Understanding Form 5500 and the complex laws and regulations needed to correctly file can save your company time, money and help maintain tax benefits for the plan and participants. From filing your Form 5500 for your plan to correction planning and recognizing filing deadlines, streamline your Form 5500 filing process.
Our team of Form 5500 specialists can help guide you through:
- Filing Form 5500 complete and on time
- Correction plan determination if you've missed a deadline
- Correcting plan errors to remain in compliance with DOL and IRS
Understanding Form 5500 Filings
What is the Form 5500?
The Form 5500 is part of ERISA’s overall reporting and disclosure framework to ensure that employee benefit plans operate in accordance with certain standards and regulations.
It also ensures participants, beneficiaries and regulators have access to sufficient information to protect the rights and benefits of participants and beneficiaries under EBPs.
Costly Penalties
If you failed to file Form 5500 for this past tax year or previous tax years, your organization may be subject to penalties from both the IRS and the DOL.
- The IRS penalty for late filing of a 5500-series return is $250 per day, up to a maximum of $150,000.
- The DOL penalty for late filing can run up to $2,670 per day, with no maximum.
Who is Required to File?
A return/report must be filed every year for every pension benefit plan, welfare benefit plan, and for every entity that files as a Direct Filing Entity.
If you are a small plan (generally under 100 participants at the beginning of the plan year), you may be eligible to file the Form 5500-SF instead of the Form 5500. For one participant plans, Form 5500-EZ should be filed.
More Employee Benefit Plan Tax Services
In addition to Form 5500 filing assistance, our Employee Benefit Plan Tax experts can help you with:
- 403(b) and 457(b) Plan Compliance
- Consulting on all types of qualified employee benefits and retirement plans
- Form 720 Excise Tax/PCORI Fees (self-insured plans)
- IRS/DOL representation for examinations
- Termination plan procedures and finding missing participants
- VEBA trust issues
Why Choose Withum?
Withum’s Employee Benefit Plan Tax Services Team provides filing preparation and compliance services for companies with all types of employee benefit plans, including defined benefit, defined contribution, and welfare benefit plans as well as entities filing as a Direct Filing Entity. We have conducted 1,100+ Benefit Plan Audits, have more than 250 specialized team members and understand the critical issues that impact the industry, whether you have a small or large benefit plan.
Expert Guidence
Companies choose Withum for our specialized ERISA team member training, experience and expertise. We can address the needs of your employee benefit plan, from Form 5500 filing services and beyond, through our extensive plan experience.
Tailored Solutions
Every business is unique. We offer personalized solutions to meet the critical issues that impact your business. To further discuss your Form 5500 preparation and filing, contact Withum’s Employee Benefit Plan Tax Services Team.
