Defined benefit plan

The Internal Revenue Service has released an updated Form 8881, Credit for Small Employer Pension Plan Startup Costs, Auto-Enrollment, and Military Spouse Participation.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted a proposed rule titled Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Investment Alternative to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The rulemaking follows an Executive Order Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors issued on August 7, 2025. 

The Internal Revenue Service has released the 2025 tax year Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2026-12, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations.

The Internal Revenue Service has released an updated Form 8881, Credits for Small Employer Pension Plan Startup Costs, Contributions, Auto-Enrollment, and Military Spouse Participation, and an updated draft Instructions for Form 8881, Credits for Small Employer Pension Plan Startup Costs, Contributions, Auto-Enrollment, and Military Spouse Participation.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2026-4, which includes updates to determination letter submission procedures and user fees associated with Employee Plans Rulings and Agreements.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a final rule effective December 24, 2025, that highlights that a postmark does not necessarily indicate the first day that the USPS had possession of the item, but rather it is often indicative of receipt at a first processing facility—which may be later than the date first accepted by USPS.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is requesting comments regarding information being collected on new Form 4547, Trump Account Election(s), and new Form 8879-TA.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a new Publication 15-B, Employer’s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits, for use in 2026.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Instructions for Form 8915-F, Qualified Disaster Retirement Plan Distributions and Repayments.