Know Your Benefits Limits

If your business offers its employees a retirement plan and other benefits, you should be aware of increases to contribution and income limits for tax year 2019 due to an inflation adjustment. Here’s a look at some of them:

RETIREMENT PLANS

Defined contribution plans – 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans – see their contribution limits rise to $19,000, up $500 from 2018, while the catch-up contribution limit remains at an additional $6,000 for participants at least age 50. Total contributions by an employee and employer rise from $55,000 to $56,000. SEP-IRAs, profit sharing and money purchase plans have the same limit increase to $56,000.

The compensation limit to determine contributions increases $5,000 to $280,000, while the limit to determine discrimination testing also rises $5,000 to $180,000 of key employee compensation.

The elective contribution limit for a Simple IRA rises $500 to $13,000, with employer non-elective contributions capped at 2% of compensation up to $280,000, up from $275,000. The $3,000 catch-up contribution is unchanged. And, finally, the contribution limit for defined benefit pension plans increases to $225,000 from $220,000.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

In 2019, employees can contribute up to $2,700 into their health flexible spending accounts. The pre-tax transportation benefit is capped at $265 per month. The limit on adoption assistance is $14,080. The salary deduction phases out between $211,160 and $251,160 of taxable income.

If you have employees who earn their income overseas, the foreign earned income exclusion amount is $105,900. Don’t forget to adjust for increased Social Security income limits, if you haven’t already. That’s risen to $132,900, up from $128,400. And, finally, don’t forget to file all of your forms, including tax returns, on time. Failure to do so can be costly. Talk to your tax professional for more information.