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News Release

U.S. Department of Labor, IRS and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Extend Annual Reports Deadline After Hurricane Isabel

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation today announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ annual returns/reports due to property damage, destruction and power outages that resulted from Hurricane Isabel.

“Hurricane Isabel severely damaged many businesses at a time when a majority of employee benefit plans are due to file annual financial reports,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor Ann L. Combs. “In recognition of the hardship suffered by employers, plan administrators and other benefit professionals affected by the hurricane, it is necessary to give additional time to meet plan filing obligations.”

The extension applies to plan administrators, employers and other entities located in areas directly affected as identified in IRS’s Tax Relief at www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=113066,00.html. The extension also applies to filers located outside the affected areas who were unable to obtain the necessary information from service providers, banks or insurance companies whose operations were directly affected by the hurricane.

Under this relief, Form 5500 series filings required to be filed on or between September 18, 2003 and November 18, 2003 are granted an extension until November 18, 2003.

Filers entitled to this extension of relief should check Part 1, Box D, on the Form 5500 or Part 1, Box B on Form 5500-EZ, and attach a statement labeled “Hurricane Isabel 2003” explaining the basis for the extension being claimed under this relief. Filers who have additional questions may contact the EFAST Help Line at 1.866.463.3278.

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Agency
Employee Benefits Security Administration
Date
September 24, 2003
Release Number
03-27