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Release Date: August 30, 2006
Release Number: 06-1536-ATL
Contact Name: Gloria Della/David James
Phone Number: 202.693.8664/202.693.4676

U. S. Labor Department Gives Filers Affected By Hurricane Katrina Additional Extension of Deadline to File Annual Reports

Washington, DC - The U. S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is providing an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 series annual returns/reports to October 16, 2006 to filers affected by Hurricane Katrina. This additional reporting relief is being granted to filers in 31 parishes in Louisiana, 48 counties in Mississippi, and 11 counties in Alabama.

Prior filing extensions granted by EBSA set the deadline for filing as August 28, 2006. 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-2006-135, issued August 25, 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-2006-135 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 visit 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.

U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Department's Newsroom page. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202.693.7765 or TTY 202.693.7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department's Compliance Assistance page.