Printable Form 2026

IRS Instruction 5500-EZ – IRS Forms, Instructions, Pubs 2026

IRS Instruction 5500-EZ – IRS Forms, Instructions, Pubs 2026 – Form 5500-EZ is the Annual Return of a One-Participant (Owners/Partners and Their Spouses) Retirement Plan or a Foreign Plan. The IRS requires this simplified annual reporting form for certain small retirement plans that are exempt from full ERISA Title I reporting.

This guide summarizes the official 2024 Instructions for Form 5500-EZ (posted February 2025) and related IRS resources. Always verify the latest version and any updates on IRS.gov/Form5500EZ, as rules can change.

What Is Form 5500-EZ and Who Must File It?

The IRS uses Form 5500-EZ to satisfy annual reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code section 6058(a) for plans not subject to ERISA section 104(a) reporting requirements.

You must file if your plan is:

  • A one-participant plan — A defined benefit pension plan or defined contribution plan (profit-sharing or money purchase, not an ESOP) that covers only:
    • You (the owner) or you and your spouse, and you own the entire business (incorporated or unincorporated); or
    • One or more partners (or partners and their spouses) in a partnership, treating 2% S corporation shareholders as partners; and
    • Provides benefits to no one else.
  • A foreign plan — A pension plan maintained outside the United States, primarily for the benefit of nonresident aliens. This applies to domestic employers or certain foreign employers with U.S.-source income (including foreign subsidiaries) when contributions are deducted on a U.S. tax return.

Important: One-participant plans and qualifying foreign plans cannot file Form 5500 or Form 5500-SF. They must use Form 5500-EZ (paper with IRS or electronic via EFAST2).

Who Does NOT Have to File Form 5500-EZ?

No filing is required for a given plan year if total assets of the plan (plus all other one-participant plans maintained by the same employer) are $250,000 or less at the end of the plan year — unless it is the final plan year (all assets distributed or transferred).

  • Use the total assets reported on line 6a(2) of the form to determine the threshold.
  • File for each plan if the combined total exceeds $250,000.

When to File Form 5500-EZ?

File by the last day of the 7th calendar month after the plan year ends (e.g., July 31 for a calendar-year plan ending December 31).
If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, file by the next business day.

How to File: Paper vs. Electronic (Mandatory E-Filing Rules)?

Electronic filing (EFAST2) is required for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, if the filer is required to file at least 10 returns of any type (e.g., Forms W-2, 1099, 1040, employment/excise taxes) during the calendar year that includes the first day of the plan year.

  • File online via the DOL’s EFAST2 web-based system or through an EFAST2-approved vendor.
  • One-participant and foreign plan data filed electronically is not made public on the DOL website.
  • IRS may grant a year-by-year hardship waiver for undue economic hardship (maintain documentation).

Paper filing remains allowed for filers not subject to the mandatory e-filing rule. Mail to:
Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Ogden, UT 84201-0020.

Filing tips (to avoid correspondence or penalties):

  • Use the official fillable 2024 Form 5500-EZ from IRS.gov.
  • Print and sign in black or blue ink only.
  • Do not use felt-tip pens, glue, or add extraneous notes/arrows.
  • One-sided pages only; keep paper clean.

Extensions and Late-Filing Penalties

Extensions:

  • Form 5558 → One-time automatic 2½-month extension if filed by the original due date.
  • Automatic extension → Available if the plan year matches the employer’s tax year and the employer has an income-tax extension (retain proof).
  • Special extensions → For disasters or military service (describe on the form).

Penalties: $250 per day late (up to $150,000 per plan year) under IRC section 6652(e).

Late Filer Penalty Relief Program (Rev. Proc. 2015-32): Eligible non-Title I plans can submit a complete delinquent paper Form 5500-EZ with specific red-ink notation and Form 14704 attached to the oldest return. Check box D on the form.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete Form 5500-EZ?

Part I – Annual Return Identification
Indicate first, amended, final, or short-year return; extension type; foreign plan; late-filer relief; or retroactive adoption under SECURE Act section 201.

Part II – Basic Plan Information
Plan name/number/effective date; employer and administrator details (name, EIN, address, phone); business code; prior-year info if changed; participant counts (total and active at beginning/end of year; terminated participants with <100% vested benefits).

Part III – Financial Information
Total assets and liabilities (beginning and end of year); contributions received or receivable; other income; benefits paid; expenses.

Part IV – Plan Characteristics
Enter all applicable 2-character codes from the list in the instructions (e.g., for defined benefit, profit-sharing, 401(k) features, etc.).

Compliance & Funding Questions
Participant loans; minimum funding for defined benefit plans (attach Schedule SB to records); waiver information; latest IRS opinion letter for pre-approved plans.

Schedules SB and MB
Do not file with Form 5500-EZ.
Retain completed and signed copies in your records if the plan is subject to minimum funding requirements (defined benefit or certain money purchase plans). An enrolled actuary must sign Schedule SB.

Key Definitions and Tips

  • Participant — Includes active employees earning service, those receiving benefits, those entitled to future benefits, and beneficiaries of deceased participants (with specific exclusions for insurance commitments).
  • Pre-approved plans — Use the date and serial number of the latest favorable IRS opinion letter.
  • Business codes — Use the 6-digit NAICS code for your principal activity.

Common pitfalls to avoid:

  • Filing Form 5500 or 5500-SF instead of 5500-EZ.
  • Missing the $250,000 asset threshold across all one-participant plans.
  • Forgetting to retain Schedules SB/MB.
  • Using the wrong filing method when mandatory e-filing applies.

Download the Official Instructions

2024 Instructions for Form 5500-EZ (PDF):
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i5500ez.pdf (the link you provided)

Form 5500-EZ itself:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5500ez.pdf

For the latest information, visit:

  • IRS.gov/Form5500EZ
  • About Form 5500-EZ page
  • EFAST2 filing system (www.efast.dol.gov)

Need Help?

  • IRS Help Desk (Form 5500-EZ questions): 877-829-5500
  • EFAST2 Help Desk: 1-866-GO-EFAST (1-866-463-3278)

Always consult a qualified tax professional or enrolled actuary for your specific situation, especially for defined benefit plans or complex funding issues. This guide is for informational purposes only and is based on official IRS publications as of early 2026. Rules and forms can be updated—check IRS.gov before filing.

Filing Form 5500-EZ correctly helps protect your retirement plan’s qualified status and avoids costly penalties. Bookmark this page and the official IRS links for quick reference each year.