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Guidelines for Filing Form 5500 – Due 7/31 for 12/31 plan year-ends

Updated: Apr 30, 2021

Form 5500 is due July 31st for plans that have a December 31st year-end and $250,000 or more in plan (not account) assets as of 12/31 for the previous year. That’s only three months away, and it never hurts to start planning ahead! The Department of Labor has published several useful resources that can be found below including help to determine what type of form to use, a quick start guide, and instructions for filing.


This information was pulled from the DOL's website: Help With The Form 5500-EZ - EFAST2 Filing (dol.gov)

“Beginning January 1, 2021, the Form 5500-SF must no longer be used to electronically file “one-participant” plan or foreign plan annual returns. Employers who sponsor one-participant plans or foreign plans must file Form 5500-EZ electronically using the Department of Labor’s EFAST2 filing system. Only employers not subject to the IRS e-filing requirements under Treas. Reg. 301.6058-2 may file paper Form 5500-EZ with the IRS.

The Form 5500 Version Selection tool can help determine if you are eligible to file the Form 5500-EZ.


Beginning January 1, 2021, the Form 5500-EZ can be filed electronically using certain EFAST2-approved third-party software or using this website’s IFILE tool. The Form 5500 Series Quick Start Guide provides an overview of how to file. For more detailed information on how to file, see the EFAST2 FAQs and other publications.