EBSA Powers On Form 5500 Filing Extension

August (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Plan sponsors left in the dark by last week's massive blackout who were trying to get their Form 5500 in under the deadline now have a light at the end of the tunnel.

>The US Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) have decided to leave the light on a little bit longer, offering an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ annual returns/reports.   Under this relief, filings due on August 14 or 15, 2003, will be granted an extension until Friday, August 22, 2003, according to a news release.

>However, the extension only affects those areas left in the dark last week and those filers located outside the affected areas who were unable to obtain the information necessary for filing from service providers, banks or insurance companies whose operations were directly affected by the blackout.   Filers entitled to this extension should check Part 1, Box D, on Form 5500 or Part 1, Box B on Form 5500-EZ, and attach a statement labeled “Northeast Blackout 2003” explaining the basis for the extension being claimed under this relief.  

Additional questions can be directed to the EFAST Help Line at 1-866-463-3278.

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