What is a Defined Benefit Plan?

A defined benefit plan is a type of qualified plan in which an employer or sponsor promises a specified pension payment to employees when they retire. The amount is predetermined using a formula based on the employee’s earnings history, tenure of service and age, rather than depending directly on individual investment return. Employers typically make most of the contributions to defined benefit retirement plans, although some plans allow for employee contributions and others may even require them.

Related Terms

What is a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)?

What is a Defined Contribution Plan?

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Tax positions for businesses and individuals

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Home office

Home office deduction lets remote workers deduct expenses like rent and utilities for business use.

Meal expenses

Business can typically deduct 50% of meals associated with doing business with some cases allowing up to 100% deduction.

Travel expenses

Businesses can deduct necessary travel expenses, like airfare and lodging, directly related to operations for tax savings.

Vehicle expenses

Vehicle tax deduction allows deduction of business vehicle expenses, using a per-mile rate or actual costs, from taxable income.

Late S election

A Late S Election lets a corporation request IRS S corp status post-deadline.

Late C election

A Late C Election is a request to the IRS for C corporation status after the deadline.

Depreciation

Business can typically deduct 50% of meals associated with doing business with some cases allowing up to 100% deduction.

R&D tax credit

Fuel your venture's growth and innovation with the R&D tax credit. Not just for tech firms or big corporations.

Clean vehicle

Businesses and Individuals can receive a tax credit for purchasing new eco-friendly vehicles. Individuals may also qualify on used eco-friendly vehicles

Real estate professional

Real Estate Professional Status allows major working hours in real property businesses to deduct rental losses against other income.

Augusta rule

The Augusta Rule lets homeowners rent their property tax-free for up to 14 days a year without reporting the income.