In today's business climate, it seems it is becoming increasingly common for businesses of all sizes to be structured using multiple companies. Maybe a business person is pursuing multiple ventures with different groups of co-owners. Perhaps a company decides to offer a new product or service and th...

The economic environment of the last few years created financial challenges for individuals and businesses alike. Even though the worst of the recession appears to be behind us now, some of those financial challenges have had a ripple effect that continues to show itself. One area where that is espe...

At some point, almost every company that sponsors a retirement plan will experience the “fun” of tracking down a missing participant in order to pay a benefit. Although difficult to avoid completely, there are steps employers can implement as part of normal operations that can greatly minimize the...

Anyone who has ever watched late night television is familiar with the ubiquitous Top 10 List, counting down humorous examples of whatever is in the news. Not to be upstaged, the IRS has its own Top 10 List—the top 10 plan compliance failures found in voluntary correction filings.

There are few things that will give a person that sinking feeling in the pit of their stomach like opening the mailbox and seeing an envelope with the words "Internal Revenue Service" (or Department of Labor) in the return address. It is similar to seeing that police car as you drive down the highwa...

There are many reasons for the wide popularity of 401(k) plans, one of which is that they shift the funding burden from employers to employees. But this advantage may be diminished for plans classified as "top heavy" where special contribution rules kick in that plan sponsors may not be aware of. Wh...