U. S. Labor Department Extends Annual Reports Deadline After Hurricane Dennis Hits Alabama

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

ATLANTA - 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 Hurricane Dennis in Alabama.

President Bush has declared a major disaster in three counties in Alabama, due to the damage caused by the hurricane. 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 July 10, 2005, and Sept. 12, 2005, are granted an extension until Sept. 12, 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 EBSA's EFAST Help Line at 1-866-463-3278.

U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Department's Newsroom page. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202.693.7765 or TTY 202.693.7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department's Compliance Assistance page.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.