DoL Extends 5500 Reporting Deadline for Hurricane-Affected Employers

February 27, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The Department of Labor's Employee Benefit Security Administration (EBSA) is extending the deadline for filing 5500 reports to August 28, 2006 for employers affected by Hurricane Katrina.

According to a news release, the extension is being granted to filers in 31 parishes in Louisiana, 46 counties in Mississippi and 11 counties in Alabama.   The new extension for reporting applies to plan administrators, employers and other entities affected by Hurricane Katrina and located in one or more parishes or counties listed in IRS notice IR-2006-30 dated February 17, 2006.

In addition, the extension also applies to firms located outside the affected areas who are unable to obtain the necessary information from service providers, banks or insurance companies whose operations were located in the areas listed in IR-2006-30 and affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Form 5500 filers using this extension should check Form 5500, Part I, box D and attach a statement labeled “Form 5500, Box D – Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Extension.”   Similarly, Form 5500 EZ filers should check Form 5500 EZ, Part I, box B, and attach a statement labeled “Form 5500 EZ, box B – Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Extension.”

IRS notice IR-2006-30 can be found at www.irs.gov .   Filers who have additional questions may contact EBSA’s EFAST Help Line at 1-866-463-3278.

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