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.

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. 108–311 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2004, see section 208 of Pub. L. 108–311, set out as a note under section 2 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 108–173 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2003, see section 1201(k) of Pub. L. 108–173, set out as a note under section 62 of this title.

Amendment by section 301(d) of Pub. L. 104–191 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1996, see section 301(j) of Pub. L. 104–191, set out as a note under section 62 of this title.

Amendment by section 321(c)(1) of Pub. L. 104–191 applicable to contracts issued after Dec. 31, 1996, see section 321(f) of Pub. L. 104–191, set out as an Effective Date note under section 7702B of this title.

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.

Amendment by section 4002(b)(2) of Pub. L. 100–647 applicable to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1987, see section 4002(c) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 120 of this title.

Section 6051(c) of Pub. L. 100–647 provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 89 of this title] shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by section 1151 of the Reform Act [Pub. L. 99–514, see Effective Date of 1986 Amendment note set out under section 79 of this title].”

Amendment by section 1151(d)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable, with certain qualifications and exceptions, to years beginning after Dec. 31, 1988, see section 1151(k) of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section 79 of this title.

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 Jan. 1, 1985, see section 1(d)(2) of Pub. L. 98–612.

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–611 effective Jan. 1, 1985, see section 1(g)(2) of Pub. L. 98–611, set out as a note under section 127 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 effective Jan. 1, 1985, see section 531(h) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as an Effective Date note under section 132 of this title.

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 Nov. 30, 1980, except in the case of a plan in existence on Nov. 30, 1980 where amendments by section 201(b)(2) of Pub. L. 96–605 and section 5(b)(2) of Pub. L. 96–613 applicable to plan years beginning after Nov. 30, 1980, see section 201(c) of Pub. L. 96–605 and section 5(c) of Pub. L. 96–613, set out as a note under section 414 of this title.

Section 226(b) of Pub. L. 96–605 provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1980.”

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.

Section 134(c) of Pub. L. 95–600, as amended by Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 101(a)(6)(B), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 197, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [enacting this section] shall apply to plan years beginning after December 31, 1978.”

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 Nov. 5, 1990, for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 11821(b) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 45K of this title.

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.

Section 6063 of Pub. L. 100–647 provided that: “For purposes of section 125 of the 1986 Code, a plan shall not be treated as failing to be a cafeteria plan solely because under the plan a participant elected before January 1, 1989, to receive reimbursement under the plan for dependent care assistance for periods after December 31, 1988, and such assistance is includible in gross income under the provisions of the Family Support Act of 1988 [Pub. L. 100–485, see Tables for classification].”

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 January 1, 1988, to receive reimbursement under the plan for dependent care assistance for periods after December 31, 1987, and such assistance included reimbursement for expenses at a camp where the dependent stays overnight, see section 10101(b)(2) of Pub. L. 100–203, as added by Pub. L. 100–647, set out as an Effective Date of 1987 Amendment note under section 21 of this title.

Section 531(b)(5) of Pub. L. 98–369, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1853(b)(2), (3), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2870, 2871, provided that:

“(A) General transitional rule.—Any cafeteria plan in existence on February 10, 1984, which failed as of such date and continued to fail thereafter to satisfy the rules relating to section 125 under proposed Treasury regulations, and any benefit offered under such a cafeteria plan which failed as of such date and continued to fail thereafter to satisfy the rules of section 105, 106, 120, or 129 under proposed Treasury regulations, will not fail to be a cafeteria plan under section 125 or a nontaxable benefit under section 105, 106, 120, or 129 solely because of such failures. The preceding sentence shall apply only with respect to cafeteria plans and benefits provided under cafeteria plans before the earlier of—

“(i) January 1, 1985, or

“(ii) the effective date of any modification to provide additional benefits after February 10, 1984.

“(B) Special transition rule for advance election benefit banks.—Any benefit offered under a cafeteria plan in existence on February 10, 1984, which failed as of such date and continued to fail thereafter to satisfy the rules of section 105, 106, 120, or 129 under proposed Treasury regulations because an employee was assured of receiving (in cash or any other benefit) amounts available but unused for covered reimbursement during the year without regard to whether he incurred covered expenses, will not fail to be a nontaxable benefit under such applicable section solely because of such failure. The preceding sentence shall apply only with respect to benefits provided under cafeteria plans before the earlier of—

“(i) July 1, 1985, or

“(ii) the effective date of any modification to provide additional benefits after February 10, 1984.

“(C) Plans for which substantial implementation costs were incurred.—For purposes of this paragraph, any plan with respect to which substantial implementation costs had been incurred before February 10, 1984, shall be treated as in existence on February 10, 1984.

“(D) Collective bargaining agreements.—In the case of any cafeteria plan in existence on February 10, 1984, and maintained pursuant to 1 or more collective bargaining agreements between employee representatives and 1 or more employers, the date on which the last of such collective bargaining agreements terminates (determined without regard to any extension thereof agreed to after July 18, 1984) shall be substituted for ‘January 1, 1985’ in subparagraph (A) and for ‘July 1, 1985’ in subparagraph (B). For purposes of the preceding sentence, any plan amendment made pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement relating to the plan which amends the plan solely to conform to any requirement added by this section (or any requirement in the regulations under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [now 1986] proposed on May 6, 1984) shall not be treated as a termination of such collective bargaining agreement.

“(E) Special rule where contributions or reimbursements suspended.—For purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B), a plan shall not be treated as not continuing to fail to satisfy the rules referred to in such subparagraphs with respect to any benefit provided in the form of a flexible spending arrangement merely because contributions or reimbursements (or both) with respect to such plan were suspended before January 1, 1985.”