5500 SF and signature pages

[pmacduff]

ok - I know this should be pretty basic, but am wondering what others think.

Since the 5500 SF form for 2012 has the signature on the first page now (yay) are you only attaching that page as the "manually signed 5500 attachment" for EFAST?

It seems logical to me that would be the case, but being in this industry over 20 years I have learned that logic does not always rule.

I couldn't find "current" 2012 form instructions on point on the EBSA website. The FAQs explanation is still the old one that says to scan and attached the first 2 pages.

The whole thing about attaching the first 2 pages always threw me but I rationalized that perhaps that was because the SF was signed on page 2. The 5500 has been a page 1 signature for as long as I can remember, though....SIGH

[BG5150]

Is it that much of a problem to scan three pages instead of just the one?

[pmacduff]

no, but it seems somewhat ridiculous to me to have the 3 pages followed again by all 3 pages.

edit:

I found the instructions (see attached). Oddly enough they want just the first 2 pages which is even more outrageous to me since the form is only 3.

DOC050313.pdf

[chc93]

FWIW... the Schedule SB is signed on the first page, but we are supposed to scan all 3 pages with the signature on the first page and attach to the electronic filing... and have been doing so since the beginning.

[KateSmithPA]

The attachment above also reads, "The plan administrator must keep a copy of the Form 5500-SF, including schedules and attachments, with all required signatures on file as part of the plan's records."

Does any one know if these signatures have to be original?

Thank you.