Amended 5500 and nonaffected Schedules

[mwyatt]

Just got off the phone with EBSA over a bounced return. We filed a 2000 Form 5500 for a defined benefit pension plan on a timely basis back in 2001. We then had to amend the Schedule I to reflect corrected asset information received by the client. This only affected Schedule I, so we filed an amended Form 5500 (only change was to check the box that this was an amended return) and the amended Schedule I with corrected items circled in red.

Client just received a letter from EBSA stating that the Schedule B was not filed. After discussion with EBSA representative, the following was concluded:

Form was bounced because the amended Form 5500 did not have a Schedule B attached, based on responses to item 10 (which indicates which schedules are enclosed with return).

He did verify that Schedule B was received and in the system.

What you should do on an amended Form 5500 is blank out your prior responses to item 10 and then only complete the amended schedules that are attached (which seems a little counterintuitive to me since one could argue that you are then "amending" item 10 to show that these unaffected schedules are not part of the filing).

Just a word for the wise (not sure why the EBSA software didn't also issue a letter that schedules P, R, and T weren't included - but who knows).

[KateSmithPA]

I had to amend a few plans this year. It was the first time I had ever filed amended returns. I read the directions in my Form 5500 Booklet. They say, "Only identify schedules that are being amended on line 10 of Form 5500." Since both my amended 5500's only had changes to the Schedule I, I only marked the box in front of Schedule I on line 10 of Form 5500. I hope this helps.

[Guest rachd]

Should all changes be circled/noted in some way on the amended return?

[KateSmithPA]

There is nothing in the very limited instructions that says to circle anything. I did not. But then, this is my first experience with amended returns.