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EFAST is a computerized processing system that is designed to
simplify and expedite the receipt and processing of the Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ by
relying on computer scannable forms and electronic filing technologies. The Form 5500 and
Form 5500-EZ are filed each year by more than one million pension and other
employee benefit plans to satisfy annual reporting requirements under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code.
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The Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) created the EFAST system in conjunction with
the development of computer scannable versions of the Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ in order to
streamline the forms and the methods by which they are filed and processed.
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The Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ are available in two computer scannable
formats: machine print and hand print (the questions are the same; only the appearance
is different).
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The EFAST system accepts Machine Print forms, official
government-produced Hand Print forms, and computer-generated Hand Print forms.
Filers completing the Form 5500 or 5500-EZ by hand or
typewriter must use the official government-produced Hand Print forms. The EFAST
system uses optical character recognition technology to scan the data entries in
gray “drop out ink” boxes on these specially designed Hand Print forms. The
boxes enable the computer to read the manual entries on the forms. The official
government-produced Hand Print forms are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, by calling: 1.800.TAX.FORM (1.800.829.3676).
Private sector vendors have developed computer software that
may be used to complete either the Machine Print forms or computer-generated
Hand Print forms.
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Once printed out with approved software,
the Machine Print forms include a 1D bar code and a 2D bar code that appear
on every page of the filing. The 1D bar code includes basic identifying
information, for example, it tells the computer which page of the form it is
scanning. The 2D bar code encrypts the data printed on the page for easy
computerized capture of the information submitted.
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Computer-generated Hand Print forms are
also completed using approved software, but print out with only a 1D bar
code. Computer-generated Hand Print forms cannot be printed out
blank, or
with limited information, and then completed by pen or typewriter. EFAST
uses optical character recognition technology to scan these forms but the
computer-generated Hand Print forms do not print the gray “drop-out ink”
boxes that tell the filer where to place data on the forms.
Check EFAST Software and
Approved Vendors for updates regarding approved
software. Be sure to note whether the vendor’s software is approved to
produce 2D (Machine Print) or 1D (computer-generated Hand Print) forms.
Machine Print forms can be filed by mail or electronically,
but the Hand Print and computer-generated Hand Print forms can be filed only by
mail.
Informational copies of the hand print forms and the machine print forms are available at
Forms and Publications.
These copies are on the EFAST Web site for viewing purposes only and are not acceptable for filing.
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Yes, in some instances. Even if the non-standard filing
is not rejected, it may trigger edit test failures and
cause EBSA to send the filer correspondence regarding incomplete or
inconsistent data.
To ensure the integrity of public disclosure for
participants, beneficiaries and others who examine and study the annual
returns/reports, all forms and schedules must meet certain minimum
standards. Accordingly, we want to encourage filers who do not want to use
the official government produced versions of the hand-print forms to use
approved software from one of the vendors listed on the EFAST Web site. We
are making the official forms widely available -- the Form 5500 and Form
5500-EZ packages, including a set of the official hand print forms, is
automatically mailed to those on our list of prior year filers and the
official hand print forms are available from the IRS by calling 1.800.TAX.FORMS.
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Paper forms must be obtained from the IRS or printed using
software from an EFAST approved software developer. Filings using photocopies of approved
forms or other substitute forms may be returned or cause correspondence requiring additional
information.
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Software vendors that choose to participate are given the necessary
specifications by EFAST to develop their own products and market approved software. Some
approved software will include specifications that will allow you to file your Form 5500
or 5500-EZ electronically.
You can check the EFAST Web site for a list of approved software developers.
EFAST continues to receive calls from potential software developers and is providing software
specifications to those who request them.
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Filers using approved software will assist the government by
reducing paper to be processed and eliminating the need for data entry. This reduces data
entry errors, increases filing compliance, and should result in a savings of staff hours and
money.
The software will also assist the filer. Most software should provide many
error-checking functions that can help filers avoid common mistakes. This may prevent a
filing from being rejected.
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There are two options for filing:
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Filing Electronically - Using EFAST approved computer software,
you can submit your Form 5500 or 5500-EZ by modem transfer or file transfer
protocol if you are an approved EFAST
transmitter or you use an approved EFAST transmitter. You can also mail a computer diskette,
CD-ROM or magnetic tape to the Lawrence, Kansas address listed below. See EFAST
A - User's Guide for Electronic/Magnetic Media Filing
of Forms 5500/5500-EZ.
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Filing on Paper - You can use EFAST approved computer software to print out the form on only
one-side of standard 8˝ by 11 inch paper and file it by mail to the Lawrence, Kansas
address listed below.
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Each of these involves the filing of a Form EFAST-1 application.
All electronic filers must obtain an electronic signature. To file via modem, EFAST
transmitter authorization is also required. See below for further information.
An EFAST electronic signature (PIN) is obtained by submitting a completed Form EFAST-1 application. This form must be signed by the individual who signs the Form 5500 or Form 5500-EZ. An individual who signs a Form 5500 for more than one plan needs only one PIN.
An EFAST Transmitter is any company, trade, business, or other
person that transmits Forms 5500 and/or 5500-EZ for filing via modem in compliance with EFAST electronic filing procedures. The application for EFAST Transmitter must be signed
by an authorized representative of the company, trade, business, or other person submitting the application.
An EFAST Software Developer is a company, trade, business, or other person that creates, programs, or otherwise modifies computer software to be used to complete Forms 5500 and/or Forms 5500-EZ in compliance with EFAST specifications. The application for EFAST software developer must be signed by an authorized representative of the company, trade, business, or other person submitting the application.
A copy of the Form EFAST-1 can be viewed and downloaded on this
Web site.
Downloaded copies of the Form EFAST-1 can be completed by using a computer or by hand and
mailed to EBSA at the following address:
Employee Benefits Security Administration
P.O. Box 7047
Lawrence Kansas 60644-7047
You may also send it by private delivery service to:
Employee Benefits Security Administration
Attn: EFAST-1
3833 Greenway Drive
Lawrence, Kansas 66046-1290
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File the Form 5500, with any required schedules,
statements, and attachments, to the following addresses:
By Mail Using Paper:
Employee Benefits Security Administration
P.O. Box 7043
Lawrence, Kansas 66044-7043
By Mail
Using Floppy Disc, CD ROM or Tape:
Employee Benefits Security Administration
P.O. Box 7041
Lawrence, Kansas 66044-7041
By Private Delivery Service:
Employee Benefits Security Administration/NCS
Attn: EFAST
3833 Greenway Drive
Lawrence, Kansas 66046-1290
File the Form 5500-EZ, with any required schedules,
statements, and attachments, to the following addresses:
By Mail Using Paper:
Employee Benefits Security Administration
P.O. Box 7042
Lawrence, Kansas 66044-7042
By Mail
Using Floppy Disc, CD ROM or Tape:
Employee Benefits Security Administration
P.O. Box 7041
Lawrence, Kansas 66044-7041
By Private Delivery Service:
Employee Benefits Security Administration/NCS
Attn: EFAST
3833 Greenway Drive
Lawrence, Kansas 66046-1290
As of July 1, 2001, all Forms 5500 (including 1998 and prior year
Forms 5500, 5500-C/R, and 5500-EZ) must be filed either electronically or at
the EFAST addresses specified above.
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Filers may request an extension by filing Form 5558 with the IRS.
Approved copies of the Form 5558 will not be returned to the filer. However, a copy of the
extension request that was filed must be attached to your filing.
Under certain conditions, filers may also be eligible for extensions relating to an extension of time to file their federal income tax return, Presidentially-declared disasters, or service or support of Armed Forces of the United States in a combat zone. See
the Form 5500 instructions for further information on these extensions.
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Yes. All Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ filings are subject to
preliminary computerized edit checks that check for things such as completeness, accuracy,
timeliness, internal consistency, missing schedules or attachments, and failure to answer
mandatory questions.
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When errors are identified, a filer may receive a deficiency
letter from EBSA regarding the error and requesting that corrections be made. A filer's refusal
to resolve filing errors can result in the rejection of their filing and exposure to
assessment of civil and other penalties.
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Do not send any payment with the Form 5500 or Form 5500-EZ
submitted to EFAST.
Payments due should be made directly to the appropriate government agency, in accordance
with any applicable rules or procedures.
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The toll-free EFAST
Help Line telephone
number, 1.866.463.3278 provides assistance in the following
areas:
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Inquiries regarding correspondence
received from EBSA about EFAST processing of Form 5500 or
5500-EZ filing;
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General inquiries regarding the filing
of the Form 5500 or 5500-EZ;
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Problems or questions about
electronic filing; and
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Confirming EFAST's
receipt of submitted forms.
Customer service representatives are available
at this toll free number Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to
8:00 pm Eastern Time except for federal holidays. Answers to
frequently asked questions as well as a voice mail service are
available at this number 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Calls left in the voice mail system will be returned the next
business day.
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EFAST Help Line, 1.866.463.3278
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