The final 403(b) regulations generally apply to “taxable years” beginning after December 31, 2008. The final regulations say that “because individuals will almost uniformly be on a calendar taxable year, these regulations will generally apply on January 1, 2009.”
As such, regardless of the plan year, the final regulations will in most cases (other than certain church 403(b)s where the authority to amend is vested in a church convention), apply as of that date.
– David Levine, Groom Law Group, Chartered
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