§ 4971 excise taxes seem inapplicable to money purchase plans after circa 2007, though the guidance on this situation seems unclear.
___
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/2014cpe_plan_terminations.pdf#page=88
NOTE: Specialists are cautioned not to pursue the §4971 excise tax for affected money purchase pension plans after the effective date of PPA until technical guidance has been issued. See FY 2011-1 Interim Guidelines (EP Examinations)- IRC §4971 & Money Purchase Pension Plans after PPA.
___
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/plan_terms_phoneforum_qas.pdf
For plan years beginning after December 31, 2007, it appears that a
money purchase plan is not subject to the excise tax under IRC §4971(a). The tax is based upon unpaid minimum required contributions. Unpaid minimum required contributions are defined under IRC §430 which applies to defined benefit plans. Although the plan fails the minimum funding standards of IRC §412, the excise tax under IRC §4971 cannot be calculated because minimum required contributions are not defined for a money purchase plan. However, under IRC §412(a)(2) the employer is required to make contributions under the terms of the plan.
___
Conversely, one finds:
___
https://www.irs.gov/irm/part4/irm_04-072-016
7.12.1.18 (02-16-2017)
Minimum Funding Standards
IRC 412 imposes minimum funding standards on certain
types of plans in order to protect a participant's promised benefits. Plan sponsors are subject to a tax under IRC 4971 if they don't meet the funding standards.
IRC 412(a)(2) requires plan sponsors of a:
DB plan which is not a multiemployer to make contributions to (fund) the trust for the plan year of the minimum amount required. See IRC 430.
Money purchase plan to fund the trust for the plan year in the amount required under the plan terms unless they have a funding waiver.
___
https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/choosing-a-retirement-plan-money-purchase-plan
An excise tax applies if the minimum contribution requirement is not satisfied.
___
https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/vcp-submission-kit-failure-to-make-timely-required-contributions-to-a-money-purchase-or-target-benefit-plan
EPCRS, including the VCP, will not resolve any excise tax that may be owed under IRC 4971.
___
The IRM seems perhaps ambiguous, as does the VCP submission guide. The description of MPPPs seems to indicate § 4971 excise taxes will apply.