The Employee Plans Examinations group (the “EP Examinations Group”) within the Internal Revenue Service is responsible for overseeing compliance with the retirement plan provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, including the protection of plan assets and of the interests/rights of participants. This is accomplished by conducting examinations of retirement plans. Periodically, EP Examinations focuses on particular areas of noncompliance. This year, the IRS is focusing on 401(k) plans in general.

In addition to the focus on 401(k) plans, the EP Examinations Group is targeting several issues ranging from plan coverage and participation issues, to issues affecting plans of multi-national corporations. To keep plan sponsors abreast of the EP Examinations Group enforcement efforts, this client alert provides an overview of the issues being targeted.