Course Description:

The various ideas, methods, and techniques to optimize the overall compensation package for key employees and principals are examined in this mini-course. Generally, businesses may deduct employees’ pay including wages, salaries, and other perks. Certain fringe benefits that can provide an unusually tax favored manner of supplementing compensation are described and evaluated. In addition, equity participation is explored through stock sales, repurchase agreements, incentive stock options, ESOT’s, stock options, and bonuses. Finally, deferred compensation arrangements are investigated. The goal of this mini course is to provide participants with a working knowledge of types of compensation necessary to structure a compensation package minimizing tax liabilities and cost.

Learning Assignment & Objectives

As a result of studying the assigned materials, you should be able to meet the objectives listed below.

ASSIGNMENT

At the start of the material, participants should identify the following topics for study:

• Wages, salary & pay
• Tests for deducting pay to employees
• Selected types of compensation
• Payroll taxes
• Selected fringe benefits
• Interest-free & below-market loans
• Equity participation
• Advantages of nonqualified deferred compensation
• Funded company account plans
• Segregated asset plans

Learning Objectives

After reading the materials, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the twenty common-law rules used by the IRS to determine whether a person is an employee for purposes of FICA, FUTA and federal income tax withholding.
2. Recognize employee and officer compensation deductibility factors and the related employment taxes and reporting obligations to ensure compliance with regulations.
3. Analyze and compare fringe benefits to provide deductible incentive based employee compensation.
4. Explain equity incentive opportunities available to employers emphasizing the variety, tax treatment, and use of stock plans.
5. Discuss using deferred compensation agreements to attain compensation and retirement objectives.

Revision Date:  1/24/2024

Additional Contents : Complete, no additional material needed
Advance Preparation : None
Intended Participants : Any CPA looking to maintain or enhance their professional competence
Course Declaration : Participants must complete the final examination within one year of purchase. A minimum passing grade of 70% or better is required to receive CPE
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