QUOTE
Originally posted by WAT
What is required from a recordkeeper of a non-qualified plan to supply the company on a tax basis? Would a by fund activity break-down (long term, short term) be appropiate? I need to know if our Trust reports and annual activity reports by fund activity will be appropiate? I've seen a 1099div form for a participant but I need to know what information the plan is required to submit to the IRS.
You have to think of a non-qualified plan in two parts, the company and the participant. If the plan is properly designed, you don't report (on behalf of the participant) any of the earnings, including investment income and dividends, until there is a distribution to the participant. The plan, from the participant's standpoint, is "unfunded", even though the company may have set assets aside in a Rabbi Trust. The funds are technically hypothetical investments, even though you may purchase similar investments.
Now from the company's standpoint, the asset is treated and taxed like any other corporate asset. If you're using mutual funds, the company reports the gains on the funds, and pays it's corporate tax accordingly. This is one reason over 60% of the Fortune 1000 who fund their deferred compensation plans (see survey at
http://www.crgworld.com) "wrap" the funds in life insurance. By wrapping the funds in life insurance (which is owned by the Rabbi Trust or corporation)you do not report the gains from the funds, unless you surrender the policies.