The limitations that are adjusted by reference to Section 415(d) of the Internal Revenue Code will remain unchanged for 2010 because the cost-of-living index for the quarter ended September 30 is less than the cost-of-living index for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, the IRS explained.

Effective January 1, 2010 the limitation on the annual benefit under a defined benefit plan under Section 415(b)(1)(A) remains unchanged at $195,000. For participants who separated from service before January 1, 2010, the limitation for defined benefit plans under Section 415(b)(1)(B) is computed by multiplying the participant’s compensation limitation, as adjusted through 2009 by 1.0000.

The annual additions limitation for defined contribution plans under Section 415(c)(1)(A) remains unchanged for 2010 at $49,000. The limitation under Section 402(g)(1) on the exclusion for elective deferrals described in Section 402(g)(3) also remains unchanged at $16,500.

The annual compensation limit under Sections 401(a)(17), 404(l), 408(k)(3)(C), and 408(k)(6)(D)(ii) remains unchanged at $245,000, and the dollar limitation under Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i) concerning the definition of key employee in a top-heavy plan remains unchanged at $160,000.

The limitation used in the definition of highly compensated employee under Section 414(q)(1)(B) remains unchanged at $110,000.

The dollar limitation under Section 414(v)(2)(B)(i) for catch-up contributions to an applicable employer plan other than a plan described in Section 401(k)(11) or Section 408(p) for individuals aged 50 or over remains unchanged at $5,500, while the dollar limitation under Section 414(v)(2)(B)(ii) for catch-up contributions to an applicable employer plan described in Section 401(k)(11) or Section 408(p) for individuals aged 50 or over remains unchanged at $2,500.

For taxable years beginning in 2010, the term "high deductible health plan" as defined in § 220(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code means, for self-only coverage, a health plan that has an annual deductible that is not less than $2,000 and not more than $3,000, and under which the annual out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid (other than for premiums) for covered benefits do not exceed $4,050.

The term "high deductible health plan" means, for family coverage, a health plan that has an annual deductible that is not less than $4,050 and not more than $6,050, and under which the annual out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid (other than for premiums) for covered benefits do not exceed $7,400.

The Internal Revenue Service explained in a press release that, by law, the dollar amounts for a variety of tax provisions must be revised each year to keep pace with inflation. As a result, more than three dozen tax benefits are subject to inflation adjustments each year, but because recent inflation factors have been minimal, many of these benefits will remain unchanged or change only slightly for 2010.

AGI Limit Impacts

The IRS said that the adjusted gross income limitation under Section 25B(b)(1)(A) for determining the retirement savings contribution credit for taxpayers filing as head of household is increased from $24,750 to $25,125, though the limitation under Section 25B(b)(1)(B) remains unchanged at $27,000, and the limitation under Sections 25B(b)(1)(C) and 25B(b)(1)(D), remains unchanged at $41,625. 

Additionally, the adjusted gross income limitation under Section 25B(b)(1)(A) for determining the retirement savings contribution credit for all other taxpayers is increased from $16,500 to $16,750, while the limitation under Section 25B(b)(1)(B) remains unchanged at $18,000, and the limitation under Sections 25B(b)(1)(C) and 25B(b)(1)(D), also remains unchanged at $27,750. 

The deductible amount under § 219(b)(5)(A) for an individual making qualified retirement contributions remains unchanged at $5,000. 

IRA Income Limits 

The applicable dollar amount under Section 219(g)(3)(B)(i) for determining the deductible amount of an IRA contribution for taxpayers who are active participants filing a joint return or as a qualifying widow(er) remains unchanged at $89,000.  However, the IRS said that the applicable dollar amount under Section 219(g)(3)(B)(ii) for all other taxpayers (other than married taxpayers filing separate returns) is increased from $55,000 to $56,000.  Additionally, the applicable dollar amount under Section 219(g)(7)(A) for a taxpayer who is not an active participant but whose spouse is an active participant is increased from $166,000 to $167,000. 

The adjusted gross income limitation under Section 408A(c)(3)(C)(ii)(I) for determining the maximum Roth IRA contribution for married taxpayers filing a joint return or for taxpayers filing as a qualifying widow(er) is increased from $166,000 to $167,000, although the adjusted gross income limitation under Section 408A(c)(3)(C)(ii)(II) for all other taxpayers (other than married taxpayers filing separate returns) remains unchanged at $105,000. 

Details about the tax benefits changes for 2010 can be found in Rev. Proc. 2009-50.