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EBSA News Release: [02/27/2006]
Contact Name: David James or Gloria Della
Phone Number: (202) 693-8664 or x4676
Release Number: 06-351-NAT

U. S. Labor Department Extends Filing Deadline for Annual Report Filers in Gulf Coast Region

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is again extending the deadline for filing the Form 5500 series annual returns/reports to Aug. 28, 2006. This additional reporting relief is being granted to filers in 31 parishes in Louisiana, 46 counties in Mississippi and 11 counties in Alabama.

On Sept. 28, 2005, the agency announced an extended deadline of Feb. 28, 2006, for those Form 5500 series filers affected by Hurricane Katrina. After closely monitoring the effects of Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf region and, due to widespread devastation from the hurricane and subsequent flooding, EBSA, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation have determined that filers in certain parishes and counties require additional time to prepare and file complete and accurate Form 5500 reports.

The new extension for reporting applies to plan administrators, employers and other entities affected by Hurricane Katrina and located in one or more parishes or counties listed in the IRS’s notice IR-2006-30 dated Feb. 17, 2006. 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 located in the areas listed in IR-2006-30 and affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Form 5500 filers using this extension should check Form 5500, Part I, box D and attach a statement labeled “Form 5500, Box D — Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Extension.” Similarly, Form 5500 EZ filers should check Form 5500 EZ, Part I, box B, and attach a statement labeled “Form 5500 EZ, box B — Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Extension.”

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.