Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request on Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan
Published Date: 1/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The IRS wants your thoughts on the yearly report that employee benefit plans must file. If you manage or work with these plans, this is your chance to help make the process easier and clearer. Send your comments by March 31, 2026, so the IRS can improve the forms and reduce hassle without adding extra costs or time burdens.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Large Annual Filing Time Burden
If you run or sponsor an employee benefit plan, you (or your plan) must file an annual return/report (Form 5500 series). The IRS estimates 1,706,419 responses, an average filing time of 1 hour 34 minutes per response, and a total annual burden of 2,674,140 hours.
Simplified 5500-SF for Small Plans
Certain small pension and welfare benefit plans can use Form 5500-SF, a simplified annual reporting form, instead of the full Form 5500.
5500-EZ for One‑Participant and Foreign Plans
One-participant plans and certain foreign plans file Form 5500-EZ as their annual return instead of the standard Form 5500.
One‑Time Extension via Form 5558
Filers may use Form 5558 to request a one-time extension of time to file the Form 5500 series and Form 8955-SSA.
Opportunity to Comment Before March 31, 2026
The IRS is requesting public comments on the Form 5500 series information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act; written comments must be received on or before March 31, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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