EFAST filing of 5500, etc

[Dinosaur]

Are they many out there electronically filing the Form 5500, etc using EFAST? We have not tried it yet. It's not required until the plan year beginning in 2010 (or it is 2009?) but I was wondering if has been a time consuming process. Some clients, especially small ones, like to receive the forms in the mail, sign it, mail it and not have to deal with applying for an e-signature.

We use Relius to generate our Form 5500's.

Also, how about attachments. How are the attachments sent with the filing?

[Guest Deflector]

I have not done an e-filing for 5500 forms (and do not plan on it until the last possible minute).

However, I use Relius forms and for some of the PBGC plans we have, we do the upload method. This allows us to upload the file and not have the client have an e-signature. We send the client a copy of the forms to sign and keep on record (and return a signed copy to us), then upload them. I am hoping the the 5500 will have a similar method to this. Some of our small clients even tell me what their email address is, so it will be a struggle to figure out how to e-sign and e-file for them.

[SoCalActuary]

Are they many out there electronically filing the Form 5500, etc using EFAST? We have not tried it yet. It's not required until the plan year beginning in 2010 (or it is 2009?) but I was wondering if has been a time consuming process. Some clients, especially small ones, like to receive the forms in the mail, sign it, mail it and not have to deal with applying for an e-signature.

We use Relius to generate our Form 5500's.

Also, how about attachments. How are the attachments sent with the filing?

I suggest you visit Janice Wegesin's website for more comments. If you are thinking about EFAST 1, you should probably wait until the next generation EFAST 2.

[Dinosaur]

Thanks SoCalActuary

I googled her but couldn't find her website. Do you have it handy?

[Tom Poje]

You might also be interested in the following. its very short notice - just found out about this on Monday.

DOL Webcast - Getting Ready for the 2009 Form 5500 and Electronic Filing, June 11, 2009

DOL has announced a webcast on the 2009 5500 - nothing like planning ahead - it's this Thursday. Here's the link to register:

https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/Ev...cepage=register

[SoCalActuary]

Thanks SoCalActuary

I googled her but couldn't find her website. Do you have it handy?

http://form5500help.com/

[Dinosaur]

Thanks Tom and SoCalActuary