Deferred Compensation: Dramatic Changes

The recent issuance of Revenue Ruling 2002-22, 2002-19 I.R.B. 849 dramatically changes how income tax principles will be applied to the marital division of deferred or incentive compensation arrangements, and, potentially, to other types of assets, the gain from which is taxable as ordinary income. Stock options and contractual deferred compensation arrangements have become a standard form of compensation for corporate employees. In the marital dissolution law of practically every state where marital rights to these compensation arrangements have been examined, the value represented by these rights has been determined to be marital property, subject to division at divorce to the extent earned before divorce. Indeed, deferred compensation rights may be the most valuable marital asset, so negotiation and litigation over division of this value has become a fertile area for marital settlements.

27 minute read October 07, 2003 at 11:59 AM

By

Thomas R. White III