8955-SSA

[austin3515]

For those of you using the FIRE system to batch file (FT Williams, etc), are you having the client signing the SSA, or just sending thenm a copy. FGT Williams is sayiong that this is a "best practice" but if it's not a requirement, I would like to know that as well.

[Tom Poje]

haven't hit the magic button yet to send the SSAs, but will probbaly do so soon. Of course I have until January...

not sure how other software works, FT William you have to actually print the 5500 first before it will be sent to the DOL. the idea being the client will then have it in their hands and sign it and put it in their records. am I going to any clients office to make sure they actually sign the thing? I think the same will be with the SSA. I'll send it to them, recomend they sign and keep with the 5500 but after that...

[chc93]

I've done one big DB plan that terminated in 2008 with final distributions by Dec 2009 (our first 8955-SSA experience). I printed the forms, mailed it to them, told them to review it, and if OK, then sign the form and keep in their files. Only after they tell me that they signed the form did I electronically file through FIRE. The process worked well. I guess we can ask them to fax a signed copy of Page 1 for confirmation before we electronically file, but I don't think this is necessary for some (if not most) clients.

The FIRE filing had one initial glitch. I'm using ftwilliam.com, and downloaded the .txt file for upload to FIRE. In the file, our company's EIN had a hyphen, which FIRE rejected. I got a call from a FIRE agent the next day telling what the problem was. While on the phone, he had me edit the .txt file to remove the hyphen and re-file as "original". After he confirmed the re-file, he marked the first filing as "bad, not processed". The second filing was "accepted and processed". I notified ftwilliam.com, and they fixed the problem within minutes. Very good support/response from both IRS/FIRE and ftwilliam.com.