74 T.C. 808">*809 Respondent determined deficiencies in petitioner corporation's income taxes for calendar years 1974 and 1975 in the amounts of $ 7,739.04 and $ 363.39, respectively.

Some1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*104 of the issues raised by the pleadings have been disposed of by the parties, leaving for our decision (1) whether in the year 1974 petitioner established a profit-sharing plan within the meaning of section 401(a), I.R.C. 1954, ¹ so as to be entitled to deduct, under section 404(a), contributions made in that year to an exempt trust; and (2) in the alternative, whether petitioner is entitled to deduct in 1974, under section 404(a), a contribution made on behalf of its employees to a nonexempt profit-sharing trust.

FINDINGS OF FACT

Some of the facts have been stipulated and are found accordingly.

Engineered Timber Sales, Inc. (ETS), a closely held corporation, was incorporated in Florida on December 7, 1967. Its principal place of business at the time of filing its petition in this case was Tampa, Fla. As a cash basis taxpayer, petitioner timely filed its Federal income tax1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*105 return for each of the calendar years 1974 and 1975 with the Internal Revenue Service Center, Chamblee, Ga.

Throughout 1974 and 1975, John B. Pugh and his wife, Jane N. Pugh, each owned 50 percent of the outstanding capital stock of ETS. Mr. and Mrs. Pugh were the sole members of the ETS board of directors, and as corporate officers, Mr. and Mrs. Pugh served as president and secretary-treasurer, respectively.

The primary business activities of ETS are the retail sale to, and installation for, commercial customers of such wood products as heavy timber beams and wood roof decking. Generally, products are installed at a jobsite by laborers subcontracted for 74 T.C. 808">*810 the specific project. These workers are supervised by the ETS full-time, permanent employees. This operation limits the need for a large staff of ETS full-time employees.

On December 30, 1974, ETS employed five full-time workers. At that time, Mr. Pugh, who had 7 years of service with ETS, was responsible for ETS sales and the securing and supervising of all subcontract agreements and laborers. Mrs. Pugh, who had worked for ETS 5 years prior to December 30, 1974, was responsible for the fiscal operations of ETS, including1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*106 establishing credit lines, collecting and disbursing funds, assisting in project bidding, purchasing materials, scheduling employees on projects, and maintaining the general personnel and payroll records. Estle A. Tate, employed by petitioner beginning January 24, 1974, was a foreman and additionally performed carpentry work at jobsites. James R. Patterson, employed by ETS commencing June 4, 1974, was the ETS project manager, responsible for assuring the availability of supplies and materials at jobsites. Bill Clark, a college student, commenced employment with ETS on October 8, 1974, as a part-time shop laborer during academic semesters and full time during school vacations, including his Christmas holiday. Messrs. Tate, Patterson, and Clark were unrelated to one another or to Mr. and Mrs. Pugh.

On December 5, 1974, Mr. and Mrs. Pugh met with petitioner's accountant, Mr. Hurst, in order to preliminarily review the corporation's tax position for 1974. During that meeting, they asked Mr. Hurst about some form of profit-sharing plan, and he recommended that Mr. and Mrs. Pugh consider instituting a profit-sharing plan effective in 1974 on behalf of the ETS full-time employees. 1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*107 After advising Mr. and Mrs. Pugh that ETS probably could establish a profit-sharing plan qualified under the Internal Revenue Code, Mr. Hurst suggested that Mr. and Mrs. Pugh contact an attorney for detailed advice and the drafting of necessary documents.

On December 10, 1974, Mrs. Pugh conferred with an attorney (who was not an attorney representing petitioner in this case) concerning the possibility of creating some type of retirement plan qualifying under the Internal Revenue Code for ETS full-time employees. This attorney reviewed with Mrs. Pugh the basic provisions of defined benefit and money purchase pension plans and discussed the requirements of a qualified profit-sharing 74 T.C. 808">*811 plan. The attorney indicated alternative eligibility provisions, vesting schedules, potential trustees, and contribution schemes. Mrs. Pugh and the attorney each wrote notes during the discussion of matters covered. Upon completion of the December 10 meeting, the attorney used his handwritten notes as a guide to dictate a memorandum to his file concerning his discussion with Mrs. Pugh. The attorney's secretary typed that memorandum, dated December 10, 1974, which states in pertinent part:

At1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*108 the beginning of the conference, I asked Mrs. Pugh how many employees were involved in the corporation and what she expected [the number] to be for the year. At the present time, there are three employees including Mr. and Mrs. Pugh. The third employee has been with them for something less than a year. The other employees of the company are hired for particular jobs and apparently a number of people are hired during the summer to work on particular projects. I explained to Mrs. Pugh that under the new law, if an individual worked more than 1000 hours during a twelve month period he had to be considered as a full-time employee for purposes of any qualified benefit plan. She indicated that all of their employees were paid on an hourly basis and that it would be easy for them to determine whether or not the employee had worked more than 1000 hours. She indicated that she did not believe that any of the part-time employees would meet the 1000 hour requirement.

* * * *

On the profit-sharing plan, I explained to her that the company's contribution could be left to the complete discretion of the Board of Directors. The amount of the contribution varying from zero to 15% of the participating1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*109 employees compensation to the extent that the company had either current or accumulated profit.

We also reviewed the alternatives for the eligibility provisions, vesting schedule and employee voluntary contributions. On the eligibility provisions, I pointed out that the plan could provide that the employee would become eligible to participate when he or she reached 25 and/or had completed one year of service. On the vesting schedule, I explained to Mrs. Pugh the three alternative maximum vesting schedules contained in the new pension bill. However, I pointed out to her that in light of the small number of employees involved in their plan, it would probably be impossible to get a vesting schedule longer than two or three years. I pointed out to her that the reason for the rapid vesting requirement was to avoid their using the plan for their exclusive benefit by dismissing the employees before they had obtained any significant vesting.

In the area of trustees, I suggested that Mr. and Mrs. Pugh consider the possibility of having a bank act as the trustee of their plan. The purpose of this would be to relieve them of the responsibility and obligations connected with being trustee. 1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*110 I checked with the First National Bank and informed Mrs. Pugh that they would charge a flat fee of $ 250 if the funds were invested in their employee benefits co-mingle trust fund and $ 500 if the funds were invested in 74 T.C. 808">*812 any other type of investment. She said that she would discuss the matter with her husband and that they would probably want to get together with representative of the various banks before they reached a decision on this matter.

I told her that we would be able to prepare a trust agreement to get the fund started this year, but that we felt that it would be advisable to defer drawing the plan until such time as the regulations were issued under the Pension Bill and we had an understanding of what would be required by those regulations.

Based upon their current salary schedule, it appears that they could contribute approximately $ 14,000 to the trust this year assuming they used the full 15%. Mrs. Pugh indicated that this amount would not present any problem with their cash flow or profit position.

[Reproduced literally.]

On December 10 and 11, 1974, Mrs. Pugh discussed with Mr. Pugh what had transpired at her meeting with the attorney. Mrs. Pugh used the1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*111 notes she had written during her December 10, 1974, conference to guide her discussion. ² Mr. and Mrs. Pugh 74 T.C. 808">*813 determined that ETS should create a profit-sharing plan and telephoned the attorney on December 12 or 13, 1974, to inform him of that decision. During that telephone conversation, the attorney reviewed the requirements of a qualified profit-sharing plan. The attorney proposed plan requirements, including: eligibility upon attainment of age 25 and 1-year minimum service to ETS equivalent to 1,000 working hours, plan entry dates for eligible employees of June 30 and December 31 of each year, a 5-year vesting schedule at 20 percent per year, annual contribution requirements for ETS of zero to 15 percent, and the possibility of voluntary contributions by employees. Also, the attorney related the elements for the proper administration of a plan, including the events that would trigger the availability of benefits to plan participants. At the end of the telephone conversation, the attorney arranged for a December 20, 1974, conference for the purposes of personally meeting Mr. Pugh and further consideration of topics discussed on the telephone.

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*112 On December 20, 1974, Mr. and Mrs. Pugh met at their office with the attorney. As in the prior conference, the attorney took handwritten notes. ³ Mr. and Mrs. Pugh informed the attorney 74 T.C. 808">*814 that rather than select a bank to serve as trustee over the profit-sharing trust, they had decided that one or more individuals should serve as plan trustees. Mr. and Mrs. Pugh related that for plan year 1974, ETS could contribute up to 15 percent of each eligible employee's salary to the plan trust. After the Pughs asked the attorney to prepare the documents necessary to qualify the ETS plan under the Internal Revenue Code, the attorney advised Mr. and Mrs. Pugh that he would draw up a formal trust instrument. However, the attorney suggested that the writing of a formal plan document be deferred until the Internal Revenue Service issued rules or regulations clarifying the application of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-406, 88 Stat. 829 (ERISA), to a plan adopted in December 1974 with effective date retroactive to January 1974. During the December 20 meeting, the attorney instructed Mr. and Mrs. Pugh to establish before yearend 1974 a bank account to1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*113 which ETS could contribute a sum of 15 percent of the annual salaries of all employees who were eligible for participation in a profit-sharing plan.

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*114 Thereafter, the attorney drafted a formal trust agreement, a document entitled "Written Action of the Board of Directors of 74 T.C. 808">*815 Engineered Timber Sales, Inc." (written action of the board), and a notice to ETS employees of the adoption of a plan. Those documents became available to petitioner's board of directors on December 30, 1974. On that date, as indicated by the written action of the board, the board of directors adopted a formal trust agreement and stated its intent to create a profit-sharing plan qualifying under the Internal Revenue Code:

Whereas, the Board of Directors of this corporation has determined that it is in the best interests of the corporation and its employees that a profit sharing plan be established immediately, effective for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 1974; and,

Whereas, it is desirable that the plan qualify under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended; and

Whereas, it is not practical at this time to adopt the specific terms of the plan because of the recent passage of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (the "Act"), but it is the intention of this Board, here formalized, to adopt a specific plan1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*115 as soon as possible after analyzing the Act; and,

Whereas, it is desirable that a contribution be made on behalf of the corporation's employees to a trust that will qualify as an exempt trust under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, such contribution to be deemed made under the terms of the plan to be adopted as soon as practical;

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Board of Directors of this corporation that the Engineered Timber Sales, Inc. Profit Sharing Trust attached hereto as Exhibit "A" is hereby adopted in its entirety, and the officers are hereby authorized and directed to execute this Trust and effect its acceptance by the named Trustees.

Be It Further Resolved, that the officers be, and they hereby are, authorized and directed to make an initial contribution to the Trust of $ 16,123.00.

Be It Further Resolved, that the officers be, and they hereby are, authorized and directed to establish the Trust and make the aforesaid contribution as soon as practical.

Be It Further Resolved, that the officers be, and they hereby are, authorized and directed to inform the employees of this corporation of the establishment of the Trust, the amount of the contribution1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*116 for this fiscal year ending December 31, 1974, and the intention of this corporation to adopt the specific terms of the plan as soon as practical after analysis of the Act.

Pursuant to the authorization for an ETS contribution to the trust of $ 16,123, on December 31, 1974, a check was drawn on petitioner's operations account for that amount to the Northside Bank of Tampa (properly known as the Landmark Bank of Tampa). Schedule A appended to the trust document named Mr. 74 T.C. 808">*816 and Mrs. Pugh as trustees, and in handwriting thereafter, stated "$ 16,123.00 cash." ⁴

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*117 Prior to December 25, 1974, Mr. and Mrs. Pugh orally informed several other ETS employees of the company's intent to adopt a profit-sharing program. To accomplish this, both Mr. and Mrs. Pugh spoke with Mr. Tate in their office, while Mr. Pugh alone talked with Mr. Patterson. The discussion with each employee related some details as to the plan's operation, benefit-triggering events, and information on eligibility and vesting. The only written confirmation available to the employees on an ETS profit-sharing program was the 1-page employee notice drafted by the attorney. ⁵ Either in late December 1974 or during 74 T.C. 808">*817 the first 2 months of 1975, this bulletin was posted on the company toolshed, the customary spot for posting such announcements.

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*118 On February 18, 1975, the attorney submitted a profit-sharing plan instrument to the ETS board of directors for approval. The board members approved and executed the plan document on April 15, 1975, which called for retroactive "[effectiveness] for all purposes as of the 31st day of December, 1974."

On March 7, 1975, petitioner filed, with the Internal Revenue Service, Form 4848 (Annual Employer's Return for Employees' Pension or Profit-Sharing Plans) and Form 4849 (Financial Statement of Employees' Pension or Profit-Sharing Fund or Fiduciary Account) for 1974. Petitioner also filed on June 28, 1975, with the Internal Revenue Service, an application for determination to secure approval of its profit-sharing program as a qualified tax-free employee benefit plan and trust. Moreover, pursuant to the disclosure and reporting provisions of title I of ERISA, on August 27, 1975, petitioner filed with the Department of Labor "Plan Description" Form EBS-1, which shows January 1, 1974, as the initial effective date and indicates that employer contributions will be determined annually by the board of directors.

On August 3, 1976, the ETS board of directors adopted a "First Amendment in the1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*119 Nature of Substitution to Engineered Timber Sales, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan" and a "First Amendment in the Nature of Substitution to Engineered Timber Sales, Inc. Profit Sharing Trust." Written action of the board of directors also dated August 3, 1976, states the following:

Whereas, on December 30, 1974, the Board of Directors authorized the establishment of a profit sharing plan and trust for the benefit of the employees of the corporation; and

Whereas, it is the corporation's desire that the Plan continue to qualify under sec. 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, and that the 74 T.C. 808">*818 Trust continue to qualify as an exempt trust under sec. 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended; and

Whereas, the Board of Directors have been advised that certain amendments will be required to be made in the Engineered Timber Sales, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan and Trust in order to bring them into compliance with the provisions of the law governing qualified pension and profit sharing plans as amended by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; and

Whereas, after reviewing the amendment that will be required in the profit sharing plan and trust, the Board 1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*120 of Directors have determined that it would be advisable and in the best interest of the corporation and its employees to amend the Plan and Trust by substituting an entirely new plan and trust for the existing Plan and Trust.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Board of Directors that the First Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to the Engineered Timber Sales, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan and the First Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to the Engineered Timber Sales, Inc. Profit Sharing Trust be, and they hereby are, adopted and approved in their entirety effective January 1, 1975, said Amendments to be in substantially the same form as those attached hereto as Exhibits A and B, respectively.

Be It Further Resolved by the Board of Directors that the appropriate officers be, and they hereby are, authorized and directed to execute said Amendments on behalf of the corporation.

In response to petitioner's Application for Determination for tax-exempt status for taxable year 1974 of its profit-sharing program, the Internal Revenue Service issued its Final Adverse Determination Letter on August 27, 1976. Denial of tax-exempt status was based upon the following reason stated in the1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*121 Final Adverse Determination Letter:

The plan was not a definite written program properly communicated to employees in 1974, in that, it was not adopted until April 15, 1975, 3 1/2 months after the end of the taxable year.

The provisions of section 401(b) of the Code do not apply to situations involving the existence of a plan * * *

Thereafter, on December 31, 1976, petitioner filed, with the Internal Revenue Service, an application for determination for defined contribution plan with respect to the "First Amendment in the Nature of Substitution to the ETS Profit-Sharing Plan and Trust." By letter dated May 9, 1977, the Internal Revenue Service issued a favorable determination on the amended profit-sharing program for tax years commencing after December 31, 1974.

At the end of each year, Mr. Tate has received a letter from petitioner concerning the profit-sharing program. The correspondence 74 T.C. 808">*819 has indicated the amount of benefits available to Mr. Tate at those times.

In its Federal income tax return for 1974, ETS deducted $ 16,123 as a contribution to its profit-sharing trust. In his notice of deficiency, respondent disallowed the claimed $ 16,123 deduction and explained1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*122 that --

(a)(I) The deduction claimed for contributions to your profit-sharing plan for the taxable year ended December 31, 1974 in the amount of $ 16,123.00 is not allowed because it has been determined that your profit-sharing plan does not qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and no deduction is allowable under Section 404(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Therefore, your taxable income is increased in the amount of $ 16,123.00.

OPINION

Section 404(a)(3) permits an employer who, on behalf of its employees, contributes not more than 15 percent of all other compensation paid or accrued to its employees in the tax year to a profit-sharing trust, which qualifies for exemption from taxation under section 501(a), to deduct these contributions on its Federal income tax return. Section 501(a) provides that such a deferred benefit trust shall be entitled to tax-exempt treatment if it meets the provisions of section 401(a) or section 501(c)(17)(A), the latter of which is not here applicable. To qualify under section 401(a), a deferred benefit trust must meet certain broad, general requirements, including that it form a portion of "a stock bonus, pension, 1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*123 or profit-sharing plan of an employer for the exclusive benefit of his employees or their beneficiaries."

Petitioner takes the position that it is entitled to deduct the contribution it made in 1974 to the trust created in that year since, in its view, it established a profit-sharing plan within the meaning of section 401(a) in the year 1974. Respondent takes the position that petitioner did not establish such a plan in 1974 but merely formed the intent in that year to establish such a plan at a later date. In December 1974, petitioner's board of directors commenced consideration of creating an employee retirement plan. Mr. and Mrs. Pugh, the sole members of the ETS board of directors and each a 50-percent ETS shareholder, in early December, conferred with petitioner's accountant, Mr. Hurst. He recommended that the company rapidly arrange for a deferred compensation plan effective for the 1974 tax year. Soon thereafter, Mrs. Pugh made an appointment for December 10, 74 T.C. 808">*820 1974, with the ETS attorney. On that date, Mrs. Pugh met with the attorney and discussed the requirements of a qualified retirement plan. During the conference, Mrs. Pugh and the attorney each took handwritten1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*124 notes. During the afternoon of December 10, the attorney dictated from his notes and had his secretary type a memorandum reviewing the highlights of his discussion with Mrs. Pugh. Mrs. Pugh discussed the meeting with Mr. Pugh, and on December 12 or 13, 1974, they conversed on the telephone with the attorney. At a meeting held in petitioner's offices on December 20, 1974, Mr. Pugh, Mrs. Pugh, and the attorney further discussed the creation of an ETS profit-sharing plan. During that conference, the attorney made some handwritten notes. At that time, Mr. and Mrs. Pugh instructed the attorney to prepare those documents necessary to create a qualified profit-sharing plan and trust effective for tax year 1974. The attorney advised Mr. and Mrs. Pugh to defer the writing of a plan instrument until the Internal Revenue Service clarified the requirements of ERISA, which had become effective on September 2, 1974. Accordingly, although the attorney did not draft a formal plan document, he drafted a formal trust instrument, a document entitled "Written Action of the Board of Directors of Engineered Timber Sales, Inc.," and a notice to employees. On December 30, 1974, the board of directors1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*125 adopted and executed the former two writings.

In addition to his contention that no profit-sharing plan was adopted by petitioner before the end of 1974, citing section 1.401-1(a)(2), Income Tax Regs., ⁶ respondent asserts, in the 74 T.C. 808">*821 alternative, that if petitioner did have a profit-sharing plan in 1974 rather than the mere intention to create such a plan, the plan did not meet the requirements of the regulation that a plan be a "definite written program and arrangement which is communicated to the employees. Petitioner takes the position that a written plan is not a statutory requirement and that the Secretary of the Treasury exceeded his interpretative authority by creating language which effectively amends the statute. Petitioner takes the further position that even if the regulation is valid, petitioner has complied with the regulations through the various notes taken by Mrs. Pugh and the attorney, the memorandum written by the attorney, the trust instrument, the written notice to the employees, and the written action of the board.

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*126 In support of its position that present intent to form a plan coupled with conduct taken in furtherance thereof is sufficient to form an adequate, qualified plan within the meaning of section 401(a), petitioner relies upon several cases where the courts have held that through their actions, taxpayers have exhibited an intent sufficient to give rise to implied trusts that satisfy the requirements of section 401(a). Trenton Times Corp. v. United States, 361 F. Supp. 222">361 F. Supp. 222 (D. N.J. 1973); Dejay Stores, Inc. v. Ryan, 229 F.2d 867">229 F.2d 867 (2d Cir. 1956). Moreover, petitioner emphasizes that absent a written trust and plan, the District Court in Hill York Corp. v. United States, an unreported case ( S.D. Fla. 1964, 14 AFTR 2d 5160, 64-2 USTC par. 9654), found the taxpayer to have demonstrated adequate intent and conduct to form a qualified profit-sharing plan within the meaning of section 401(a). Petitioner submits that in the instant case, the present intent and supportive conduct consist of the following: (1) Agreement by board members to formulate a profit-sharing plan, (2) execution on1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*127 December 30, 1974, of a profit-sharing trust instrument, (3) contribution of $ 16,123 to the trust, (4) informing ETS full-time employees of the board of directors' decision to adopt a profit-sharing plan, (5) the 1975 filing of informational forms with the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor with respect to the profit-sharing plan, (6) recordation of employer trust contributions in petitioner's bookkeeping journal, (7) adoption of a formal profit-sharing plan instrument on April 15, 1975, with provisions not materially 74 T.C. 808">*822 different from those discussed in 1974, and (8) receipt of profit-sharing plan benefits by employees in years following 1974.

Petitioner's reliance on 361 F. Supp. 222">Trenton Times Corp. v. United States, supra, 229 F.2d 867">Dejay Stores, Inc. v. Ryan, supra, and 95 U.S. 760">Hill York Corp. v. United States, supra, is misplaced. Aside from different issues raised and factual divergencies between those cases and the instant one --

an implied or de facto trust may arise from the conduct of the parties even where they expressly intend not to create a trust and the court will treat the matter as if a trust had 1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*128 been intended. * * * if the parties do that to which the law attaches the consequences of a trust, they are considered to have expressed the necessary intent. * * * [361 F. Supp. 222">Trenton Times Corp. v. United States, supra at 225-226.]

See also Tavannes Watch Co. v. Commissioner, 176 F.2d 211">176 F.2d 211 (2d Cir. 1949), revg. 10 T.C. 544">10 T.C. 544 (1948). Unlike trusts, if parties expressly intend not to create a profit-sharing plan, such a deferred benefit program will not arise. Moreover, as we will discuss below, pursuant to the technical standards of Federal tax law, the creation of a profit-sharing plan within the meaning of section 401(a) et seq. requires express, affirmative intent and conduct in the form of a written, permanent, specific program. Contra, 95 U.S. 760">Hill York Corp. v. United States, supra.⁷

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*129 74 T.C. 808">*823 Our conclusions that for purposes of section 401(a) et seq. a plan must be in writing and that the Secretary of the Treasury did not exceed his authority in prescribing section 1.401-1(a)(2), Income Tax Regs., are based upon a number of considerations. First, congressional intervention in the pension and profit-sharing plan area has sought to expand employees' rights and has consistently been mindful to safeguard participants against the detrimental operation of these deferred-benefit plans. ⁸

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*130 74 T.C. 808">*824 It has been the intent of Congress to curtail the opportunities available for creating deferred-benefit programs with such tenuous and vague provisions as to defy certain control over their enforceability. Congressional enactment of ERISA further advanced this legislative trend toward protecting plan participants and beneficiaries by statutorily mandating that pension, profit-sharing, and employee stock bonus plans must "be established and maintained pursuant to a written instrument." Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-406, 88 Stat. 829, sec. 402(a)(1). The conference report expressed that "A written plan is to be required in order that every employee may, on examining the plan documents, determine exactly what his rights and obligations are under the plan. Also, a written plan is required so the employees may know who is responsible for operating the plan." Conf. Rept. 93-1280 (1974), 1974-3 C.B. 415, 458. ⁹

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*131 Prior to the enactment of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-406, 88 Stat. 829, Congress had not specifically addressed the question of whether pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans must be evidenced by a written instrument. However, as we pointed out in Jones v. Commissioner, 51 T.C. 651">51 T.C. 651, 51 T.C. 651">654 (1969), the administrative interpretation of the word "plan" as a "definite written program and arrangement which is communicated to the employees" 74 T.C. 808">*825 dates back to 1943. Sec. 1.401-1(a)(2), Income Tax Regs.; sec. 39.165-1, Regs. 118; sec. 29.165-1, Regs. 111; sec. 19.165-1, Regs. 103; T.D. 5278, 1943 C.B. 478">1943 C.B. 478, 481. The lengthy duration of the regulation, the courts' reliance placed thereon, the Commissioner's consistency in its interpretation, and congressional opportunity for scrutinizing the regulation when reconsidering the statute, are indicative of the viability and vitality of a regulation. National Muffler Dealers Association, Inc. v. United States, 440 U.S. 472">440 U.S. 472 (1979); Commissioner v. South Texas Lumber Co. 333 U.S. 496">333 U.S. 496, 333 U.S. 496">501 (1948).1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*132 As stated in Helvering v. Winmill, 305 U.S. 79">305 U.S. 79, 305 U.S. 79">83 (1938), "Treasury regulations and interpretations long continued without substantial change, applying to unamended or substantially reenacted statutes, are deemed to have received congressional approval and have the effect of law." The Supreme Court in 440 U.S. 472">National Muffler Dealers Association, Inc. v. United States, supra, citing United States v. Correll, 389 U.S. 299">389 U.S. 299, 389 U.S. 299">307 (1967), and United States v. Moore, 95 U.S. 760">95 U.S. 760, 95 U.S. 760">763 (1877), stated that the delegation to the Commissioner of the authority to issue regulations helps insure in "this area of limitless factual variation" like treatment of varying cases and guarantees that the interpretative rules will be written by persons with a particularized knowledge of the subject area. In 51 T.C. 651">Jones v. Commissioner, supra, we pointed out that the term "plan," as found in section 401(a) et seq., and its predecessor section 165 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, has eluded alteration. ¹⁰ Accordingly, we continue to be satisfied that, in reenactment1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*133 of that statute, Congress had adopted the administrative interpretation of the term "plan."

Petitioner argues that if the language of section 1.401-1(a)(2), Income Tax Regs., requiring a written arrangement or program is consistent with the meaning of "plan" in section 401(a), neither the statute nor the regulations requires that the plan be evidenced by a single written document. Petitioner argues that a collection of writings can constitute a qualified plan. Specifically, petitioner contends that in lieu of a single writing, all conference notes and memorandum, written action of the board, trust instrument, and notice to employees compose a qualified profit-sharing plan.

74 T.C. 808">*826 While the cases cited by both petitioner and respondent raise issues other than those in the instant case, an inspection of those cases reveals that where a qualified trust instrument exists, the courts would accept a broad spectrum of plan formats1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*134 as qualifying for purposes of section 401(a). ¹¹1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*136 Single written plan instruments have been regarded as satisfactory evidence of a pension or profit-sharing plan. Dejay Stores, Inc. v. Ryan, 229 F.2d 867">229 F.2d 867 (2d Cir. 1956); Catawba Industrial Rubber Co., Inc. v. Commissioner, 64 T.C. 1011">64 T.C. 1011 (1975) (although nonexistence of the trust instrument in the tax year precluded the plan's qualification). ¹² In several older cases, decided pursuant to the less stringent trust rules of sections 165(a) and 23(p), I.R.C. 1939, we found tolerable those plans consisting of a "tentative" trust agreement and such supporting documents as board minutes. Crow-Burlingame Co. v. Commissioner, 15 T.C. 738">15 T.C. 738 (1950); 555, Inc. v. Commissioner, 15 T.C. 671">15 T.C. 671 (1950). However, where documents contain uncertain terms, are merely preparatory in nature, and are tentative when viewed in their entirety, the courts have concluded that the instruments fail to present features essential to a "plan" as intended by section 401(a). ¹³ E.g., Comprehensive Designers International, Ltd. v. Commissioner, 66 T.C. 348">66 T.C. 348 (1976)1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*135 (where the taxpayer argued that a descriptive plan booklet and interim trust deed to which the booklet was annexed should be considered a proper plan although (1) lacking nonforfeitability and determinable benefit rules, and (2) the provisions of the interim trust provided that if a conflict arose between language contained in the booklet and terms of a forthcoming final trust deed, the latter would prevail).

74 T.C. 808">*827 After consideration of the above cases and the congressional intent in regulating the pension and profit-sharing area, we conclude that the "definite written program and arrangement" terminology of section 1.401-1(a)(2), Income Tax Regs., should be broadly construed to encompass various formats, including a collection of writings which creates a specific permanent plan. However, such a composite of documents would qualify as a section 401(a) deferred benefit plan only when it embodies all plan elements expressly required by section 401(a) which are both essential (1) to inform participating employees and their beneficiaries of their specific benefits, rights, and obligations, and (2) to insure the plan's enforceability.

An examination of the writings submitted by petitioner reveals a lack of definite1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*137 and permanent ingredients vital for profit-sharing plan qualification. Sec. 1.401-1(b), Income Tax Regs.; South Texas Commercial National Bank of Houston v. Commissioner, 7 T.C. 764">7 T.C. 764 (1946), affd. 162 F.2d 462">162 F.2d 462 (5th Cir. 1947). The "Engineered Timber Sales, Inc. Profit-Sharing Trust" executed on December 30, 1974, provides for establishment of a trust fund, trust administration, investment of funds, optional employee insurance policies, expenses of administration, trust amendment and termination, and such miscellaneous clauses as a restraint on alienability of a participant's interest. Schedule A, appended thereto, names Mr. and Mrs. Pugh as trustees and states "$ 16,123.00 cash." The trust instrument does not specify eligibility, participation, and vesting standards, percentage contribution formula, and benefit-triggering event rules. The only additional definite provision supplied by the notice to ETS employees is the service requirement for plan eligibility. The written action of the board executed on December 30, 1974, provides no other substantive plan ingredients. While the written action of the board indicates that1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*138 the December 30, 1974, trust agreement is adopted and executed by the board and that $ 16,123 shall be the 1974 contribution, it otherwise merely indicates a future intent to adopt and execute a written plan instrument. All handwritten notes of the December 10 and December 20, 1974, conferences amongst Mr. Pugh, Mrs. Pugh, and the attorney and the December 10 memorandum reveal no additional specific plan provisions. The notes and memorandum indicate only the board members' consideration of, or tentative and abstract agreement to, eligibility, vesting and participation 74 T.C. 808">*828 requirements; a percentage contribution formula; and benefit-triggering events. The absence of precise and absolute rules would make impossible the enforceability of the plan by ETS employees in any court. In our opinion, the above-stated legislative intent in regulating deferred-benefit plans dictates that these deficits are flaws fatal to the successful formation of a section 401(a) "plan."

Citing section 1.401-1(a)(2), Income Tax Regs., and his Rev. Rul. 71-90, 1971-1 C.B. 115, and Rev. Rul. 72-509, 1972-2 C.B. 221, respondent1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*139 argues that petitioner failed to properly communicate the reputed section 401(a) profit-sharing plan to its employees. On the other hand, petitioner submits that an oral communication given after the effective adoption of a plan is sufficient for purposes of section 401(a). In support of its position, petitioner cites Aero Rental v. Commissioner, 64 T.C. 331">64 T.C. 331 (1975); Precision Industries, Inc. v. Commissioner, 64 T.C. 901">64 T.C. 901 (1975); and Lozano, Inc. v. Commissioner, 68 T.C. 366">68 T.C. 366 (1977). Before the passage of ERISA (which, effective as of January 1, 1975, requires the distribution of a summary plan description booklet to employees), ¹⁴ oral communication might have been sufficient in certain circumstances. For instance, in 64 T.C. 331">Aero Rental v. Commissioner, supra at 337, where a precise, written stock bonus plan existed, we stated:

When there are only a few employees, as in this case, it may be practicable and adequate to have informal meetings to discuss the plan, to read the plan to the employees and discuss their questions with them, and to announce merely that 1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*140 the plan can be examined by anyone at any time without laying down specific conditions for the examination. A copy of the plan or a written description of it might have been helpful to an employee, but we cannot say that either was essential to the employees acquiring an understanding of the plan; nor are we inclined to hold that the plan fails to qualify merely because the employees were not provided with written information.

The instant case is unlike that of 15 T.C. 671">Aero Rental v. Commissioner, supra. There, the original written employee stock bonus plan contained all necessary ingredients on which a section 401(a) plan could be based. Because several of those provisions not called into operation were deemed objectionable, they were amended with retroactive application. In contrast, here petitioner's 74 T.C. 808">*829 arrangement lacked 1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*141 numerous essential and precise provisions in 1974, and as stated above, the writings could not be treated as a "plan" within the meaning of section 401(a). Petitioner's witnesses testified that prior to Christmas 1974, Mr. and Mrs. Pugh orally disclosed the fundamental features of the purported plan to the full-time employees, and a notice to employees was posted in December 1974 or January 1975. In our view, even accounting for the passage of time, the employees other than Mr. and Mrs. Pugh demonstrated that in 1974 they had a limited, if any, understanding of those "plan" ingredients presumably discussed, including eligibility, participation and vesting rules, a percentage contribution formula, and an enumeration of the benefit-triggering events. In light of these circumstances, the disclosures cannot be considered adequate communication.

Petitioner's reliance on 15 T.C. 671">Precision Industries, Inc. v. Commissioner, supra, and 15 T.C. 671">Lozano, Inc. v. Commissioner, supra, is misplaced. In those cases, we addressed the issue of whether a taxpayer could accrue a liability in a tax year for contributing to a plan where the precise amount1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*142 of the contribution was not communicated to the taxpayer's employees at that time. The issue raised in the present case is separate and distinct from that raised in the two cited cases. See 64 T.C. 331">Aero Rental v. Commissioner, supra at 338. Accordingly, those cases have no bearing upon our decision here.

Petitioner argues that if the documentation of its profit-sharing program is fatally defective on December 31, 1974, section 401(b), as amended by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-406, 88 Stat. 829, sec. 1023 and sec. 1024, 1974-3 C.B. 1, 112, ¹⁵ allows retroactive adoption of a 74 T.C. 808">*830 qualified plan. Petitioner submits that where an original profit-sharing plan fails to satisfy the requirements of section 401(a), although it is implemented and operated as if qualifying thereunder, the subsequent adoption and execution of a single qualifying plan instrument by the board of directors (here on April 15, 1975), should apply nunc pro tunc to the date the board of directors originally had deemed its employee profit-sharing plan to be effective (here on January 1, 1974).

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*143 In arguing that the section 401(b) retroactive remedial period applies to the instant case, petitioner refers to those cases where retroactive correction of employee plans has not been permitted and contrasts the instant facts against the circumstances of those cases. As indicated by petitioner, although proper in form, the plans in Forsyth Emergency Services, P.A. v. Commissioner, 68 T.C. 881">68 T.C. 881 (1977), and Myron v. United States, 550 F.2d 1145">550 F.2d 1145 (9th Cir. 1977), ¹⁶ operated discriminatorily in favor of certain prohibited groups, and therefore, the courts refused to allow retroactive amendment. Likewise, in Jack R. Mendenhall Corp. v. Commissioner, 68 T.C. 676">68 T.C. 676 (1977), based upon the tests enunciated in Aero Rental v. Commissioner, 64 T.C. 331">64 T.C. 331 (1975), rather than upon section 401(b), we held that remedial amendments to the taxpayer's profit-sharing agreement were not effective retroactively. Holding in 15 T.C. 671">Aero Rental v. Commissioner, supra, that section 401(b) is not exclusive but instead merely a "safe harbor," we considered two conditions1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*144 that must be present before a taxpayer might qualify thereunder for retroactive treatment: (1) The original plan's objectionable provisions were never called into operation, and (2) the exercise of reasonable diligence by the taxpayer in seeking a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service with regard to the exemption status of the plan. 15 T.C. 671">Aero Rental v. Commissioner, supra; e.g., 68 T.C. 676">Jack R. Mendenhall Corp. v. Commissioner, supra at 681; Oakton Distributors, Inc. v. Commissioner, 73 T.C. 182">73 T.C. 182 (1979).

An examination of the legislative history, cases, and statutory language leads us to the conclusion that under the circumstances 74 T.C. 808">*831 of the instant case, petitioner's adoption on April 15, 1975, of a single plan instrument is not effective nunc pro tunc to the 1974 taxable year. 1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*145 The rules of 15 T.C. 671">Aero Rental v. Commissioner, supra, presuppose the existence of a written plan either containing intolerable provisions or lacking at least one salient element. However, as below discussed, since in 1974 petitioner lacked a written plan, qualified or nonqualified, 15 T.C. 671">Aero Rental v. Commissioner, supra, is without application.

Effective as of September 2, 1974, the section 401(b)-prescribed "remedial amendment period" terminates on the last date for filing the employer's tax return, including extensions thereof, for the taxable year in which a nonqualifying plan or disqualifying amendment was adopted, or such later date as the Secretary of the Treasury determines within his discretion. As with 15 T.C. 671">Aero Rental v. Commissioner, supra, to trigger the application of section 401(b), a nonqualifying plan must exist.

In addition to providing for the tax treatment of a qualified profit-sharing plan, sections 401 through 415 of the Code refer to a "plan" not qualifying for the beneficial treatment attaching to a section 401(a) plan. E.g., secs. 401(b) and 402(b). For purposes of sections 1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*146 401 through 415, a deferred compensation scheme is recognized as a "plan," qualified or nonqualified, only if it satisfies a basic condition. The crystallization of that basic standard is culled from the repeated congressional intent that through its provisions a deferred compensation plan protects the best interests of participants and beneficiaries, inhibits improper operation of the plan, and assures certain control over its enforceability. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-406, 88 Stat. 829, sec. 2(a); H. Rept. 533, 93d Cong., 1st Sess. (1973), 1974-3 C.B. 210, 220.

Where retirement pay is granted for services rendered which at the time rendered give rise to a legal obligation, the retirement pay is a contractual right rather than a gratuity. 70 C.J.S., Pensions, sec. 1, p. 424 (1951). As a contractual arrangement, the retirement pay may be in the form of a profit-sharing plan which safeguards the rights and benefits of participants and beneficiaries. Yet, a bona fide contract requires the presence of all essential and precise terms. In the instant case, a number of the definite elements necessary for the formation of a1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*147 profit-sharing plan were absent in 1974, namely definite eligibility, participation and vesting requirements, a percentage contribution 74 T.C. 808">*832 formula, and an enumeration of benefit-triggering events. Absent these features, an employer is unable to precisely apprise employees of the content of all plan provisions, and employees or other parties are precluded from examining and effectively policing the purported plan. The failure to embrace the necessary features causes petitioner's submitted writings to fall outside the ambit of the term "plan" as used within sections 401 through 415 of the Code.

While Congress intended that a newly inaugurated plan, facially defective in its terms and form, be retroactively curable by amendment, we are of the opinion that to stretch section 401(b) to permit nunc pro tunc adoption of an original "plan" would be in flagrant abuse of the intent of Congress. The language of section 401(b) requires that corrections be applied retroactively to the year in which a plan "was put into effect." That phraseology indicates that Congress contemplated the prior existence of an unqualified plan as a prerequisite to the triggering of section 401(b). In the1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*148 instant case, the writings, which petitioner would have us consider a "plan," were merely preparations preceding the adoption of such a plan. These documents did not constitute either a qualified or a nonqualified profit-sharing plan in 1974. Consequently, the April 15, 1975, adoption and execution of the "Engineered Timber Sales, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan" is not effective retroactively to taxable year 1974. ¹⁷

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*149 Petitioner alternatively argues that pursuant to section 404(a)(5) it is entitled to a deduction for its contribution to a profit-sharing trust, although not qualified under section 401(a). Section 404(a)(5) permits an employer that makes contributions to a deferred-compensation plan on behalf of its employees to deduct those ordinary, necessary, and reasonable contributions if the participating employees are required to include the amounts 74 T.C. 808">*833 attributable to the contributions in their gross income for the particular tax year. ¹⁸ But as above concluded, petitioner did not have a qualified or nonqualified plan in 1974, and therefore, section 404(a)(5) is without application.

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*150 Yet, where a plan does not exist within the meaning of sections 401 through 415, but a method of employer contributions has the effect of a profit-sharing plan, section 404(a) applies through section 404(b). ¹⁹ The question then becomes whether petitioner's method of "contributions or compensation has the effect of a stock bonus, pension, profit-sharing, or annuity plan, or other plan deferring the receipt of compensation." Section 1.404(b)-1, Income Tax Regs., in part interprets section 404(b) to include circumstances --

where a corporation pays pensions to a retired employee or employees or to their beneficiaries in such amounts as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors or responsible officers of the company, or where a corporation is under an obligation, whether funded or unfunded, to pay a pension or other deferred compensation to an employee or his beneficiaries, there is a method having the effect of a plan deferring the receipt of compensation for which deductions are governed by section 404(a). * * *

The predecessor provision of section 404(b), section 23(p)(1)(D), I.R.C. 1939, was enacted by the Revenue Act of 1942. Section 19.23(p)(1)(D)-1, 1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*151 Regs. 103, adopted by the Secretary of the Treasury to clarify section 23(p)(1)(D), I.R.C. 1939, in pertinent part stated that contributions to plans not meeting the requirements of section 165(a), I.R.C. 1939 (the predecessor of sec. 401(a)), "are deductible * * * to the extent that individual employees' rights to or derived from such employer's contribution or such compensation are nonforfeitable at the time the contribution or compensation is paid." T.D. 5278 (July 8, 1943), 1943-C.B. 478, 498. Section 19.165(c)-1, Regs. 103, defines the term" nonforfeitability" as the lack of a "contingency under the 74 T.C. 808">*834 plan which may cause the employee to lose his rights in the contribution." T.D. 5278 (July 8, 1943), 1943-C.B. 478, 487. This regulatory history indicates that the application of section 404(b) to the instant case is predicated upon the nonforfeitability of the ETS employees' rights in the $ 16,123 when deposited into trust. As we have specified, petitioner's arrangements were vague and did not provide the employees with nonforfeitable rights to particular portions of the moneys. In reliance1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*152 on the above, it follows that section 404(b) is inapplicable to petitioner, and accordingly, petitioner cannot deduct the $ 16,123 "contribution" pursuant to section 404.

Even if section 404(b) were applicable to the circumstances of this case, section 402(b) would preclude the claimed deduction. The timing for deductibility of an employer contribution to a near facsimile of a plan is governed by the timing of declaration of income by the beneficiaries. Section 402(b) controls the tax treatment of beneficiaries of a trust not exempt under section 501(a). ²⁰Section 402(b) requires an employee to include in his income contributions attributable to a nonexempt trust1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*153 in accordance with section 83. ²¹ In pertinent part, section 83 74 T.C. 808">*835 provides that property transferred to a person in connection with the individual's performance of services is included in his gross income in the first year that the person's rights in the property are not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or become transferable.

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*154 Since petitioner adopted a nonexempt trust on December 30, 1974, the resolution of this question would depend upon the application of section 83 to the facts and circumstances in the instant case. Section 83 requires an individual to include in his gross income property transferred to him in connection with his performance of services. It is significant that the language of section 83(a) requires the previous transfer of property. Section 1.83-3(a), Income Tax Regs., defines "transfer" as occurring "when a person acquires a beneficial ownership interest in such property." The Supreme Court has stated that:

The expression, beneficial use or beneficial ownership or interest, in property is quite frequent in the law, and means in this connection such a right to its enjoyment as exists where the legal title is in one person and the right to such beneficial use or interest is in another, and where such right is recognized by law, and can be enforced by the courts, at the suit of such owner or of some one in his behalf. * * * [Montana Catholic Missions v. Missoula County, 200 U.S. 118">200 U.S. 118, 200 U.S. 118">127-128 (1906).]

Since that time, the States have used this1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*155 concept of control to represent beneficial ownership. See, e.g., Tatum Bros. Real Estate & Investment Co. v. Watson, 109 So. 623">109 So. 623 (Fla. 1926).

In 1974, none of the ETS employees had acquired a beneficial ownership interest in any portion of the $ 16,123 that petitioner placed in the trust's account at the Landmark Bank of Tampa. Aside from any capacity that Mr. and Mrs. Pugh might have had from their fiduciary status as trustees and in their capacities as board members, none of petitioner's employees qua employees had dominion or control over the $ 16,123 in the Landmark Bank of Tampa account. The language of the ETS trust instrument never provided any employee with a specific vested or nonvested portion of the moneys. ²² In our view, these factors cause the 74 T.C. 808">*836 benficial ownership of the $ 16,123 not to be "transferred" to the employees in 1974 within the meaning of section 83.

1980 U.S. Tax Ct. LEXIS 98">*156 We therefore hold that (1) petitioner did not have a qualified profit-sharing plan within the meaning of section 401(a) in 1974, and (2) petitioner's employees did not acquire a beneficial ownership interest in the ETS trust contributions in 1974.

Because of a concession by respondent with respect to the year 1973,

Decision will be entered under Rule 155.