Excessive compensation is the portion of cash and benefits that, in total, exceeds the value of services provided in exchange for that compensation. To make this determination, the value of all services provided are considered. For executives, such services commonly involve roles in management, marketing, operations, finance, and human resources. They may also include special…
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How does the IRS define Reasonable Compensation?
Internal Revenue Code section 162(a)(1) allows income tax deductions for various business expenses, including “a reasonable allowance for salaries or other compensation for personal services actually rendered.” Reg. section 1.162-7 (b)(3) says, “It is, in general, just to assume that reasonable and true compensation is only such amount as would ordinarily be paid for like…
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How is Reasonable Compensation Determined?
There are multiple methods of determining reasonable compensation amounts. The oldest approach is known as the multi-factor method, and it considers all the facts and circumstances. One of the key facts is referred to as compensation comparability data. This data should be actual amounts that similar employers paid for similar services. The independent investor test…
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Fixed Payments May Avoid Unreasonable Compensation at Nonprofits
By Stephen D. Kirkland, CPA, CMC, CFF Originally published in QuickRead on May 4, 2022. Internal Revenue Code § 4958 imposes excise taxes on the excessive portion of compensation paid by a non-profit organization. Excise taxes must be paid by “disqualified persons” who receive unreasonable compensation as well as by the individuals who approve it.…
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