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Release Date: March 4, 2008
Release Number: 08-270-ATL
Contact Name: Gloria Della/Richard Manning
Phone Number: 202.693.8664/202.693.4676

U.S. Labor Department extends annual reports deadline after severe weather hits Kentucky

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 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding in Kentucky.

“These filing extensions provide some relief to organizations whose operations were adversely impacted by the recent severe storms and tornadoes,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

President Bush has declared nine counties a disaster area due to the damage caused by severe weather. 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 designated disaster area includes the counties of Allen, Christian, Fayette, Hardin, Hart, Meade, Mercer, Monroe and Muhlenberg. The extension also applies to firms located outside the affected areas that are unable to obtain the necessary information from service providers, banks or insurance companies whose operations were directly affected by the fires.

Under this relief, Form 5500 series filings required to be filed between February 5 and April 7, 2008, are granted an extension until April 7, 2008. Plan filers entitled to an extension of relief should check Part I, Box D on the Form 5500 or Part I on Form 5500-EZ, and attach a statement to the form in accordance with the instructions.

Filers who have additional questions may contact EBSA’s EFAST Helpline toll-free at 866.463.3278. For more information about disaster relief, contact FEMA toll-free at 800.621.FEMA (3362) or the Internal Revenue Service through www.irs.gov.

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