I am a service provider that assists clients in managing the filing process. Can I electronically sign the annual return/report for my client?
The Department has responded to requests from the regulated community for a change in the electronic signature requirements by permitting plan administrators to authorize plan service providers that manage the plan’s annual filing process to electronically submit the Form 5500/Form 5500-SF for the plan. Under this additional e-signature option, service providers that manage the filing process for plans can get their own EFAST2 signing credentials and submit the electronic Form 5500 or 5500-SF for the plan. As described more fully below, the service provider must have specific written authorization from the plan administrator to submit the plan’s electronic filing. In addition, the plan administrator must manually sign a paper copy of the completed Form 5500 or 5500-SF, and the service provider must include a PDF copy of the first two pages of the manually signed Form 5500 or 5500-SF as an attachment to the electronic Form 5500 or Form 5500-SF submitted to EFAST2. The service provider a
The Department has responded to requests from the regulated community for a change in the electronic signature requirements by permitting plan administrators to authorize plan service providers that manage the plan’s annual filing process to electronically submit the Form 5500/Form 5500-SF for the plan. Under this additional e-signature option, service providers that manage the filing process for plans can get their own EFAST2 signing credentials and submit the electronic Form 5500 or 5500-SF for the plan. As described more fully below, the service provider must have specific written authorization from the plan administrator to submit the plan’s electronic filing. In addition, the plan administrator must manually sign a paper copy of the completed Form 5500 or 5500-SF, and the service provider must include a PDF copy of the first two pages of the manually signed Form 5500 or 5500-SF as an attachment to the electronic Form 5500 or Form 5500-SF submitted to EFAST2. The service provider a
