Form 5500 Deadline Is July 31, 2025

Each year, employers subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) are required to electronically file an annual report — Form 5500 — for each employee benefit plan they maintain unless a filing exemption applies.

For employers with benefit plans operating on a calendar year basis, the filing deadline for 2024 reports is July 31, 2025. If extra time is needed, employers can extend the deadline by 2.5 months (until October 15, 2025) by submitting Form 5558 to the IRS by July 31, 2025.

📌 Who’s Exempt from Filing?

Small welfare benefit plans (with fewer than 100 covered participants) that are unfunded, fully insured, or a combination of both are exempt from filing Form 5500.

🔍 Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program (DFVCP)

The Department of Labor (DOL) offers the DFVCP to encourage plan administrators to voluntarily file overdue Forms 5500. This program helps avoid larger penalties by allowing late filers to submit overdue reports and pay reduced fees — but only if the filings happen before the DOL notifies the administrator of a failure.

✅ Action Steps for Employers

• File Form 5500 and any required attachments via the DOL’s EFAST2 electronic system by July 31, 2025.
• If extra time is needed, file Form 5558 by the same date. Starting January 1, 2025, this can be submitted electronically through EFAST2 or by paper with the IRS.

⚠️ 2025 Penalties

Failure to comply with annual reporting requirements can result in steep penalties:

• The DOL may impose fines for late, incomplete, or missing Forms 5500.
• Under ERISA, penalties can reach up to $2,739 per day for each day a required report remains unfiled.
• Penalties may be waived if the failure was due to reasonable cause.
• Using the DFVCP can significantly reduce these penalties for late filings.

📅 Important 2025 Deadlines

• July 31, 2025: Form 5500 deadline for calendar-year plans without an exemption.
• October 15, 2025: Extended deadline (if Form 5558 was submitted by July 31).

Staying ahead of these deadlines can help employers avoid costly penalties and stay compliant.

👉 If you’re struggling to keep up with regulatory deadlines and compliance requirements, Zinn Insurance can help. Our team specializes in helping businesses navigate benefit plan administration, reporting requirements, and compliance solutions tailored to your organization.