As a plan sponsor, you are responsible for ensuring that your plan’s Form 5500’s annual filing is on time. Even if your third-party administrator or someone else files the Form 5500 on your behalf, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring that your Form 5500 is filed timely. If your plan requires an audit, make sure that you attach a copy of the audited financial statements to your Form 5500 to ensure your filling is complete.
If your plan year end is December 31st, then the deadline to file is July 31st. If you are unable to file by this date, you can file for an extension for up to two and a half months by filing a Form 5558. This will extend the filing period to October 15th. If your plan is not a calendar year-end, see below to see when your Form 5500 is due.
5500 Deadlines for Non-Calendar Year-End Plans
| Plan-Year End | Filing Deadline | Extension Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1/31 | 8/31 | 11/15 |
| 2/28 | 9/30 | 12/15 |
| 3/31 | 10/31 | 1/15 |
| 4/30 | 11/30 | 2/15 |
| 5/30 | 12/31 | 3/15 |
| 6/30 | 1/31 | 4/15 |
| 7/31 | 2/28 | 5/15 |
| 8/31 | 3/31 | 6/15 |
| 9/30 | 4/30 | 7/15 |
| 10/31 | 5/31 | 8/15 |
| 11/30 | 6/30 | 9/15 |
Other Deadlines for Calendar Year-End Plans
- 3/15 – Deadline for processing corrective distributions for failed actual deferral percentage (ADP)/actual contribution percentage (ACP) test without 10% excise tax.
- 3/15 – Deadline for filing corporate tax returns and contribution deadline for deductibility (without extension).
- 4/15 – Deadline for corrective distributions as a result of 402(g) excess contributions.
- 7/31 – Deadline for Form 5330 – Return of Excise Taxes Related to Employee Benefit Plans. This form is used to report and pay excise taxes on prohibited transactions.
- 9/30 – Deadline for distribution of Summary Annual Report (SAR) to participants. If the Form 5500 was extended, you are allowed an additional two months after the due date of the Form 5500 or December 15th.
- 12/1 - Deadline for sending annual 401(k) and (m) safe harbor notice, annual qualified default investment alternative (QDIA) notice and annual automatic contribution arrangement notice.
Filing a Form 5500 is an important requirement for employers offering employee benefit plans. By understanding and adhering to the deadlines, you can avoid penalties and ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines. For more information on Employee Benefit Plan Form 5500 filing services, please contact a member of the Employee Benefit Plan team.
Contact Us
For more information about Form 5500 and associated due dates, please contact a member of Withum’s Employee Benefit Plan Services Team.
