Internal Revenue Code:Sec. 125. Cafeteria plans

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Contents


Location in Internal Revenue Code


     TITLE 26 - INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
      Subtitle A - Income Taxes
       CHAPTER 1 - NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES
        Subchapter B - Computation of Taxable Income
         PART III - ITEMS SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED FROM GROSS INCOME
       

Statute

    Sec. 125. Cafeteria plans
 
    (a) General rule
      Except as provided in subsection (b), no amount shall be included
    in the gross income of a participant in a cafeteria plan solely
    because, under the plan, the participant may choose among the
    benefits of the plan.
    (b) Exception for highly compensated participants and key employees
      (1) Highly compensated participants
        In the case of a highly compensated participant, subsection (a)
      shall not apply to any benefit attributable to a plan year for
      which the plan discriminates in favor of -
          (A) highly compensated individuals as to eligibility to
        participate, or
          (B) highly compensated participants as to contributions and
        benefits.
      (2) Key employees
        In the case of a key employee (within the meaning of section
      416(i)(1)), subsection (a) shall not apply to any benefit
      attributable to a plan for which the statutory nontaxable
      benefits provided to key employees exceed 25 percent of the
      aggregate of such benefits provided for all employees under the
      plan.  For purposes of the preceding sentence, statutory
      nontaxable benefits shall be determined without regard to the
      last sentence of subsection (f).
      (3) Year of inclusion
        For purposes of determining the taxable year of inclusion, any
      benefit described in paragraph (1) or (2) shall be treated as
      received or accrued in the taxable year of the participant or key
      employee in which the plan year ends.
    (c) Discrimination as to benefits or contributions
      For purposes of subparagraph (B) of subsection (b)(1), a
    cafeteria plan does not discriminate where qualified benefits and
    total benefits (or employer contributions allocable to qualified
    benefits and employer contributions for total benefits) do not
    discriminate in favor of highly compensated participants.
    (d) Cafeteria plan defined
      For purposes of this section -
      (1) In general
        The term ''cafeteria plan'' means a written plan under which -
          (A) all participants are employees, and
          (B) the participants may choose among 2 or more benefits
        consisting of cash and qualified benefits.
      (2) Deferred compensation plans excluded
        (A) In general
          The term ''cafeteria plan'' does not include any plan which
        provides for deferred compensation.
        (B) Exception for cash and deferred arrangements
          Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a profit-sharing or stock
        bonus plan or rural cooperative plan (within the meaning of
        section 401(k)(7)) which includes a qualified cash or deferred
        arrangement (as defined in section 401(k)(2)) to the extent of
        amounts which a covered employee may elect to have the employer
        pay as contributions to a trust under such plan on behalf of
        the employee.
        (C) Exception for certain plans maintained by educational
            institutions
          Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a plan maintained by an
        educational organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii)
        to the extent of amounts which a covered employee may elect to
        have the employer pay as contributions for post-retirement
        group life insurance if -
            (i) all contributions for such insurance must be made
          before retirement, and
            (ii) such life insurance does not have a cash surrender
          value at any time.
        For purposes of section 79, any life insurance described in the
        preceding sentence shall be treated as group-term life
        insurance.
        (D) Exception for health savings accounts.--
         Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a plan to the extent 
         of amounts which a covered employee may elect to have 
         the employer pay as contributions to a health savings 
         account established on behalf of the employee.
    (e) Highly compensated participant and individual defined
      For purposes of this section -
      (1) Highly compensated participant
        The term ''highly compensated participant'' means a participant
      who is -
          (A) an officer,
          (B) a shareholder owning more than 5 percent of the voting
            power or value of all classes of stock of the employer,
          (C) highly compensated, or
          (D) a spouse or dependent (within the meaning of section 152,
            determined without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and 
            (d)(1)(B) thereof) of an individual described in subparagraph (A),
            (B), or (C).
      (2) Highly compensated individual
        The term ''highly compensated individual'' means an individual
      who is described in subparagraphs (FOOTNOTE 1) (A), (B), (C), or
      (D) of paragraph (1).
       (FOOTNOTE 1) So in original.  Probably should be
    ''subparagraph''.
    (f) Qualified benefits defined
      For purposes of this section, the term ''qualified benefit''
    means any benefit which, with the application of subsection (a), is
    not includible in the gross income of the employee by reason of an
    express provision of this chapter (other than section 106(b), 117,
    127, or 132). Such term includes any group term life insurance
    which is includible in gross income only because it exceeds the
    dollar limitation of section 79 and such term includes any other
    benefit permitted under regulations.  Such term shall not include
    any product which is advertised, marketed, or offered as long-term
    care insurance.
    (g) Special rules
      (1) Collectively bargained plan not considered discriminatory
        For purposes of this section, a plan shall not be treated as
      discriminatory if the plan is maintained under an agreement which
      the Secretary finds to be a collective bargaining agreement
      between employee representatives and one or more employers.
      (2) Health benefits
        For purposes of subparagraph (B) of subsection (b)(1), a
      cafeteria plan which provides health benefits shall not be
      treated as discriminatory if -
          (A) contributions under the plan on behalf of each
        participant include an amount which -
            (i) equals 100 percent of the cost of the health benefit
          coverage under the plan of the majority of the highly
          compensated participants similarly situated, or
            (ii) equals or exceeds 75 percent of the cost of the health
          benefit coverage of the participant (similarly situated)
          having the highest cost health benefit coverage under the
          plan, and
          (B) contributions or benefits under the plan in excess of
        those described in subparagraph (A) bear a uniform relationship
        to compensation.
      (3) Certain participation eligibility rules not treated as
          discriminatory
        For purposes of subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(1), a
      classification shall not be treated as discriminatory if the plan
      -
          (A) benefits a group of employees described in section
        410(b)(2)(A)(i), and
          (B) meets the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii):
            (i) No employee is required to complete more than 3 years
          of employment with the employer or employers maintaining the
          plan as a condition of participation in the plan, and the
          employment requirement for each employee is the same.
            (ii) Any employee who has satisfied the employment
          requirement of clause (i) and who is otherwise entitled to
          participate in the plan commences participation no later than
          the first day of the first plan year beginning after the date
          the employment requirement was satisfied unless the employee
          was separated from service before the first day of that plan
          year.
      (4) Certain controlled groups, etc.
        All employees who are treated as employed by a single employer
      under subsection (b), (c), or (m) of section 414 shall be treated
      as employed by a single employer for purposes of this section.
    (h) Cross reference
          For reporting and recordkeeping requirements, see section
        6039D.
    (i) Regulations
      The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be
    necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
 

Sources

    (Added Pub. L. 95-600, title I, Sec. 134(a), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat.
    2783; amended Pub. L. 96-222, title I, Sec. 101(a)(6)(A), Apr. 1,
    1980, 94 Stat. 196; Pub. L. 96-605, title II, Sec. 201(b)(2),
    226(a), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 3527, 3529; Pub. L. 96-613, Sec.
    5(b)(2), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 3581; Pub. L. 98-369, div.  A,
    title V, Sec. 531(b)(1)-(4)(A), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 881, 882;
    Pub. L. 98-611, Sec. 1(d)(3)(A), Oct. 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 3177; Pub.
    L. 98-612, Sec. 1(b)(3)(B), Oct. 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 3181; Pub. L.
    99-514, title XI, Sec. 1151(d)(1), title XVIII, Sec. 1853(b)(1),
    Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2504, 2870; Pub. L. 100-647, title I, Sec.
    1011B(a)(11)-(13), 1018(t)(6), title IV, Sec. 4002(b)(2), title VI,
    Sec. 6051(b), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3484, 3485, 3589, 3643,
    3696; Pub. L. 101-140, title II, Sec. 203(a)(1), (3), (b)(2), Nov.
    8, 1989, 103 Stat. 830, 831; Pub. L. 101-239, title VII, Sec.
    7814(b), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2413; Pub. L. 101-508, title XI,
    Sec. 11801(c)(3), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388-523; Pub. L.
    104-191, title III, Sec. 301(d), 321(c)(1), Aug. 21, 1996, 110
    Stat. 2051, 2058.)
 

Codification

                                CODIFICATION
      Pub. L. 101-140, Sec. 203(a)(1), amended this section to read as
    if the amendments made by section 1151(d)(1) of Pub. L. 99-514
    (amending this section generally) had not been enacted.  Subsequent
    to amendment by Pub. L. 99-514, this section was amended by Pub. L.
    100-647 and Pub. L. 101-239. See 1989 and 1988 Amendment notes
    below.
 

Miscellaneous

                              PRIOR PROVISIONS
      A prior section 125 was renumbered section 140 of this title.
                                 AMENDMENTS
     2004 - Pub.L.108-311 Sec 207(11). Section 125(e)(1)(D) is amended
      by inserting ``, determined without regard to subsections (b)(1),
     (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) thereof'' after ``section 152''.

     2003 - Pub. L. 108-173, Sec. 1201(i) amended Subsec. (d)(2) by
      inserting new paragraph (D) relating to health saving accounts.
      The amendments shall apply to taxable years beginning after 
      December 31, 2003.

      1996 - Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104-191, Sec. 321(c)(1), inserted at
    end ''Such term shall not include any product which is advertised,
    marketed, or offered as long-term care insurance.''
      Pub. L. 104-191, Sec. 301(d), inserted ''106(b),'' before
    ''117''.
      1990 - Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101-508 substituted ''section 117,''
    for ''section 117, 124,''.
      1989 - Pub. L. 101-140, Sec. 203(a)(1), amended section to read
    as if amendments by Pub. L. 99-514, Sec. 1151(d)(1), had not been
    enacted, see 1986 Amendment note below.
      Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 101-140, Sec. 203(b)(2), amended par. (2)
    generally.  Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: ''The
    term 'cafeteria plan' does not include any plan which provides for
    deferred compensation.  The preceding sentence shall not apply in
    the case of a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan which includes a
    qualified cash or deferred arrangement (as defined in section
    401(k)(2)) to the extent of amounts which a covered employee may
    elect to have the employer pay as contributions to a trust under
    such plan on behalf of the employee.''
      Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 101-239 substituted ''includible only
    because'' for ''includable only because'', see Codification note
    above.
      Subsec. (g)(3)(A). Pub. L. 101-140, Sec. 203(a)(3), substituted
    ''section 410(b)(2)(A)(i)'' for ''subparagraph (B) of section
    410(b)(1)''.
      1988 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100-647, Sec. 1011B(a)(11)(A),
    amended subsec. (a) generally, see Codification note above.  Prior
    to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: ''In the case of a
    cafeteria plan -
        ''(1) amounts shall not be included in gross income of a
      participant in such plan solely because, under the plan, the
      participant may choose among the benefits of the plan, and
        ''(2) if the plan fails to meet the requirements of subsection
      (b) for any plan year -
          ''(A) paragraph (1) shall not apply, and
          ''(B) notwithstanding any other provision of part III of this
        subchapter, any qualified benefits received under such
        cafeteria plan by a highly compensated employee for such plan
        year shall be included in the gross income of such employee for
        the taxable year with or within which such plan year ends.''
      Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100-647, Sec. 1011B(a)(11)(B),
    substituted ''In the case of a highly compensated employee,
    subsection (a) shall not apply to any benefit attributable to a
    plan year'' for ''A plan shall be treated as failing to meet the
    requirements of this subsection'', see Codification note above.
      Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100-647, Sec. 1011B(a)(11)(C),
    substituted ''subsection (a) shall not apply to any plan year'' for
    ''a plan shall be treated as failing to meet the requirements of
    this subsection'' in first sentence, see Codification note above.
      Pub. L. 100-647, Sec. 1011B(a)(13)(B), substituted ''shall not
    include benefits which (without regard to this paragraph) are
    includible in gross income'' for ''shall be determined without
    regard to the last sentence of subsection (e)'', see Codification
    note above.
      Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100-647, Sec. 1011B(a)(12), amended
    subpar. (B) generally, see Codification note above.  Prior to
    amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: ''the participants may
    choose -
        ''(i) among 2 or more benefits consisting of cash and qualified
      benefits, or
        ''(ii) among 2 or more qualified benefits.''
      Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 100-647, Sec. 1018(t)(6), inserted
    ''or rural electric cooperative plan (within the meaning of section
    401(k)(7))'' after ''stock bonus plan'', see Codification note
    above.
      Subsec. (c)(2)(C). Pub. L. 100-647, Sec. 6051(b), inserted at end
    ''In applying section 89 to a plan described in this subparagraph,
    contributions under the plan shall be tested as of the time the
    contributions were made.'', see Codification note above.
      Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 100-647, Sec. 1011B(a)(13)(A), inserted
    ''and without regard to section 89(a)'' after ''subsection (a)'',
    see Codification note above.
      Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 100-647, Sec. 4002(b)(2), inserted
    ''or any insurance under a qualified group legal services plan the
    value of which is so includable only because it exceeds the
    limitation of section 120(a)'' after ''section 79'', see
    Codification note above.
      1986 - Pub. L. 99-514, Sec. 1151(d)(1), amended section
    generally, revising and restating as subsecs. (a) to (g) provisions
    of former subsecs. (a) to (i) so as to coincide with the coming
    into effect of section 89 of this title.
      Subsecs. (c), (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 99-514, Sec. 1853(b)(1)(A),
    substituted ''qualified benefits'' for ''statutory nontaxable
    benefits'' wherever appearing.
      Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99-514, Sec. 1853(b)(1)(B), substituted
    ''Qualified benefits defined'' for ''Statutory nontaxable benefits
    defined'' in heading and amended text generally.  Prior to
    amendment, text read as follows: ''For purposes of this section,
    the term 'statutory nontaxable benefit' means any benefit which,
    with the application of subsection (a) is not includible in the
    gross income of the employee by reason of an express provision of
    this chapter (other than section 117, 124, 127, or 132). Such term
    includes any group term life insurance which is includible in gross
    income only because it exceeds the dollar limitation of section
    79.''
      1984 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98-369, Sec. 531(b)(3), amended
    subsec. (b) generally, substituting ''and key employees'' for
    ''where plan is discriminatory'' in heading and ''Highly
    compensated participants'' for ''In general'' in par. (1) heading,
    adding par. (2), redesignating former par. (2) as (3), and
    inserting therein references to par. (2) and to taxable year of key
    employee.
      Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98-369, Sec. 531(b)(2)(B), inserted
    ''statutory'' before ''nontaxable benefits'' in two places.
      Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 98-369, Sec. 531(b)(1), substituted
    ''among 2 or more benefits consisting of cash and statutory
    nontaxable benefits'' for ''among two or more benefits'' in cl. (B)
    and struck out ''The benefits which may be chosen may be nontaxable
    benefits, or cash, property, or other taxable benefits.''
      Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98-369, Sec. 531(b)(2)(A), amended subsec.
    (f) generally, inserting ''Statutory'' in heading and ''statutory''
    before ''nontaxable benefit'' in text, providing that the benefit
    be excluded by reason of an express provision of this chapter
    (other than section 117, 124, 127, or 132), and extending the
    benefit to include group term life insurance.
      Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 98-611 and Pub. L. 98-612, made identical
    amendments, substituting cross reference provision for reporting
    requirements provisions.
      Pub. L. 98-369, Sec. 531(b)(4)(A), added subsec. (h) relating to
    reporting requirements provisions.  Former subsec. (h) redesignated
    (i).
      Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 98-369, Sec. 531(b)(4)(A), redesignated
    subsec. (h) as (i).
      1980 - Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 96-605, Sec. 226(a), inserted
    provision that the sentence excluding deferred compensation plans
    not apply in the case of a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan which
    includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement, as defined in
    section 401(k)(2) to the extent of amounts which a covered employee
    may elect to have the employer pay as contributions to a trust
    under such plan on behalf of the employee.
      Subsec. (g)(3)(B). Pub. L. 96-222 substituted ''employment
    requirement'' for ''service requirement'' in cls. (i) and (ii).
      Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 96-613, Sec. 5(b)(2), and Pub. L. 96-605,
    Sec. 201(b)(2), made identical amendments by substituting
    ''controlled groups, etc.'' for ''controlled groups'' in heading,
    and by substituting ''subsection (b), (c), or (m) of section 414''
    for ''subsection (b) or (c) of section 414'' in text.
                      EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by section 301(d) of Pub. L. 104-191 applicable to
    taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1996, see section 301(j) of
    Pub. L. 104-191, set out as a note under section 62 of this title.
      Amendment by section 321(c)(1) of Pub. L. 104-191 applicable to
    contracts issued after Dec. 31, 1996, see section 321(f) of Pub. L.
    104-191, set out as an Effective Date note under section 7702B of
    this title.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1989 AMENDMENTS
      Amendment by Pub. L. 101-239 effective, except as otherwise
    provided, as if included in the provision of the Technical and
    Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100-647, to which such
    amendment relates, see section 7817 of Pub. L. 101-239, set out as
    a note under section 1 of this title.
      Amendment by Pub. L. 101-140 effective as if included in section
    1151 of Pub. L. 99-514, see section 203(c) of Pub. L. 101-140, set
    out as a note under section 79 of this title.
                      EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by sections 1011B(a)(11)-(13) and 1018(t)(6) of Pub. L.
    100-647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in
    the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99-514, to
    which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L.
    100-647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
      Amendment by section 4002(b)(2) of Pub. L. 100-647 applicable to
    taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1987, see section 4002(c) of
    Pub. L. 100-647, set out as a note under section 120 of this title.
      Section 6051(c) of Pub. L. 100-647 provided that: ''The
    amendments made by this section (amending this section and section
    89 of this title) shall take effect as if included in the
    amendments made by section 1151 of the Reform Act (Pub. L. 99-514,
    see Effective Date of 1986 Amendment note set out under section 79
    of this title).''
                      EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by section 1151(d)(1) of Pub. L. 99-514 applicable,
    with certain qualifications and exceptions, to years beginning
    after Dec. 31, 1988, see section 1151(k) of Pub. L. 99-514, as
    amended, set out as a note under section 79 of this title.
      Amendment by section 1853(b)(1) of Pub. L. 99-514 effective,
    except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of
    the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98-369, div.  A, to which such
    amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99-514, set out as a
    note under section 48 of this title.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENTS
      Amendment by Pub. L. 98-612 effective Jan. 1, 1985, see section
    1(d)(2) of Pub. L. 98-612.
      Amendment by Pub. L. 98-611 effective Jan. 1, 1985, see section
    1(g)(2) of Pub. L. 98-611, set out as a note under section 127 of
    this title.
      Amendment by Pub. L. 98-369 effective Jan. 1, 1985, see section
    531(h) of Pub. L. 98-369, set out as an Effective Date note under
    section 132 of this title.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENTS
      Amendments by section 201(b)(2) of Pub. L. 96-605 and section
    5(b)(2) of Pub. L. 96-613 applicable to years ending after Nov. 30,
    1980, except in the case of a plan in existence on Nov. 30, 1980
    where amendments by section 201(b)(2) of Pub. L. 96-605 and section
    5(b)(2) of Pub. L. 96-613 applicable to plan years beginning after
    Nov. 30, 1980, see section 201(c) of Pub. L. 96-605 and section
    5(c) of Pub. L. 96-613, set out as a note under section 414 of this
    title.
      Section 226(b) of Pub. L. 96-605 provided that: ''The amendment
    made by subsection (a) (amending this section) shall apply with
    respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1980.''
      Amendment by Pub. L. 96-222 effective, except as otherwise
    provided, as if it had been included in the provisions of the
    Revenue Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95-600, to which such amendment
    relates, see section 201 of Pub. L. 96-222, set out as a note under
    section 32 of this title.
                      EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1978 AMENDMENT
      Section 134(c) of Pub. L. 95-600, as amended by Pub. L. 96-222,
    title I, Sec. 101(a)(6)(B), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 197, provided
    that: ''The amendments made by this section (enacting this section)
    shall apply to plan years beginning after December 31, 1978.''
                             SAVINGS PROVISION
      For provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 101-508 be
    construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring,
    property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit
    taken into account prior to Nov. 5, 1990, for purposes of
    determining liability for tax for periods ending after Nov. 5,
    1990, see section 11821(b) of Pub. L. 101-508, set out as a note
    under section 29 of this title.
     NONENFORCEMENT OF AMENDMENT MADE BY SECTION 1151 OF PUB. L. 99-514
                            FOR FISCAL YEAR 1990
      No monies appropriated by Pub. L. 101-136 to be used to implement
    or enforce section 1151 of Pub. L. 99-514 or the amendments made by
    such section, see section 528 of Pub. L. 101-136, set out as a note
    under section 89 of this title.
    TREATMENT OF PRE-1989 ELECTIONS FOR DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE UNDER
                              CAFETERIA PLANS
      Section 6063 of Pub. L. 100-647 provided that: ''For purposes of
    section 125 of the 1986 Code, a plan shall not be treated as
    failing to be a cafeteria plan solely because under the plan a
    participant elected before January 1, 1989, to receive
    reimbursement under the plan for dependent care assistance for
    periods after December 31, 1988, and such assistance is includible
    in gross income under the provisions of the Family Support Act of
    1988 (Pub. L. 100-485, see Tables for classification).''
      For provision that for purposes of section 125 of the Internal
    Revenue Code of 1986, a plan shall not be treated as failing to be
    a cafeteria plan solely because under the plan a participant
    elected before January 1, 1988, to receive reimbursement under the
    plan for dependent care assistance for periods after December 31,
    1987, and such assistance included reimbursement for expenses at a
    camp where the dependent stays overnight, see section 10101(b)(2)
    of Pub. L. 100-203, as added by Pub. L. 100-647, set out as an
    Effective Date of 1987 Amendment note under section 21 of this
    title.
             EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN CAFETERIA PLANS AND BENEFITS
      Section 531(b)(5) of Pub. L. 98-369, as amended by Pub. L.
    99-514, title XVIII, Sec. 1853(b)(2), (3), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat.
    2870, 2871, provided that:
      ''(A) General transitional rule. - Any cafeteria plan in
    existence on February 10, 1984, which failed as of such date and
    continued to fail thereafter to satisfy the rules relating to
    section 125 under proposed Treasury regulations, and any benefit
    offered under such a cafeteria plan which failed as of such date
    and continued to fail thereafter to satisfy the rules of section
    105, 106, 120, or 129 under proposed Treasury regulations, will not
    fail to be a cafeteria plan under section 125 or a nontaxable
    benefit under section 105, 106, 120, or 129 solely because of such
    failures.  The preceding sentence shall apply only with respect to
    cafeteria plans and benefits provided under cafeteria plans before
    the earlier of -
        ''(i) January 1, 1985, or
        ''(ii) the effective date of any modification to provide
      additional benefits after February 10, 1984.
      ''(B) Special transition rule for advance election benefit banks.
    - Any benefit offered under a cafeteria plan in existence on
    February 10, 1984, which failed as of such date and continued to
    fail thereafter to satisfy the rules of section 105, 106, 120, or
    129 under proposed Treasury regulations because an employee was
    assured of receiving (in cash or any other benefit) amounts
    available but unused for covered reimbursement during the year
    without regard to whether he incurred covered expenses, will not
    fail to be a nontaxable benefit under such applicable section
    solely because of such failure.  The preceding sentence shall apply
    only with respect to benefits provided under cafeteria plans before
    the earlier of -
        ''(i) July 1, 1985, or
        ''(ii) the effective date of any modification to provide
      additional benefits after February 10, 1984.
    Except as provided in Treasury regulations, the special transition
    rule is available only for benefits with respect to which, after
    December 31, 1984, contributions are fixed before the period of
    coverage and taxable cash is not available until the end of such
    period of coverage.
      ''(C) Plans for which substantial implementation costs were
    incurred. - For purposes of this paragraph, any plan with respect
    to which substantial implementation costs had been incurred before
    February 10, 1984, shall be treated as in existence on February 10,
    1984.
      ''(D) Collective bargaining agreements. - In the case of any
    cafeteria plan in existence on February 10, 1984, and maintained
    pursuant to 1 or more collective bargaining agreements between
    employee representatives and 1 or more employers, the date on which
    the last of such collective bargaining agreements terminates
    (determined without regard to any extension thereof agreed to after
    July 18, 1984) shall be substituted for 'January 1, 1985' in
    subparagraph (A) and for 'July 1, 1985' in subparagraph (B). For
    purposes of the preceding sentence, any plan amendment made
    pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement relating to the plan
    which amends the plan solely to conform to any requirement added by
    this section (or any requirement in the regulations under section
    125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (now 1986) proposed on May
    6, 1984) shall not be treated as a termination of such collective
    bargaining agreement.
      ''(E) Special rule where contributions or reimbursements
    suspended. - For purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B), a plan
    shall not be treated as not continuing to fail to satisfy the rules
    referred to in such subparagraphs with respect to any benefit
    provided in the form of a flexible spending arrangement merely
    because contributions or reimbursements (or both) with respect to
    such plan were suspended before January 1, 1985.''
 

References

                   SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
      This section is referred to in sections 79, 403, 414, 415, 3121,
    3306, 6039D, 7701 of this title; title 42 section 409.
 

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