Instructions for Form 5500-EZ (2006)

Instructions for Form 5500-EZ - Introductory Material

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2006 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

Table of Contents

Changes To Note For 2006

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is eliminating the filing requirement for the Schedule P, Annual Return of Fiduciary of Employee Benefit Trust.

Instructions are added for new line 10i for funding. (See Internal Revenue Code section 412.)

EFAST Filing System

Under the computerized ERISA Filing Acceptance System (EFAST), you can choose between two computer scannable forms to complete and file your 2006 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 3.

EFAST Filing Tips

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 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, for example, “DOL copy,” etc.
Do not attach or send any payments to EFAST.

Telephone Assistance

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.

Telephone.
You can order forms and IRS publications by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). You can order EBSA publications by calling 1-866-444-EBSA (3272).