In response to the unprecedented public health emergency caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and the related social distancing that has been implemented, this notice provides temporary relief from the physical presence requirement in Treasury Regulations § 1.401(a)-21(d)(6) for participant elections required to be witnessed by a plan representative or a notary public,
As expected, the Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a final rule for a new, additional safe harbor for employee benefit plan administrators to use electronic media, as a default, to furnish information to participants and beneficiaries of plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Read More
As expected, the effective dates of seven private company auditing standards, including SAS No. 136, Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements of Employee Benefit Plans Subject to ERISA , were delayed for one year as the result of a vote by the AICPA Auditing Standards Board (ASB). Read More
Per the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center, the IRS issued Notice 2020-23 which provides additional filing relief for taxpayers affected by the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The IRS filing relief includes Form 5500, Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan , due to be filed (originally or pursuant to a valid extension) on or after
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES ACT, H.R. 748) has been signed into law. It provides economic relief to individuals, businesses, hospitals and other entities. While plan sponsors should consider consulting ERISA counsel or their third-party administrators before making any plan decisions or changes, key benefit plan provisions include: No 10% additional