Howard is a business owner and would like to offer a deferred compensation arrangement to his most highly compensated employees. You point out to Howard that such programs come under intense IRS scrutiny. However, according to Reg. $1\mathrm{.}451-2($a$),$ if his employees do not have the option to take cash currently in place of future income this should result in the:

a$.$ absence of actual receipt.

b$.$ absence of control.

c$.$ absence of economic benefit.

d$.$ presence of proper timing.