IRS Confirms Late Mailing of Notices for 2019 Forms 5500 Series Extension Approvals

The IRS has announced in an Employee Plans News bulletin that processing requests for an extension of time to file 2019 Forms 5500 series returns were delayed in 2020, resulting in delayed mailing of Notice CP 216F.

Form 5500 is generally due by the last day of the seventh month following the end of the plan year being reported. But plan sponsors can request a 2½ month extension by filing Form 5558, Application for Extension of Time to File Certain Employee Plan Returns. Notice CP 216F confirms approval of the requested extension and is typically mailed before returns are due. Notices for 2019 Form 5500 extensions, however, are being mailed months after this timeframe.

Plan sponsors that are just receiving the Notice CP 216F for 2019 Form 5500 filings can be assured that the extension has been approved and that no further action is necessary.