Skip to main content
Home » Articles » Common Mistakes Found on Form 5500 Filing
Department of LaborDOLTax Laws

Common Mistakes Found on Form 5500 Filing

February 21, 2023September 7th, 2023

Are you at Risk?

COMMON MISTAKES FOUND ON FORM 5500 FILINGEvery year the Department of Labor (DOL) sends out thousands of edit check letters (notices) and rejects hundreds of Form 5500 returns due to common mistakes such as…

  • Failure to use EFAST2 approved software
  • Failure to attach all required schedules and attachments to the return before filing
  • Failure to completely answer multiple part questions
  • Failure to properly reference supplemental information and attachments
  • Failure to use the proper EIN and Plan Number
  • Filing returns for a period of more than 12 months
  • Filing final returns with assets, liabilities and/or participants
  • Failure to use a valid “Business Code” that describes the nature of an employer’s business
  • Failure to use the proper “Plan Characteristics” for employee benefits provided by the plan
  • Failure to run validation in vendor software before attempting to submit the return
  • Failure to correctly enter the DOL user ID and PIN when signing the return

If you think your Form 5500 filing may be at risk, contact 5500Tax Group for a Complimentary Return Review. We focus exclusively on employee benefit tax, compliance issues, ERISA laws and regulation changes.

Contact 5500Tax Group to discuss your particular situation.

E Powell-Seubert & Associates, Inc.

Ann at 5500 Tax Group has been a great partner for the past twelve plus years.  We find the process in working with 5500 Tax Group for client Form 5500 filing requirements has been simple, efficient, and timely. Ann has been particularly helpful in guiding mutual clients through the Department of Labor Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program (DFVCP) with an easily understood step-by-step explanation for all parties involved. We look forward to working with Ann for many years to come.

Briones, Briones International

Amy, Thank you for years of extremely knowledge and professional guidance regarding retirement plans including the filing of form 5500.  You have made the myriad of IRS regulations and alphabet soup understandable for a civilian. I am truly grateful for your patience and never hesitating to answer dumb questions.  Any client seeking your guidance and advice will be beyond pleased with your services.

S Herrle-Henderson Brothers, Inc.

Ann Myers has been a trusted advisor and our Form 5500 filing partner for well over 15 years.   As leading experts in the Employee Benefits industry with a significant number of local and national clients, we rely heavily on Ann to prepare a large number of health and welfare 5500 forms every year for our clients.   Regardless of whether she is providing guidance for a client that is filing for the first time, suggesting changes on what should be reported in a 5500 form, providing strategy to remedy a noncompliant plan, or walking an employer through the DFVCP filing process, we know our clients are receiving the best advice from one of the most knowledgeable experts in the industry.

M Fair-USI Insurance Services

Our team has worked with Ann Myers and the 5500 Tax Group for many years. Ann makes the whole 5500 process as painless as possible and personally engages with each client. We have continued to use Ann for the “personal” touch and level of details that Ann brings to her work. Our team has 100% confidence in Ann executing on filings, details and deadline. Ann brings a positive attitude, years of experience and her expertise to every engagement. Our client and team enjoy working with Ann and USI would absolutely serve as a reference.

W Wang-L&W Infoserve Co.

In June 2022, we received IRS notices with huge penalties (~$200K) as they didn’t receive F5500 – Annual Report of Employee Benefit Plan for 2019 and 2020 for our S Corporation.  We immediately started working with Amy Boyd from 5500 Tax Group.  Amy answered our questions with great patience, provided clear guidance and took appropriate actions on communicating with IRS.  With a lot of time and effort, she helped us resolve this issue that gave us so much stress.  We are grateful for her assistance and highly recommend her services.  She is professional, efficient, and friendly.

A Cox-Wabtec

Wabtec has worked with Ann Myers of the 5500Tax Group, Inc. for the past 15 years.  She manages all of the details for our 5500 preparation.  She prepares the 5500s for our Pension Plan, Savings Plan, and various Health and Welfare plans.  She also completes the PCORI filings and Summary Annual Reports.  All is done efficiently, effectively, and reasonably priced.  Ann coordinates with our auditors, record keepers, and our ERISA attorneys to gather all required information and get any answers required.  Definitely recommend!