EP Team Audit (EPTA) Program |
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The Employee Plans Team Audit (EPTA) program comprises examinations of large employer plans by a team of specialists that was born in the initial design of the restructuring of the Service during 1998 and 1999. The EPTA Program became a permanent program within the Employee Plans Examinations function on October 1, 2003.
The Service has developed some useful tools to assist you in understanding the EPTA Program and issues found during EPTA examinations
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EPTA Trends and Tips
The most common issues identified during EPTA audits, and tips on how to avoid these mistakes in your plan. These issues are identified by plan type as well as errors that are common in all plans.
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Internal Controls Questionnaire
Examples of questions asked by Employee Plans examiners to gain an understanding of the system procedures and internal controls.
This product was developed with outside practitioner input in an effort to make plan sponsors and administrators understand the responsibilities and coordination needed to keep a qualified plan and trust in compliance with the tax laws. These documents are to be considered useful tools to assist you in keeping your plan in compliance with the law but the Service provides no guarantee, expressed or implied, as to the reliability or completeness of the furnished data.
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Taxpayer Documentation Guide
This guide, developed by EPTA agents and outside practitioners, provides a comprehensive listing of documents needed for a proper examination of issues identified for examination. This guide assists plan sponsors in determining the documents/information needed to be kept current and readily available or recoverable when requested for an audit.
The Taxpayer Documentation Guide for EPTA and Large Case Revenue Agents (TDG) was developed solely to assist EP examiners in identifying certain data elements necessary to conduct an EP compliance examination of a large, complex taxpayer.
The TDG does not have the effect of law, regulation or ruling and cannot be construed as official guidance nor can the data elements identified in the TDG be construed as the only elements or records necessary to meet the requirements of Section 6001 of the Internal Revenue Code, the underlying regulations, Revenue Rulings and Revenue Procedures, including Revenue Procedure 98-25 and Notice 99-1.
The TDG is valid for the 200312, 200412, and 200512 years. It is currently under review by the EPTA Compliance Group (EPTA CPG) for updates related guidance and law changes, and an updated TDG will be available in the coming months.
To the extent allowable under applicable rules, taxpayers wishing to utilize the TDG, may retain and retrieve the data elements using paper or electronic media.
-- Why retain records?
-- How long should records be retained?
-- What Records Should be Preserved for Access During an Audit?
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FAQs
Frequently asked questions about the EPTA program and its examination procedures.
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Contact Information
Contact names, addresses and telephone numbers for the six EPTA area groups.
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Glossary of Terms
Have you wondered what EPCRS, ATAT and SCP mean? Now you can find out by reviewing the EPTA Glossary for common EPTA terms.
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Page Last Reviewed or Updated: April 17, 2009