The Form 5500 is an annual report filed with the Department of Labor (DOL) that contains information about a company’s 401(k) plan. The report is made up of financial and administration details about the plan.
The Form 5500 is a part of the ERISA framework. It is intended to ensure that the plan is operated and managed in accordance with prescribed standards. It also serves as a disclosure document for plan participants and beneficiaries.
The IRS requires that the form be filed electronically. In most cases, it is filed with EFAST2, a DOL-approved software system. It is accessible via the DOL website or through accredited vendors. To file the form, a user must register by clicking a link in an email verification message.
The deadline for filing Form 5500 is the last day of the seventh month after the end of the plan year. If you file the form late, you can face penalties. For small plans, the penalty is up to $1,500. For large plans, the penalty is up to $2,000 or more.
Plan sponsors should be careful when filing Form 5500. The form asks about losses from fraud and other compliance issues. While the Form 5500 is meant to be filed on time, errors can create problems for the sponsor. These mistakes can result in an employee plan compliance review by the DOL.
A financial advisor is a good resource for questions on funding and reporting requirements. They can help determine if assets exceed the $250,000 threshold.
Do you need clarification about the Form 5500-EZ filing requirements? You’re not alone. Many businesses need clarification about these requirements, but this article is here to help. Learn what you need to know before filing this form.
By the end of the article, you’ll have all the information you need to make your Form 5500-EZ filing go smoothly. After all, your business is unique. In addition to meeting federal and state filing requirements, your Form 5500 should include any other information you wish to share with the IRS.
When filing Form 5500-EZ, plan administrators and employers must use the official IRS form. Blue or black ink is required, and a wet signature is mandatory. In addition, the administrator or employer must use the blank side of Form 5500-EZ and not include any schedules. You must retain the attachments. If you fail to comply with these filing requirements, you may face a penalty of $25 per day or up to $15,000!
| Form 5500-SF | Form 5500-EZ |
|---|---|
| TPA will file with DOL | Solo 401k plans |
| For up to 100 employees | Single employee defined benefit plans |
| Not for owner-only plans | File online or by mail |
| Online e-filing | Two-page filing |
The annual Form 5500-EZ filing deadline is different depending on your business type. A calendar-year plan must file its Form 5500-EZ filing by July 31. Likewise, a Solo 401k plan may have less than $250,000 in assets at the end of last year.
In such cases, you need to enter the total plan liabilities, which include benefit claims payable, operating payables, and acquisition indebtedness, but not future distributions to participants.
What about penalties?
You should avoid paying Form 5500-EZ late filing penalties. The Internal Revenue Service is very concerned about the growth of retirement plan balances, and a late filing on this form can attract unwanted attention from potential plaintiffs.
Fortunately, you can contest the penalty and avoid paying late filing fees. Remember that you must do a few things before filing your Form 5500-EZ. Read on to learn more.
You can claim reasonable cause if you cannot meet the deadline, which may prevent you from incurring the penalty. To claim reasonable cause, you must show that you cannot file your return on time because of a severe financial crisis, such as a death in the family, unavoidable absence from work, or civil disturbance. Also, a pandemic situation may be an excuse. The IRS may not impose a late filing penalty if you cannot prove your case.
In 2014, the IRS implemented a pilot program to provide administrative relief for delinquent Form 5500-EZ filers. The program applied to certain types of foreign and one-participant plans. However, even one-participant plan owners must file a Form 5500-EZ return each year. After the pilot program ended, the Internal Revenue Service implemented a permanent program for Form 5500-EZ late filing penalties.