Does anyone know when the 2023 paper form 5500-ez will be available for filing in 2025?
I've been checking the IRS website daily hoping to grab a copy of the 2023 paper Form 5500-EZ, but I still don't see it available anywhere. Usually they have it out by this time of year. I prefer filing this form on paper for my small business retirement plan and I'm getting kinda anxious since I like to get my paperwork done early. Has anyone seen it released yet or heard when it might be available? Or am I just looking in the wrong place? thanks
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Sean Doyle
The 2023 Form 5500-EZ should be available on the IRS website within the next 2-3 weeks. The IRS has been running behind schedule this year on releasing several forms, not just the 5500-EZ. While most people file this form electronically through the EFAST2 system now, paper versions are typically released by mid-February. If you need to file soon, you do have the option to use the electronic filing system instead of waiting for the paper form. The electronic version is already available through the EFAST2 portal on the Department of Labor website. It actually makes the process easier since the system validates your entries and helps prevent errors.
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Zara Rashid
•But don't you have to pay a fee to file the 5500-EZ electronically? I thought there was some third-party service requirement that ended up costing like $50 or something. Is there any way to file electronically for free? Also, do you know if the deadline is still July 31 this year or did they extend it?
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Sean Doyle
•You're partially right about the electronic filing. While the EFAST2 system itself is free to use, many people do end up using third-party software or services that charge a fee because the direct system can be cumbersome to navigate. There are some free options available, though they typically have limitations on features. The deadline for the Form 5500-EZ for calendar year plans is still July 31, 2025 for the 2023 plan year. They haven't announced any extensions for this year's filings, though that could always change if they run into significant issues with form availability or processing.
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Luca Romano
I had the exact same issue last year with the 5500-EZ and ended up discovering taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which totally saved me. Instead of waiting for the paper form, I uploaded my previous year's form and plan details, and it generated everything I needed for electronic filing. It actually analyzed all my documents and prepared the form with all the right codes and numbers. What I really liked is that it catches all those small errors that would normally trigger an IRS letter months later. I was skeptical at first but it actually walked me through the whole process and even explained which sections were different from last year's form.
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Nia Jackson
•Does taxr.ai handle the actual submission to the EFAST2 system or do you still have to do that separately? And does it work for one-participant plans or only for the full 5500 forms?
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Mateo Hernandez
•I'm always paranoid about using online services for sensitive financial/business docs. How secure is it? Do they store your information permanently or is it just temporary while processing?
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Luca Romano
•It does handle the actual submission to the EFAST2 system - that's what made it so convenient. You just review everything and approve the submission. It works perfectly for one-participant plans, which is what I have for my small consulting business. They use bank-level encryption for all documents, and you can choose whether to store your information or delete it after processing. I opted to keep mine stored since I'll need to reference it next year, but they give you that option upfront. They also explained that they never share your data with third parties.
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Mateo Hernandez
Just wanted to update everyone - I decided to try taxr.ai after posting my security concerns, and I'm actually impressed. The document analysis feature correctly identified all the plan details from my messy paperwork (I'm terrible at organizing). It pulled all the correct participant information and contribution amounts from the statements I uploaded. The best part was that it compared my 2022 and 2023 forms side-by-side and highlighted the differences, which helped me catch a reporting error I would have definitely missed. I was able to submit my 5500-EZ electronically last week without having to wait for the paper form. The confirmation came through right away too.
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CosmicCruiser
If you're still waiting for the paper form and getting frustrated with the IRS, I had great luck using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to actually speak with someone at the IRS about this exact issue. After waiting on hold forever trying to call myself, I was skeptical but gave it a shot. They got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes who confirmed the paper form delay and gave me the exact expected release date. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. They basically navigate the phone tree for you and wait on hold, then call you when an agent is ready.
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Aisha Khan
•How exactly does this service work? Do they just call the IRS for you? Couldn't I just keep calling myself and eventually get through without paying someone else?
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Ethan Taylor
•Sorry but this sounds like BS. Nobody gets through to the IRS in 15 minutes. I've literally spent hours on hold and still get disconnected. How could they possibly get you through faster than if you called yourself?
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CosmicCruiser
•They use a system that continuously redials and navigates the IRS phone system automatically until it gets through. They essentially wait on hold for you, then call you when they have an actual IRS agent on the line. It's not that they have special access - they're just using technology to handle the frustrating wait time. Yes, you could keep calling yourself, but I personally wasted over 2 hours on multiple attempts before getting disconnected each time. With Claimyr, I went about my day and got a call when they had an agent ready to talk. The time savings was worth it for me since I'm running a business.
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Ethan Taylor
Well I'm eating my words now. After complaining about Claimyr sounding too good to be true, I decided to try it because I was desperate for information about my 5500-EZ filing situation. I honestly expected it to be a waste of money. But damn, they actually got me through to an IRS representative in about 20 minutes! The agent confirmed that the paper 5500-EZ will be available by February 28th, and also explained that I could request a filing extension if needed. They even helped me with a question about reporting a plan participant who left mid-year. I'm still shocked it worked so well after all the hours I've wasted on hold before.
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Yuki Ito
Another option while you wait for the paper form is to download the PDF version from the IRS website and print it. I did this last year and it worked fine. Just make sure you're getting the form from the official irs.gov site and not some third-party site that might have outdated forms.
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Carmen Lopez
•But the problem is that the 2023 version isn't available as a PDF yet either - at least I couldn't find it on irs.gov. Are you seeing it somewhere that I'm missing? I've been checking daily too.
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Yuki Ito
•You're right, I just double-checked and the 2023 version isn't available as a PDF yet. I was thinking of last year when I downloaded the 2022 form. The IRS is definitely running behind schedule this year. What you could do is download the 2022 PDF as a reference so you can start gathering all the information you'll need. The forms don't usually change drastically from year to year, so at least you'll be prepared when the 2023 version does become available.
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Andre Dupont
Anybody know if there are penalties for filing Form 5500-EZ late? If the IRS is delaying releasing the forms, will they extend the deadline?
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QuantumQuasar
•Yes, there are definitely penalties for late filing of Form 5500-EZ. The IRS can charge $250 per day up to a maximum of $150,000 for late filings. But they usually don't hit you with that right away for small plans.
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Diez Ellis
I've been in the same boat waiting for the 2023 Form 5500-EZ! Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like we have a few solid options while we wait for the paper form to be released by the end of February. I'm leaning toward trying the electronic filing route since it's already available and seems more reliable than waiting. The EFAST2 system being free (even if a bit clunky) is appealing, though I might also look into taxr.ai based on the positive reviews here - especially if it can catch errors and handle the submission process smoothly. For anyone else still waiting, it's good to know we're not alone in this frustration. The IRS really seems to be running behind schedule this year on multiple forms. At least we have until July 31st to get everything filed, so there's still plenty of time even with the delays. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!
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