Media Release

Release Date: 12/29/2000
Release Number: USDL 01-13
Contact Name: Gloria Della
Phone Number: 202.219.8921

Agencies Release Year 2000 Form 5500 And Form 5500-EZ

The Department of Labor's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration (PWBA), the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation today released information copies of the Form 5500 return/reports, schedules and instructions to be used by employee benefit plans for plan year 2000 filings. The Internal Revenue Service has also released information copies of the Form 5500-EZ return to be used by certain one-participant retirement plans for plan year 2000 filings. The instructions for Form 5500-EZ will be issued shortly.

The Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ for plan year 2000 are essentially unchanged from 1999. Certain changes were made to reflect changes in the law, improve forms processing and clarify the instructions. These include, among other things:

• replacement of the "green drop-out ink" used in the 1999 Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ "hand print" forms with "gray scale" versions (black ink with gray shading)
• the 2000 hand print forms will be able to be completed using EFAST approved software
• the instructions include an expanded list of tips to help filers reduce the likelihood of filing errors under the ERISA Filing Acceptance System (EFAST)

Starting in late February, the Internal Revenue Service will mail the annual Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ package to filers. Information copies of the forms, schedules and instructions are available on PWBA's website at www.efast.dol.gov. The list of approved software vendors on the EFAST website will be updated as software is approved for plan year 2000 filings. For assistance, filers also can contact PWBA's Help Desk at 202/219-8770.

U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Internet. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the Central Office for Assistive Services and Technology. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202.693.7773 or TTY 202.693.7775.