Definition
An IRA based retirement plan established by an employer (business) for its employees. Under a SEP IRA, the employer makes SEP contributions to Traditional IRAs established y and for eligible employees.
Definition
An IRA based retirement plan established by an employer (business) for its employees. Under a SEP IRA, the employer makes SEP contributions to Traditional IRAs established y and for eligible employees.
Some financial institutions require that the traditional IRA be flagged/identified as a SEP IRA in order for SEP employer contributions to be made to the account.
Earnings on SEP IRA assets accrue on a tax-deferred basis and distribution amounts are treated as ordinary income.
Once SEP contributions are made to the IRA, they take on the characteristic of traditional IRA assets, including being 100% vested.
Employers are eligible to deduct contributions they make to their employees accounts, up to the limits that are in effect for the year.
Employer may exclude the following employees:
- Certain nonresident aliens
- Employees under age 21
- Employees who have performed less than three years of service during the previous five years
- Employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement
- Employees with compensation of less than $600 ( indexed for inflation)
Referring Cite
IRC § 408(k), IRS Publication 560
Additional Helpful Information
- An employer may contribute the lesser of 25% of compensation or the dollar limit that is in effect for the year.
-
For unincorporated business owners, their percentage is 20% of their modified net profit.
-
Required minimum distributions (RMD)s must begin by April 1 of the year following the year the employee attains age 70 ½
-
Distributions that occur before the participant reaches age 59 ½ are subject to a 10% early distribution penalty, unless an exception applies
-
The dollar limits for contributions in effect are available at annual addition limit
