26 U.S.C. § 125
Cafeteria plans
Except as provided in subsection (b), no amount shall be included in the gross income of a participant in a cafeteria plan solely because, under the plan, the participant may choose among the benefits of the plan.
In the case of a key employee (within the meaning of section 416(i)(1)), subsection (a) shall not apply to any benefit attributable to a plan for which the qualified benefits provided to key employees exceed 25 percent of the aggregate of such benefits provided for all employees under the plan. For purposes of the preceding sentence, qualified benefits shall be determined without regard to the second sentence of subsection (f).
For purposes of determining the taxable year of inclusion, any benefit described in paragraph (1) or (2) shall be treated as received or accrued in the taxable year of the participant or key employee in which the plan year ends.
For purposes of subparagraph (B) of subsection (b)(1), a cafeteria plan does not discriminate where qualified benefits and total benefits (or employer contributions allocable to qualified benefits and employer contributions for total benefits) do not discriminate in favor of highly compensated participants.
The term “cafeteria plan” does not include any plan which provides for deferred compensation.
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan or rural cooperative plan (within the meaning of section 401(k)(7)) which includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement (as defined in section 401(k)(2)) to the extent of amounts which a covered employee may elect to have the employer pay as contributions to a trust under such plan on behalf of the employee.
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a plan to the extent of amounts which a covered employee may elect to have the employer pay as contributions to a health savings account established on behalf of the employee.
The term “highly compensated individual” means an individual who is described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1).
The term “qualified benefit” means any benefit which, with the application of subsection (a), is not includible in the gross income of the employee by reason of an express provision of this chapter (other than section 106(b), 117, 127, or 132). Such term includes any group term life insurance which is includible in gross income only because it exceeds the dollar limitation of section 79 and such term includes any other benefit permitted under regulations.
The term “qualified benefit” shall not include any product which is advertised, marketed, or offered as long-term care insurance.
The term “qualified benefit” shall not include any qualified health plan (as defined in section 1301(a) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) offered through an Exchange established under section 1311 of such Act.
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any employee if such employee’s employer is a qualified employer (as defined in section 1312(f)(2) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) offering the employee the opportunity to enroll through such an Exchange in a qualified health plan in a group market.
For purposes of this section, a plan shall not be treated as discriminatory if the plan is maintained under an agreement which the Secretary finds to be a collective bargaining agreement between employee representatives and one or more employers.
All employees who are treated as employed by a single employer under subsection (b), (c), or (m) of section 414 shall be treated as employed by a single employer for purposes of this section.
For purposes of this title, a plan or other arrangement shall not fail to be treated as a cafeteria plan or health flexible spending arrangement (and shall not fail to be treated as an accident or health plan) merely because such arrangement provides for qualified reservist distributions.
For purposes of this section, if a benefit is provided under a cafeteria plan through employer contributions to a health flexible spending arrangement, such benefit shall not be treated as a qualified benefit unless the cafeteria plan provides that an employee may not elect for any taxable year to have salary reduction contributions in excess of $2,500 made to such arrangement.
An eligible employer maintaining a simple cafeteria plan with respect to which the requirements of this subsection are met for any year shall be treated as meeting any applicable nondiscrimination requirement during such year.
The requirements of subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not be treated as met if, under the plan, the rate of contributions with respect to any salary reduction contribution of a highly compensated or key employee at any rate of contribution is greater than that with respect to an employee who is not a highly compensated or key employee.
Subject to subparagraph (B), nothing in this paragraph shall be treated as prohibiting an employer from making contributions to provide qualified benefits under the plan in addition to contributions required under subparagraph (A).
The term “salary reduction contribution” means, with respect to a cafeteria plan, any amount which is contributed to the plan at the election of the employee and which is not includible in gross income by reason of this section.
The term “qualified employee” means, with respect to a cafeteria plan, any employee who is not a highly compensated or key employee and who is eligible to participate in the plan.
The term “highly compensated employee” has the meaning given such term by section 414(q).
The term “key employee” has the meaning given such term by section 416(i).
The term “eligible employer” means, with respect to any year, any employer if such employer employed an average of 100 or fewer employees on business days during either of the 2 preceding years. For purposes of this subparagraph, a year may only be taken into account if the employer was in existence throughout the year.
If an employer was not in existence throughout the preceding year, the determination under subparagraph (A) shall be based on the average number of employees that it is reasonably expected such employer will employ on business days in the current year.
This subparagraph shall cease to apply if the employer employs an average of 200 or more employees on business days during any year preceding any such subsequent year.
Any reference in this paragraph to an employer shall include a reference to any predecessor of such employer.
All persons treated as a single employer under subsection (a) or (b) of section 52, or subsection (n) or (o) of section 414, shall be treated as one person.
For purposes of this subsection, the term “applicable nondiscrimination requirement” means any requirement under subsection (b) of this section, section 79(d), section 105(h), or paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (8) of section 129(d).
The term “compensation” has the meaning given such term by section 414(s).
For reporting and recordkeeping requirements, see section 6039D.
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
For inflation adjustment of certain items in this section, see Revenue Procedures listed in a table under section 1 of this title.
Sections 1301, 1311, and 1312 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(3), are classified to sections 18021, 18031, and 18032, respectively, of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(1), amended this section to read as if the amendments made by section 1151(d)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514 (amending this section generally) had not been enacted. Subsequent to amendment by Pub. L. 99–514, this section was amended by Pub. L. 100–647 and Pub. L. 101–239. See 1989 and 1988 Amendment notes below.
A prior section 125 was renumbered section 140 of this title.
2018—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted “subparagraph” for “subparagraphs”.
2017—Subsec. (i)(2)(B). Pub. L. 115–97 substituted “for ‘calendar year 2016’ in subparagraph (A)(ii)” for “for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B)”.
2014—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 113–295, § 220(f), substituted “qualified benefits” for “statutory nontaxable benefits” in two places.
Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 113–295, § 213(b), inserted “(and shall not fail to be treated as an accident or health plan)” before “merely”.
Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 113–295, § 220(g), substituted “means any” for “means, any” in introductory provisions.
2010—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–148, § 1515(a), (b), substituted “For purposes of this section—” for “For purposes of this section,”; designated remainder of first sentence and second sentence as par. (1), inserted heading, and substituted “The term” for “the term”; designated third sentence as par. (2), inserted heading, and substituted “The term ‘qualified benefit’ shall not include” for “Such term shall not include”; and added par. (3).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 111–148, § 10902(a), amended subsec. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of this section, if a benefit is provided under a cafeteria plan through employer contributions to a health flexible spending arrangement, such benefit shall not be treated as a qualified benefit unless the cafeteria plan provides that an employee may not elect for any taxable year to have salary reduction contributions in excess of $2,500 made to such arrangement.”
Pub. L. 111–148, § 9005(a)(2), added subsec. (i). Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j).
Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 111–152, § 1403(b)(1), substituted “
Subsec. (i)(2)(B). Pub. L. 111–152, § 1403(b)(2), substituted “2012” for “2010”.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 111–148, § 9022(a), added subsec. (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 9005(a)(1), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 111–148, § 9022(a), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k). Former subsec. (k) redesignated (l).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 9005(a)(1), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k).
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 111–148, § 9022(a), redesignated subsec. (k) as (l).
2008—Subsecs. (h) to (j). Pub. L. 110–245 added subsec. (h) and redesignated former subsecs. (h) and (i) as (i) and (j), respectively.
2007—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 110–172 substituted “second sentence” for “last sentence”.
2004—Subsec. (e)(1)(D). Pub. L. 108–311 inserted “, determined without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) thereof” after “section 152”.
2003—Subsec. (d)(2)(D). Pub. L. 108–173, which directed the amendment of section 125(d)(2) by adding subpar. (D), was executed to this section, which is section 125(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
1996—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104–191, § 321(c)(1), inserted at end “Such term shall not include any product which is advertised, marketed, or offered as long-term care insurance.”
Pub. L. 104–191, § 301(d), inserted “106(b),” before “117”.
1990—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101–508 substituted “section 117,” for “section 117, 124,”.
1989—Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(1), amended section to read as if amendments by Pub. L. 99–514, § 1151(d)(1), had not been enacted, see 1986 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(b)(2), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “The term ‘cafeteria plan’ does not include any plan which provides for deferred compensation. The preceding sentence shall not apply in the case of a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan which includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement (as defined in section 401(k)(2)) to the extent of amounts which a covered employee may elect to have the employer pay as contributions to a trust under such plan on behalf of the employee.”
Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 101–239 substituted “includible only because” for “includable only because”, see Codification note above.
Subsec. (g)(3)(A). Pub. L. 101–140, § 203(a)(3), substituted “section 410(b)(2)(A)(i)” for “subparagraph (B) of section 410(b)(1)”.
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(11)(A), amended subsec. (a) generally, see Codification note above. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: “In the case of a cafeteria plan—
“(1) amounts shall not be included in gross income of a participant in such plan solely because, under the plan, the participant may choose among the benefits of the plan, and
“(2) if the plan fails to meet the requirements of subsection (b) for any plan year—
“(A) paragraph (1) shall not apply, and
“(B) notwithstanding any other provision of part III of this subchapter, any qualified benefits received under such cafeteria plan by a highly compensated employee for such plan year shall be included in the gross income of such employee for the taxable year with or within which such plan year ends.”
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(11)(B), substituted “In the case of a highly compensated employee, subsection (a) shall not apply to any benefit attributable to a plan year” for “A plan shall be treated as failing to meet the requirements of this subsection”, see Codification note above.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(11)(C), substituted “subsection (a) shall not apply to any plan year” for “a plan shall be treated as failing to meet the requirements of this subsection” in first sentence, see Codification note above.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(13)(B), substituted “shall not include benefits which (without regard to this paragraph) are includible in gross income” for “shall be determined without regard to the last sentence of subsection (e)”, see Codification note above.
Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(12), amended subpar. (B) generally, see Codification note above. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “the participants may choose—
“(i) among 2 or more benefits consisting of cash and qualified benefits, or
“(ii) among 2 or more qualified benefits.”
Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1018(t)(6), inserted “or rural electric cooperative plan (within the meaning of section 401(k)(7))” after “stock bonus plan”, see Codification note above.
Subsec. (c)(2)(C). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6051(b), inserted at end “In applying section 89 to a plan described in this subparagraph, contributions under the plan shall be tested as of the time the contributions were made.”, see Codification note above.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(13)(A), inserted “and without regard to section 89(a)” after “subsection (a)”, see Codification note above.
Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 100–647, § 4002(b)(2), inserted “or any insurance under a qualified group legal services plan the value of which is so includable only because it exceeds the limitation of section 120(a)” after “section 79”, see Codification note above.
1986—Pub. L. 99–514, § 1151(d)(1), amended section generally, revising and restating as subsecs. (a) to (g) provisions of former subsecs. (a) to (i) so as to coincide with the coming into effect of section 89 of this title.
Subsecs. (c), (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1853(b)(1)(A), substituted “qualified benefits” for “statutory nontaxable benefits” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1853(b)(1)(B), substituted “Qualified benefits defined” for “Statutory nontaxable benefits defined” in heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of this section, the term ‘statutory nontaxable benefit’ means any benefit which, with the application of subsection (a) is not includible in the gross income of the employee by reason of an express provision of this chapter (other than section 117, 124, 127, or 132). Such term includes any group term life insurance which is includible in gross income only because it exceeds the dollar limitation of section 79.”
1984—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(b)(3), amended subsec. (b) generally, substituting “and key employees” for “where plan is discriminatory” in heading and “Highly compensated participants” for “In general” in par. (1) heading, adding par. (2), redesignating former par. (2) as (3), and inserting therein references to par. (2) and to taxable year of key employee.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(b)(2)(B), inserted “statutory” before “nontaxable benefits” in two places.
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(b)(1), substituted “among 2 or more benefits consisting of cash and statutory nontaxable benefits” for “among two or more benefits” in cl. (B) and struck out “The benefits which may be chosen may be nontaxable benefits, or cash, property, or other taxable benefits.”
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(b)(2)(A), amended subsec. (f) generally, inserting “Statutory” in heading and “statutory” before “nontaxable benefit” in text, providing that the benefit be excluded by reason of an express provision of this chapter (other than section 117, 124, 127, or 132), and extending the benefit to include group term life insurance.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 98–611 and Pub. L. 98–612, made identical amendments, substituting cross reference provision for reporting requirements provisions.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(b)(4)(A), added subsec. (h) relating to reporting requirements provisions. Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(b)(4)(A), redesignated subsec. (h) as (i).
1980—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 96–605, § 226(a), inserted provision that the sentence excluding deferred compensation plans not apply in the case of a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan which includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement, as defined in section 401(k)(2) to the extent of amounts which a covered employee may elect to have the employer pay as contributions to a trust under such plan on behalf of the employee.
Subsec. (g)(3)(B). Pub. L. 96–222 substituted “employment requirement” for “service requirement” in cls. (i) and (ii).
Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 96–613, § 5(b)(2), and Pub. L. 96–605, § 201(b)(2), made identical amendments by substituting “controlled groups, etc.” for “controlled groups” in heading, and by substituting “subsection (b), (c), or (m) of section 414” for “subsection (b) or (c) of section 414” in text.
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–97 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Amendment by section 213(b) of Pub. L. 113–295 effective as if included in the provisions of the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110–245, to which such amendment relates, see section 213(d) of Pub. L. 113–295, set out as a note under section 121 of this title.
Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1515(c),
Pub. L. 111–148, title IX, § 9005(b),
Pub. L. 111–148, title IX, § 9022(b),
Pub. L. 111–148, title X, § 10902(b),
Pub. L. 110–245, title I, § 114(b),
Amendment by Pub. L. 108–311 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Amendment by Pub. L. 108–173 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Amendment by section 301(d) of Pub. L. 104–191 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Amendment by section 321(c)(1) of Pub. L. 104–191 applicable to contracts issued after
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–239 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–647, to which such amendment relates, see section 7817 of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–140 effective as if included in section 1151 of Pub. L. 99–514, see section 203(c) of Pub. L. 101–140, set out as a note under section 79 of this title.
Amendment by sections 1011B(a)(11)–(13) and 1018(t)(6) of Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Pub. L. 100–647, title IV, § 4002(c),
Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6051(c),
Amendment by section 1151(d)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable, with certain qualifications and exceptions, to years beginning after
Amendment by section 1853(b)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, to which such amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–612 effective
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–611 effective
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 effective
Amendments by section 201(b)(2) of Pub. L. 96–605 and section 5(b)(2) of Pub. L. 96–613 applicable to years ending after
Pub. L. 96–605, title II, § 226(b),
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–222 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provisions of the Revenue Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95–600, to which such amendment relates, see section 201 of Pub. L. 96–222, set out as a note under section 32 of this title.
Pub. L. 95–600, title I, § 134(c),
For provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 101–508 be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to
Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title II, § 214,
No monies appropriated by Pub. L. 101–136 to be used to implement or enforce section 1151 of Pub. L. 99–514 or the amendments made by such section, see section 528 of Pub. L. 101–136, set out as a note under section 89 of this title.
Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6063,
For provision that for purposes of section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, a plan shall not be treated as failing to be a cafeteria plan solely because under the plan a participant elected before
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title V, § 531(b)(5),