5500 E-file: Using the EFAST2 System

Filing Options

There are two filing methods in EFAST2:

EFAST2-approved third-party software
IFILE (DOL’s free web-based filing tool).

Users have available to them several options for combining these methods of preparing and transmitting filings. For example, users can:

Prepare and transmit their filings using EFAST2-approved third-party software.
Prepare filings using EFAST2-approved third-party software and then import and submit the filings through IFILE if the third-party software supports exporting.
Prepare filings using IFILE and then import and submit the filings through EFAST2-approved third party software if the third-party software supports importing.
Prepare and submit their filings through IFILE.

Delinquent or Amended Filings

For Amended Filings

Start with the original version you submitted.
Make the necessary amendments.
Check the box for “amended return/report” in Part I.
Resubmit the entire annual return/report, including all needed schedules and attachments.

For Delinquent or Amended Filings (Prior to 2015)

Delinquent and amended filings of Title I plans must be submitted electronically through EFAST2 and cannot be submitted on paper.

To submit a delinquent or amended Form 5500 return/report electronically through EFAST2 for plan years prior to 2015, you must submit the filing using current filing year Form 5500, schedules, and instructions except for the exceptions provided in the following paragraph. The current filing year forms take the place of the Form 5500 pages that would have been included in the prior year’s filings. The e-file on the current filing year Form 5500 must indicate, in the appropriate space at the beginning of the Form 5500, the plan year for which the annual return/report is being filed.

For plan years 2015 and later, make any necessary amendments to the original version you submitted, check the box for “amended return/report” in Part I, and resubmit the entire annual return/report, including all required schedules and attachments.

Exceptions to requirement to use current filing year schedules and instructions: Filers using EFAST2 must use the following correct-year schedules (that is, the plan year for which the annual return/report relates) completed in accordance with the related correct-year instructions:

Schedule B, SB, or MB (Actuarial Information)
Schedule E (ESOP Annual Information)
Schedule P (Annual Return of Fiduciary of Employee Benefit Trust)
Schedule R (Retirement Plan Information)
Schedule T (Qualified Pension Plan Coverage Information).

For example, if you are filing a delinquent 2007 Form 5500 return/report for a defined benefit pension plan, you must include the 2007 Schedule B, Schedule R and all required attachments for these schedules. Attach them as PDF images to the current filing year Form 5500, tagging them as “other attachments.”

You also have the option of using either the current filing year or the correct-year (2007 in this example) Schedule C. Since the Schedule E would not apply to a defined benefit plan and the Schedule P and Schedule T did not apply for 2007 plan year filings, all other required schedules and attachments should be completed using current filing year forms and instructions. The entire filing should then be e-filed in accordance with EFAST2 e-file requirements.

Obtaining Correct-Year Schedules and Related Instructions

The Department of Labor has created a comprehensive tool to help you pick the correct version of the forms for delinquent and amended returns.

Go to http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/5500main.html, and click the Form 5500 Version Selection Tool from the Quick Links on the right side of the dialog. Links to the correct forms and instructions are included on this site.

Do not attach any Schedule SSA to any filing with EFAST2. You must submit the most current year Form 8955-SSA to the IRS (along with all required attachments).

Do not send any penalty payments associated with a delinquent filing to EFAST2. Penalty payments to the IRS or made under the Department’s Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance (DFVC) Program must be submitted separately in accordance with the applicable requirement.

Unique Numbers Assigned by the E-file System

AckID The Acknowledgement ID (AckID) is a system-generated identifier that uniquely identifies a received submission that has completed EFAST2 processing. The original AckID is required when amending a filing if the original filing was submitted through EFAST2. If you used our software to e-file the original return, then this information will be readily available.

Filing Deadlines and Extension Requests

The deadline for plans to file a Form 5500/5500-SF/5500-EZ is the last day of the seventh month after the close of the plan year. Users needing more time to file can request an extension on or before the filing due date. Detailed information on requesting filing extensions can be found in the publications Instructions for Form 5500/5500-SF/5500-EZ and at the EFAST2 web site (https://www.efast.dol.gov/).

With EFAST2, filers are no longer required to attach a copy of IRS Form 5558, Application for Extension of Time to File Certain Employee Plan Returns, or any other extension request form to their Form 5500/5500-SF/5500-EZ filing or an explanation of a special extension. Filers now merely check the box on Form 5500/5500-SF/5500-EZ and, if applicable, enter a description of the special extension. Plans still must file Form 5558 (or other applicable extension request form) with the IRS and keep with their records a copy of the form.

If a filing is late, a filer may choose to attach an explanation for filing late in the “Reasonable Cause” attachment. If a government review finds that the filer had a reasonable explanation for filing late, late filing penalties may be waived.

E-file/5500_ef_using_efast2.htm/TY2020

Last Modified: 12/16/2020

Last System Build: 09/13/2021