### Question
How does SHARING, STOCK BONUS PLANS, ETC. define unforeseeable emergency?


### Answer
Under *26 U.S.C. § 409A*, **unforeseeable emergency** is defined as:

> a severe financial hardship to the participant resulting from an illness or accident of the participant, the participant's spouse, or a dependent (as defined in section 152(a)) of the participant, loss of the participant's property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the participant

#### Citation:
  - *26 U.S.C. § 409A*
  - 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**

