1. Use a common sense approach to completing the forms and schedules. The official instructions are weak or non-existent in some areas, although the 2001 instructions have been enhanced in many regards.

Keep in mind the EFAST processing. For more information look at the following websites:

• http://www.efast.dol.gov
  This is the best spot to find the latest information with regard to filing Form 5500 under the new EFAST program. The website contains telephone numbers for both IRS and DOL for help in completing the forms.
• http://www.dol.gov/libraryforms/
  The Department of Labor posts the forms on its website and is probably the easiest place from which to download copies of the instructions and forms. These copies of the forms are not usable for filing purposes.
  
• http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html?portlet=3
  The IRS routinely posts forms for download through the Internet or by access through modem (703/321-8020).

2. EFAST continues to cite particular actions that improve its ability to efficiently process the filings:

• Use only approved software or official paper forms.
• File original Form 5500 reports, rather than photocopies.
• Make sure signatures are inserted on the forms and schedules, where required. Do not affix signature with felt tip pens or other writing instruments that cause signatures or data to bleed through to the other side of the paper.
• Use binder clips or other fasteners that do not perforate the paper rather than stapling the filings.
• Submit all necessary schedules and all pages of each schedule.
• Do not submit any unnecessary schedules.
• Do not send any payments to EFAST.
• All Form 5500 filings for all years are now processed through EFAST. This includes filings for years prior to 1999, which use the old Form 5500-Form 5500-C/R format.

The EFAST processing of paper filings is getting more efficient with each processing cycle. The next big push will be for electronic filing of Form 5500; however, there is currently little incentive for the average practitioner to encourage electronic filing by clients.

3. Submit all pages of a form or schedule if it is required as part of the filing. You may have lots of blank pages, too. For example, if a Schedule T is part of the filing always submit both pages of the Schedule T even though you checked a box at line 3.

4. Do not staple your forms together; a loose package is processed more quickly by EFAST. If more than one Form 5500 report is being submitted in the same mailing, it is helpful if a sheet of colored paper is inserted between filings.

Machine print copies may only be printed on a single side. It is better to submit an original print form than a copy - if you must submit a copy, make sure it is a first generation copy (not a copy of a copy).

5. Official source of help:

• DOL Help Desk, staffed out of Lawrence, Kansas 866/463-3278.
  Hours: 8:00AM to 8:00PM EST. This telephone number gives you easy access to technical assistance from all of the agencies involved with Form 5500 - PWBA, IRS, and PBGC.

6. Do not write or make any stray marks in the upper right hand corner of any of the forms above the Official Use Only line. This will cause processing problems.

7. Use proper officially-accepted filing formats:

• Hand print forms (green drop-out ink on 1999; black with gray shading on 2000 and 2001). Order these from IRS. Be sure to ask for each separate form or schedule you need. If you ask for a Form 5500 package, you will only receive the Form 5500 without any of the schedules.
• Machine print or hand print using approved software -- these can be submitted in hard copy or electronically. Note that some of the vendors provide more than one type of approved software. The EFAST website has complete information, including how to contact these vendors.

8. Approved machine print software generates a two-dimensional (or 2D) barcode in addition to the one-dimensional (1D) barcode that appears on both hand print and machine print forms. For 2000 and 2001 plan year filings, the EFAST system requires the software vendor to get approval of any software that uses a laser printer to generate Form 5500.

9. Other considerations:

• You will find character limitations when entering plan name, trustees, etc. Consider what you want to see on the printed versions and make the best use of the available space.
• A machine print form with hand print answers slows down processing but is acceptable for 1999 filings. The DOL is not allowing this on the 2000 and 2001 forms, although the DOL is saying they won't reject a machine print form with hand print answers.
• You can mix hand print and machine print schedules within a filing, but each schedule must be of the same format/vendor. For example, you can use a hand print Form 5500 with a machine print Schedule A; however, each page of the Form 5500 must be hand print and each page of the Schedule A must be machine print.
• Include only the schedules required for the plan you are filing. So if your pension plan does not require Schedule A because it has no insurance, do not include Schedule A.
• Permitted attachments (such as to Schedule B or Schedule SSA) will not have barcoding, but will be digitally imaged so that data is captured by EFAST.
• Only Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ go to Lawrence, Kansas; Forms 5330, 5558, and 990 continue to be filed with IRS.