Mailing Form 5500

[Guest rachd]

This is probably a very quick and easy question but I cannot find anything stating one way or the other.

Should/Can 5500's be mailed via certified mail? What about Return Receipt or Delivery Confirmation? Or does it even matter?

In the past, we've just mailed them First Class but since I'm reassessing how we do everything, I figured we might as well do this right (if we aren't).

Thanks!!

Rachel

[E as in ERISA]

In my prior job, we had on occasion used the certified mail/return receipt to prove timely mailing of a return that the IRS said was late. (Sometimes it seems that when they are sending a notice for another reason, they will automatically "late filing" to anything that was received into the department more than five days or so after a deadline.)

[Guest F1fan]

Do yourself a favor, and file them Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. It is not required, but the slight increase in cost is well worth it, especially when you can prove a form was timely filed. You should note that accounting firms that prepare Forms 5500 for clients always recommend filing this way. Filing electronically is also an option, but I do not have any experience in that method.

[Theresa Lynn]

Also have the USPS imprint its own postmark on the package. If you use a postage meter, use white postage tape so that the USPS also imprints its own postmark. An internal postage meter imprint is not the same as a postmark.