Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 45 : Section 358


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 358. Contributions

    (a) Employer contribution
      (1) In general
        (A) General rule
          (i) Contribution rate generally
            Every employer shall pay a contribution, with respect to
          having employees in his service, equal to the percentage
          determined under subparagraph (B), (C), or (D), whichever is
          applicable, of so much of the compensation paid in any
          calendar month by such employer to any employee as is not in
          excess of the monthly compensation base for that month as
          computed under section 351(i) of this title.
          (ii) Multiple employer limitation
            If compensation is paid to an employee by more than one
          employer in any calendar month - 
              (I) the contributions required by this subsection shall
            not apply to any amount of the aggregate compensation paid
            to such employee by all such employers in such calendar
            month which is in excess of such monthly compensation base;
            and
              (II) each employer (other than a subordinate unit of a
            national-railway-labor-organization employer) shall be
            liable for that portion of the contribution with respect to
            such compensation paid by all such employers which the
            compensation paid by him to such employee bears to the
            total compensation paid in such month by all such employers
            to such employee.

          In the event that the compensation paid by such employers to
          the employee in such month is less than such monthly
          compensation base, each subordinate unit of a
          national-railway-labor-organization employer shall be liable
          for such portion of any additional contribution as the
          compensation paid by such employer to such employee in such
          month bears to the total compensation paid by all such
          employers to such employee in such month.
        (B) Transitional rule
          (i) 1st, 2d, and 3d calendar years
            Except as provided in clause (vi), with respect to
          compensation paid in calendar years 1988, 1989, and 1990, the
          contribution rate shall be 8 percent.
          (ii) 4th calendar year
            With respect to compensation paid in calendar year 1991,
          the contribution rate shall be the smaller of - 
              (I) the maximum contribution limit computed under
            paragraph (20); or
              (II) the percentage computed pursuant to the following
            formula:


                                  2A+B                       
                           R=   -------                       
                                   3                       
 
          (iii) 5th calendar year
            With respect to compensation paid in calendar year 1992,
          the contribution rate shall be the smaller of - 
              (I) the maximum contribution limit computed under
            paragraph (20); or
              (II) the percentage computed pursuant to the following
            formula:

                                  A+2C                       
                           R=   -------                       
                                   3                       
  
          (iv) Meaning of symbols
            For purposes of the formulas in clauses (ii) and (iii) - 
              (I) "R" is the applicable contribution rate expressed as
            a percentage for months in the calendar year;
              (II) "A" is the contribution rate determined under clause
            (i);
              (III) "B" is the percentage rate for the employer, as
            determined under subparagraph (C), for calendar year 1991;
            and
              (IV) "C" is the percentage rate for the employer, as
            determined under subparagraph (C), for calendar year 1992.
          (v) Special rule for certain computations
            For purposes of computing B and C in such formulas - 
              (I) the percentage rate computed under subparagraph (C),
            if more than the maximum contribution limit computed under
            paragraph (20) shall not be reduced to that limit; and
              (II) any computations which under subparagraph (C) are to
            be made on the basis of a 4-quarter or a 12-quarter period
            ending on a given June 30 shall be made on the basis of a
            period beginning on January 1, 1990, and ending on that
            June 30, and the amount so computed shall be increased to
            an amount that bears the same ratio to the amount so
            computed as 4 or 12, as appropriate, bears to the number of
            calendar quarters in the period on which the computation
            was based.
          (vi) Special transition rule for public commuter railroads
            With respect to each of calendar years 1989 and 1990, the
          contribution of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation
          and an employer which on November 10, 1988, is a publicly
          funded and publicly operated carrier providing rail commuter
          service shall be equal to the amount of benefits attributable
          to such carrier, plus an amount equal to 0.65 percent of the
          total compensation paid by that employer in that year on
          which that employer's contribution would be based under
          clause (i) if such employer's contribution were determined
          under that clause.
        (C) Experience-rated contributions
          With respect to compensation paid in a calendar year that
        begins after December 31, 1992, the contribution rate for each
        employer shall be determined as follows:
          (i) Step 1
            Compute the employer's benefit ratio as of the preceding
          June 30 to 4 decimal points in accordance with paragraph (2).
          (ii) Step 2
            Subtract the employer's reserve ratio as of the preceding
          June 30 as computed to 4 decimal points in accordance with
          paragraph (4).
          (iii) Step 3
            Subtract the pooled credit ratio for the calendar year, if
          any, as computed to 4 decimal points in accordance with
          paragraph (12).
          (iv) Step 4
            Multiply by 100 the total arrived at under the steps set
          forth in clauses (i) through (iii) so as to obtain a
          percentage rate, which shall be rounded to the nearest 100th
          of 1 percent. If the total arrived at under such steps is 0
          or less than 0, the percentage rate as so computed shall be
          0.
          (v) Step 5
            Add 0.65 to the percentage rate arrived at under clause
          (iv), representing the portion of the employer's contribution
          which is to be deposited to the credit of the fund under
          subsection (i) of this section.
          (vi) Step 6
            Add the surcharge rate for the calendar year, if any, as
          computed under paragraph (14).
          (vii) Step 7
            Add the pooled charge ratio for the calendar year, if any,
          as computed to 4 decimal points under paragraph (13) and
          multiplied by 100.
          (viii) Step 8
            Reduce the precentage (!1) rate computed in accordance with
          the preceding steps to the maximum contribution limit
          computed under paragraph (20), if such rate is higher than
          such limit. The rate computed in accordance with the
          preceding steps, after any reduction under this clause, is
          the contribution rate.

        (D) New-employer contribution rates
          Notwithstanding subparagraphs (B) and (C), the contribution
        rate applicable to a new employer who does not become subject
        to this chapter until after December 31, 1989, shall be
        determined as follows:
          (i) 1st calendar year
            With respect to compensation paid in calendar months before
          the end of the first full calendar year in which the employer
          is subject to this chapter, the contribution rate shall be
          the average contribution rate paid by all employers during
          the 3 calendar years preceding the calendar year before the
          calendar year in which the compensation is paid. The average
          contribution rate shall be determined - 
              (I) by dividing the aggregate contributions paid by all
            employers under this subsection in those 3 calendar years
            by the aggregate compensation with respect to which such
            contributions were paid; and
              (II) by multiplying the resulting ratio as computed to 4
            decimal points by 100.
          (ii) 2d calendar year
            With respect to compensation paid in calendar months in the
          next calendar year, the contribution rate shall be the
          smaller of - 
              (I) the maximum contribution limit computed under
            paragraph (20); or
              (II) the percentage rate computed pursuant to the
            following formula:


                                   2(A2)+B                        
                             R=  -----------                  
                                      3                        
 
          (iii) 3d calendar year
            With respect to compensation paid in calendar months in the
          third full calendar year in which the employer is subject to
          the coverage of this chapter, the contribution rate shall be
          the smaller of - 
              (I) the maximum contribution limit computed under
            paragraph (20); or
              (II) the percentage rate computed pursuant to the
            following formula:


                                   A3+2C                       
                           R=    ---------                       
                                     3                       
 
          (iv) Subsequent calendar years
            With respect to all calendar months in calendar years
          subsequent to that calendar year, the contribution rate shall
          be determined under subparagraph (C).
          (v) Meaning of symbols
            For purposes of the formulas in clauses (ii) and (iii) - 
              (I) "R" is the applicable contribution rate expressed as
            a percentage for months in the calendar year;
              (II) "A1" is the contribution rate determined under
            clause (i) for such employer's first full calendar year;
              (III) "A2" is the contribution rate which would have been
            determined under clause (i) if the employer's second
            calendar year had been its first full calendar year;
              (IV) "A3" is the contribution rate which would have been
            determined under clause (i) if the employer's third
            calendar year had been such employer's first full calendar
            year;
              (V) "B" is the contribution rate for the employer as
            determined under subparagraph (C) for the employer's second
            full calendar year; and
              (VI) "C" is the contribution rate for the employer as
            determined under subparagraph (C) for the employer's third
            full calendar year.
          (vi) Special rule for certain computations
            For purposes of computing B and C in such formulas - 
              (I) the percentage rate computed under subparagraph (C),
            shall not be reduced under clause (viii) of that
            subparagraph; and
              (II) any computations which under subparagraph (C) are to
            be made on the basis of a 4-quarter or 12-quarter period
            ending on a given June 30 shall be made on the basis of a
            period commencing with the first day of the first calendar
            quarter that begins after the date on which the employer
            first commenced paying compensation subject to this chapter
            and ending on that June 30, and the amount so computed
            shall be increased to an amount that bears the same ratio
            to the amount so computed as 4 or 12, as appropriate, bears
            to the number of calendar quarters in the period on which
            the computation was based.
      (2) Benefit ratio
        An employer's benefit ratio as of any given June 30 shall be
      determined by dividing all benefits charged to the employer under
      paragraph (15) during the 12 calendar quarters ending on such
      June 30 by the employer's 3-year compensation base as of such
      June 30 as computed under paragraph (3).
      (3) 3-year compensation base
        An employer's 3-year compensation base as of any given June 30
      is the aggregate compensation with respect to which contributions
      were paid by the employer under this subsection in the 12
      calendar quarters ending on such June 30.
      (4) Reserve ratio
        An employer's reserve ratio as of any given June 30 shall be
      computed by dividing the employer's reserve balance as of such
      June 30, as computed under paragraph (6), by that employer's
      1-year compensation base as of such June 30, as computed under
      paragraph (5). The employer's reserve ratio may be either a
      positive or a negative figure, depending upon whether the
      employer's reserve balance is a positive or negative figure.
      (5) 1-year compensation base
        An employer's 1-year compensation base as of any given June 30
      is the aggregate compensation with respect to which contributions
      were paid by the employer under this subsection in the 4 calendar
      quarters ending on such June 30.
      (6) Reserve balance
        An employer's reserve balance as of any given June 30 shall be
      determined by subtracting the employer's cumulative benefit
      balance as of such June 30, computed under paragraph (7), from
      the employer's net cumulative contribution balance as of such
      June 30, computed under paragraph (8). An employer's reserve
      balance may be either positive or negative, depending upon
      whether or not that employer's net cumulative contribution
      balance exceeds the employer's cumulative benefit balance.
      (7) Cumulative benefit balance
        An employer's cumulative benefit balance as of any given June
      30 shall be determined by adding - 
          (A) the net amount of the benefits charged to the employer
        under paragraph (15) on or after January 1, 1990; and
          (B) the cumulative amount of the employer's unallocated
        charges for the same period, if any, as computed under
        paragraph (9).
      (8) Net cumulative contribution balance
        An employer's net cumulative contribution balance as of any
      given June 30 shall be determined as follows:
        (A) Step 1
          Compute the sum of
            (i) all contributions paid by the employer pursuant to this
          subsection;
            (ii) that portion of the tax imposed under section 3321(a)
          of title 26 that is attributable to the surtax rate under
          section 516(b) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance and
          Retirement Improvement Act of 1988; (!2) and

            (iii) any taxes paid by the employer pursuant to section
          3321(a) of title 26 (after the outstanding balance of loans
          made under section 360(d) of this title before October 1,
          1985, plus interest, have been paid);

        on or after January 1, 1990.
        (B) Step 2
          Subtract an amount equal to the amount of such contributions
        deposited to the credit of the fund under subsection (i) of
        this section.
        (C) Step 3
          Add an amount equal to the aggregate amount by which such
        contributions were reduced in prior calendar years as a result
        of pooled credits, if any, under paragraph (1)(C)(iii).
      (9) Unallocated charge
        An employer's unallocated charge as of any given June 30 is the
      amount that as of such June 30 bears the same ratio to the system
      unallocated charge balance, computed under paragraph (10), as the
      employer's 1-year compensation base, computed under paragraph
      (5), bears to the system compensation base computed under
      paragraph (11).
      (10) System unallocated charge balance
        The system unallocated charge balance as of any given June 30
      shall be determined as follows:
        (A) Step 1
          Compute the aggregate amount of all interest paid by the
        account on loans from the Railroad Retirement Account after
        September 30, 1985, pursuant to section 360(d) of this title,
        during the 4 calendar quarters ending on that June 30.
        (B) Step 2
          Add the aggregate amount of any additions to the system
        unallocated charge balance specified in paragraphs (15) and
        (16), during that period.
        (C) Step 3
          Add the aggregate amount of any other expenditures by the
        account during that period not chargeable to any individual
        employer under paragraph (15) or to the fund under section 361
        of this title.
        (D) Step 4
          Subtract the aggregate amount of all income to the account,
        under section 360(a)(iv) of this title or section 360(a)(vii)
        of this title, during that period.
        (E) Step 5
          Subtract the aggregate amount of all transfers to the
        account, pursuant to section 361(d) of this title, during that
        period.
        (F) Step 6
          Subtract the aggregate amount of all other income and
        receipts of the account, during that period, which are not
        assigned to individual employer balances.
        (G) Step 7
          Subtract the net cumulative contribution balance of each
        employer whose balance has been cancelled pursuant to paragraph
        (16), during that period, calculated as of the date of such
        cancellation.
      (11) System compensation base
        The system compensation base as of any given June 30 shall be
      determined by adding together the amounts of the 1-year
      compensation bases of all employers and employee representatives
      subject to this chapter, computed in accordance with paragraph
      (5), as of such June 30.
      (12) Pooled credit ratio
        The pooled credit ratio, if any, for a calendar year shall be
      determined as follows:
        (A) Step 1
          Compute the balance to the credit of the account as of the
        close of business on the preceding June 30, including any
        amounts in the account attributable to loans made under section
        360(d) of this title before October 1, 1985, but disregarding
        the obligation to repay such loans and interest thereon. In
        determining such balance as of June 30 of any year, so much of
        the balance to the credit of the railroad unemployment
        insurance administration fund as of the close of business on
        such date as is in excess of $6,000,000 shall be deemed to be
        part of the balance to the credit of such account. There will
        be a pooled credit ratio for the calendar year only if that
        balance is in excess of the greater of $250,000,000 or of the
        amount that bears the same ratio to $250,000,000 as the system
        compensation base as of that June 30 bears to the system
        compensation base as of June 30, 1991, as computed in
        accordance with paragraph (11).
        (B) Step 2
          If there is such an excess amount, divide that excess amount
        by the system compensation base as of the June 30 preceding the
        calendar year. The result is the pooled credit ratio for the
        calendar year.
      (13) Pooled charge ratio
        The pooled charge ratio, if any, for a calendar year shall be
      determined as follows:
        (A) Step 1
          With respect to each employer whose contribution rate for
        that calendar year as computed through step 6 under paragraph
        (1)(C) was greater than the maximum contribution limit computed
        under paragraph (20), multiply the employer's 1-year
        compensation base as of the preceding June 30, as computed in
        accordance with paragraph (5), by the difference between - 
            (i) the percentage rate determined under subparagraph (B),
          (C), or (D) of paragraph (1) before the reduction to the
          maximum contribution limit; and
            (ii) the maximum contribution limit.
        (B) Step 2
          Add the amounts arrived at under step 1 so as to obtain an
        aggregate amount for all such employers.
        (C) Step 3
          For each employer whose contribution rate as computed through
        step 3 under paragraph (1)(C) was less than 0, the percentage
        rate by which such employer's rate was raised in order to bring
        that rate to 0 shall be multiplied by that employer's 1-year
        compensation base as of the preceding June 30. Subtract the
        total of the amounts computed under the preceding sentence for
        all employers from the amount arrived at in step 2.
        (D) Step 4
          Divide the aggregate amount arrived at under step 3 by the
        system compensation base as of the preceding June 30 as
        computed under paragraph (11) minus the one-year compensation
        base of those employers whose rates computed through step 6 of
        paragraph (1)(C) exceeded the maximum contribution rate
        computed under paragraph (20). The result is the pooled charge
        ratio for the calendar year.
      (14) Surcharge rate
        The surcharge rate for a calendar year, if any, shall be
      determined as follows:
        (A) Step 1
          Compute the balance to the credit of the account as of the
        close of business on the preceding June 30, including any
        amounts in the account attributable to loans made under section
        360(d) of this title before October 1, 1985, but disregarding
        the obligation to repay such loans and interest thereon. In
        determining such balance as of June 30 of any year, so much of
        the balance to the credit of the railroad unemployment
        insurance administration fund as of the close of business on
        such date as is in excess of $6,000,000 shall be deemed to be
        part of the balance to the credit of such account. There will
        be a surcharge rate for the calendar year only if that balance
        is less than the greater of $100,000,000 or of the amount that
        bears the same ratio to $100,000,000 as the system compensation
        base as of that June 30 bears to the system compensation base
        as of June 30, 1991, as computed in accordance with paragraph
        (11).
        (B) Step 2
          (i) If the balance to the credit of the account is less than
        the greater of the amounts referred to in the 2nd sentence of
        step 1 but is equal to or more than the greater of $50,000,000
        or of the amount that bears the same ratio to $50,000,000 as
        the system compensation base as of that June 30 bears to the
        system compensation base as of June 30, 1991, then the
        surcharge rate for the calendar year shall be 1.5 percent.
          (ii) If the balance to the credit of the account is less than
        the greater of the amounts referred to in the clause (i), but
        greater than or equal to zero, then the surcharge rate for the
        calendar year shall be 2.5 percent.
          (iii) If the balance to the credit of the account is less
        than zero, the surcharge rate for the calendar year shall be
        3.5 percent.
      (15) Chargeable benefits
        (A) In general
          Beginning January 1, 1990, all benefits paid to an employee
        for days of unemployment or days of sickness shall be charged
        to that employee's base year employer by adding amounts equal
        to the amounts of such benefits to the employer's cumulative
        benefit balance except that benefits paid by reason of strikes
        or work stoppages growing out of labor disputes shall not be
        added to the employer's cumulative benefit balance but instead
        shall be added to the system unallocated charge balance.
        (B) Adjustments
          A sum equal to each amount realized in recovery for
        overpayment, erroneous payment, or reimbursement of benefits
        and credited to the account pursuant to section 360(a)(v) or
        360(a)(viii) of this title shall be subtracted from the
        cumulative benefit balances of the employers of the employees
        to whom such an amount was paid as a benefit in the proportion
        to the amount by which each such employer's cumulative benefit
        balance was increased as a result of the payment of the
        benefit.
        (C) Multiple employers
          (i) In general
            All benefits paid to an employee who had more than 1
          base-year employer shall be charged to the cumulative benefit
          balances of the employee's base year employers - 
              (I) in reverse chronological order of the employee's
            employment with each such employer in the base year if the
            employer at the time of the claim was the last base year
            employer, and the amount charged to each employer shall not
            exceed the compensation paid by that employer to the
            employee in the base year; and
              (II) in all other cases, in the same ratio as the
            compensation paid to such employee by the employer bears to
            the total of such compensation paid to such employees by
            all such employers in the base year.
          (ii) Special rule for employer with cancelled balances
            All benefits chargeable under this subparagraph to an
          employer for which the Board has cancelled balances under
          paragraph (16) shall be added to the system unallocated
          charge balance.
      (16) Defunct employer
        Whenever the Board determines, pursuant to such regulations as
      the Board may prescribe, that an employer has permanently ceased
      to pay compensation with respect to which contributions are
      payable pursuant to this subsection, the Board shall, effective
      on the date of the Board's determination, transfer the employer's
      net cumulative contribution balance as a subtraction from, and
      cumulative benefit balance as an addition to, the system
      unallocated charge balance and cancel all other accumulations of
      the employer.
      (17) Individual employer record
        (A) In general
          As of January 1, 1990, the Board shall commence maintaining
        an individual employer record with respect to each employer,
        and the records necessary to determine pooled charges, pooled
        credits and unallocated charge balances for the system.
        Whenever a new employer begins paying compensation with respect
        to which contributions are payable pursuant to this subsection,
        the Board shall establish and maintain an individual employer
        record for such employer.
        (B) Definition
          As used in this paragraph, the term "individual employer
        record" means a record of an individual employer's benefit
        ratio, reserve ratio, 1-year compensation base, 3-year
        compensation base, unallocated charge, reserve balance, net
        cumulative contribution balance, and cumulative benefit
        balance.
      (18) Joint employer records
        Pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Board, the Board may
      allow 2 or more employers, upon application, to establish and
      maintain, or to discontinue, a joint individual employer record
      for such employers as though such joint record constituted a
      single employer's individual employer record.
      (19) Mergers, consolidations, or other changes in employer
        identity
        (A) With other employers
          In the event of a merger, consolidation, unification, or
        reorganization in which an employer combines with another
        employer and the combination entails no partitioning of the
        property of the employer, the individual employer records of
        the 2 employers shall be combined into a joint individual
        employer record if the parties request such joint treatment
        pursuant to paragraph (18) or if the Board otherwise
        determines, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Board,
        that such joint treatment is desirable.
        (B) With nonemployers
          In the event of a merger, consolidation, unification, or
        reorganization in which an employer combines with another
        entity that is not an employer, the employer's individual
        employer record shall attach to the combined entity.
        (C) Sale of assets
          In the event property of an employer is sold or transferred
        to another employer or other entity, or is partitioned among 2
        or more employers or entities, the cumulative benefit balance,
        net cumulative contribution balance, 1-year compensation base,
        and 3-year compensation base of the employer shall be prorated
        among the employers which receive the property, including any
        entities which become employers by virtue of such transfer or
        partition, in such equitable manner as the Board by regulation
        shall prescribe.
        (D) Reincorporation
          The cumulative benefit balance, net cumulative contribution
        balance, 1-year compensation base, and 3-year compensation base
        of an employer that reincorporates or otherwise alters its
        corporate identity in a transaction not involving a merger,
        consolidation, or unification shall attach to the
        reincorporated or altered entity.
        (E) Abandonment
          If an employer abandons property or discontinues service but
        continues to operate as an employer, the employer's individual
        employer record shall continue to be calculated as provided in
        this subsection without retroactive adjustment.
      (20) Maximum contribution limit
        The maximum contribution limit with respect to a calendar year
      is 12 percent, unless a 3.5 percent surcharge under paragraph
      (14) is in effect with respect to that calendar year. If such a
      surcharge is in effect the maximum contribution limit with
      respect to that calendar year is 12.5 percent.
      (21) Special rules for certain computations under paragraph
        (1)(C)
        (A) Any computation that is to be made under paragraph (1)(C)
      on the basis of a 12-quarter period ending on a given June 30
      shall be made on the basis of a period - 
          (i) beginning on the later of - 
            (I) January 1, 1990;
            (II) the first day of the first calendar quarter that
          begins after the date on which the employer first began to
          pay compensation subject to this chapter; or
            (III) July 1 of the third calendar year preceding that June
          30; and

          (ii) ending on that June 30.

        (B) The amount computed under subparagraph (A) shall be
      increased to an amount that bears the same ratio to the amount so
      computed as 12 bears to the number of calendar quarters on which
      the computation is based.
    (b) Employee representative contribution
      Each employee representative shall pay a contribution with
    respect to so much of the compensation paid to him for services
    performed as an employee representative as is not in excess of the
    monthly compensation base computed in accordance with section
    351(i) of this title, at a rate which shall be determined under
    subsection (a) of this section in the same manner and with the same
    effect as if the employee organization by which such employee
    representative is employed were an employer as defined in this
    chapter.
    (c) Board proclamation of balance
      (1) In general
        Not later than October 15, 1990, and October 15 of each year
      thereafter the Board shall proclaim - 
          (A) the balance to the credit of the account as of the
        preceding June 30 for purposes of paragraphs (12) and (14) of
        subsection (a) of this section;
          (B) the balance of any advances to the account under section
        360(d) of this title after September 30, 1985, that has not
        been repaid with interest as provided in such section as of
        September 30 of that year;
          (C) the system compensation base as of that June 30 as
        computed in accordance with paragraph (11) of that subsection;
          (D) the system unallocated charge balance as of that June 30,
        as computed in accordance with paragraph (10) of that
        subsection; and
          (E) the pooled credit ratio, the pooled charge ratio, and the
        surcharge rate, if any, as determined under paragraph (12),
        (13), or (14) of that subsection and applicable in the
        following calendar year.
      (2) Publication of notice
        As soon as is practicable after such proclamation, the Board
      shall publish notice in the Federal Register of the amounts so
      determined and proclaimed.
    (d) Notifications by Board
      (1) Not later than the last day of any calendar quarter that
    begins after March 31, 1990, the Board shall notify each employer
    and employee representative of its net cumulative contribution
    balance and cumulative benefit balance as of the end of the
    preceding calendar quarter, as computed in accordance with
    paragraphs (7) and (8) of subsection (a) of this section as of the
    last day of such preceding calendar quarter rather than as of a
    given June 30 if such last day is not a June 30.
      (2) Not later than October 15, 1990, and October 15 of each year
    thereafter, the Board shall notify each employer and employee
    representative of its benefit ratio, reserve ratio, 1-year
    compensation base, 3-year compensation base, unallocated charge,
    and reserve balance as of the preceding June 30 as computed in
    accordance with paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (9) of
    subsection (a) of this section, and of the contribution rate
    applicable to the employer or employee representative in the
    following calendar year as computed under paragraphs (1)(B), (C),
    or (D) of that subsection.
    (e) Information to verify accuracy to be made available
      Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon request by an
    employer or employee representative, the Board shall make available
    to such employer or employee representative any information
    available to the Board which may be necessary to verify the
    accuracy of a contribution rate determined by the Board to be
    applicable to such employer or employee representative, or of any
    component of that contribution rate including the accuracy of the
    employer's individual employer record, upon payment by such
    employer or employee representative to the Board of the cost
    incurred by the Board in making such information available. The
    amounts so paid to the Board shall be credited to and deposited in
    the fund.
    (f) Fractional parts of a cent
      In the payment of any contribution under this chapter, a
    fractional part of a cent shall be disregarded unless it amounts to
    one-half cent or more, in which case it shall be increased to one
    cent.
    (g) Adjustments for improper payments
      If more or less than the correct amount of the contribution
    required by this section is paid with respect to any compensation,
    then, under regulations prescribed under this chapter by the Board,
    proper adjustments with respect to the contribution shall be made,
    without interest, in connection with subsequent contribution
    payments made under this chapter by the same employer or employee
    representative.
    (h) Refunding overpayment; collecting underpayment
      If more or less than the correct amount of the contribution
    required by this section is paid with respect to any compensation
    and the overpayment or underpayment of the contribution cannot be
    adjusted under subsection (d) of this section, the amount of the
    overpayment shall be refunded from the account, or the amount of
    the underpayment shall be collected, in such manner and at such
    times (subject to the statute of limitations properly applicable
    thereto) as may be prescribed by regulations of the Board.
    (i) Collection and deposit of contributions
      The contributions required by this chapter shall be collected by
    the Board and shall be deposited by it with the Secretary of the
    Treasury of the United States, such part thereof as equals 0.65 per
    centum of the total compensation on which such contributions are
    based to be deposited to the credit of the fund and the balance to
    be deposited to the credit of the account.
    (j) Time for payment; failure to pay promptly
      The contributions required by this chapter shall be collected and
    paid quarterly or at such other times and in such manner and under
    such conditions not inconsistent with this chapter as may be
    prescribed by regulations of the Board, and shall not be deducted,
    in whole or in part, from the compensation of employees in the
    employer's employ. If a contribution required by this chapter is
    not paid when due, there shall be added to the amount payable
    (except in the case of adjustments made in accordance with the
    provisions of this chapter) interest at the rate of 1 per centum
    per month or fraction of a month from the date the contribution
    became due until paid. Any interest collected pursuant to this
    subsection shall be credited to the account.
    (k) Application of other laws; authority of Board
      All provisions of law, including penalties, applicable with
    respect to any tax imposed by the provisions of the Railroad
    Retirement Tax Act [26 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.], insofar as applicable
    and not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, shall be
    applicable with respect to the contributions required by this
    chapter: Provided, That all authority and functions conferred by or
    pursuant to such provisions upon any officer or employee of the
    United States, except the authority to institute and prosecute, and
    the function of instituting and prosecuting, criminal proceedings,
    shall, with respect to such contributions, be vested in and
    exercised by the Board or such officers and employees of the Board
    as it may designate therefor. The remedies available under the
    first sentence of this subsection for an employer or employee
    representative who contests the amount of contributions payable by
    him shall also apply with respect to a contention that the
    contribution rate determined by the Board under subsection (a) or
    (b) of this section to be applicable to such employer or employee
    representative is inaccurate or otherwise improper.



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