►2013 pending tax rate changes
►Planning for 162(m)(6) deduction limits for health insurers
►Compensation issues arising in transactions
►Other employee benefits issues arising under the Affordable Care Act
Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
1. 22nd Annual Health Sciences
Tax Conference
Executive compensation: changes you cannot
afford to ignore
December 3, 2012
2. Disclaimer
► Any US tax advice contained herein was not intended or
written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of
avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the Internal
Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law
provisions.
Page 2 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
4. Presenters
► Julie Smith ► Catherine Creech
Tax Director Ernst & Young LLP
IASIS Healthcare Washington, DC
Nashville TN + 1 202 327 8047
catherine.creech@ey.com
► Howard Levenson
Ernst & Young LLP
Washington, DC
+1 202 327 8811
howard.levenson@ey.com
Page 4 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
5. Topics
► 2013 pending tax rate changes
► Planning for 162(m)(6) deduction limits for health insurers
► Compensation issues arising in transactions
► Other employee benefits issues arising under the
Affordable Care Act
Page 5 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
7. Unless Congress acts …
► For 2013, the top individual federal income tax rates will be:
► 39.6% (ordinary)
► 39.6% (qualified dividends)
► 20% (capital gains)
► Phase-out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions will be reinstated.
► Additional 0.9% Medicare tax will be imposed on wages and self-employment
(SE) income over $200,000 for individual and $250,000 for joint filers.
► 3.8% Medicare contribution tax applies to net investment income, which is the
lesser of:
► Net investment income or
► Adjusted gross income (AGI) over the threshold ($200,000 for individual and $250,000 for
joint filers).
► Expired alternative minimum tax (AMT) patch will result in AMT affecting
more than 31 million individuals when they file for 2012.
Page 7 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
8. Planning for compensation payments in a
rising tax rate environment
► Given the pending increase in tax rates, consideration
may be given to the timing of compensation payments.
► Individual recipients subject to US taxation may prefer
acceleration of payments in order to realize income
subject to lower 2012 rates.
► Health insurers may also prefer to deduct compensation
payments in 2012 to avoid the 162(m)(6) deduction limit
applicable to 2013 deductions.
Page 8 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
9. Tax technical considerations — method of
accounting
► Cash method taxpayers
► Compensation inclusion and deduction in year paid
► Change in inclusion or deduction requires a change in the year of
actual payment
► Accrual method taxpayers
► Timing of inclusion or deduction governed by the “all events” test.
► E.g., bonus for 2012 is paid only if service providers continue working
through the scheduled payment date in February 2013; no accrual
until 2013
► Change in timing may require change in “all events” that govern
the accrual.
► E.g., elimination of continued services requirement
► Acceleration of any other pre-conditions to determining liability (not as
common in asset management agreements)
Page 9 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
10. Tax technical considerations — method of
accounting
► Once the “all events” test is met, deduction timing is also
affected by timing of actual payments.
► Deduction occurs in year of accrual if payments are actually
made within 2-1/2 months of the close of the year in which
liability accrues.
► Bonus accrues on December 31, 2012 and payments are made by
March 15, 2013; deduction is in 2012.
► Bonus accrues on December 31, 2012, and payments are made on
March 16, 2013; deduction is in 2013.
► Note that 2-1/2-month rule generally does not affect the timing of the
income inclusion for the employee/service provider.
► Employee includes compensation for 2013 regardless of whether amounts are
paid on March 15, 2013 or on March 16, 2013.
► But, there may be ramifications under Section 409A.
Page 10 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
11. Section 409A may affect ability to change
timing of payments
► Acceleration of deferred compensation is generally
prohibited.
► Section 409A violation generally results in retroactive
income inclusion to the year of vesting, a 20% addition
to tax and a premium interest tax.
► Limited exceptions include a 30-day rule.
► Employer may exercise discretion to pay no more
than 30 days prior to the scheduled payment date
under the deferral arrangement.
► The employee or service provider may not “elect” or
control this acceleration.
Page 11 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
12. Section 409A may affect ability to change
timing of payments
► “Short-term deferrals” exception may apply.
► Acceleration of bonuses that are “short-term deferrals” and not
subject to Section 409A generally would not be prohibited.
► Some pre-2005 deferrals may be grandfathered from Section 409A.
► An acceleration of a pre-2005 deferral may cause the
grandfathered payment to be “materially modified” and subject to
Section 409A, but the material modified arrangement may
nonetheless comply with Section 409A because it includes a new
fixed payment date in 2012.
► It is critical to examine the specific terms of the documentation to
come to a view on the application of Section 409A.
Page 12 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
14. Section 162(m)(6)
► $500,000 deduction limit applies to compensation
deductions for health insurers in tax years beginning
in 2013.
► Compensation that is earned in tax years beginning after
December 31, 2009 is subject to the limitation if it is paid after
2012.
► Health insurer definition is applied on an IRC Section 414
controlled group basis and applies to all individual
service providers.
► Under the statute, service providers who work in businesses
unrelated to health insurance, but still part of the controlled group,
are subject to the $500,000 deduction limit.
Page 14 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
15. Section 162(m)(6)
► Applies to “covered health insurance providers:”
► For taxable years after December 31, 2009, but before January 1, 2013,
this includes:
► Any employer which is a health insurance issuer
► Receives premiums from providing health insurance coverage
► For taxable years after December 31, 2012, this includes:
► Any employer who is a health insurance issuer
► 25% of the employer’s gross health insurance premiums come from
policies providing “minimal essential coverage”
► Who is a “covered health insurance provider”?
► Companies with captive insurers?
► Non-traditional insurers?
► Definition is subject to a 2% de minimis rule based on health insurance
premiums over gross revenues under IRS Notice 2011-2.
Page 15 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
16. Section 162(m)(6)
► Section 162(m)(6) is much broader than the $1 million limitation in Section
162(m)(1):
► Applies to any form of taxable entity, not just publicly held corporations
► Applies to all forms of compensation (no exception for commissions or
performance-based compensation, e.g., stock options)
► The limit applies to compensation for any individual performing services.
► E.g., employees, directors and independent contractors
► Not limited to top officers
► Questions about independent vendors
► Current guidance analogizes to the independent vendor rule defined in
Reg. 1.409A-1(f)(2).
Page 16 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
17. Section 162(m)(6)
► The $500,000 limit is applied by allocating compensation
to the year in which the relevant services were performed.
► $500,000 limit is calculated on a person by person and earnings
year basis.
► The deduction limitation applies regardless of whether individuals
are employed as of the payment date.
► Compliance will require tracking of all compensation earned and
ultimately paid to determine allowable tax return deductions in the
year of payout.
Page 17 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
18. Section 162(m)(6)
► IRS guidance is expected soon and may include:
► A methodology for allocating compensation across an employee’s
years of services (e.g., in pension plans)
► Further definition of covered service providers whose
compensation for services are covered by the limit (e.g.,
physicians, brokers)
► How will companies react to the $500,000 limit in future
compensation design?
Page 18 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
20. Transaction-related issues
► Common issues that arise when companies are
undertaking mergers and acquisitions:
► Is compensation cashed out or “rolled over” in a
manner that satisfies 409A?
► Is the taxation event for the employee accelerated or
deferred in the transaction?
► Is the party paying the compensation the party entitled
to the deduction?
Page 20 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
21. Key governing tax code provisions
► Restricted stock, partnership interests and stock options
► Section 83 — income inclusion and deductions
► Section 409A — requirements for deferred comp exemption
► Cash, stock options, Restricted Stock Unit (RSUs),
phantom stock and dividend equivalents
► Section 451 and Section 409A — income inclusion
► Section 404(a)(5) — deduction if deferred comp and paid in cash
► Section 461 — deduction if not deferred compensation and paid in
cash
► Section 83 — deduction if paid in stock
► Section 409A — requirements for exemption from/compliance with
deferred comp rules, including specific rules for stock options and
stock appreciation rights (SAR)
Page 21 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
22. Transaction-related issues
► Equity — cashed out or rolled over?
► Are the “economics” pre-transaction equivalent or
post-transaction?
► How to determine fair market value (FMV) for converting stock?
► Closing price of date of transaction
► Average price on closing date or over period prior to closing date
► Effect of escrows and earn-outs on employee equity
► What are the ramifications of extending vesting or imposing new
vesting provisions on equity or deferred compensation?
► Can a buyer substitute RSUs for options in the target?
► What are the effects of cashing out options vs exercise of option
and immediate disposition?
Page 22 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
23. Transaction-related issues
► Options and SARs — adjustment of exercise or base
price for dividends under 409A
► Reduction in exercise price on account of a dividend is a
modification under Section 409A.
► New grant on “modification” likely results in a violation, except if
option is “underwater.”
► Section 409A exception for adjustments on account of stock
dividends or extraordinary dividends.
► “Aggregate fair market value” of options on ex-dividend date cannot
exceed the “aggregate fair market value” immediately prior.
► Ratio of the exercise price to the FMV of the shares immediately after
the adjustment is not greater than the ratio immediately before
the adjustment.
Page 23 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
24. Transaction-related issues
► Conversions between “shares” and partnership interests
in transactions
► Conversions between corporate and partnership taxation
► What is effect of transactions on profits interests
► Deductions
► Service recipient receives the deduction, which may be different
from the “payor” in a transaction.
► Determine if the deduction is subject to the “year within
which” rule.
► Regulations under Section 162(m)(1) provide certain transition
rules for initial public offerings and new publicly held companies.
Page 24 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
26. Overview: the ACA amended multiple laws
► Laws affecting employers which were amended by the
ACA include:
► Internal Revenue Code (IRC)
► Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)
► Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
► Public Health Services Act (PHSA)
► Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
► Because the ACA does not create a single “law,” there is
no single regulator for most provisions.
► Guidance is carried out by a triumvirate composed of the
Department of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services
(HHS) and Treasury (which includes the IRS).
Page 26 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
27. Employer excise taxes
► Understanding the source law for new ACA requirements is important
to determine the financial and tax impact on employers. Requirements
arising exclusively under the IRC result in income or excise taxes;
requirements arising under identical provisions in the PHSA, ERISA
and IRC that address the market reforms may result in a penalty
imposed by HHS, a civil action by DOL or a plan participant, or an
excise tax under the IRC. For example:
► IRC Section 4980H: imposes an excise tax on large employers for failure
to offer affordable coverage providing minimum value to certain
employees
► IRC Section 4980D: imposes an excise tax on employers for failure to
meet the group health plan requirements of chapter 100 of the Code. The
ACA’s market reforms that are included in the PHSA and ERISA are also
incorporated into chapter 100. This excise tax is $100 per day, per
individual to whom the failure relates.
Page 27 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
28. Key effective dates for employers
► State-based exchanges
► Reporting value of health ► Individual mandate and premium tax credits
benefits on Form W-2 (due ► Employer mandate
by January 1, 2013) ► Medicaid expansion
► PCORI fee ► Other insurance market reforms
► Health insurers’ fee
► Employer reporting to the IRS (due by
January 31, 2015)
► Reinsurance fee
► Immediate health insurance ► 40% excise tax
individual market reforms on high-cost
► Medicare Part D “donut hole” health plans
relief begins
2014
2010 2011 2012 2013 Coverage expansions
take effect
2017 2018 2020
► Increase Medicare payroll tax by
► Drug manufacturers’ fee 0.9% on earned income ► Medicare Part D
► Impose 3.8% tax on unearned donut hole closed
► Limitation on over-the-counter income
(OTC) drugs for ► States may open
► Eliminate deduction for retiree drug Exchanges to large group
FSAs/HSAs/HRAs costs covered by Medicare Part D market
► Increased tax on non-medical subsidy
withdrawals from HSAs ► Excise tax on medical devices
► FLSA notices
► $500,000 compensation deduction
limitation for health insurance issuers
Page 28 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
29. Employer reporting requirements
► The ACA establishes new plan information reporting
requirements to employees and to the federal government,
including:
► Form W-2 reporting: beginning in 2012, employers must include
the value of the benefit provided by the employer for each
employee’s health insurance coverage on the employee’s annual
Form W-2.
► Minimum essential coverage reporting: the ACA establishes
new employer reporting requirements under IRC Section 6056.
► Exchange options: the ACA amends the FLSA to require
employers to inform employees of coverage options.
Page 29 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
30. Employer reporting requirements:
W-2 reporting
► Beginning with the 2012 Form W-2, employers must report value of
applicable employer-sponsored coverage on Form W-2 Box 12 using
Code DD.
► Treasury/IRS issued Interim Guidance providing that, until further
guidance is issued, employers that issue fewer than 250 Forms W-2
are not subject to these reporting requirements.
► Insured or self-insured group health plan must be reported, unless:
► Not subject to federal continuation coverage requirements
► Included in income as excess reimbursement under Section 105(h), or
► Included in income as a shareholder-employee of an S corporation
► Total cost of coverage under all applicable employer-sponsored
coverage provided to the employee must be reported.
► Includes both employer and employee portion
► Without regard to whether contributions are pre-tax or post-tax
Page 30 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore
31. Changes to FSAs, HSAs, HRAs
► FSA, HSA and HRA dollars may be used for “qualified
medical expenses” (2011).
► Definition of “qualified medical expenses” modified to include only
amounts paid for prescribed drugs or insulin
► No OTC drugs unless prescribed by a physician
► Non-medical HSA withdrawal tax increased to 20% (2011)
► FSAs’ contributions limited to $2,500 per year (2013)
Page 31 Executive compensation: changes you cannot afford to ignore