A plan sponsor/employer or the plan administrator must electronically sign Forms 5500 and 5500-SF before submitting the returns. The forms may be signed by an authorized plan service provider using the additional ¡°e-signature option.¡± The electronic filing system will reject forms not properly signed, potentially resulting in penalties for the plan.
Starting January 1, 2013, Forms 5500 and 5500-SF that have a missing or invalid electronic signature will receive a filing status of ¡°unprocessable.¡±
When is an electronic signature valid?
Any individual who e-signs an original or amended return must have a valid EFAST2 User ID and PIN. See the for questions and answers regarding EFAST2-issued UserIDs and PINs.
Authorized Service Providers e-signing new or amended forms must:
- have specific written authorization from the plan administrator,
- have the plan administrator manually sign a paper copy of the completed new or amended form, and
- attach a PDF copy of the manually signed new or amended form to the filing (DOL will include the image of the manual signature in their online database.)
Check the return¡¯s filing status and make signature corrections
After submitting the form, check its filing status for error messages. If the filing status is "Unprocessable,¡± electronically sign and re-submit the original filing.
Amending returns
Follow the to electronically amend a previously filed return. Keep a copy of the manually signed Form 5500 or
Related
- for Form 5500 series returns, including Form 5500-SF, Short Form Annual Return/Report of Small Employee Benefit Plan
- , including Qs on electronic signature requirements