8955-SSA

[jeff77]

I heard that SunGard (thru a support person) will not be submitting the 8955-SSA on behalf of the TPA's ect that subscribe to the Government Forms software for this current year of filings. This has me wondering how hard it is to use the FIRE system, to obtain a TCC code ect.

I don't think this will be the end of the world but think our next best alternative is to submit these filings on behalf of our clients instead of mailing them to our clients for their signature where they would in turn have to mail them in.

Also, we use Relius Administration. Does anyone have a Report Writer Report that will pull out who should be on the 8955-SSA. I am not a fan of the reports (mainly that they can't be put out into Excel) or the export feature that Relius has built into the software (mainly because it overwrites the Plan inof Worksheet). I would like to get this information into Excel.

[pmacduff]

Hello Jeff,

I requested a TCC and received it quickly. We are sending the SSA forms to the client & advising them to review, date and sign that copy and keep it with their records.

They are instructed to phone or email me after review and then I go ahead and file electronically on the FIRE website (no signature required).

I have found it to be a fairly easy process. We use Ft William to create the file for each client that I upload to the FIRE site; but I imagine that any of the big vendors including Relius will also have a way for you to create a file in the proper format for the FIRE system.

Good luck!

[Tom Poje]

this is a possible file to pull the people for SSA.

Since this year you can enter 2 years of info, the date range should be 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2010. (Obviously if your plan year is different you have to use the correct date range)

I think because of the way I wrote things it misses people with DOT of 1/1/2009.

later Tried adding a counter (of sorts) off to the side that only makes sense if running it over a 2 year period.

even had success running it system wide on Relius (e.g. running 'all plans' under custom)

I printed to file/ excel(data only)

since I used FT William, I then copied the data I needed from that report into the file format needed by FT William and it worked like a charm.

(of course, any such reports are use at your own risk, but this seemed to work fine)

[rcline46]

Tom, is this a newer version of the report you posted previously?

THank you.

[Tom Poje]

I haven't changed anything, though I do have had a couple of version sitting on my system so I can't say 100% sure this is the exact same one. if there are any differences I think was simply in the formatting.

[Jim Chad]

What is the TCC code and the FIRE system?

This sounds really interesting.

[Tom Poje]

you can either have each plan sign the SSA indiviudally and mail it in or

you can file electronically. no signature required when filing electronically.

there are 2 basic methods to file electronically:

the FT Williams notes are as follows:

Batch e-filing through the fulfillment service.

This is the simplest way to file. The fulfillment process will allow you to submit a batch for e-filing with a few clicks of a button and you do not need to obtain a TCC Code for this feature.

The fee is $x for the batch and Y for each plan itself.

I found it reasonably priced.

or

E-file through the IRS FIRE system using a file created by ftwilliam.com.

The Form 8955-SSAs may not be batched in the same way as 1099s for filing on FIRE. IRS requires that each Form 8955-SSA be filed separately on the FIRE site. As a result, if you need to file 200 Form 8955-SSAs you will need to upload 200 separate files to the FIRE site.

Note: Even if you already have a TCC Code for the 1099s, you will have to apply for a new code specifically for the Form 8955-SSA.

[pmacduff]

Jim - as an addendum to Tom's reply, "TCC" stands for 'Transmitter Control Code' & "FIRE" stands for 'Filing Information Returns Electronically'

We are a small shop and don't have that many SSAs to file for our clients anyway. We create a separate batch in Ft William for each client and plan year and are uploading those files individually (as required) to the FIRE system. It's been working great so far....

[doombuggy]

Unfortunately, we use Datair and they have been zero help. They require a CSV file, which they don't supply and I can't seem to figure out how to creat one that I can use with the import feature. I was able to create a CSV file by typing the data fromt he paper SSA into the file I created, but their crappy release notes make it sound like you need to have a blank file that is set up and their data import will magicaly populate at the push of the "import" button. they are such garbage!

i guess I am relageated to mannualy creating each file to import. We have a TCC so I am going to try the first one now.

[Jim Chad]

Doombuggy, please let us know how this works.

Thanks

[ESOP Guy]

What is the TCC code and the FIRE system?

This sounds really interesting.

Jim:

It has been a few years since I used the Fire system. It was for submitting my client's 1099-Rs. The employer switched to out sourcing the printing of the 1099-rs and filing.

But it is a very easy system to use and it wasn't that hard to get set up. I found the number to call for help useful. Obviously, starting late Jan through March everything gets busy as it is used for 1099s and other information returns.

Here is a link to the IRS it gives links to the relevant Pubs.

http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=165534,00.html

So far we at this firm have decided to just mail them to the client and have them mail it to the IRS since it seems like you need to get some kind of varification the client signed a copy. At that point is it really that much harder to have them put it in a pre-addressed envelope?

[Tom Poje]

doombuggy:

I have visions of Elvis singing the following lament (I think this probably applies to any software at some point in time)

Return to sender

Return to sender

I gotta package from the postman

He pulled it out of his sack

The latest updated software

So bad I had to send it back

And I wrote upon it

Return to sender

Address unknown

No such number

No such known

We had a quarrel

Support and I had spat

I said I didn’t like it

They said tough – whatta ya think of that?

So I dropped it in the mailbox

And marked it Special D {DUMP!}

But bright and early next morning

They mailed it right back to me

Though I wrote upon it

Return to sender

Address unknown

No such number

No such known

This time I’m gonna take it myself

And put it right in their hands

I’ll give them a piece of my mind

And then maybe they’ll understand

Why I wrote upon it

Return to sender

Address unknown

No such number

No such known

[doombuggy]

Tom you crack me up - great version of Elvis' song and very true! And yep, how did you know I had a spat with their support person? She made a snarky comment to me about reading their release notes (which I will explain in a minute) and apparently her boss saw the comment before I reported it, so she got double whammied. it's like that used car commercial (Car Max?) where the 2 prison escapees run back to jail because customer service really sucks everywhere they went!

Apparently I can't read the release notes (says support). The CSV file is if I want to import the data into their pension reporter instead of keying the data. I had already keyed the data and thought I needed the file to get it into FIRE. The woman's snarky comment actually had to do with my complaint that their page 2s print one to a page. The notes don't tell you if you print the pages a certian way, they will print 10 to a page.

So I did not need the stupid CSV file I learned to create (why isn't my data importing into this file?). On top of the fact the same support person told me on their message board that I should not be counting the "D" code people on lines 6 a & b (which if you read the directions to the form, sounds correct). Guess what I got today after posting 20 files to FIRE earlier this week? 7 BAD filings! Guess why? Because the head count didn't match! This is really the fault of the IRS, and not Datair (although I love pointing the finger at them since coming off of Relius, which I miss so much). Our tax dollars hard at work here!

PS: Tom, my hairdresser back home loved the rendition you did of Harry Chapin's song a bit back at one of the annual ASPPAs. Her husband was Harry's bassist and still does shows with Harry's brother Steve.

[Tom Poje]

doombuggy:

now that is funny (and thanks for the compliment) You never know when you pick a song if enough people will appreciate it (much less even have heard it) That was ceratinly one of the first songs I did. Don't have to speak this year so won't be at the ASPPA conference this year. Kind of nice not to have the pressure on, it still frightens me a bit to get in front of a large group and try to impart some information. Here are the words (and a midi-file, had to change the extension to 'xls' so you have to rename it to 'mid')

(I really do like the original, says a lot about how we rush through the world so much we forget some of the more important things in life) Thanks again for some memories.

The plan arrived just the other day

The company put in a four-oh-one kay

They added a match and what can I say

I deferred in the usual way

The cash was growin’ as I put away I’d say

“I’ll have a lot some day, yeah,

You know I’ll have a lot some day.”

And the cat’s in the cradle

And the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

When will I retire well I don’t know when

But I’ll have a good time then, yeah,

You know I’ll have a good time then.

The plan turned ten just the other day

I said thanks for it all I’m doin’ okay

I invested low now its high today

I’m glad I deferred 10% of pay

As I saved away my wife her smile never dimmed

She said “I admire him, yeah

You know I admire him!”

And the cat’s in the cradle

And the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

When will I retire well I don’t know when

But I’ll have a good time then, yeah,

You know I’ll have a good time then.

The plan was tested just the other day

It failed ADP in a big time way

They put in a QNEC once and awhile

A good deal for me I said with a smile

The deferrals were too high for the HCEs

See you later can I thank you please.

And the cat’s in the cradle

And the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

When will I retire well I don’t know when

But I’ll have a good time then, yeah,

You know I’ll have a good time then.

I retire just the other day

I was sick of work and the rate of pay

The four-oh-one kay was such a good find

The money is there and it grew over time.

Well the job it was a hassle but now I’m free

Recommend you defer like me

Recommend you defer like me

As I looked at the balance it occurred to me

It had grown up just for me, yeah,

It had grown up just for me

And the cat’s in the cradle

And the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man in the moon

When will I retire well I don’t know when

But I’ll have a good time then, yeah,

You know I’ll have a good time then.

[austin3515]

I'll bet you could use FTW for just the SSA. Nothing really on the 5500 that is that hard to replace. Might be a LOT easier, and it's pretty inexpensive.

The fact that Sungard is not providing this service is just shameful. I'm so glad we ditched them for FTW for government reporting....

[Guest dfm0315]

Tom: I tried using the SSA1.rpt. I did have one problem with it: it is reporting some people that terminated prior to 2008 and forfeited a non-vested balance in 2010 as paid out (code D), when in fact they weren't paid out -- they just forfeited a non-vested balance. Do you know what might be causing this and/or do you have something you are doing to exclude these?

[Tom Poje]

well, the formula I used was

if Sum ({RPTEEACCT.VESTBALAMT}, {RPTEE.SSNUM})>0 then "A" else "D"

which basically says if vested balance is greater than 0 return an A

otherwise make it a D.

If these people still have a vested balance then something is off with the vested acct balance.

If these people had no vested balance and simply forfeited after a number of years, then it could very well be the report doesn't work for those people.

I'd be the first to admit I could have missed something.(though I think this would only occur if the plan is not "0 vested terminees will forfeit immediately"

[EBDI]

Tom, I love reading your lyrics. You have a talent for writing great lyrics! I am also glad we switched from Relius to ft Williams. I uploaded my first client to FIRE last week and I am still waiting for an email saying it is approved. Does it take awhile for the email? I checked my SPAM filter too.

[Tom Poje]

we did all our SSAs through batch- so a whole bunch at once.

one set for 2009 (which included 2010)

and another set thet was 2010 only

I think it took about 3 days before I saw the confirmation notice.

ha. lyrics. I think I'm up to 14 songs. Decided I'd 'bore' the people here at the company Christmas party. Almost 45 minutes. oh well.