26 C.F.R. Subpart C—Railroad Retirement Tax Act (Chapter 22, Internal Revenue Code of 1954)
Title 26 - Internal Revenue
The employee tax is measured by the amount of compensation received for services rendered as an employee. For provisions relating to compensation, see §31.3231(e)–1. For provisions relating to the circumstances under which certain compensation is to be disregarded for the purpose of determining the employee tax, see paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of §31.3231(e)–1. [T.D. 8582, 59 FR 66189, Dec. 23, 1994] (a) Rates—(1)(i) Tier 1 tax. The Tier 1 employee tax rate equals the sum of the tax rates in effect under section 3101(a), relating to old-age, survivors, and disability insurance, and section 3101(b), relating to hospital insurance. The Tier 1 employee tax rate is applied to compensation up to the contribution base described in section 3231(e)(2)(B)(i). The contribution base is determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act and is identical to the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance wage base and the hospital insurance wage base, respectively, under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. (ii) Example. The rule in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section is illustrated by the following example. Example. A received compensation of $60,000 in 1992. The section 3101(a) rate of 6.2 percent would be applied to A's compensation up to $55,500, the applicable contribution base for 1992. The section 3101(b) rate of 1.45 percent would be applied to the entire $60,000 of A's compensation because the applicable contribution base for 1992 is $130,200. (2)(i) Tier 2 tax. The Tier 2 employee tax rate equals the percentage set forth in section 3201(b) of the Code. This rate is applied to compensation up to the contribution base described in section 3231(e)(2)(B)(ii). (ii) Example. The rule in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section is illustrated by the following example. Example. A received compensation of $60,000 in 1992. The section 3201(b) rate of 4.90 percent would be applied to A's compensation up to $41,400, the applicable contribution base for 1992. (b)(1) Computation. The employee tax is computed by multiplying the amount of the employee's compensation with respect to which the employee tax is imposed by the rate applicable to such compensation, as determined under paragraph (a) of this section. The applicable rate is the rate in effect when the compensation is received by the employee. For rules relating to the time of receipt, see §31.3121(a)–2 (a) and (b). (2) Example. The rule in paragraph (b)(1) of this section is illustrated by the following example. Example. In 1990, employee A received compensation of $1,000 as remuneration for services performed for employer R in 1989. The employee tax is payable at the rate of 12.55 percent (7.65 percent plus 4.90 percent) in effect for 1990 (the year the compensation was received), and not the 12.41 percent rate (7.51 percent plus 4.90 percent) in effect for 1989 (the year the services were performed). [T.D. 8582, 59 FR 66189, Dec. 23, 1994] (a) Collection; general rule. The employer shall collect from each of his employees the employee tax imposed with respect to the compensation of the employee by deducting or causing to be deducted the amount of such tax from the compensation subject to the tax as and when such compensation is paid. As to the measure of the employee tax, see §31.3201–1. (b) Collection; payments by two or more employers in excess of annual compensation limitation. For rules relating to payments by two or more employers in excess of the annual compensation limitation see §31.3121(a)(1)–1. (c) Undercollections or overcollections. Any undercollection or overcollection of employee tax resulting from the employer's inability to determine, at the time compensation is paid, the correct amount of compensation with respect to which the deduction should be made shall be corrected in accordance with the provisions of Subpart G of the regulations in this part relating to adjustments, credits, refunds, and abatements. (d) When fractional part of cent may be disregarded. In collecting the employee tax, the employer shall disregard any fractional part of a cent of such tax unless it amounts to one-half cent or more, in which case it shall be increased to one cent. (e) Employer's liability. The employer is liable for the employee tax with respect to compensation paid by him, whether or not collected from the employee. If the employer deducts less than the correct amount of employee tax or fails to deduct any part of the tax, he is nevertheless liable for the correct amount of the tax. Until collected from him, the employee is also liable for the employee tax. Any employee tax collected by or on behalf of an employer is a special fund in trust for the United States. See section 7501. An employer is not liable to any person for the amount of the employee tax deducted by him and paid to the district director. (f) Concurrent employment. If two or more related corporations who are rail employers concurrently employ the same individual and compensate that individual through a common paymaster, which is one of the related corporations employing the individual, see §31.3121(s)–1. [T.D. 6516, 25 FR 13032, Dec. 20, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6541, 26 FR 553, Jan 20, 1961; T.D. 6727, 29 FR 5866, May 5, 1964; T.D. 8582, 59 FR 66189, Dec. 23, 1994]
Title 26: Internal Revenue
PART 31—EMPLOYMENT TAXES AND COLLECTION OF INCOME TAX AT SOURCE
Subpart C—Railroad Retirement Tax Act (Chapter 22, Internal Revenue Code of 1954)
Tax on Employees
§ 31.3201-1 Measure of employee tax.
§ 31.3201-2 Rates and computation of employee tax.
§ 31.3202-1 Collection of, and liability for, employee tax.
Tax on Employee Representatives
§ 31.3211-1 Measure of employee representative tax.
The employee representative tax is measured by the amount of compensation received for services rendered as an employee representative. For provisions relating to compensation, see §31.3231(e)–1.
[T.D. 8582, 59 FR 66190, Dec. 23, 1994]
§ 31.3211-2 Rates and computation of employee representative tax.
(a) Rates—(1)(i) Tier 1 tax. The Tier 1 employee representative tax rate equals the sum of the tax rates in effect under sections 3101(a) and 3111(a), relating to the employee and the employer tax for old-age, survivors, and disability insurance, and sections 3101(b) and 3111(b), relating to the employee and the employer tax for hospital insurance. The Tier 1 employee representative tax rate is applied to compensation up to the contribution base described in section 3231(e)(2)(B)(i). The contribution base is determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act, and is identical to the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance wage base and the hospital insurance wage base, respectively, under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
(ii) Example. The rule in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section is illustrated by the following example.
Example. B, an employee representative, received compensation of $60,000 in 1992. The sections 3101(a) and 3111(a) rates of 12.4 percent (6.2 percent plus 6.2 percent) would be applied to B's compensation up to $55,500, the applicable contribution base for 1992. The sections 3101(b) and 3111(b) rates of 2.9 percent (1.45 percent plus 1.45 percent) would be applied to the entire $60,000 of B's compensation because the applicable contribution base for 1992 is $130,200.
(2) (i) Tier 2 tax. The Tier 2 employee representative tax rate equals the percentage set forth in section 3211(a)(2) of the Code. This rate is applied up to the contribution base described in section 3231(e)(2)(B)(ii).
(ii) Example. The rule in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section is illustrated by the following example.
Example. B received compensation of $60,000 in 1992. The section 3211(a)(2) rate of 14.75 percent would be applied to B's compensation up to $41,400, the applicable contribution base for 1992.
(3) Supplemental Annuity Tax. The supplemental annuity tax for each work-hour for which compensation is paid to an employee representative for services rendered as an employee representative is imposed at the same rate as the excise tax imposed on every employer under section 3221(c). See also §31.3211–3.
(b) (1) Computation. The employee representative tax is computed by multiplying the amount of the employee representative's compensation with respect to which the employee representative tax is imposed by the rate applicable to such compensation, as determined under paragraph (a) of this section. The applicable rate is the rate in effect when the compensation is received by the employee representative. For rules relating to the time of receipt, see §31.3121(a)–2 (a) and (b).
(2) Example. The rule in paragraph (b)(1) of this section is illustrated by the following example.
Example. In 1990, employee representative B received $1,000 as remuneration for services performed for employer R in 1989. The employee representative tax is payable at the rate of 30.05 percent (15.30 percent plus 14.75 percent) in effect for 1990 (the year the compensation was received), and not the 29.77 percent rate (15.02 percent plus 14.75 percent) in effect for 1989 (the year the services were performed).
(c) (1) Rule where compensation is received both as an employee representative and employee. The following rule applies to an individual who renders service both as an employee representative and as an employee. The employee representative tax is imposed on compensation received as an employee representative under the rules described in §31.3211–2. The employee tax is imposed on compensation received as an employee under the rules described in §31.3201–2. However, if the total compensation received is greater than the applicable contribution base, the employee representative tax is imposed on the amount equal to the contribution base less the amount received for services rendered as an employee.
(2) Example. The rule in paragraph (c)(1) of this section is illustrated by the following example.
Example. C performed services both as an employee and an employee representative in 1992. C received compensation of $40,000 as an employee and $20,000 as an employee representative. C's entire compensation of $40,000 is subject to tax under the rules described in §31.3201–2. The amount of employee representative compensation subject to the section 3101(a) and the section 3111(a) rate is $15,500 ($55,500−$40,000). The entire $20,000 is subject to the sections 3101(b) and 3111(b) rates since the combined compensation is less than $130,200, the applicable contribution base for 1992. The amount of the employee representative compensation subject to the section 3211(a)(2) rate is $1,400 ($41,400−$40,000).
[T.D. 8582, 59 FR 66190, Dec. 23, 1994]
§ 31.3211-3 Employee representative supplemental tax.
See paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of §31.3221–3 for rules applicable to the supplemental tax for each work-hour for which compensation is paid to an employee representative for services rendered as an employee representative.
[T.D. 8525, 59 FR 9666, Mar. 1, 1994]
§ 31.3212-1 Determination of compensation.
See §31.3231(e)–1 for regulations applicable to compensation.
Tax on Employers
§ 31.3221-1 Measure of employer tax.
(a) General Rule—The employer tax is measured by the amount of compensation paid by an employer to its employees. For provisions relating to compensation, see §31.3231(e)-1. For provisions relating to the circumstances under which certain compensation is to be disregarded for purposes of determining the employer tax, see paragraphs (b) (1) and (2) of §31.3231(e)–1.
(b) Payments by two or more employers in excess of annual compensation limitation. For rules relating to payments by two or more employers in excess of the annual compensation limitation, see §31.3121(a)(1)–1.
(c) Underpayments or overpayments. Any underpayment or overpayment of employer tax resulting from the employer's inability to determine, at the time such tax is paid, the correct amount of compensation with respect to which the tax should be paid shall be corrected in accordance with the provisions of Subpart G of the regulations in this part relating to adjustments, credits, refunds, and abatements.
[T.D. 6516, 25 FR 13032, Dec. 20, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6541, 26 FR 555, Jan. 20, 1961; T.D. 8582, 59 FR 66190, Dec. 23, 1994]
§ 31.3221-2 Rates and computation of employer tax.
(a) Rates—(1)(i) Tier 1 tax. The Tier 1 employer tax rate equals the sum of the tax rates in effect under section 3111(a), relating to old-age, survivors, and disability insurance, and section 3111(b), relating to hospital insurance. The Tier 1 employer tax rate is applied to compensation up to the contribution base described in section 3231(e)(2)(B)(i). The contribution base is determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act and is identical to the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance wage base and the hospital insurance wage base, respectively, under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
(ii) Example. The rule in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section is illustrated by the following example.
Example. R's employee, A, received compensation of $60,000 in 1992. The section 3111(a) rate of 6.2 percent would be applied to A's compensation up to $55,500, the applicable contribution base for 1992. The section 3111(b) rate of 1.45 percent would be applied to the entire $60,000 of A's compensation because the applicable contribution base for 1992 is $130,200.
(2)(i) Tier 2 tax. The Tier 2 employer tax rate equals the percentage set forth in section 3221(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. This rate is applied up to the contribution base described in section 3231(e)(2)(B)(ii).
(ii) Example. The rule in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section is illustrated by the following example.
Example. R's employee, A, received compensation of $60,000 in 1992. The section 3221(b) rate of 16.10 percent would be applied to A's compensation up to $41,400, the applicable contribution base for 1992.
(3) Supplemental Annuity Tax. The supplemental annuity tax for each work-hour for which compensation is paid by an employer for services rendered during any calendar quarter by employees is imposed at the tax rate determined each calendar quarter by the Railroad Retirement Board. See also §31.3221–3.
(b)(1) Computation. The employer tax is computed by multiplying the amount of the compensation with respect to which the employer tax is imposed by the rate applicable to such compensation, as determined under paragraph (a) of this section. The applicable rate is the rate in effect at the time the compensation is paid. For rules relating to the time of payment, see §31.3121(a)–2(a) and (b).
(2) Example. The rule in paragraph (b)(1) of this section is illustrated by the following example.
Example. In 1990, R's employee A received $1,000 as remuneration for services performed for R in 1989. The employer tax is payable at the rate of 23.75 percent (7.65 percent plus 16.10 percent) in effect for 1990 (the year the compensation was received) and not the 23.61 percent rate (7.51 percent plus 16.10 percent) in effect for 1989 (the year the services were performed).
[T.D. 8582, 59 FR 66190, Dec. 23, 1994]
§ 31.3221-3 Supplemental tax.
(a) Introduction—(1) In general. Section 3221(c) imposes an excise tax on every employer, as defined in section 3231(a) and §31.3231(a)–1, with respect to individuals employed by the employer. The tax is imposed for each work-hour for which the employer pays compensation, as defined in section 3231(e) and §31.3231(e)–1, for services rendered to the employer during a calendar quarter. This §31.3221–3 provides rules for determining the number of taxable work-hours.
(2) Overview. Paragraph (b) of this section defines work-hours. Paragraph (c) of this section demonstrates the calculation of work-hours. Paragraph (d) of this section offers a safe harbor calculation of work-hours for use by any employer in lieu of calculating the number of work-hours for each employee.
(b) Definition of work-hours—(1) In general. For purposes of section 3221(c) and this section, work-hours are hours for which the employee is compensated, whether or not the employee performs services.
(i) Payments included in work-hours. Work-hours include regular time worked; overtime; time paid for vacations and holidays; time allowed for meals; away-from-home terminal time; called and not used, runaround, and deadheading time; time for attending court, participating in investigations, and attending claim and safety meetings; and guaranteed time not worked. Work-hours also include conversion hours, that is, compensation converted into work-hours. Conversion hours may be derived from payment by the mile or by the piece. Work-hours also include time for which the employee is paid for periods of absence not due to sickness or accident disability, such as for routine medical and dental examinations or for time lost.
(ii) Payments excluded from work-hours. Certain kinds of payments are not subject to conversion into work-hours. These include those payments that are specifically excluded from compensation within the meaning of section 3231(e), such as certain sick pay payments (section 3231(e)(1)(i)); tips (section 3231(e)(1)(ii)); and amounts paid specifically (either as an advance, as reimbursement, or allowance) for traveling expenses (section 3231(e)(1)(iii)). Traveling expenses paid under a nonaccountable plan are excluded from work-hours even though they are includible in compensation. See §31.3231(e)–1(a)(5). Also excluded from work-hours are amounts representing bonuses, amounts received pursuant to the exercise of an employee stock option, and all separation payments or severance allowances.
(2) Hourly compensation. Because the tax under section 3221(c) is calculated on the basis of work-hours, the number of hours for which an employee receives compensation is the figure used to determine work-hours. In the case of an hourly-rated employee, each hour for which the employee receives compensation is one work-hour.
(3) Daily, weekly, monthly compensation. (i) If an employee is paid by the day, week, month, or other period of time, the tax is imposed on the number of hours comprehended in the rate and, if any, the number of overtime hours for which additional compensation is paid. Thus, in the case of an office worker who receives an annual salary based on an 8-hour, 5-day-a-week work schedule that includes paid holidays, vacations, and sick time, the number of work-hours for one month is 174 (2088 hours/year ÷12 months).
(ii) The rule in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section is illustrated by the following examples.
Example 1. A, an office worker, receives an annual salary that is paid monthly. The salary is based on an 8-hour, Monday through Friday work schedule. A is not paid for overtime hours. A is not expected to work on holidays, during A's annual vacation, or during periods that A is ill. The number of work-hours for one month is 174 (2088 hours/year ÷12 months). This figure remains constant, even though some months have more workdays than others.
Example 2. B is paid a stated amount for each day B works, regardless of the number of hours worked. However, if B works more than 8 hours during any day, B is paid overtime for each additional hour worked that day. B is not paid for holidays, vacations, or sick time. During May, B worked 6 hours on 4 days, 7 hours on 6 days, 8 hours on 6 days, and 9 hours on 5 days. Because B is paid a daily rate for up to 8 hours, 8 hours are comprehended in the daily rate. Therefore, the number of work-hours for May is 173 (21 days×8 hours/day+5 overtime hours), even though B actually worked 159 hours.
(4) Conversion hours—(i) Compensation not based on time (hour, day, month, etc.), such as compensation paid by the mile or by the piece, must be converted into the number of hours represented by the compensation paid. Thus, if an employee is paid by the mile, 1 work-hour equals the number of miles constituting a workday, divided by 8 hours. However, in the case of a collective bargaining agreement that specifies a number of hours as constituting a workday, the number of hours specified under the agreement may be used instead of 8.
(ii) The rule in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section is illustrated by the following example.
Example. C's normal workday consists of 2 150-mile round trips that together take 6 hours. C is paid by the mile. The collective bargaining agreement does not specify the number of hours in a workday. Thus, the number of work-hours for each day C works is 8, or 1 work-hour for each 37.5 miles (300 miles/day ÷ 8 hours/day). If the applicable collective bargaining agreement specifies that 6 hours constitute a workday, the number of work-hours for each day C works would be 6.
(c) Calculation of work-hours—(1) An employer may calculate the work-hours separately for each employee, as described in the examples in this paragraph. If the employer chooses to calculate work-hours separately for each employee, the employer must calculate the number of regular hours, overtime hours, and conversion hours for each employee for each month. In lieu of separate calculations, the employer may calculate the work-hours for all the employer's employees using the safe harbor formula described in paragraph (d) of this section.
(2) The rules in paragraph (c) of this section are illustrated by the following examples.
Example 1. D worked 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday, during the months of February and March 1992. D did not work on President's Day, but was paid for the holiday. D's work-hours for February were 160 (19 days × 8 hours a day + 8 holiday hours). D's work-hours for March were 176 (22 days × 8 hours a day).
Example 2. E worked 7-hour shifts every Tuesday through Saturday during the months of February and March 1992. E also worked 7 overtime hours during February and 21 overtime hours during March. Also, E was paid for 7 hours on President's Day, even though E did not work on that day. The number of work-hours for February was 161 (21 days × 7 hours a day + 7 overtime hours + 7 holiday hours). The number of work-hours for March was 168 (21 days × 7 hours a day + 21 overtime hours). Because E receives an hourly wage and was paid for the President's Day holiday, the number of hours (7) for which E was paid are added to the hours E actually worked. If E had worked on President's Day and had received extra pay for working on a holiday and holiday pay for 7 hours, the employer would include 14 hours in E's work-hours for that day, the 7 hours E actually worked and the 7 holiday hours for which E was paid.
Example 3. Employment beginning during month. F began employment on March 16, a Monday, and worked 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday. The employer calculates that F's hours for the month were 96, because F worked 12 8-hour days during the month. If March 16 were on a Friday, the employer would calculate 11 days, or 88 hours.
Example 4. Employment ending during month. G's last day of employment was Friday, March 13. G worked 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday, except for March 3, when G was ill. G was paid for 8 hours for March 3. The employer calculates that G's work-hours for March were 80, because G worked 9 8-hour days and was paid for an additional 8 hours.
(d) Safe harbor—(1) In general. In lieu of calculating work-hours separately for each employee, an employer may use the safe harbor for all employees. If the employer elects to use the safe harbor for a calendar year, the employer must use the safe harbor for all employees for the entire calendar year. If an employer uses the safe harbor for a calendar year, the employer need not elect the safe harbor for the following calendar year. An employer that elects the safe harbor for a calendar year may not subsequently elect to separately calculate employee work-hours for that calendar year.
(2) Method of calculation. The safe harbor treats each employee of the employer as receiving monthly compensation for a number of hours equal to the safe harbor number. To determine the number of work-hours for a month, the employer multiplies the safe harbor number by the number that equals the total number of employees to whom the employer paid compensation during the month.
(i) Safe harbor number defined. The safe harbor number is the number established in guidance of general applicability promulgated by the Commissioner.
(ii) Employee defined. Solely for purposes of this paragraph, an employee is any individual who is paid compensation, within the meaning of §31.3231(e)–1, regardless of the amount, during the month. Thus, for example, a part-time, temporary, or seasonal employee is counted as an employee. A terminated employee is counted in the month of termination (provided the terminated employee received compensation in the month of termination), but not in any subsequent month in which the employee does not perform service for the employer as an employee, even if the terminated employee is paid compensation in a subsequent month. Thus, for example, an employee who terminates employment during the month, receives compensation during the month of termination, and receives a final paycheck the following month is counted as an employee of the employer for the month of termination but not for the following month.
(3) Method of election. An employer makes the safe harbor election for a calendar year on the employment tax return filed for the previous calendar year.
(4) Additional rules. The Commissioner may, in revenue procedures, revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance of general applicability, revise the safe harbor number or provide additional safe harbors that satisfy section 3221(c).
(e) Effective dates. This §31.3221–3 is effective for calendar years beginning after December 31, 1992, except that paragraph (d) is effective for calendar years beginning after December 31, 1993. Taxpayers may apply the rules in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section before January 1, 1993.
[T.D. 8525, 59 FR 9666, Mar. 1, 1994]
§ 31.3221-4 Exception from supplemental tax.
(a) General rule. Section 3221(d) provides an exception from the excise tax imposed by section 3221(c). Under this exception, the excise tax imposed by section 3221(c) does not apply to an employer with respect to employees who are covered by a supplemental pension plan, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, that is established pursuant to an agreement reached through collective bargaining between the employer and employees, within the meaning of paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) Definition of supplemental pension plan—(1) In general. A plan is a supplemental pension plan covered by the section 3221(d) exception described in paragraph (a) of this section only if it meets the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(4) of this section.
(2) Pension benefit requirement. A plan is a supplemental pension plan within the meaning of this section only if the plan is a pension plan within the meaning of §1.401–1(b)(1)(i) of this chapter. Thus, a plan is a supplemental pension plan only if the plan provides for the payment of definitely determinable benefits to employees over a period of years, usually for life, after retirement. A plan need not be funded through a qualified trust that meets the requirements of section 401(a) or an annuity contract that meets the requirements of section 403(a) in order to meet the requirements of this paragraph (b)(2). A plan that is a profit-sharing plan within the meaning of §1.401–1(b)(1)(ii) of this chapter or a stock bonus plan within the meaning of §1.401–1(b)(1)(iii) of this chapter is not a supplemental pension plan within the meaning of this paragraph (b).
(3) Railroad Retirement Board determination with respect to the plan. A plan is a supplemental pension plan within the meaning of this paragraph (b) with respect to an employee only during any period for which the Railroad Retirement Board has made a determination under 20 CFR 216.42(d) that the plan is a private pension, the payments from which will result in a reduction in the employee's supplemental annuity payable under 45 U.S.C. 231a(b). A plan is not a supplemental pension plan for any time period before the Railroad Retirement Board has made such a determination, or after that determination is no longer in force.
(4) Other requirements. [Reserved]
(c) Collective bargaining agreement. A plan is established pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement with respect to an employee only if, in accordance with the rules of §1.410(b)–6(d)(2) of this chapter, the employee is included in a unit of employees covered by an agreement that the Secretary of Labor finds to be a collective bargaining agreement between employee representatives and one or more employers, provided that there is evidence that retirement benefits were the subject of good faith bargaining between employee representatives and the employer or employers.
(d) Substitute section 3221(d) excise tax. Section 3221(d) imposes an excise tax on any employer who has been excepted from the excise tax imposed under section 3221(c) by the application of section 3221(d) and paragraph (a) of this section with respect to an employee. The excise tax is equal to the amount of the supplemental annuity paid to that employee under 45 U.S.C. 231a(b), plus a percentage thereof determined by the Railroad Retirement Board to be sufficient to cover the administrative costs attributable to such payments under 45 U.S.C. 231a(b).
(e) Effective date—(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, this section applies beginning on October 1, 1998.
(2) Delayed effective date for collective bargaining agreement provisions. Paragraph (c) of this section applies beginning on January 1, 2000.
[T.D. 8832, 64 FR 42833, Aug. 6, 1999]
General Provisions
§ 31.3231(a)-1 Who are employers.
(a) Each of the following persons is an employer within the meaning of the act:
(1) Any carrier, that is, any express carrier, sleeping car carrier, or rail carrier providing transportation subject to subchapter I of chapter 105 of title 49;
(2) Any company—
(i) Which is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by one or more employers as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, or under common control therewith, and
(ii) Which operates any equipment or facility or performs any service (except trucking service, casual service, and the casual operation of equipment or facilities) in connection with—
(a) The transportation of passengers or property by railroad, or
(b) The receipt, delivery, elevation, transfer in transit, refrigeration or icing, storage, or handling of property transported by railroad;
(3) Any receiver, trustee, or other individual or body, judicial or otherwise, when in the possession of the property or operating all or any part of the business of any employer as defined in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section;
(4) Any railroad association, traffic association, tariff bureau, demurrage bureau, weighing and inspection bureau, collection agency, and any other association, bureau, agency, or organization controlled and maintained wholly or principally by two or more employers as defined in paragraph (a)(1), (2) or (3) of this section and engaged in the performance of services in connection with or incidental to railroad transportation;
(5) Any railway labor organization, national in scope, which has been or may be organized in accordance with the provisions of the Railway Labor Act; and
(6) Any subordinate unit of a national railway-labor-organization employer, that is, any State or National legislative committee, general committee, insurance department, or local lodge or division, of an employer as defined in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, established pursuant to the constitution and bylaws of such employer.
(b) As used in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the term “controlled” includes direct or indirect control, whether legally enforceable and however exercisable or exercised. The control may be by means of stock ownership, or by agreements, licenses, or any other devices which insure that the operation of the company is in the interest of one or more carriers. It is the reality of the control, however, which is decisive, not its form nor the mode of its exercise.
(c) As used in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the term casual applies when the service rendered or the operation of equipment or facilities by a controlled company or person in connection with the transportation of passengers or property by railroad is so irregular or infrequent as to afford no substantial basis for an inference that such service or operation will be repeated, or whenever such service or operation is insubstantial.
(d) The term “employer” does not include any street, interurban, or suburban electric railway, unless such railway is operating as a part of a general steam-railroad system of transportation, but shall not exclude any part of the general steam-railroad system of transportation which is operated by any other motive power.
(e) The term “employer” does not include any company by reason of its being engaged in the mining of coal, the supplying of coal to an employer where delivery is not beyond the mine tipple and the operation of equipment or facilities for such mining or supplying of coal, or in any of such activities.
(f) Any company that is described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section is an employer under section 3231. In certain cases, based on all the facts and circumstances, it may be appropriate to segregate those businesses engaged in rail services and therefore subject to the Railroad Retirement Tax Act from those businesses engaged exclusively in nonrail services and therefore not subject to the Railroad Retirement Tax Act. The factors considered are set forth in guidance published by the Internal Revenue Service.
[T.D. 6516, 25 FR 13032, Dec. 20, 1960; 25 FR 14021, Dec. 31, 1960; T.D. 8582, 59 FR 66191, Dec. 23, 1994]
§ 31.3231(b)-1 Who are employees.
(a) In general. (1) An individual who is in the service of one or more employers for compensation is an employee within the meaning of the act. (For definitions of the terms “employer”, “service”, and “compensation”, see subsections (a), (d), and (e), respectively, of section 3231.) An individual is in the service of an employer, with respect to services rendered for compensation, if—
(i) He is subject to the continuing authority of the employer to supervise and direct the manner in which he renders such services; or
(ii) He is rendering professional or technical services and is integrated into the staff of the employer; or
(iii) He is rendering, on the property used in the employer's operations, other personal services the rendition of which is integrated into the employer's operations.
(2) In order that an individual may be in the service of an employer within the meaning of paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, it is not necessary that the employer actually direct or control the manner in which the services are rendered; it is sufficient if the employer has the right to do so. The right of an employer to discharge an individual is also an important factor indicating that the individual is subject to the continuing authority of the employer to supervise and direct the manner of rendition of the services. Other factors indicating that an individual is subject to the continuing authority of the employer to supervise and direct the manner of rendition of the services are the furnishing of tools and the furnishing of a place to work by the employer to the individual who renders the services.
(3) In general, if an individual is subject to the control or direction of an employer merely as to the result to be accomplished by the work and not as to the means and methods for accomplishing the result, he is an independent contractor. On individual performing services as an independent contractor is not, as to such services, in the service of an employer within the meaning of paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section. However, an individual performing services as an independent contractor may be, as to such services, in the service of an employer within the meaning of paragraph (a)(1) (ii) or (iii) of this section.
(4) Whether or not an individual is an employee will be determined upon an examination of the particular facts of the case.
(5) If an individual is an employee, it is of no consequence that he is designated as a partner, coadventurer, agent, independent contractor, or otherwise, or that he performs services on a part-time basis.
(6) No distinction is made between classes or grades of employees. Thus, superintendents, managers, and other supervisory personnel are employees within the meaning of the act. An officer of an employer is an employee, but a director as such is not.
(7) In determining whether an individual is an employee with respect to services rendered within the United States, the citizenship or residence of the individual, or the place where the contract of service was entered into is immaterial.
(8) If an individual performs services for an employer (other than a local lodge or division or a general committee of a railway-labor-organization employer) which does not conduct the principal part of its business within the United States, such individual shall be deemed to be in the service of such employer only to the extent that he performs services for it in the United States. Thus, with respect to services rendered for such employer outside the United States, such individual is not in the service of an employer.
(9) If an individual performs services for an employer (other than a local lodge or division or a general committee of a railway-labor-organization employer) which conducts the principal part of its business within the United States, he is in the service of such employer whether his services are rendered within or without the United States. In the case of an individual, not a citizen or resident of the United States, rendering services in a place outside the United States to an employer which is required under the laws applicable in such place to employ, in whole or in part, citizens or residents thereof, such individual shall not be deemed to be in the service of an employer with respect to services so rendered.
(10) The term “employee” does not include any individual while he is engaged in the physical operations consisting of the mining of coal, the preparation of coal, the handling (other than movement by rail with standard railroad locomotives) of coal not beyond the mine tipple, or the loading of coal at the tipple.
(b) Employees of local lodges or divisions of railway-labor-organization employers. (1) An individual is in the service of a local lodge or division of a railway-labor-organization employer (see paragraph (a)(6) of §31.3231(a)–1) only if—
(i) All, or substantially all, the individuals constituting the membership of such local lodge or division are employees of an employer conducting the principal part of its business in the United States; or
(ii) The headquarters of such local lodge or division is located in the United States.
(2) (i) An individual in the service of a local lodge or division is not an employee within the meaning of the act unless he was, on or after August 29, 1935, in the service of a carrier (see §31.3231(g) for definition of carrier) or he was, on August 29, 1935, in the “employment relation” to a carrier.
(ii) An individual shall be deemed to have been in the employment relation to a carrier on August 29, 1935, if (a) he was on that date on leave of absence from his employment expressly granted to him by the carrier by whom he was employed, or by a duly authorized representative or such carrier, and the grant of such leave of absence was established to the satisfaction of the Railroad Retirement Board before July 1947; or (b) he was in the service of a carrier after August 29, 1935, and before January 1946 in each of six calendar months whether or not consecutive; or (c) before August 29, 1935, he did not retire and was not retired or discharged from the service of the last carrier by whom he was employed or its corporate or operating successor, but (1) solely by reason of his physical or mental disability he ceased before August 29, 1935, to be in the service of such carrier and thereafter remained continuously disabled until he attained age sixty-five or until August 1945, or (2) solely for such last stated reason a carrier by whom he was employed before August 29, 1935, or a carrier who is its successor did not on or after August 29, 1935, and before August 1945 call him to return to service, or (3) if he was so called he was solely for such reason unable to render service in six calendar months as provided in (b) of this subdivision; or (d) he was on August 29, 1935, absent from the service of a carrier by reason of a discharge which, within one year after the effective date thereof, was protested, to an appropriate labor representative or to the carrier, as wrongful, and which was followed within 10 years of the effective date thereof by his reinstatement in good faith to his former service with all his seniority rights. However, an individual shall not be deemed to have been in the employment relation to a carrier on August 29, 1935, if before that date he was granted a pension or gratuity on the basis of which a pension was awarded to him pursuant to section 6 of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 (45 U.S.C. 228f), or if during the last payroll period before August 29, 1935, in which he rendered service to a carrier he was not, with respect to any service in such payroll period, in the service of an employer (see paragraph (a) of this section).
(c) Employees of general committees of railway-labor-organization employers. An individual is in the service of a general committee of a railway-labor-organization employer (see paragraph (a)(6) of §31.3231(a)–1) only if—
(1) He is representing a local lodge or division described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section; or
(2) All, or substantially all, the individuals represented by such general committee are employees of an employer conducting the principal part of its business in the United States; or
(3) He acts in the capacity of a general chairman or an assistant general chairman of a general committee which represents individuals rendering service in the United States to an employer. In such case, if his office or headquarters is not located in the United States and the individuals represented by such general committee are employees of an employer not conducting the principal part of its business in the United States, only a part of his remuneration for such service shall be regarded as compensation. The part of his remuneration regarded as compensation shall be in the same proportion to his total remuneration as the mileage in the United States under the jurisdiction of such general committee bears to the total mileage under its jurisdiction, unless such mileage formula is inapplicable, in which case such other formula as the Railroad Retirement Board may have prescribed pursuant to section 1(c) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 (45 U.S.C. 228a) shall be applicable. However, no part of his remuneration for such service shall be regarded as compensation if the application of such mileage formula, or such other formula as the Railroad Retirement Board may have prescribed, would result in his compensation for the service being less than 10 percent of his remuneration for such service.
§ 31.3231(c)-1 Who are employee representatives.
(a) An employee representative within the meaning of the act is—
(1) Any officer or official representative of a railway labor organization which is not included as an employer under section 3231(a) who—
(i) Was in the service of an employer either before or after June 29, 1937, and
(ii) Is duly authorized and designated to represent employees in accordance with the Railway Labor Act.
For railway labor organizations which are employers under section 3231(a), see paragraph (a) (5) and (6) of §31.3231(a)–1.
(2) Any individual who is regularly assigned to or regularly employed by an employee representative, as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, in connection with the duties of such employee representative's office.
(b) In determining whether an individual is an employee representative, his citizenship or residence is material only insofar as those factors may affect the determination of whether he was “in the service of an employer” (see paragraph (a) of §31.3231(b)–1).
§ 31.3231(d)-1 Service.
See §31.3231(b)–1 for regulations relating to the term “in the service of an employer.”
§ 31.3231(e)-1 Compensation.
(a) Definition—(1) The term compensation has the same meaning as the term wages in section 3121(a), determined without regard to section 3121(b)(9), except as specifically limited by the Railroad Retirement Tax Act (chapter 22 of the Internal Revenue Code) or regulation. The Commissioner may provide any additional guidance that may be necessary or appropriate in applying the definitions of sections 3121(a) and 3231(e).
(2) A payment made by an employer to an individual through the employer's payroll is presumed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be compensation for services rendered as an employee of the employer. Likewise, a payment made by an employee organization to an employee representative through the organization's payroll is presumed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be compensation for services rendered by the employee representative as such. For rules regarding the treatment of deductions by an employer from remuneration of an employee, see §31.3123–1.
(3) The term compensation is not confined to amounts paid for active service, but includes amounts paid for an identifiable period during which the employee is absent from the active service of the employer and, in the case of an employee representative, amounts paid for an identifiable period during which the employee representative is absent from the active service of the employee organization.
(4) Compensation includes amounts paid to an employee for loss of earnings during an identifiable period as the result of the displacement of the employee to a less remunerative position or occupation as well as pay for time lost.
(5) For rules regarding the treatment of reimbursement and other expense allowance amounts, see §31.3121(a)–3. For rules regarding the inclusion of fringe benefits in compensation, see §31.3121(a)–1T.
(6) Split-dollar life insurance arrangements. See §§1.61–22 and 1.7872–15 of this chapter for rules relating to the treatment of split-dollar life insurance arrangements.
(b) Special Rules. (1) If the amount of compensation earned in any calendar month by an individual as an employee in the service of a local lodge or division of a railway-labor-organization employer is less than $25, the amount is disregarded for purposes of determining the employee tax under section 3201 and the employer tax under section 3221.
(2) Compensation for service as a delegate to a national or international convention of a railway-labor-organization employer is disregarded for purposes of determining the employee tax under section 3201 and the employer tax under section 3221 if the individual rendering the service has not previously rendered service, other than as a delegate, which may be included in the individual's years of service for purposes of the Railroad Retirement Act.
(3) For special provisions relating to the compensation of certain general chairs or assistant general chairs of a general committee of a railway-labor-organization employer, see paragraph (c)(3) of §31.3231(b)–1.
[T.D. 8582, 59 FR 66191, Dec. 23, 1994, as amended by T.D. 9092, 68 FR 54361, Sept. 17, 2003]
§ 31.3231(e)-2 Contribution base.
The term compensation does not include any remuneration paid during any calendar year by an employer to an employee for services rendered in excess of the applicable contribution base. For rules applying this provision, see §31.3121(a)(1)–1.
[T.D. 8582, 59 FR 66191, Dec. 23, 1994]
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