Tax-Exempt/Governmental Plans Guidebook

Good Reading on 403(b) Topics

Good article here from Plan Sponsor:  Mid-Year Elimination of Safe Harbor Non-elective Contributions for 403(b) Plans

Also, one here from BNA:  403(b) Plan or 401(k) Plan - How to Decide

Rev. Rul. 2009-18 Lists Obsolete 403(b) Guidance Documents

The IRS recently issued Rev. Rul. 2009-18 declaring certain guidance documents as now obsolete due to the issuance of the comprehensive 403(b) regulations issued back in 2007:

• Rev. Rul. 64-333 (1964-2 CB 114)
• Rev. Rul. 65-200 (1965-2 CB 141)
• Rev. Rul. 66-254 (1966-2 CB. 125)
• Rev. Rul. 66-312 (1966-2 CB 127)
• Rev. Rul. 67-69 (1967-1 CB 93)
• Rev. Rul. 67-78 (1967-1 CB 94)
• Rev. Rul. 67-361 (1967-2 CB 153)
• Rev. Rul. 67-387 (1967-2 CB 153)
• Rev. Rul. 67-388 (1967-2 CB 153)
• Rev. Rul. 68-179 (1968-1 CB 179)
• Rev. Rul. 68-482 (1968-2 CB 186)
• Rev. Rul. 68-487 (1968-2 CB 187)
• Rev. Rul. 68-488 (1968-2 CB 188)
• Rev. Rul. 69-629 (1969-2 CB 101)
• Rev. Rul. 70-243 (1970-1 CB 107)
• Rev. Rul. 87-114 (1987-2 CB 116)
• Rev. Rul. 90-24 (1990-1 CB 97)

• Announcement 95-48 (1995-23 IRB 13)

The following IRS documents are declared obsolete "except to the extent described":

• Notice 90-73 (1990-2 CB 353)
• Notice 92-36 (1992-2 CB 364)
• Notice 89-23 (1989-1 CB 654) (except to the extent described in the last paragraph of “Treatment of Controlled Groups that Include Tax-Exempt Entities” section of the preamble to Treasury Decision 9340 at 72 FR 41138, and 2007-2 CB 499)

403(b) Prototype Program

The IRS has issued Announcement 2009-34 which provides details regarding a new program for the pre-approval of prototype plans under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. The announcement includes a draft revenue procedure that contains the Service’s proposed procedures for issuing opinion letters on 403(b) prototype documents. The Service is simultaneously posting draft sample plan language on their website for use in drafting the prototypes. The Service is seeking feedback before finalizing the procedures and sample plan language, and invites interested persons to comment.