Answer:
A) taxable as ordinary income to the employee and can be taken as a deduction by the employer.
Explanation:
When an employee defers to receive the compensation plan he gets the benefit of lower tax bracket each year, ultimately decreasing his tax liability.
Further when he receives the complete amount his income stands taxable. Accordingly at that time ordinary tax rates as per FICA are applicable.
On the employers part it is only deductible when the employee includes it in the income of the year, and pays tax on such compensation received.
Thus, when he receives it as compensation on retirement it is normally taxable at ordinary rates to the employee and deduction can be claimed by the employer.
