inclusion in a list of correctable violations. The second would relate to those circumstances in which errors are quickly discovered and corrected. The third involves the establishment of a policy of prospective enforcement and liberal transitional relief to allow taxpayers to adapt to new authorities interpreting Section 409A or changes in enforcement approach. Our proposals are intended to facilitate the establishment of a program consistent with Treasury's and the IRS's two identified general principles, while also addressing over the course of our discussion below the seven issues specifically identified by Treasury and the IRS for comment."

409A Too Hard For Law School

From The Conglomerate

"I'm trying to design an executive compensation syllabus. I hope the course accomplishes two things: getting students who are generally interested in the subject (and who isn't these days) thinking in a more rigorous way and preparing (a subset of) students to actually practice in the field. In fleshing out the syllabus, I've run up against a problem - Section 409A of the IRC which establishes rules for deferred compensation. 409A is perhaps the most important topic for compensation lawyers today, touching almost everything that they do. On the other hand, 409A is probably not such a big deal to the general audience. Moreover, the regulations are incredibly convoluted even by Treasury's standards (for just a taste, see Michael Doran's summary (hat tip: Paul Caron)). The rules are so difficult that they've even inspired a blog called 409A Dismay."

American Benefits Council Provides Comments to IRS on 409A

Letter to IRS

American Indian Tribe to Vote on Whether or Not to Comply with 409A

There is a referendum on resolution titled “Amending Board Retirement Plan.” The resolution that was approved is to amend the plan for compliance with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service’s Code Section 409A. The plan was approved in 1998 for retired tribal board members.