U.S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Severe Storms and Flooding Hit California

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

San Francisco, California - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500 EZ annual report/returns due to damages from severe storms, flooding and mudslides in California.

President Bush has declared a major disaster in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in California, due to the damage caused by the storms. The extension applies to plan administrators, employers and other entities located in areas directly affected, as identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The extension also applies to firms located outside the affected areas who are unable to obtain the necessary information from service providers, banks or insurance companies whose operations were directly affected by the hurricane.

Under this relief, Form 5500 series filings required to be filed between December 27, 2004, and April 8, 2005, are granted an extension until April 8, 2005. Plan filers entitled to an extension of relief should check Part I, Box D on the Form 5500 or Part 1 on Form 5500-EZ and attach a statement to the form in accordance with the instructions.

For more information about disaster relief, contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1.800.621.3362 or 202.621.FEMA or the Internal Revenue Service at www.irs.gov under “Disaster Area Tax Relief. Filers who have additional questions may contact the EBSA’s EFAST Help Line at 1.866.463.3278.

U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Internet. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the Central Office for Assistive Services and Technology. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202.693.7773 or TTY 202.693.7755.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.