Department of Labor, IRS, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation extend annual reports deadline after Hurricane Isabel.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ annual returns/reports due to property damage, destruction and power outages that resulted from Hurricane Isabel.

The extension applies to plan administrators, employers and other entities located in areas directly affected as identified in IRS's Tax Relief at www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=113066,00.html. The extension also applies to fliers located outside the affected areas who were unable to obtain the necessary information from service providers, banks or insurance companies whose operations were directly affected by the hurricane.

Under this relief, Form 5500 series filings required to be filed on or between Sept. 18, 2003, and Nov. 18, 2003, are granted an extension until Nov. 18, 2003. Filers entitled to this extension of relief should check Part 1, Box D on the Form 5500 or Part 1, Box B on Form 5500-EZ and attach a statement labeled "Hurricane Isabel 2003" explaining the basis for the extension being claimed under this relief. Filers who have additional questions may contact the EFAST Help Line at 866/463-3278. U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov/ebsa.