§3231 Definitions

The Railway Labor Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (c), is act May 20, 1926, ch. 347, 44 Stat. 577, which is classified principally to chapter 8 (§ 151 et seq.) of Title 45, Railroads. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 151 of Title 45 and Tables. section 1 of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, referred to in subsec. (d)(7), was classified to section 228a of Title 45, Railroads, prior to being omitted from the Code. The subject matter of section 228a is covered by section 231 of Title 45. section 230 of the Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(B), is classified to section 430 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. section 3(a), (f)(3), (j) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(B)(ii)(II), is classified to section 231b(a), (f)(3), (j) of Title 45, Railroads. The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (e)(4)(A)(ii), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as amended generally by Pub. L. 93–445, title I, § 101, Oct. 16, 1974, 88 Stat. 1305, which is classified generally to subchapter IV (§ 231 et seq.) of chapter 9 of Title 45, Railroads. For further details and complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Codification note set out preceding section 231 of Title 45, section 231t of Title 45, and Tables. section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), is classified to section 1101(a)(15) of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality. section 2(a) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(4)(B), is classified to section 352(a) of Title 45, Railroads.

2014—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–295, § 221(a)(100)(D), in first sentence substituted “compensation.” for “compensation; except that the term ‘employee’ shall include an employee of a local lodge or division defined as an employer in subsection (a) only if he was in the service of or in the employment relation to a carrier on or after August 29, 1935.” and struck out second sentence, which included pars. (1) to (4) and concluding provisions relating to an individual deemed to have been in the employment relation to a carrier on Aug. 29, 1935. Subsec. (e)(7). Pub. L. 113–295, § 221(a)(19)(B)(v), struck out par. (7) which read as follows: “The term ‘compensation’ shall not include any contribution, payment, or service provided by an employer which may be excluded from the gross income of an employee, his spouse, or his dependents, under the provisions of section 120 (relating to amounts received under qualified group legal services plans).” 2004—Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 108–357, § 320(b)(2), inserted “108(f)(4),” after “74(c),”. Subsec. (e)(12). Pub. L. 108–357, § 251(a)(2), added par. (12). 2003—Subsec. (e)(11). Pub. L. 108–173 added par. (11). 2001—Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(iii)(II). Pub. L. 107–90, § 204(e)(3), substituted “3211(a)” for “3211(a)(1)”. Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(ii)(I). Pub. L. 107–90, § 204(e)(4), substituted “3211(b)” for “3211(a)(2)”. Subsec. (e)(4)(A). Pub. L. 107–90, § 204(e)(3), substituted “3211(a)” for “3211(a)(1)”. 2000—Subsec. (e)(10). Pub. L. 106–554 substituted “Archer MSA” for “Medical savings account” in heading. 1996—Subsec. (e)(10). Pub. L. 104–191 added par. (10). 1995—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–88, § 304(d)(1), substituted “Surface Transportation Board” for “Interstate Commerce Commission”. Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104–88, § 304(d)(2), substituted “a rail carrier subject to part A of subtitle IV” for “an express carrier, sleeping car carrier, or rail carrier providing transportation subject to subchapter I of chapter 105”. 1994—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 103–296 substituted “(J), (M), or (Q)” for “(J), or (M)” in two places. 1993—Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13207(c)(1), added cl. (iii). Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(i). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13207(c)(2), amended heading and text of cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “(I) In general.—Except as provided in subclause (II) of this clause and in clause (ii), the term ‘applicable base’ means for any calendar year the contribution and benefit base determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act for such calendar year. “(II) Hospital insurance taxes.—For purposes of applying so much of the rate applicable under section 3201(a) or 3221(a) (as the case may be) as does not exceed the rate of tax in effect under section 3101(b), and for purposes of applying so much of the rate of tax applicable under section 3211(a)(1) as does not exceed the rate of tax in effect under section 1401(b), the term ‘applicable base’ means for any calendar year the applicable contribution base determined under section 3121(x)(2) for such calendar year.” 1990—Subsec. (e)(2)(B)(i). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11331(c), amended cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows: “Except as provided in clause (ii), the term ‘applicable base’ means for any calendar year the contribution and benefit base determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act for such calendar year.” Subsec. (e)(8) to (10). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11704(a)(19), redesignated pars. (9) and (10) as (8) and (9), respectively. 1989—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 101–239, § 10207(b), inserted at end “Nothing in the

prescribed for purposes of chapter 24 (relating to wage withholding) which provides an exclusion from ‘wages’ as used in such chapter shall be construed to require a similar exclusion from ‘compensation’ in

prescribed for purposes of this chapter.” Pub. L. 101–239, § 10206(a), substituted “(iii)” for “or (iii)” and inserted “, or (iv) any remuneration which would not (if chapter 21 applied to such remuneration) be treated as wages (as defined in section 3121(a)) by reason of section 3121(a)(5)”. Pub. L. 101–239, § 10205(a), inserted “or death, except that this clause does not apply to a payment for group-term life insurance to the extent that such payment is includible in the gross income of the employee” before “, (ii) tips”. Subsec. (e)(8). Pub. L. 101–140 amended subsec. (e) to read as if

by Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(22)(B), had not been enacted, see 1988 Amendment note below. Subsec. (e)(9). Pub. L. 101–239, § 10206(b), added par. (9). Subsec. (e)(10). Pub. L. 101–239, § 10207(a), added par. (10). 1988—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1001(d)(2)(C)(ii), substituted “(F), (J), or (M)” for “(F) or (J)” in two places. Subsec. (e)(8). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011B(a)(22)(B), added par. (8). 1986—Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 99–514, § 122(e)(2), inserted reference to section 74(c). Subsec. (e)(6), (7). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1899A(41), redesignated par. (6), relating to amounts excludable under section 120, as (7). 1984—Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 98–369, § 531(d)(2), added par. (5). Subsec. (e)(6). Pub. L. 98–611 added par. (6) relating to amounts excludable under section 127. Pub. L. 98–612 added par. (6) relating to amounts excludable under section 120. 1983—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 98–76, § 225(a)(3), struck out provisions that compensation which was paid in one calendar month but which would be payable in a prior or subsequent taxable month but for the fact prescribed date of payment would fall on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday would be deemed to have been paid in such prior or subsequent taxable month and that compensation which was earned during the period for which the Secretary would require a return of taxes under this chapter to be made and which was payable during the calendar month following such period would be deemed to have been paid during such period only. Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 98–76, § 225(a)(1), amended par. (2) generally, substituting provisions which exclude compensation in excess of applicable base, which define “applicable base”, and which provide for the applicability of successor employer provisions to this paragraph, for provisions that a payment made by an employer to an individual through the employer’s payroll would be presumed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be compensation for service rendered by such individual as an employee of the employer in the period with respect to which the payment was made, that an employee receiving retroactive wage payments would be deemed to be paid compensation in the period during which such compensation was earned only upon a written request by such employee, made within six months following the payment, and a showing that such compensation was earned during a period other than the period in which it was paid, that an employee would be deemed to be paid “for time lost” the amount he was paid by an employer with respect to an identifiable period of absence from the active service of the employer, including absence on account of personal injury, and the amount he was paid by the employer for loss of earnings resulting from his displacement to a less remunerative position or occupation, and that if a payment was made by an employer with respect to a personal injury and included pay for time lost, the total payment would be deemed to be paid for time lost unless, at the time of payment, a part of such payment was specifically apportioned to factors other than time lost, in which event only such part of the payment as was not so apportioned would be deemed to be paid for time lost. Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 98–76, § 225(c)(1)(C), (6), substituted “taxes imposed by section 3201” for “tax imposed by section 3201”, and “such taxes” for “such tax”. Subsec. (e)(4)(A). Pub. L. 98–76, § 225(c)(7), substituted “3201(a), 3211(a)(1), and 3221(a)” for “3201(b) and 3221(b) (and so much of section 3211(a) as relates to the rates of the taxes imposed by section 3101 and 3111)”. Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 98–76, § 225(c)(8), substituted “taxes imposed by section 3201” for “tax imposed under section 3201”, and struck out “; and tips so deemed to be paid in any month shall be deemed paid for services rendered in such month” after “time received”. Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 98–76, § 225(b), added subsec. (i). 1981—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 97–34, § 743(a), inserted after third sentence provision that “Compensation which is paid in one calendar month but which would be payable in a prior or subsequent taxable month but for the fact that prescribed date of payment would fall on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday shall be deemed to have been paid in such prior or subsequent taxable month.” Pub. L. 97–34, § 741(d)(2), struck out cl. (iii) exclusion from term “compensation” the voluntary payment by an employer, without deduction from the remuneration of the employee, of the tax imposed on such employee by section 3201, redesignated as cl. (iii) provisions formerly designated (iv). Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 97–34, § 743(b), (c), inserted first sentence respecting presumption of a payment through the employer’s payroll as being compensation for services rendered as an employee in the period with respect to which payment is made, and in second sentence following “an employee” inserted “receiving retroactive wage payments”. Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 97–123 added par. (4). 1978—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 95–473 substituted “express carrier, sleeping car carrier, or rail carrier providing transportation subject to subchapter I of chapter 105 of title 49” for “express company, sleeping-car company, or carrier by railroad, subject to part I of the Interstate Commerce Act (49 U.S.C., chapter 1)”. 1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455, §§ 1903(a)(10)(A), 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “44 Stat. 577;” before “45 U.S.C., chapter 8” and “or his delegate” after “Secretary”, respectively. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1903(a)(10)(B), struck out in provisions following par. (4) “50 Stat. 312;” before “45 U.S.C. 228f”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1903(a)(10)(C), struck out “44 Stat. 577;” before “45 U.S.C. chapter 8”. Subsec. (d)(7). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1903(a)(10)(D), struck out “50 Stat. 308;” before “45 U.S.C. 228a”. Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 94–547 provided that “compensation” not include amount of any payment (including any amount paid by an employer for insurance or annuities, or into a fund, to provide for any such payment) made to, or on behalf of, an employee or any of his dependents under a plan or system established by an employer which makes provision for his employees generally (or for his employees generally and their dependents) or for a class or classes of his employees (or for a class or classes of his employees and their dependents), on account of sickness or accident disability or medical or hospitalization expenses in connection with sickness or accident disability, or an amount paid specifically—either as an advance, as reimbursement or allowance—for traveling or other bona fide and necessary expenses incurred or reasonably expected to be incurred in the business of the employer provided any such payment is identified by the employer either by a separate payment or by specifically indicating the separate amounts where both wages and expense reimbursement or allowance are combined in a single payment. Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”. 1975—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 94–93, § 204, substituted “paid to an individual for services rendered as an employee to one or more employers” for “earned by an individual for services rendered as an employee to one or more employers, or as an employee representative, including remuneration paid for time lost as an employee, but remuneration paid for time lost shall be deemed earned in the month in which such time is lost”. Pub. L. 94–92 increased from $3 to $25 amount of compensation earned in the service of a local lodge or division of a railway-labor-organization employer to be disregarded with respect to any calendar month in the determination of amount of taxes under section 3201 and 3221. Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 94–93, §§ 205, 206, substituted provision that an employee shall be deemed to be paid compensation in the period during which such compensation is earned only upon a written request by such employee, made within six months following the payment, and a showing that such compensation was earned during a period other than the period in which it was paid for provision that a payment made by an employer to an individual through the employer’s payroll shall be presumed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be compensation for service rendered by such individual as an employee of the employer in the period with respect to which payment is made. 1968—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 90–624 inserted provision excluding remuneration for service performed by nonresident alien individuals temporarily in the United States as participants in a cultural exchange or training program. 1965—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 89–212, § 2(b)(1), inserted “(except as is provided under paragraph (3))”. Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 89–212, § 2(b)(2), added par. (3). Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 89–212, § 2(b)(3), added subsec. (h). 1954—Subsec. (e)(1). Act Aug. 31, 1954, excluded from taxation compensation, for service as a delegate to a national or international convention of a railway labor organization, of any person who has no other previous creditable service.

of 2014 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 113–295 effective Dec. 19, 2014, subject to a

, see section 221(b) of Pub. L. 113–295, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

of 2004 AmendmentAmendment by section 251(a)(2) of Pub. L. 108–357 applicable to stock acquired pursuant to options exercised after Oct. 22, 2004, see section 251(d) of Pub. L. 108–357, set out as a note under section 421 of this title. Amendment by section 320(b)(2) of Pub. L. 108–357 applicable to amounts received by an individual in taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2003, see section 320(c) of Pub. L. 108–357, set out as a note under section 108 of this title.

of 2003 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 108–173 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2003, see section 1201(k) of Pub. L. 108–173, set out as a note under section 62 of this title.

of 2001 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 107–90 applicable to calendar years beginning after Dec. 31, 2001, see section 204(f) of Pub. L. 107–90, set out as a note under section 24 of this title.

of 1996 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 104–191 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1996, see section 301(j) of Pub. L. 104–191, set out as a note under section 62 of this title.

of 1995 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 104–88 effective Jan. 1, 1996, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as an

note under section 1301 of Title 49, Transportation.

of 1994 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–296 effective with calendar quarter following Aug. 15, 1994, see section 320(c) of Pub. L. 103–296, set out as a note under section 871 of this title.

of 1993 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–66 applicable to 1994 and later calendar years, see section 13207(e) of Pub. L. 103–66, set out as a note under section 1402 of this title.

of 1990 AmendmentAmendment by section 11331(c) of Pub. L. 101–508 applicable to 1991 and later calendar years, see section 11331(e) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 1402 of this title.

of 1989

had applied to periods before January 1, 1990, such remuneration shall be taken into account when paid (or, at the election of the payor, at the time which would be appropriate if such

made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to remuneration paid after December 31, 1989.” Amendment by Pub. L. 101–140 effective as if included in section 1151 of Pub. L. 99–514, see section 203(c) of Pub. L. 101–140, set out as a note under section 79 of this title.

of 1988 AmendmentAmendment by section 1001(d)(2)(C)(ii) of Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title. Amendment by section 1011B(a)(22)(B) of Pub. L. 100–647 not applicable to any individual who separated from service with the employer before Jan. 1, 1989, see section 1011B(a)(22)(F) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 3121 of this title.

of 1986 AmendmentAmendment by section 122(e)(2) of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to prizes and awards granted after Dec. 31, 1986, see section 151(c) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

of 1984

Pub. L. 98–612, § 1(d)(3), Oct. 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 3181, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (c) [amending this section] shall apply to remuneration paid after December 31, 1984.” Amendment by Pub. L. 98–611 applicable to remuneration paid after Dec. 31, 1984, see section 1(g)(3) of Pub. L. 98–611, set out as a note under section 127 of this title. Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 effective Jan. 1, 1985, see section 531(h) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as an

note under section 132 of this title.

of 1983 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 98–76 applicable to remuneration paid after Dec. 31, 1984, see section 227(a) of Pub. L. 98–76, set out as a note under section 3201 of this title.

of 1981

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–123 applicable to remuneration paid after Dec. 31, 1981, except as otherwise provided, see section 3(g) of Pub. L. 97–123, set out as a note under section 3121 of this title. Amendment by section 741(d)(2) of Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to compensation paid for services rendered after Sept. 30, 1981, see section 741(e) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note under section 3201 of this title. Pub. L. 97–34, title VII, § 743(d), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 349, provided that: “The

made by this section [amending this section] shall apply for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1981.”

of 1976 Amendment Pub. L. 94–547, § 4(c)(2), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2527, provided that: “The

made by subsection (b) of this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to taxable years ending after December 31, 1953: Provided, however, That any taxes paid under the Railroad Retirement Tax Act [this chapter] prior to the date on which this Act is enacted [Oct. 18, 1976] shall not be affected or adjusted by reason of the

made by such subsection (b) except to the extent that the applicable period of limitation for the assessment of tax and the filing of a claim for credit or refund has not expired prior to the date on which this Act is enacted. If the applicable period of limitation for the filing of a claim for credit or refund would expire within the six-month period following the date on which this Act is enacted, the applicable period for the filing of such a claim for credit or refund shall be extended to include such six-month period.”

of 1975

Amendment by section 204 and 205 of Pub. L. 94–93 applicable for taxable years ending on or after Aug. 9, 1975, and for taxable years ending before Aug. 9, 1975, as to which the period for assessment and collection of tax or the filing of a claim for credit or refund has not expired on Aug. 9, 1975, and amendment by section 206 of Pub. L. 94–93 applicable for taxable years beginning on or after Aug. 9, 1975: Provided, however, That with respect to payment made prior to Aug. 9, 1975, the employee may file a written request under section 206 of Pub. L. 94–93 within six months after Aug. 9, 1975, see section 207 of Pub. L. 94–93, set out as a note under section 3201 of this title. Amendment by Pub. L. 94–92 effective Jan. 1, 1975, and applicable only with respect to compensation paid for services rendered on or after Jan. 1, 1975, see section 203(c) of Pub. L. 94–92, set out as a note under section 1402 of this title.

of 1968 Amendment Pub. L. 90–624, § 4(a), Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1316, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: “(1) The

made by the first two sections of this Act [amending this section and section 228a of Title 45, Railroads] shall apply with respect to service performed after December 31, 1961. “(2) Notwithstanding the expiration before the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 1968] or within 6 months after such date of the period for filing claim for credit or refund, claim for credit or refund of any overpayment of any tax imposed by chapter 22 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954, 26 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.] attributable to the amendment made by the first section of this Act [amending this section] may be filed at any time within one year after such date of enactment. “(3) Any credit or refund of an overpayment of the tax imposed by section 3201 or 3211 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which is attributable to the amendment made by the first section of this Act shall be appropriately adjusted for any lump-sum payment which has been made under section 5(f)(2) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 [section 228e(f)(2) of Title 45] before the date of the allowance of such credit or the making of such refund.”

of 1965 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 89–212 effective only with respect to tips received after 1965, see section 6 of Pub. L. 89–212, set out as a note under section 3201 of this title.

of 1954 AmendmentAmendment by act Aug. 31, 1954, effective as if enacted as a part of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954], see section 407 of act Aug. 31, 1954, as amended, set out as a note under section 3201 of this title.

For provisions requiring that the

prescribed under subsec. (e)(4) of this section prescribe procedures under which, if (with respect to any employee) the third party promptly (A) withholds the employee portion of the taxes involved, (B) deposits such portion under section 6302 of such Code, and (C) notifies the employer of the amount of the wages or compensation involved, the employer (and not the third party) shall be liable for the employer portion of the taxes involved and for meeting the requirements of section 6051 of this title (relating to receipts for employees) with respect to the wages or compensation involved, see section 3(d) of Pub. L. 97–123, set out as a note under section 3121 of this title. Exclusion From Wages and Compensation of Refunds Required From Employers To Compensate for Duplication of Medicare Benefits by Health Care Benefits Provided by EmployersFor purposes of this chapter, the term “compensation” shall not include the amount of any refund required under section 421 of Pub. L. 100–360, 42 U.S.C. 1395b note, see section 10202 of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 1395b of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Payments Under State Temporary Disability Law To Be Treated as Remuneration for ServiceFor purposes of applying subsec. (e) of this section with respect to subsec. (e)(4) of this section, payments under a State temporary disability law to be treated as remuneration for service, see section 3(e) of Pub. L. 97–123, set out as a note under section 3121 of this title.