A Change To Note for 2003
The Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration (PWBA) is now the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).
Under the computerized ERISA Filing Acceptance System (EFAST), you can choose between two computer scannable forms to complete
and file your 2003
Form 5500-EZ: "machine print" and "hand print." Machine print forms are completed using computer software from EFAST approved
vendors and can be filed
electronically or by mail (including certain private delivery services). Hand print forms may be completed by hand, typewriter
or by using computer
software from EFAST approved vendors. Hand print forms can be filed by mail (including certain private delivery services);
however, they
cannot be filed electronically. For more information, see the instructions for How To File on page 2.
To reduce the possibility of correspondence and penalties, we remind filers that:
- Paper forms must be obtained from the IRS or printed using software from an EFAST approved software developer.
- Hand print and machine print forms generated by EFAST approved software will not be processed if they are printed out blank,
or with limited
information, and then completed by pen or typewriter. Only official hand print paper forms printed by the IRS may be completed
by pen or
typewriter.
- All information should be in the specific fields or boxes provided on the forms and schedules. Information entered outside
of the fields or
boxes may not be processed.
- Filings using photocopies of the computer scannable forms and schedules may be returned or cause correspondence requiring
additional
information.
- Do not use felt tip pens or other writing instruments that can cause signatures or data to bleed through to the other side
of the paper.
One-sided documents should have no markings on the blank side.
- Paper should be clean without glue or other sticky substances.
- Do not staple the forms. Use binder clips or other fasteners that do not perforate the paper.
- Do not submit extraneous material or information, such as arrows used to indicate where to sign, notes between preparers of
the report,
notations on the form, e.g., “DOL copy,” etc.
- Do not attach or send any payments to EFAST.
If you need assistance completing this form, want to confirm the receipt of forms you submitted, or have related questions,
call the EFAST Help
Line at 1-866-463-3278 (toll-free) and follow the directions as prompted. The EFAST Help Line is available Monday through
Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00
pm, Eastern Time.
How To Get Forms and Publications
Personal computer.
You can access the IRS's Internet website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at
www.irs.gov to:
- View forms, instructions, and publications.
- See answers to frequently asked tax questions.
- Search publications on-line by topic or keyword.
- Send comments or request help by email.
- Sign up to receive local and national tax news by email.
By phone and in person.
You can order forms and IRS publications 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling
1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). You can order EBSA
publications by calling
1-800-998-7542. In addition, most IRS forms and publications are available at your local IRS office.
