Broad Applicability
This issue is not limited to SERPs. The scope of what will be considered nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A is quite broad. In general, an arrangement will be covered under the section if the executive has a legally binding right to compensation in a later taxable year, unless an exception is available (such as when the compensation is paid shortly after initially vesting). Other types of compensation that are subject to Section 409A include:
• Severance benefits subject to walk-away or liberal good reason provisions;
• Certain types of tax gross-up provisions;
• Delayed incentive payments due to adding or changing vesting conditions after grant;
• Time-based restricted stock units with stock issued after March 15 of the year immediately following vesting; and
• Perquisites in the nature of an employer reimbursement payable over more than one year.

Similar problems with the inflexible nature of Section 409A were uncovered after Congress enacted the Troubled Asset Relief Program legislation. Some TARP recipients reportedly changed how and when deferred-compensation payments were made in connection with receiving a favorable advisory opinion from the Office of the Special Master for TARP Executive Compensation.

For example, deferred compensation might not be paid until repayment of some or all of the financial assistance received by the TARP recipient. Recognizing that Section 409A could inhibit desirable restructuring of executive pay, a 2009 notice from the IRS stated that "the application of 409A(a) in these circumstances would produce a disincentive for TARP recipients to comply with the Special Master's advisory opinions and act in accordance with the public interest, severely diminishing the Special Master's ability to fulfill his intended role and damaging the entire TARP program." This special relief was specifically limited to TARP recipients under certain conditions.

It remains to be seen whether the IRS will provide relief that will be helpful in facilitating the restructuring of executive pay packages following negative or unfavorable say-on-pay votes.

This situation is yet another instance of Congress creating unnecessary complexity for public companies by enacting ill-conceived tax legislation in reaction to perceived abusive executive pay practices. Great care is required to navigate the conflict between Section 409A and evolving corporate-governance standards for executive compensation.

Andrew Liazos heads the executive-compensation practice at law firm McDermott Will & Emery.

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