Each year, employers must file an annual report with the Department of Labor (DOL) for their ERISA covered employee benefit plans, unless a filing exemption applies. The annual reporting obligation is generally satisfied by filing the Form 5500 “Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan,” including all required schedules and attachments. The Form 5500, including required schedules and attachments, must be filed electronically using the DOL’s EFAST2 electronic filing system.
The Form 5500 must be filed by the last day of the seventh month following the end of the plan year unless an extension applies. For calendar year plans, the deadline is normally July 31 of the following year. An employer may request a one-time extension of 2.5 months by filing IRS Form 5558 by the normal due date of the Form 5500. If the Form 5558 is filed on or before the normal due date of the Form 5500 or 5500-SF, the extension is automatically granted.