2017 Instructions for Form 5500-SF 
Short Form Annual Return/Report of Small Employee Benefit Plan

Table of Contents

Code section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted. ERISA refers to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Changes to Note Return to top

IRS-Only Questions. IRS-only questions that filers were not required to complete on the 2016 Form 5500-SF have been removed from the Form 5500-SF, including preparer information, Part VIII regarding trust information, and Part IX regarding the IRS Compliance questions.

Authorized Service Provider Signatures. The instructions for Authorized Service Provider Signatures have been updated to reflect the ability for service providers to sign electric filings on the plan sponsor and DFE lines, where applicable, in addition to signing on behalf of plan administrators on the plan administrator line. 

Administrative Penalties. The instructions have been updated to reflect that the new maximum penalty for a plan administrator who fails or refuses to file a complete or accurate Form 5500/5500-SF report has been increased to up to $2,097 a day for penalties assessed after January 13, 2017, whose associated violation(s) occurred after November 2, 2015. 82 (FR 5373 (Jan. 18, 2017)). Because the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Improvements Act of 2015 (Pub. L. No. 114-74; 129 Stat. 599), requires the penalty amount to be adjusted annually after the Form 5500/5500-SF and its schedules, attachments, and instructions are published for filing, be sure to check for any possible required inflation adjustments of the maximum penalty amount that may have been published in the Federal Register after the instructions have been posted.

Plan Name Change. Line 4 of the Form 5500-SF has been changed to provide a field for filers to indicate that the name of the plan has changed. The instructions for line 4 have been updated to reflect the change. The instructions for line 1a have also been updated to advise filers that if the plan changed its name from the prior year filing(s), complete line 4 to indicate that the plan was previously identified by a different name.

Line 6c. Line 6c has been modified to add a new question to the existing question that asks if the plan is a defined benefit plan, is it covered under the PBGC insurance program. The new question asks filers that checked the box "Yes," to enter the My PAA-generated confirmation number for the PBGC premium filing for this plan year.

EFAST2 Processing System Return to top

Under the computerized ERISA Filing Acceptance System (EFAST2), you must electronically file your 2017 Form 5500-SF, Short Form Annual Return/Report of Small Employee Benefit Plan. You may file your 2017 Form 5500-SF online using EFAST2's web-based filing system or you may file through an EFAST2-approved vendor. You cannot file a paper Form 5500-SF by mail or other delivery service. For more information, see the instructions for How To File - Electronic Filing Requirement on page 6 and the EFAST2 website at www.efast.dol.gov.

How To Get Assistance Return to top

If you need help completing this form, or have other questions, call the EFAST2 Help Line at 1-866-GO-EFAST (1-866-463-3278) (toll free) or access the EFAST2 or IRS websites. The EFAST2 Help Line is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Eastern Time.

    You can access the EFAST2 website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.efast.dol.gov to:

• File the Form 5500-SF or 5500 and any needed schedules or attachments.
• Check on the status of a filing you submitted.
• View filings posted by EFAST2.
• Register for electronic credentials to sign or submit filings.
• View forms and related instructions.
• Get information regarding EFAST2, including approved software vendors.
• See answers to frequently asked questions about the Form 5500-SF, the Form 5500 and its schedules, and EFAST2.
• Access the main Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and DOL websites for news, regulations, and publications.

• View forms, instructions, and publications.
• See answers to frequently asked tax questions.
• Search publications online by topic or keyword.
• Send comments or request help by e-mail.
• Sign up to receive local and national tax news by e-mail.

• Be a small plan (i.e., generally have fewer than 100 participants at the beginning of the plan year),
• Meet the conditions for being exempt from the requirement that the plan's books and records be audited by an independent qualified public accountant (IQPA),
• Have 100% of its assets invested in certain secure investments with a readily determinable fair value,
• Hold no employer securities,
• Not be a multiemployer plan and,
• Not be required to file a Form M-1, Report for Multiple-Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs) and Certain Entities Claiming Exception (ECEs) for the plan year.

1. An unfunded excess benefit plan. See ERISA section 4(b)(5).
2. A pension benefit plan maintained outside the United States primarily for the benefit of persons substantially all of whom are nonresident aliens. However, certain foreign plans are required to file the Form 5500-EZ with the IRS. See the instructions to the Form 5500-EZ for the filing requirements. For more information, go to www.irs.gov/ep or call 1-877-829-5500.
3. An annuity or custodial account arrangement under Code section 403(b)(1) or (7) not established or maintained by an employer as described in DOL Regulations 29 CFR 2510.3-2(f).
4. A simplified employee pension (SEP) described in Code section 408(k) that conforms to the alternative method of compliance described in 29 CFR 2520.104-48 or 29 CFR 104-49. A SEP is a pension plan that meets certain minimum qualifications regarding eligibility and employer contributions.
5. A Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers (SIMPLE) that involves SIMPLE IRAs under Code section 408(p).
6. A church pension benefit plan not electing coverage under Code section 410(d).
7. An unfunded dues financed pension benefit plan that meets the alternative method of compliance provided by 29 CFR 2520.104-27.
8. An individual retirement account or annuity not considered a pension plan under 29 CFR 2510.3-2(d).
9. A "one-participant plan," as defined on page 7. However, certain one-participant plans are required to file the Form 5500-EZ, Annual Return of One-Participant (Owners and Their Spouses) Retirement Plan, with the IRS or, if eligible, may file the Form 5500-SF, Short Form Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan, electronically with EFAST2. See page 7.
10. A governmental plan.
11. An unfunded pension benefit plan or an unfunded or insured welfare benefit plan: (a) whose benefits go only to a select group of management or highly compensated employees, and (b) which meets the terms of 29 CFR 2520.104-23 (including the requirement that a registration statement be timely filed with DOL) or 29 CFR 2520.104-24.
12. A welfare benefit plan that covers fewer than 100 participants as of the beginning of the plan year and is unfunded, fully insured, or a combination of insured and unfunded. For this purpose:

13. Plans maintained only to comply with workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, or disability insurance laws.
14. A welfare benefit plan maintained outside the United States primarily for persons substantially all of whom are nonresident aliens.
15. A church welfare benefit plan under ERISA section 3(33).
16. An unfunded dues financed welfare benefit plan that meets the alternative method of compliance provided by 29 CFR 2520.104-26.
17. A welfare benefit plan that participates in a group insurance arrangement that files a return/report on its behalf under 29 CFR 2520.104-43. A group insurance arrangement generally is an arrangement that provides benefits to the employees of two or more unaffiliated employers (not in connection with a multiemployer plan or a collectively bargained multiple-employer plan), fully insures one or more welfare benefit plans of each participating employer, uses a trust (or other entity such as a trade association) as the holder of the insurance contracts, and uses a trust as the conduit for payment of premiums to the insurance company.
18. An apprenticeship or training plan meeting all of the conditions specified in 29 CFR 2520.104-22.

1. The plan (a) covered fewer than 100 participants at the beginning of the plan year 2017, or (b) under 29 CFR 2520.103-1(d) was eligible to and filed as a small plan for plan year 2016 and did not cover more than 120 participants at the beginning of plan year 2017 (see instructions for line 5 on counting the number of participants);
2. The plan did not hold any employer securities at any time during the plan year;
3. At all times during the plan year, the plan was 100% invested in certain secure, easy to value assets that meet the definition of "eligible plan assets" (see the instructions for line 6a), such as mutual fund shares, investment contracts with insurance companies and banks valued at least annually, publicly traded securities held by a registered broker dealer, cash and cash equivalents, and plan loans to participants;
4. The plan is eligible for the waiver of the annual examination and report of an independent qualified public accountant (IQPA) under 29 CFR 2520.104-46 (but not by reason of enhanced bonding), which requirement includes, among others, giving certain disclosures and supporting documents to participants and beneficiaries regarding the plan's investments (see instructions for line 6b); 
5. The plan is not a multiemployer plan; and
6. The plan is not required to file a Form M-1, Report for Multiple-Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs) and Certain Entities Claiming Exception (ECEs) during the plan year.

What To File Return to top

Eligible Combined Plans. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) established rules for a new type of pension plan, an "eligible combined plan," effective for plan years beginning after December 31, 2009. See Code section 414(x) and ERISA section 210(e). An eligible combined plan consists of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan that includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement under Code section 401(k), with the assets of the two plans held in a single trust, but clearly identified and allocated between the plans. The eligible combined plan design is available only to employers that employed an average of at least two, but not more than 500 employees, on business days during the calendar year preceding the plan year as of which the eligible combined plan is established and that employs at least two employees on the first day of the plan year that the plan is established. Because an eligible combined plan includes both a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan, the Form 5500-SF filed for the plan must include all the information, schedules, and attachments that would be required for either a defined benefit plan (such as a Schedule SB) or a defined contribution plan.

When To File Return to top

Extension of Time To File Return to top

Using Form 5558 top

If filing under an extension of time based on the filing of an IRS Form 5558, Application for Extension of Time To File Certain Employee Plan Returns, check the appropriate box on the Form 5500-SF, Part I, line C. A one-time extension of time to file the Form 5500-SF (up to 2 1/2 months) may be obtained by filing Form 5558 on or before the normal due date (not including any extensions) of the return/report. You must file the Form 5558 with the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Ogden, UT 84201-0045. Approved copies of the Form 5558 will not be returned to the filer. A copy of the completed extension request must be retained with the plan's records.

Using Extension of Time To File Federal Income Tax Return top

An automatic extension of time to file Form 5500-SF until the due date of the federal income tax return of the employer will be granted if all of the following conditions are met: (1) the plan year and the employer's tax year are the same; (2) the employer has been granted an extension of time to file its federal income tax return to a date later than the normal due date for filing the Form 5500-SF; and (3) a copy of the application for extension of time to file the federal income tax return is maintained with the filer's records. An extension of time granted by using this automatic extension procedure CANNOT be extended further by filing an IRS Form 5558, nor can it be extended beyond a total of 9 1/2 months beyond the close of the plan year.

Notes. (1) If the filing due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the return/report may be filed on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday. (2) If the 2018 Form 5500 is not available before the plan or DFE filing is due, use the 2017 Form 5500 and enter the 2018 fiscal year beginning and ending dates on the line provided at the top of the form.

Other Extensions of Time top

The IRS, DOL, and PBGC may announce special extensions of time under certain circumstances, such as extensions for Presidentially-declared disasters or for service in, or in support of, the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat zone. See www.irs.gov, www.efast.dol.gov, and www.pbgc.gov/practitioners for announcements regarding such special extensions. If you are relying on one of these announced special extensions, check the appropriate box on the Form 5500-SF, Part I, line C, and enter a description of the announced authority for the extension.

Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance (DFVC) Program Return to top

Change in Plan Year Return to top

Generally, only defined benefit pension plans need to get approval for a change in plan year. See Code section 412(d)(1). However, under Rev. Proc. 87-27, 1987-1 C.B. 769, these pension plans may be eligible for automatic approval of a change in plan year.

    If a change in plan year for a pension or a welfare benefit plan creates a short plan year, file the form and applicable schedules by the last day of the 7th calendar month after the short plan year ends or by the extended due date, if filing under an authorized extension of time. Fill in the short plan year beginning and ending dates in the space provided in Part I and check the appropriate box in Part I, line B of the Form 5500-SF. For purposes of this return/report, the short plan year ends on the date of the change in accounting period or upon the complete distribution of assets of the plan. Also, see the instructions for Final Return/Report to determine if "final return/report" in line B should be checked.

Penalties Return to top

Plan administrators and plan sponsors must provide complete and accurate information and must otherwise comply fully with the filing requirements. ERISA and the Code provide for the DOL and the IRS, respectively, to assess or impose penalties for not giving complete and accurate information and for not filing complete and accurate statements and returns/reports. Certain penalties are administrative (that is, they may be imposed or assessed in an administrative proceeding by one of the governmental agencies delegated to administer the collection of the Form 5500-SF data). Others require a legal conviction.

Administrative Penalties top

Listed below are various penalties under ERISA and the Code that may be assessed or imposed for not meeting the annual return/report filing requirements. Generally, whether the penalty is under ERISA or the Code, or both, depends upon the agency for which the information is required to be filed. One or more of the following administrative penalties may be assessed or imposed in the event of incomplete filings or filings received after the due date unless it is determined that your failure to file properly is for reasonable cause.

1. A penalty of up to $2,097 a day for each day a plan administrator fails or refuses to file a complete and accurate report. See ERISA section 502(c)(2), 29 CFR 2560.502c-2, and the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Inflation Adjustment Act). Pub. L. No. 114-74; 129 Stat. 599 and the DOL's implementing regulation at 82 FR 5373 (Jan. 18, 2017). The 2015 Inflation Adjustment Act requires agencies to adjust the levels of civil monetary penalties with an initial catch-up adjustment, followed by annual adjustments for inflation. Because the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Improvements Act of 2015 (Pub. L. No. 114-74; 129 Stat. 599), requires the penalty amount to be adjusted annually after the Form 5500/5500-SF and its schedules, attachments, and instructions are published for filing, be sure to check DOL's website for any possible required inflation adjustments of themaximum penalty amount that may have been published in the Federal Register after the instructions have been posted. 
   

2. A penalty of $25 a day (up to $15,000) for not filing the annual return/report for certain plans of deferred compensation, trusts and annuities, and bond purchase plans by the due date(s). See Code section 6652(e).
3. A penalty of $1,000 for not filing an actuarial statement (Schedule MB (Form 5500) or Schedule SB (Form 5500)) required by the applicable instructions. See Code section 6692.

Other Penalties top

1. Any individual who willfully violates any provision of Part 1 of Title I of ERISA shall on conviction be fined not more than $100,000 or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. See ERISA section 501.
2. A penalty up to $10,000, five (5) years imprisonment, or both, may be imposed for making any false statement or representation of fact, knowing it to be false, or for knowingly concealing or not disclosing any fact required by ERISA. See section 1027, Title 18, U.S. Code, as amended by section 111 of ERISA.

How To File - Electronic Filing Requirement Return to top

• Complete all lines on the Form 5500-SF unless otherwise specified. Also complete and electronically attach, as required, any applicable schedules and attachments.
• Do not enter "N/A" or "Not Applicable" on the Form 5500-SF or Schedules SB (Form 5500) and MB (Form 5500) unless specifically permitted. "Yes" or "No" questions on the form and schedules cannot be left blank, unless specifically permitted. Answer "Yes" or "No," but not both.
• Use the correct employer identification number (EIN) and plan number (PN) for the plan.

• Mail or fax Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, obtained  at www.irs.gov/orderforms.
• See https://www.irs.gov/uac/Form-SS-4,-Application-for-Employer-Identification-Number-(EIN) for additional information.
• The EIN is issued immediately once the application information is validated. (The online application process is not yet available for corporations with addresses in foreign countries or Puerto Rico.) 

Signature and Date Return to top 

Authorized Service Provider Signatures. top 

Specific Instructions Only for "One-Participant Plans and Certain Foreign Plans" Return to top

A "one-participant plan" is: (1) a pension benefit plan that covers only an individual or an individual and his or her spouse who wholly own a trade or business, whether incorporated or unincorporated; or (2) a pension benefit plan for a partnership that covers only the partners or the partners and the partners' spouses. Thus, a "one-participant plan" can cover more than one participant. On the other hand, merely covering only one participant does not make you eligible to file as a "one-participant plan" unless you are one of the types of plans described above.

• Part I, lines A, B, and C;
• Part II, lines 1a-5b, 5d(1), 5d(2), and 5(e);
• Part III, lines 7a-c, and 8a;
• Part IV, line 9a;
• Part V, line 10g; and
  
• Part VI, lines 11-12e
  

Specific Line-by-Line Instructions (Form 5500-SF) Return to top

Part I - Annual Report Identification Information Return to top

File the 2017 Form 5500-SF annual report for a plan year that began in 2017. Enter the beginning and ending dates in Part I. The 2017 Form 5500-SF annual report must be filed electronically.

Check only one of the line A box choices.

Line A - Box for Single-Employer Plan. top Check this box if the Form 5500-SF is filed for a single-employer plan. A single-employer plan for purposes of the Form 5500-SF is an employee benefit plan maintained by one employer or one employee organization.

Note. A "controlled group" is generally considered one employer for Form 5500 and Form 5500-SF reporting purposes. A "controlled group" is a controlled group of corporations under Code section 414(b), a group of trades or businesses under common control under Code section 414(c), or an affiliated service group under Code section 414(m). A separate annual return/report with line A (single-employer plan) checked must be filed by each employer participating in a plan or program of benefits in which the funds attributable to each employer are available to pay benefits only for that employer's employees, even if the plan is maintained by a controlled group.

Line A - Box for Multiple-Employer Plan. top Check this box if the Form 5500-SF is being filed for a multiple-employer plan. For purposes of the Form 5500-SF, a multiple-employer plan is a plan that is maintained by more than one employer and is not a single-employer plan or a multiemployer plan. Multiple-employer plans can be collectively bargained and collectively funded, but if covered by PBGC termination insurance, they must have properly elected before September 27, 1981, not to be treated as a multiemployer plan under Code section 414(f)(5) or ERISA sections 3(37)(E) and 4001(a)(3), and have not revoked that election or made an election to be treated as a multiemployer plan under Code section 414(f)(6) or ERISA section 3(37)(G). Participating employers do not file individually for multiple-employer plans.

Note. Do not check this box if all of the employers maintaining the plan are members of the same controlled group or affiliated service group under Code sections 414(b), (c), or (m).

    Multiple-employer pension plans required to file a Form 5500-SF must include an attachment using the format below that (1) lists each participating employer in the plan during the plan year, identified by name and employer identification number (EIN), and (2) includes a good faith estimate of each employer's percentage of the total contributions (including employer and participant contributions) made by all participating employers during the year. Any employer who was obligated to make contributions to the plan for the plan year, made contributions to the plan for the plan year, or whose employees were covered under the plan is a "participating employer" for this purpose. If a participating employer made no contributions, enter "-0-" in element (c).

    The attachment must be properly identified at the top with the label "Multiple-Employer Plan Participating Employer Information," and the name of the plan, EIN, and plan number (PN) as found on the plan's Form 5500-SF.

    Complete as many entries as needed to report the required information for all participating employers.

Line A - Box for One-Participant Plan. top Check this box if the Form 5500-SF is being filed for a plan that is a "one-participant plan" (see page 7). Check the one-participant plan box only for those plans that are submitting the Form 5500-SF in place of a Form 5500-EZ (on paper) to satisfy the annual return/report filing obligations under the Code. Plans checking the box for one-participant plan should not check either the box for single-employer plan or the box for multiple-employer plan. See Specific Instructions Only for "One-Participant Plans and Certain Foreign Plans."

Line A - Box for Foreign Plans. top Check this box if the Form 5500-SF is being filed for a plan that is a "foreign plan" (see page 7). Check the foreign plan box only for those plans that are submitting the Form 5500-SF in place of a Form 5500-EZ (on paper) to satisfy the annual return/report filing obligations under the Code. Plans checking the box for foreign plan should not check either the box for single-employer plan or the box for multiple-employer plan. See Specific Instructions Only for "One-Participant Plans and Certain Foreign Plans."

Line B - Box for First Return/Report. top Check this box if an annual return/report has not been previously filed for this plan. For the purpose of completing this box, the Form 5500-EZ is not considered an annual return/report.

Line B - Box for Amended Return/Report. top Check this box if you have already filed for the 2017 plan year and are now filing an amended return/report to correct errors and/or omissions on the previously filed return/report.

TIP. Check the line B box for an "amended return/report" if you filed a previous 2017 annual return/report that was given a "Filing_Received," "Filing_Error," or "Filing_Stopped" status by EFAST2. Do not check the line B box for an "amended return/report" if your previous submission attempts were not successfully received by EFAST2 because of problems with the transmission of your return/report. For more information, go to the EFAST2 website at www.efast.dol.gov or call the EFAST2 Help line at 1-866-GO-EFAST (1-866-463-3278).

If you need to file an amended return/report to correct errors and/or omissions in a previously filed annual return/report for the 2017 plan year AND you are eligible to file the Form 5500-SF, you may use the Form 5500-SF even if the original filing was a Form 5500. If you filed a Form 5500-SF, but determine that you were not eligible to file the Form 5500-SF, you must use the Form 5500 or Form 5500-EZ to amend your return/report.

Line B - Box for Final Return/Report. top Check this box if this is the final report for the plan. Only check this box if all assets under the plan (including insurance/annuity contracts) have been distributed to the participants and beneficiaries or legally transferred to the control of another plan, and when all liabilities for which benefits may be paid under a welfare benefit plan have been satisfied. Do not mark the final return/report box if you are reporting participants and/or assets at the end of the plan year. If a trustee is appointed for a terminated defined benefit pension plan pursuant to ERISA section 4042, the last plan year for which a return/report must be filed is the year in which the trustee is appointed. If you are in this situation you may contact PBGCTrusteedPlan@dol.gov for further information.

Examples:

    Mergers/Consolidations. A final return/report should be filed for the plan year (12 months or less) that ends when all plan assets were legally transferred to the control of another plan.

    Pension and Welfare Plans That Terminated Without Distributing All Assets. If the plan was terminated but all plan assets were not distributed, a return/report must be filed for each year the plan has assets. The return/report must be filed by the plan administrator, if designated, or by the person or persons who actually control the plan's assets/ property.

    Welfare Plans Still Liable To Pay Benefits. A welfare plan cannot file a final return/report if the plan is still liable to pay benefits for claims that were incurred prior to the termination date, but not yet paid. See 29 CFR 2520.104b-2(g)(2)(ii).

Line B - Box for Short Plan Year Return/Report. top Check this box if this Form 5500-SF is being filed for a plan year period of less than 12 months. Provide the dates in Part I, Plan Year Beginning and Ending.

Line C - Box for Extension and DFVC Program. top Check the appropriate box here if:

• You filed for an extension of time to file this form with the IRS using Form 5558, Application for Extension of Time To File Certain Employee Plan Returns, and maintain a copy of the Form 5558 with the filer's records.
• You are filing using the automatic extension of time to file the Form 5500-SF return/report until the due date of the federal income tax return of the employer and maintain a copy of the employer's extension of time to file the income tax return with the plan's records.
• You are filing under the DFVC Program.
• You are filing using a special extension of time to file the Form 5500-SF annual return/report that has been announced by the IRS, DOL, or PBGC. If you checked that you are using a special extension of time, enter a description of the extension of time in the space provided.

Part II - Basic Plan Information Return to top

Line 1a. top Enter the formal name of the plan or enough information to identify the plan. Abbreviate if necessary. If an annual return/report has previously been filed on behalf of the plan, regardless of the type of Form that was filed (Form 5500, Form 5500-EZ, or Form 5500-SF), use the same name or abbreviation as was used on the prior filings. Once you use an abbreviation, continue to use it for that plan on all future annual return/report filings with the IRS, DOL, and PBGC. Do not use the same name or abbreviation for any other plan, even if the first plan is terminated. If the plan has changed its name from the prior year filing(s), complete line 4 to indicate that the plan was previously identified by a different name.

Line 1b. top Enter the three-digit plan or entity number (PN) that the employer or plan administrator assigned to the plan. This three-digit number, in conjunction with the employer identification number (EIN) entered on line 2b, is used by the IRS, DOL, and PBGC as a unique 12-digit number to identify the plan.

    Start at 001 for plans providing pension benefits. Start at 501 for welfare plans. Do not use 888 or 999.

    Once you use a plan number, continue to use it for that plan on all future filings with the IRS, DOL, and PBGC. Do not use it for any other plan, even if the first plan is terminated.

Exception. If 333 (or a higher number in a sequence beginning with 333) was previously assigned to the plan, that number may be entered on line 1b.

Line 1c. top Enter the date the plan first became effective.

Line 2a. top Limit your response to the information required in each row as specified below:

1. Enter the plan sponsor's (employer, if for a single-employer plan) name, current postal address (only use a P.O. Box number if the Post Office does not deliver mail to the employer's street address), foreign routing code where applicable, and "D/B/A" (doing business as) or trade name of the employer if different from the employer's name.
2. Enter any "in care of" (C/O) name.
3. Enter the street address. A post office box number may be entered if the Post Office does not deliver mail to the sponsor's street address.
4. Enter the name of the city.
5. Enter the two-character abbreviation of the U.S. state or possession and zip code.
6. Enter the foreign routing code, if applicable. Leave U.S. state and zip code blank if entering a foreign routing code and country name.
7. Enter the foreign country, if applicable.
8. Enter the D/B/A (the doing business as) or trade name of the sponsor if different from the plan sponsor's name.
9. Enter any second address. Use only a street address here, not a P.O. Box.

Line 2b. top Enter the employer's nine-digit employer identification number (EIN). Do not use a social security number (SSN). A Form 5500-SF that is filed under ERISA is open to public inspection and the contents are public information and are subject to publication on the Internet. Because of privacy concerns, the inclusion of a social security number or any portion thereof on this line may result in the rejection of the filing.

    Employers without an EIN number must apply to the IRS for one as soon as possible. The EBSA does not issue EINs. To apply for an EIN from the IRS:

• Mail or fax Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, obtained at www.irs.gov/orderforms.
• See https://www.irs.gov/uac/Form-SS-4,-Application-for-Employer-Identification-Number-(EIN) for additional information.
• The EIN is issued immediately once the application information is validated. (The online application process is not yet available for corporations with addresses in foreign countries.)

EINs may be obtained as explained above. Plan sponsors should use the trust EIN when opening a bank account or conducting other transactions for a trust.

Line 2c. top Enter the telephone number for the plan sponsor. Use numbers only, including area code, and do not include any special characters.

Line 2d. top Enter the six-digit business code that best describes the nature of the plan sponsor's business from the list of business codes on pages 24-26. If more than one employer or employee organization is involved, enter the business code for the main business activity of the employers and/or employee organizations.

Line 3a. top Limit your response to the information required in each row as specified below:

1. Enter the name of the plan administrator unless the administrator is the sponsor identified in line 2. If both the plan administrator name and address are the same as the plan sponsor name and address, check the "Same as Plan Sponsor" box and disregard items 2 through 6 below.
2. Enter any "in care of" (C/O) name.
3. Enter the current street address. A post office box number may be entered if the Post Office does not deliver mail to the administrator's street address.
4. Enter the name of the city.
5. Enter the two-character abbreviation of the U.S. state or possession and zip code.
6. Enter the foreign routing code and foreign country, if applicable. Leave U.S. state and zip code blank if entering foreign routing code and country information.

• The person or group of persons specified as the administrator by the instrument under which the plan is operated;
• The plan sponsor/employer if an administrator is not so designated; or
• Any other person prescribed by applicable regulations if an administrator is not designated and a plan sponsor cannot be identified.

Line 3b. top Enter the plan administrator's nine-digit EIN. A plan administrator must have an EIN for Form 5500-SF reporting. If the plan administrator does not have an EIN, it must apply to the IRS for one as explained in the instructions for line 2b. One EIN should be entered for a group of individuals who are, collectively, the plan administrator.

Note. Employees of the plan sponsor who perform administrative functions for the plan are generally not the plan administrator unless specifically designated in the plan document. If an employee of the plan sponsor is designated as the plan administrator, that employee must obtain an EIN.

Line 3c. top Enter the telephone number for the plan administrator.

Line 5. top Enter in element (a) the total number of participants at the beginning of the plan year. Enter in element (b) the total number of participants at the end of the plan year. Enter in element (c) the total number of participants with account balances as of the end of the plan year. Welfare benefit plans and defined benefit plans do not complete element (c). Enter in element (d)(1) the total number of active participants at the beginning of the plan year. Enter in element (d)(2) the total number of active participants at the end of the plan year.

    The description of "participant" in the following instructions is only for purposes of these lines.

    An individual becomes a participant covered under an employee welfare benefit plan on the earliest of:

• The date designated by the plan as the date on which the individual begins participation in the plan;
• The date on which the individual becomes eligible under the plan for a benefit subject only to occurrence of the contingency for which the benefit is provided; or
• The date on which the individual makes a contribution to the plan, whether voluntary or mandatory.

1. Active participants (i.e., any individuals who are currently in employment covered by the plan and who are earning or retaining credited service under the plan). This includes any individuals who are eligible to elect to have the employer make payments under a Code section 401(k) qualified cash or deferred arrangement. Active participants also include any nonvested individuals who are earning or retaining credited service under the plan. This does not include (a) nonvested former employees who have incurred the break in service period specified in the plan or (b) former employees who have received a "cash-out" distribution or deemed distribution of their entire nonforfeitable accrued benefit.
2. Retired or separated participants receiving benefits (i.e., individuals who are retired or separated from employment covered by the plan and who are receiving benefits under the plan). This does not include any individual to whom an insurance company has made an irrevocable commitment to pay all the benefits to which the individual is entitled under the plan.
3. Other retired or separated participants entitled to future benefits (i.e., any individuals who are retired or separated from employment covered by the plan and who are entitled to begin receiving benefits under the plan in the future). This does not include any individual to whom an insurance company has made an irrevocable commitment to pay all the benefits to which the individual is entitled under the plan.
4. Deceased individuals who had one or more beneficiaries who are receiving or are entitled to receive benefits under the plan. This does not include any individual to whom an insurance company has made an irrevocable commitment to pay all the benefits to which the beneficiaries of that individual are entitled under the plan.

Line 6. top If your plan is required to file an annual return/ report, you may file the Form 5500-SF instead of the Form 5500 only if you meet all of the eligibility conditions listed below.

1. The plan (a) covered fewer than 100 participants at the beginning of the plan year 2017, or (b) under 29 CFR 2520.103-1(d) was eligible to and filed as a small plan for plan year 2016 and did not cover more than 120 participants at the beginning of plan year 2017 (see instructions for line 5 on counting the number of participants);
2. The plan did not hold any employer securities at any time during the plan year;
3. At all times during the plan year, the plan was 100% invested in certain secure, easy to value assets such as mutual fund shares, investment contracts with insurance companies and banks valued at least annually, publicly traded securities held by a registered broker dealer, cash and cash equivalents, and plan loans to participants that meet the definition of "eligible plan assets" (see the instructions for line 6a);
4. The plan is eligible for the waiver of the annual examination and report of an independent qualified public accountant (IQPA) under 29 CFR 2520.104-46 (but not by reason of enhanced bonding), which requirement includes, among others, giving certain disclosures and supporting documents to participants and beneficiaries regarding the plan's investments (see instructions for line 6b);
5. The plan is not a multiemployer plan; and
6. The plan is not required to file a Form M-1, Report for Multiple-Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs) and Certain Entities Claiming Exception (ECEs) during the plan year.

Line 6a - Eligible Plan Assets. top To be eligible to file the Form 5500-SF, all of the plan's assets must be "eligible plan assets." Answer line 6a "Yes" or "No." Do not leave this question blank. If the answer to line 6a is "No" you CANNOT file the Form 5500-SF and must file the Form 5500. See discussion under Who May File Form 5500-SF.

    For the purposes of this line, "eligible plan assets" are assets that have a readily determinable fair market value for purposes of this annual reporting requirement as described in 29 CFR 2520.103-1(c)(2)(ii)(C), are not employer securities, and are held or issued by one of the following regulated financial institutions: a bank or similar financial institution as defined in 29 CFR 2550.408b-4(c) (for example, banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations, domestic building and loan associations, and credit unions); an insurance company qualified to do business under the laws of a state; organizations registered as broker-dealers under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; or any other organization authorized to act as a trustee for individual retirement accounts under Code section 408. Examples of assets that would qualify as eligible plan assets for this annual reporting purpose are mutual fund shares, investment contracts with insurance companies or banks that provide the plan with valuation information at least annually, publicly traded stock held by a registered broker dealer, cash and cash equivalents held by a bank. Participant loans meeting the requirements of ERISA section 408(b)(1) are also "eligible plan assets" for this purpose whether or not they have been deemed distributed.

Line 6b. top In addition to all of the plan's assets being eligible plan assets as defined in line 6a, to be eligible to file the Form 5500-SF the plan also must be exempt from the requirement to be audited annually by an independent qualified public accountant (IQPA).

Line 6c. top If you are uncertain whether the plan is covered under the PBGC termination insurance program, check the box "Not determined" and contact the PBGC either by phone at 1-800-736-2444, by E-mail at standard@pbgc.gov, or in writing to Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Standard Termination Compliance Division, Suite 930, Processing and Technical Assistance Branch, 1200 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005-4026.  If you checked the box "Yes," enter the My PAA generated confirmation number for the premium filing for this plan year (see filing receipt). If you amended your premium filing for this plan year, enter the confirmation number for that filing and not for the previous filing(s). Defined contribution plans and welfare plans do not need to complete this item.

Part III - Financial Information Return to top

Note. The cash, modified cash, or accrual basis may be used for recognition of transactions in Part III, as long as you use one method consistently. Round off all amounts reported on the Form 5500-SF to the nearest dollar. Any other amounts are subject to rejection. Check all subtotals and totals carefully.

    Current value means fair market value where available. Otherwise, it means the fair value as determined in good faith under the terms of the plan by a trustee or named fiduciary, assuming an orderly liquidation at the time of the determination. See ERISA section 3(26).

Line 7 - Plan Assets and Liabilities. top Amounts reported on lines 7a, 7b, and 7c of the Form 5500-SF for the beginning of the plan year must be the same as reported for the end of the plan year for the corresponding lines on the return/report for the preceding plan year. However, if the Form 5500 was filed the previous year, the amounts reported on the Form 5500-SF, lines 7a, column (a), 7b, column (a), and 7c, column (a), should correspond to the amounts entered in lines 1a, column (b), 1b, column (b), and 1c, column (b), of the 2016 Schedule I (Form 5500) or the amounts entered in lines 1f, column (b), 1k, column (b), and 1l, column (b), of Schedule H (Form 5500) whichever schedule was filed.

Line 7a. top Enter the total amount of plan assets at the beginning of the plan year in column (a). Do not include contributions designated for the 2017 plan year in column (a).

    Enter the total amount of plan assets at the end of the plan year in column (b). Do not include in column (b) a participant loan that has been deemed distributed during the plan year under the provisions of Code section 72(p) and Treasury Regulations section 1.72(p)-1 if both the following circumstances apply: (1) Under the plan, the participant loan is treated as a directed investment solely of the participant's individual account; and (2) As of the end of the plan year, the participant is not continuing repayment under the loan.

    If the deemed distributed participant loan is included in column (a) and both of these circumstances apply, include the value of the loan as a deemed distribution on line 8e. However, if either of these two circumstances does not apply, the current value of the participant loan (including interest accruing thereon after the deemed distribution) should be included in column (b) without regard to the occurrence of a deemed distribution.

    After a participant loan that has been deemed distributed is included in the amount reported on line 8e, it is no longer to be reported as an asset on line 7a unless, in a later year, the participant resumes repayment under the loan. However, such a loan (including interest accruing thereon after the deemed distribution) that has not been repaid is still considered outstanding for purposes of applying Code section 72(p)(2)(A) to determine the maximum amount of subsequent loans. Also, the deemed distribution is not treated as an actual distribution for other purposes, such as the qualification requirements of Code section 401, including, for example, the determination of top-heavy status under Code section 416 and the vesting requirements of Treasury Regulations section 1.411(a)-7(d)(5). See Q&As 12 and 19 of Treasury Regulations section 1.72(p)-1.

    The entry on line 7a, column (b) (plan assets at end of year) must include the current value of any participant loan included as a deemed distribution in the amount reported for any earlier year if, during the plan year, the participant resumes repayment under the loan. In addition, the amount to be entered on line 8e must be reduced by the amount of the participant loan reported as a deemed distribution for the earlier year.

Line 7b. top Enter the total liabilities at the beginning and end of the plan year. Liabilities to be entered here do not include the value of future pension payments to participants. The amount to be entered in line 7b for accrual basis filers includes, among other things:

1. Benefit claims that have been processed and approved for payment by the plan but have not been paid (including all incurred but not reported (IBNR) welfare benefit claims);
2. Accounts payable obligations owed by the plan that were incurred in the normal operations of the plan but have not been paid; and
3. Other liabilities such as acquisition indebtedness and any other amount owed by the plan. 

Line 7c. top Enter the net assets as of the beginning and end of the plan year. (Subtract line 7b from 7a). Line 7c, column (b), must equal the sum of line 7c, column (a), plus lines 8i (net income (loss)) and 8j (transfers to (from) the plan).

Line 8 - Income, Expenses, and Transfers for this Plan Year. top

Line 8a. top Include the total cash contributions received and/or (for accrual basis plans) due to be received.

Line 8a(1). top Plans using the accrual basis of accounting must not include contributions designated for years before the 2017 plan year on line 8a(1).

Line 8a(2). top For welfare plans, report all employee contributions, including all elective contributions under a cafeteria plan (Code section 125). For pension plans, participant contributions, for purposes of this line item, also include elective contributions under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement (Code section 401(k)).

Line 8a(3). top Enter the current value, at date contributed, of all other contributions, including rollovers from other plans.

Line 8b. top Enter all other plan income for the plan year. Do not include transfers from other plans that are reported on line 8j. Examples of other income received and/or receivable include:

1. Interest on investments (including money market accounts, sweep accounts, etc.)
2. Dividends. (Accrual basis plans should include dividends declared for all stock held by the plan even if the dividends have not been received as of the end of the plan year.)
3. Net gain or loss from the sale of assets.
4. Other income such as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in plan assets.

Line 8c. top Enter the total of all cash contributions (line 8a(1) through line 8a(3)) and other plan income (line 8b) during the plan year. If entering a negative number, enter a minus sign ("-") to the left of the number.

Line 8d. top Include (1) payments made (and for accrual basis filers payments due) to or on behalf of participants or beneficiaries in cash, securities, or other property (including rollovers of an individual's accrued benefit or account balance). Include all eligible rollover distributions as defined in Code section 401(a)(31)(D) paid at the participant's election to an eligible retirement plan (including an IRA within the meaning of Code section 401(a)(31)(E)); (2) payments to insurance companies and similar organizations such as Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and health maintenance organizations for the provision of plan benefits (e.g., paid-up annuities, accident insurance, health insurance, vision care, dental coverage, etc.); and (3) payments made to other organizations or individuals providing benefits. Generally, these payments discussed in (3) are made to individual providers of welfare benefits such as legal services, day care services, and training and apprenticeship services. If securities or other property are distributed to plan participants or beneficiaries, include the current value as of the date of distribution.

Line 8e. top Include on this line all distributions paid during the plan year of excess deferrals under Code section 402(g)(2)(A)(ii), excess contributions under Code section 401(k)(8), and excess aggregate contributions under Code section 401(m)(6). Include allocable income distributed. Also include on this line any elective deferrals and employee contributions distributed or returned to employees during the plan year as well as any attributable income that was also distributed.

1. Under the plan, the participant loan is treated as a directed investment solely of the participant's individual account; and
2. As of the end of the plan year, the participant is not continuing repayment under the loan.

Line 8f. top The amount to be reported for expenses involving administrative service providers (salaries, fees, and commissions) includes the total fees paid (or in the case of accrual basis plans, costs incurred during the plan year but not paid as of the end of the plan year) by the plan for, among others:

1. Salaries to employees of the plan;
2. Fees and expenses for accounting, actuarial, legal, investment management, investment advice, and securities brokerage services;
3. Contract administrator fees; and
4. Fees and expenses for individual plan trustees, including reimbursement for travel, seminars, and meeting expenses.

Line 8g. top  Other expenses (paid and/or payable) include other administrative and miscellaneous expenses paid by or charged to the plan, including among others office supplies and equipment, telephone, and postage.

Line 8h. top Enter the total of all benefits paid or due reported on lines 8d and 8e and all other plan expenses reported on lines 8f and 8g during the year.

Line 8i. top Subtract line 8h from line 8c.

Line 8j. top Enter the net value of all assets transferred to and from the plan during the plan year including those resulting from mergers and spinoffs. A transfer of assets or liabilities occurs when there is a reduction of assets or liabilities with respect to one plan and the receipt of these assets or the assumption of these liabilities by another plan. Transfers out at the end of the year should be reported as occurring during the plan year.

Note. A distribution of all or part of an individual participant's account balance that is reportable on Form 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc., should not be included on line 8j but must be included in benefit payments reported on line 8d. Do not submit IRS Form 1099-R with the Form 5500-SF.

Part IV - Plan Characteristics Return to top

Line 9 - Benefits Provided Under the Plan. top In the boxes for line 9a and 9b, as appropriate, enter all applicable plan characteristics codes from the List of Plan Characteristics Codes on pages 22 and 23 that describe the characteristics of the plan being reported.

    i.Only Puerto Rico residents participate,

    ii. The trust is exempt from income tax under the laws of Puerto Rico, and

    iii. The plan administrator has not made the election under section 1022(i)(2), and, therefore, the plan is not intended to qualify under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (U.S).

Part V - Compliance Questions Return to top

Line 10. top Answer all lines either "Yes" or "No." Do not leave any answer blank unless otherwise directed. For lines 10a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and j, if the answer is "Yes," an amount must be entered.

Note. "One-participant plans" should complete only question 10g.

Line 10a. top Amounts paid by a participant or beneficiary to an employer and/or withheld by an employer for contribution to the plan are participant contributions that become plan assets as of the earliest date on which such contributions can reasonably be segregated from the employer's general assets. See 29 CFR 2510.3-102. In the case of a plan with fewer than 100 participants at the beginning of the plan year, any amount deposited with such plan not later than the 7th business day following the day on which such amount is received by the employer (in the case of amounts that a participant or beneficiary pays to an employer), or the 7th business day following the day on which such amount would otherwise have been payable to the participant in cash (in the case of amounts withheld by an employer from a participant's wages), shall be deemed to be contributed or repaid to such plan on the earliest date on which such contributions or participant loan repayments can reasonably be segregated from the employer's general assets. See 29 CFR 2510.3-102(a)(2). Plans that check "Yes," must enter the aggregate amount of all late contributions for the year. The total amount of the delinquent contributions must be included on line 10a for the year in which the contributions were delinquent and must be carried over and reported again on line 10a for each subsequent year (or on line 4a of Schedule H or I of the Form 5500 if not eligible to file the Form 5500-SF in the subsequent year) until the year after the violation has been fully corrected by payment of the late contributions and reimbursement of the plan for lost earnings or profits. If no participant contributions were received or withheld by the employer during the plan year, answer "No."

Line 10b. top Plans that check "Yes" must enter the amount. Check "Yes" if any nonexempt transaction with a party-in-interest occurred. Do not check "Yes" with respect to transactions that are: (1) statutorily exempt under Part 4 of Title I of ERISA; (2) administratively exempt under ERISA section 408(a); (3) exempt under Code sections 4975(c) or 4975(d); (4) the holding of participant contributions in the employer's general assets for a welfare plan that meets the conditions of ERISA Technical Release 92-01; or (5) delinquent participant contributions or delinquent loan repayments reported on line 10a. You may indicate that an application for an administrative exemption is pending. If you are unsure whether a transaction is exempt or not, you should consult either with a qualified public accountant, legal counsel, or both. If the plan is a qualified pension plan and a nonexempt prohibited transaction occurred with respect to a disqualified person, an IRS Form 5330 is required to be filed with the IRS to pay the excise tax on the transaction.

Note. Plans are permitted under certain conditions to purchase fiduciary liability insurance. These fiduciary liability insurance policies are not written specifically to protect the plan from losses due to dishonest acts and cannot be reported as fidelity bonds on line 10c.

Line 10d. top Check "Yes" if the plan had suffered or discovered any loss as a result of any dishonest or fraudulent act(s) even if the loss was reimbursed by the plan's fidelity bond or from any other source. If "Yes" is checked enter the full amount of the loss. If the full amount of the loss has not yet been determined, provide an estimate as determined in good faith by a plan fiduciary. You must keep, in accordance with ERISA section 107, records showing how the estimate was determined.

Caution! Willful failure to report is a criminal offense. See ERISA section 501.

Line 10e. top If any benefits under the plan are provided by an insurance company, insurance service, or other similar organization (such as Blue Cross Blue Shield or a health maintenance organization) or if the plan has investments with insurance companies such as guaranteed investment contracts (GICs), report the total of all insurance fees and commissions paid to agents, brokers and/or other persons directly or indirectly attributable to the contract(s) placed with or retained by the plan.

Line 10f. top You must check "Yes" if any benefits due under the plan were not timely paid or not paid in full. This would include required minimum distributions to 5% owners who have attained 70 1/2 whether or not retired and/or non-5% owners who have attained 70 1/2 and have retired or separated from service; see section 401(a)(9) of the Code. Include in this amount the total of any outstanding amounts that were not paid when due in previous years that have continued to remain unpaid.

ftw Note: View more guidance from the IRS here.

Note: In the absence of other guidance, filers do not need to report on this line unpaid required minimum distribution (RMD) amounts for participants who have retired or separated from service, or their beneficiaries, who cannot be located after reasonable efforts or where the plan is in the process of engaging in such reasonable efforts at the end of the plan year reporting period. Plan administrators and employers should review their plan documents for written procedures on locating missing participants. Although the Department of Labor's Field Assistance Bulletin 2014-01 is specifically applicable to terminated defined contribution plans, employers and plan administrators of ongoing plans may want to consider periodically using one or more of the search methods described in the Field Assistance Bulletin in connection with making reasonable efforts to locate RMD-eligible missing participants.

Line 10g. top You must check "Yes" if the plan had any participant loans outstanding at any time during the plan year and enter the amount outstanding as of the end of the plan year. If no participant loans are outstanding as of the end of the plan year, enter "0".

Line 10h. top Code section 401(k) and other individual account pension plans must complete line 10h. Other filers should leave line 10h blank. Check "Yes" if there was a "blackout period." A blackout period is a temporary suspension of more than three consecutive business days during which participants or beneficiaries of a 401(k) or other individual account pension plan were unable, or were limited or restricted in their ability, to direct or diversify assets credited to their accounts, obtain loans from the plan, or obtain distributions from the plan. A "blackout period" generally does not include a temporary suspension of the right of participants and beneficiaries to direct or diversify assets credited to their accounts, obtain loans from the plan, or obtain distributions from the plan if the temporary suspension is: (1) part of the regularly scheduled operations of the plan that has been disclosed to participants and beneficiaries; (2) due to a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) or because of a pending determination as to whether a domestic relations order is a QDRO; (3) due to an action or a failure to take action by an individual participant or because of an action or claim by someone other than the plan regarding a participant's individual account; or (4) by application of federal securities laws. For more information, see the DOL's regulation at 29 CFR 2520.101-3 (available at www.dol.gov/ebsa).

Line 10i. top Code section 401(k) and other individual account pension plans who answered "Yes" to line 10h must complete line 10i. Other filers should leave line 10i blank. If there was a blackout period, did you provide the required notice not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days in advance of restricting the rights of participants and beneficiaries to change their plan investments, obtain loans from the plan, or obtain distributions from the plan? If so, check "Yes." See 29 CFR 2520.101-3 for specific notice requirements and for exceptions from the notice requirement. Also, answer "Yes" if one of the exceptions to the notice requirement under 29 CFR 2520.101-3 applies.

Part VI - Pension Funding Compliance Return to top

ftw Note: Mask MB/SB for One part plan top
If you have a One-Participant Form 5500-SF that may require a Schedule MB/SB, you may not need to e-file the MB/SB. However, you may need to complete and keep it on file (see Schedule MB Instructions for Who Must File or Schedule SB Instructions for Who Must File). You will see a check box for "Mask MB/SB for One part plan", which will only be allowed to be checked if you have a one-participant plan. If you mask the MB/SB, it will not be e-filed with efast, but your client would still see the MB/SB when s/he print off the final before entering his/her credentials within the portal. Note: This does not mask attachments.

Line 11. top If "Yes" is checked, attach a completed and signed Schedule SB (Form 5500), and complete line 11a. See the instructions for the Schedule SB in the Instructions for Form 5500. If this is a defined contribution pension plan, leave blank.

Line 11a. top Enter the amount from line 40 of Schedule SB (Form 5500).

Line 12. top Check the "Yes" box if the plan is a defined contribution plan subject to the minimum funding requirements of Code section 412 and ERISA section 302. Those money purchase plans (including target benefit plans) that are amortizing a waiver of the minimum funding standard for a prior year should fill out line 12a and then skip to line 13. Those defined contribution plans answering "Yes" to the line 12 question that do not fill out line 12a should fill out lines 12b-12e.

Line 12a. top If a money purchase defined contribution plan (including a target benefit plan) has received a waiver of the minimum funding standard, and the waiver is currently being amortized, complete lines 3, 9, and 10 of Schedule MB (Form 5500). See instructions for Schedule MB in the Instructions for Form 5500. The Schedule MB for a money purchase defined contribution plan does not need to be signed by an enrolled actuary.

Line 12b. top The minimum required contribution for a money purchase defined contribution plan (including a target benefit plan) for a plan year is the amount required to be contributed for the year under the formula set forth in the plan document. If there is an accumulated funding deficiency for a prior year that has not been waived, that amount should also be included as part of the contribution required for the current year.

Line 12c. top Include all contributions for the plan year made not later than 8  1/2 months after the end of the plan year. Show only contributions actually made to the plan by the date the form is filed. For example, do not include receivable contributions for this purpose.

Line 12d. top If the minimum required contribution exceeds the contributions for the plan year made not later than 8 1/2 months after the end of the plan year, the excess is an accumulated funding deficiency for the plan year. File IRS Form 5330, Return of Excise Taxes Related to Employee Benefit Plans, with the IRS to pay the excise tax on the deficiency. There is a penalty for not filing Form 5330 on time.

Line 12e. top Check "Yes" if the minimum required contribution remaining in line 12d will be made not later than 8 1/2 months after the end of the plan year. If "Yes," and contributions are actually made by this date, then there will be no reportable deficiency and IRS Form 5330 will not need to be filed.

Part VII - Plan Terminations and Transfers of Assets Return to top

Line 13a. top Check "Yes" if a resolution to terminate the plan was adopted during this or any prior plan year, unless the termination was revoked and no assets reverted to the employer. If "Yes" is checked, enter the amount of plan assets that reverted to the employer during the plan year in connection with the implementation of such termination. Enter "0" if no reversion occurred during the current plan year.

Caution! A Form 5500 or a Form 5500-SF must be filed for each year the plan has assets, and, for a welfare benefit plan, if the plan is still liable to pay benefits for claims incurred before the termination date, but not yet paid. See 29 CFR 2520.104b-2(g)(2)(ii).

Line 13b. top Check "Yes" if all of the plan assets (including insurance/annuity contracts) were distributed to the participants and beneficiaries, legally transferred to the control of another plan, or brought under the control of the PBGC.

Line 13c. top Enter information concerning assets and/or liabilities transferred from this plan to another plan(s) (including spinoffs) during the plan year. A transfer of assets or liabilities occurs when there is a reduction of assets or liabilities with respect to one plan and the receipt of these assets or the assumption of these liabilities by another plan. Enter the name, plan sponsor EIN, and PN of the transferee plan(s) involved on lines 13c(1), c(2), and c(3).

    Do not use a social security number in place of an EIN or include an attachment that contains visible social security numbers. The Form 5500-SF is open to public inspection, and the contents are public information and are subject to publication on the Internet. Because of privacy concerns, the inclusion of a social security number or any portion thereof on this Form 5500-SF may result in the rejection of the filing.

Note. A distribution of all or part of an individual participant's account balance that is reportable on Form 1099-R should not be included on line 13c. Do not submit Form 1099-R with the Form 5500-SF.

Caution! IRS Form 5310-A, Notice of Plan Merger or Consolidation, Spinoff, or Transfer of Plan Assets or Liabilities; Notice of Qualified Separate Lines of Business, must be filed at least 30 days before any plan merger or consolidation or any transfer of plan assets or liabilities to another plan. There is a penalty for not filing IRS Form 5310-A on time. In addition, a transfer of benefit liabilities involving a plan covered by PBGC insurance may be reportable to the PBGC. See PBGC Form 10, Post-Event Notice of Reportable Event, and PBGC Form 10-Advance, Advance Notice of Reportable Event (see the "Reportable Events and Large Unpaid Contributions" section of the Practitioners page on PBGC's website, which is available at www.pbgc.gov/practitioners).