7/29/2010

ftwilliam.com continues to hear from customers that are unfamiliar with the electronic filing requirements for 5500 forms. The deadline to file is approaching very quickly and this article is designed to quickly inform you of new issues for 2009 filings. There is still time to file form 5558s to extend the deadline for calendar year 5500 filings.

You should be aware of the following:

  • Calendar year 2009 form 5500s are due by midnight local time August 2nd unless a form 5558 is filed, extending the deadline to October 15th (unless the shorter automatic extension applies when the business tax return is extended and the fiscal and plan years are identical).

  • Form 5558s are filed on paper to the IRS at: Internal Revenue Service Center, Ogden, UT 84201-0027 (or 1973 North Roulon White Blvd., Ogden, UT 84404 for private delivery service). You can file multiple 5558s in one envelope. We strongly suggest using certified mail to have proof that you filed the extension(s). Our software does have batch 5558 features to assist you with this process. Copies of 5558s are no longer required to be attached to the 5500 filing.

  • 2009 5500 filings must be signed and filed electronically (other than the 5500 EZ - still filed on paper to the IRS). If you are unfamiliar with the electronic filing process, we strongly suggest filing a 5558 in order to give yourself time to learn the new process.

  • In order for a filing to be considered filed timely the filing status on ftwilliam.com needs to be 'Accepted' or 'Not Accepted'. If you see a status other than 'Accepted' or 'Not Accepted' you will need to re-submit the filing before the filing deadline (filings that received a 'Not Accepted' status must be corrected and resubmitted in their entirety as an amended filing).

Links to a few 5500 electronic signature resources:

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at support@ftwilliam.com or call 800.596.0714.

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