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Instructions for Form 5310 2006 Tax Year

Instructions for Form 5310 - Notices

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Table of Contents

Guidelines for Demonstrations

The following instructions describe additional information that must be included in the demonstrations.

Note.

Applicants must follow the guidelines in these instructions and indicate in their demonstrations where the elements in the guidelines are addressed. Applicants must explain why any elements have not been addressed.

Information or computations that are used for more than one purpose or provided elsewhere in the application may not be cross-referenced.

Demo 1 - Qualified Separate Lines of Business

Provide a schedule with the following information, as applicable:

  1. The section(s) for which the employer is testing on a separate line of business basis (i.e., section 410(b) or section 401(a)(26)),

  2. The separate lines of business that have employees benefiting under the plan,

  3. A demonstration of how the plan meets the nondiscriminatory classification requirement of section 410(b)(5)(B) and Regulations section 1.414(r)-8(b)(2) on an employer-wide basis, and

  4. If the requirements of section 410(b) or section 401(a)(26) are to be applied to this plan on an employer-wide basis under the special rules for employer-wide plans, a demonstration of how the plan meets the requirements of the applicable special rule in Regulations sections 1.414(r)-1(c)(2)(ii) or 1.414(r)-1(c)(3)(ii).

Demo 4 - Test for Restructuring, Mandatory Disaggregation or Permissive Aggregation

Explain the basis of the disaggregation, permissive aggregation, or restructuring, identifying the aggregated or separate disaggregated plans or component plans, and demonstrate how any restructured component plans satisfy section 410(b) as if they were separate plans.

Any other plan that has been permissively aggregated with this plan should be identified by:

  • Name,

  • Plan number, and

  • Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Describe the benefit or allocation formula of the other plan and indicate if that plan has received or been submitted for a determination letter.

Demo 5 - Average Benefit Test

1.   A demonstration that a plan satisfies the average benefit test must describe compliance with the nondiscriminatory classification test of Regulations section 1.410(b) including, if applicable, the facts and circumstances determination under Regulations section 1.410(b)-4(c)(3).

Note.

The determination regarding the average benefit test is not available to a plan that satisfies the ratio percentage test.

2.   The demonstration for the average benefit test should provide, for each HCE and each NHCE, the compensation used in the test, the allocation or benefit being tested, and the actual benefit percentages. The average benefit percentages for HCEs and NHCEs must be provided.

3.   A plan that is deemed to satisfy the average benefit percentage test under the special rule in Regulations section 1.410(b)-5(f) must demonstrate that the plan would satisfy the ratio percentage test if the excludable employee and mandatory disaggregation rules for collectively bargained and noncollectively bargained employees did not apply.

4.   In addition to the above information, the average benefit percentage demonstration must identify and describe the method used for determining employee benefit percentages (see Regulations sections 1.410(b)-5(d) and (e)). Also, include the applicable information listed below, under the heading All Plans.

Note.

The demonstration must include the portion of the coverage test showing the data used in the calculations and the calculations for each participant. Participants need not be identified. However, the IRS may request that additional information be submitted if necessary.

All Plans

All plans using the average benefit test must also include the following information on Demo 5:

1.   The testing period (see Regulations section 1.410(b)-5(e)(5) for an optional averaging rule).

2.   The definition of testing service (including imputed and pre-participation service).

3.   A description of the testing group (see Regulations section 1.410(b)-7(e)).

4.   Whether the employee benefit percentages are determined on a contributions or benefits basis.

5.   Whether permitted disparity under Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-7 is imputed in determining employee benefit percentages.

6.   An explanation of how allocation or accrual rates are grouped on the test.

7.   A description of how contributions or benefits are normalized on the test, including the actuarial assumptions used.

8.   The definition of section 414(s) compensation used in determining plan year compensation or average annual compensation and a demonstration showing the definition as nondiscriminatory. If plan year compensation or average annual compensation is determined using a definition of compensation that satisfies Regulations section 1.414(s)-1(c)(2) or (3), the explanation should state whether the definition satisfies Regulations section 1.414(s)-1(c)(2) or (3). For guidance pertaining to this demonstration, see the guidelines for Demo 9, nondiscriminatory compensation, in the instructions for Schedule Q (Form 5300).

9.   A description of the method of determining compensation used in determining employee benefit percentages.

10.   The testing age of employees (not applicable to defined contribution plans testing on a contribution basis).

Plans with Defined Benefits Plans in the Testing Group

Plans with DBPs in the testing group must also provide the following information, if applicable.

11.   Show if accruals after normal retirement age are taken into account and, if such accruals are disregarded as provided in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(3), the basis on which they are disregarded.

12.   Show if most valuable rates must be used under Regulations section 1.410(b)-5(d)(7), and, if so, show how those rates are determined.

13.   Show if a defined benefit plan disregards offsets described in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(9), give a description of such offsets, and show how they satisfy Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(9).

14.   Show if any disability benefits are taken into account in determining employees' accrued benefits under Regulations section 1.401(a)(9)-3(f)(2), and, if so, cite the plan provisions that permit these disability benefits to be taken into account.

15.   Show if any other special rules in testing a plan for nondiscrimination in amounts are applied, e.g., the rules applicable to the determination of benefits on other than a plan-year basis described in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(6), the adjustments for certain plan distributions provided in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(7), and the adjustment for certain qualified preretirement survivor annuity charges as provided in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(8).

16.   For plans with employee contributions not allocated to separate accounts, give a description of the method for determining the employer-provided accrued benefit under Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-6(b) and the location of relevant plan provisions. If the method for determining the employer-provided accrued benefit is the composition-of-workforce method, the demonstration must show that the eligibility requirements of Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-6(b)(2)(ii) are satisfied; if the grandfather rule of Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-6(b)(4) is used, the demonstration must show, if applicable, that the benefits provided on account of employee contributions at lower levels of compensation are comparable to those provided on account of employee contributions at higher levels of compensation.

Employee Benefit Percentages Determined Using Cross-Testing

17.   Provide a description of the method used to determine equivalent allocations and benefits on the test.

Demo 6 - General Test

A determination that a plan satisfies any of the general tests in Regulations sections 1.401(a)(4)-2(c), 1.401(a)(4)-3(c), 1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(2), 1.401(a)(4)-8(c)(2), 1.401(a)(4)-8(c)(3)(iii)(C), and 1.401(a)(4)-9(b) must include a nondiscrimination test showing that the plan passes the relevant general test, and provide the information listed under All Plans (unless otherwise noted) and, if applicable, under DBPs Only or Cross-Tested Plans Only. However, the IRS may request that additional information be submitted if necessary.

All Plans (unless otherwise noted)

All plans must submit the information requested in items 1 through 11.

1.   Provide the portion of the nondiscrimination test that provides the data for each participant and demonstrates that the plan satisfies section 401(a)(4). Participants need not be identified by name. Tests that include two or more component plans (such as profit sharing, money purchase, sections 401(k) and 401(m)) should show the allocations or benefits under each component plan.

2.   Identify each rate group under the plan and include a demonstration of how each rate group satisfies section 410(b). If the plan is a DBP that is being tested on the basis of the amount of benefits, rate groups must be determined on the basis of both normal and most valuable accrual rates which are expressed as a dollar amount or a percentage of compensation. If the most valuable accrual rate is determined in accordance with the special rule in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(d)(3)(iv) (floor on most valuable accrual rate), this must be indicated.

3.   State whether the plan is being tested on a contributions or benefits basis.

4.   Provide the plan year being tested.

5.   Provide a description of the method of determining allocation or accrual rates, and if the plan is tested on a benefits basis, the measurement period and definition of testing service (including imputed and pre-participation service).

6.   State whether the test is imputing permitted disparity under Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-7.

7.   Provide an explanation of how allocation or accrual rates are grouped.

8.   Provide an explanation of how benefits are normalized on the test, including the actuarial assumptions used (not applicable to defined contribution plans testing on a contributions basis).

9.   State the definition of section 414(s) compensation used in determining plan year compensation or average annual compensation and a demonstration showing the definition as nondiscriminatory. If plan year compensation or average annual compensation is determined using a definition of compensation that satisfies Regulations section 1.414(s)-1(c)(2) or (3), state whether the definition satisfies Regulations section 1.414(s)-1(c)(2) or (3). See the guidelines for Demo 9, nondiscriminatory compensation, in the Instructions for Schedule Q (Form 5300) for guidance pertaining to this demonstration.

10.   Provide the method of determining average annual compensation used in testing the plan for nondiscrimination as defined in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(e)(2) or give a description of the period used in determining plan year compensation.

11.   Provide the testing age of employees, include fractions of year if test is based on fractional age (not applicable to DCPs testing on a contributions basis).

Defined Benefit Plans Only

All DBPs must also provide the following information if applicable.

12.   State whether accruals after normal retirement age are taken into account, and if such accruals are disregarded as provided in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(3), provide the basis on which they are disregarded.

13.   State whether early retirement window benefits are taken into account in determining accrual rates and whether such benefits are being disregarded under Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(4)(ii). Also provide the basis on which they are disregarded.

14.   State whether any unpredictable contingent event benefits were taken into account in determining accrual rates under Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(5) and provide the basis on which they are taken into account.

15.   State whether the plan disregards offsets described in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(9), provide a description of such offsets, and show how they satisfy Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(9).

16.   State whether any disability benefits are taken into account in determining employees' accrued benefits under Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(2), and if so, cite the plan provisions that permit these disability benefits to be taken into account.

17.   State whether any other special rules in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f) are applied in testing a plan for nondiscrimination in amount. For example:

  • The rules applicable to the determination of benefits on other than a plan-year basis described in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(6),

  • The adjustment for certain plan distributions provided in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(7), and

  • The adjustment for certain qualified preretirement survivor annuity charges as provided in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(8).

18.   Plans with employee contributions not allocated to separate accounts should include:

  • A description of the method for determining whether employee-provided accrued benefits are nondiscriminatory under Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-6(c),

  • The method for determining the employer-provided accrued benefit under Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-6(b), and

  • The location of relevant plan provisions.

  If the method for determining the employer-provided accrued benefit is the composition-of-workforce method, the demonstration must show that the eligibility requirements of Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-6(b)(2)(ii) are satisfied.

  If the grandfather rule of Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-6(b)(4) is used, the demonstration must show, if applicable, that the benefits provided on account of employee contributions at lower levels of compensation are comparable to those provided on account of employee contributions at higher levels of compensation.

19.   If the plan would otherwise fail to satisfy the general test in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(c)(1), and a determination is being sought that the failure may be disregarded as permitted by the special rule in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(c)(3), describe the relevant facts and circumstances that support the use of this rule.

Cross-Tested Plans Only

20.   Provide a description of the method used to determine equivalent allocations and benefits.

21.   Defined Contribution Plans. The demonstration must list each participant's allocation rate for the plan being tested and list the equivalent benefit accrual rate (including component plans) for each participant. Also, the demonstration must show how the plan satisfies one of the conditions in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(1)(i)(B) in order to be eligible to test on a benefits basis.

Demo 6 - Safe Harbor for Uniform Points Plans

Each demonstration of the safe harbor for uniform points plans in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(3) should include the following information:

1.   Provide a description of the plan's allocation formula and the location of relevant plan provisions.

2.   State the definition of section 414(s) compensation used in determining plan year compensation and give a demonstration showing the definition as nondiscriminatory. If the plan determines plan year compensation using a definition of compensation that satisfies Regulations section 1.414(s)-1(c)(2) or (3), state whether the definition satisfies Regulations section 1.414(s)-1(c)(2) or (3).

  See the guidelines for Demo 9, nondiscriminatory compensation, in the Instructions for Schedule Q (Form 5300) for guidance pertaining to this demonstration.

3.   Provide the portion of the nondiscrimination test that provides the data for each participant and demonstrates that the plan satisfies section 401(a)(4). The data must include the units for each participant being tested and the underlying basis for the units such as age, years of service or compensation. Show the allocation rate for each eligible participant.

  Show the average of the allocation rates (determined without imputing permitted disparity) for the highly compensated and for the nonhighly compensated employees benefiting under the plan.

Demo 6 - Alternative Safe Harbor for Flat Benefit Plans

Each demonstration of the alternative safe harbor for flat benefit plans in Regulations section 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(4)(i)(C)(3) must set forth the average of the normal accrual rates for all nonhighly compensated nonexcludable employees and the average of the normal accrual rates for all highly compensated nonexcludable employees. In addition, the demonstration should provide the additional information described under "Demo 6 - General Test," relating to the determination of normal accrual rates, except for the information described in paragraphs numbered 1, 2, 6, 18, and 19.

Paperwork Reduction Act Notice.

We ask for the information on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue laws of the United States. You are required to give us the information. We need it to determine whether you meet the legal requirements for plan approval.

You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a form or its instructions must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any Internal Revenue law. Generally, tax returns and return information are confidential, as required by section 6103.

The time needed to complete and file the forms listed below will vary depending on individual circumstances. The estimated average times are:

  Recordkeeping Learning about the law or the form Preparing, copying, assembling, and sending the form to the IRS
Form 5310 64 hr., 5 min. 21 hr., 35 min. 25 hr., 27 min.
Form 6088 6 hr., 24 min. 1 hr., 12 min. 1 hr., 21 min.

If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of these time estimates or suggestions for making these forms simpler, we would be happy to hear from you. You can write to the Tax Forms Committee, Western Area Distribution Center, Rancho Cordova, CA 95743-0001.

Do not send these forms to this address. Instead, see Where To File on page 2.

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