FAQ 144: 5500/5500SF -- Final or Short 5500/5500-SF Filings for 2025

Problem: If a plan terminated and liquidated during 2025, or otherwise has a short plan year, will EFAST2 allow us to use 2024 5500 forms or do we need to wait until the 2025 5500 forms are released?

Solution: Users will need to use the 2024 5500/5500SF/5500EZ forms when completing short plan year filings for 2025. But only until the 2025 forms have been released by the DOL (usually released on January 4th). Here is the section found on page 4 of the 2024 Form 5500 instructions: (1) If the filing due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the return/report may be filed on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday. (2) If the 2025 Form 5500 is not available before the plan or DFE filing use the 2024 Form 5500 and enter the 2025 fiscal year beginning and ending dates on the line provided at the top of the form. As a reminder, you can create additional 5500/5500-SF forms in DGEM by selecting "New 5500 Form" under the Manage Plan Document - Create New Document section and then choose the "5500" or "5500-SF" form and click Next. You will need to select either "Short plan year", "Initial plan", or "Final plan filing" and the fiscal year end date range should match the current filing period. Those filings will be located under the Find 5500 Documents when selecting the Year "2025".