### Question
What does key employee mean?


### Answer
**Key employee** has the following meaning in *26 U.S.C. § 401*:

> any employee, who at any time during the plan year or any preceding plan year during which contributions were made on behalf of such employee, is or was a key employee as defined in section 416(i)

#### Citation:
  - *26 U.S.C. § 401*
  - Heading: **Subtitle A-Income Taxes > CHAPTER 1-NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES > Subchapter D-Deferred Compensation, Etc. > PART I-PENSION, PROFIT-SHARING, STOCK BONUS PLANS, ETC. > Subpart A-General Rule**

