[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 188 (Monday, September 29, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58256-58261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23161]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 301

[TD 9695]
RIN 1545-BL54


Employee Retirement Benefit Plan Returns Required on Magnetic 
Media

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Final regulations.

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SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations relating to the 
requirements for filing certain employee retirement benefit plan 
statements, returns, and reports on magnetic media. The term magnetic 
media includes electronic filing, as well as other magnetic media 
specifically permitted under applicable regulations, revenue 
procedures, publications, forms, instructions, or other guidance on the 
IRS.gov Internet Web site. These regulations affect plan administrators 
and employers maintaining retirement plans that are subject to various 
employee benefit reporting requirements under the Internal Revenue Code 
(Code).

DATES: Effective Date: These regulations are effective September 29, 
2014.
    Applicability Date: For dates of applicability, see Sec. Sec.  
301.6057-3(f), 301.6058-2(f), and 301.6059-2(f).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Gibbs or Pamela Kinard at 
(202) 317-6799 (not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    This document contains amendments to 26 CFR part 301. On August 30, 
2013, a notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-111837-13) relating to the 
requirements

[[Page 58257]]

for filing certain employee retirement benefit plan statements, 
returns, and reports on magnetic media was published in the Federal 
Register (78 FR 53704). The proposed regulations provide that a plan 
administrator (or, in certain situations, an employer maintaining a 
plan) required by the Code or regulations to file at least 250 returns 
during the calendar year that includes the first day of the plan year 
must use magnetic media to file certain statements, returns, and 
reports required under sections 6057, 6058, and 6059 of the Code. 
Comments responding to the notice of proposed rulemaking were received. 
No public hearing was requested or held. After consideration of all the 
comments, the proposed regulations are adopted as modified by this 
Treasury decision.

Summary of Comments and Explanation of Revisions

I. Use of FIRE System for Filing Form 8955-SSA

    The proposed regulations under section 6057 provide that a 
registration statement required under section 6057(a) or a notification 
required under section 6057(b) must be filed on magnetic media if the 
filer is required by the Code or regulations to file at least 250 
returns during the calendar year that includes the first day of the 
plan year. Magnetic media is defined as electronic filing or other 
media specifically permitted under applicable regulations, revenue 
procedures, publications, forms, instructions, or other guidance on the 
IRS.gov Internet Web site. See Sec.  601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this 
chapter.
    The form used to satisfy the requirement to file the registration 
statement under section 6057 is Form 8955-SSA, ``Annual Registration 
Statement Identifying Separated Participants with Deferred Vested 
Benefits.'' The preamble to the proposed regulations noted that many 
filers of the Form 8955-SSA already voluntarily file electronically 
with the IRS, but did not identify the system currently used to file 
electronically.
    Commenters expressed concern that not identifying the ``Filing 
Information Returns Electronically'' (FIRE) system as the system 
currently used to file the Form 8955-SSA electronically could imply 
that the use of the FIRE system is not (or, in the near future, will 
not be) an acceptable system to file the Form 8955-SSA electronically. 
In response to this concern, the Department of the Treasury and the IRS 
confirm that the FIRE system is an acceptable electronic system to file 
the Form 8955-SSA. If, in the future, the IRS replaces the FIRE system 
with another electronic filing system, sufficient time will be provided 
to filers of the Form 8955-SSA to accommodate programming and other 
implementation needs.
    Commenters also stated that certain aspects of the FIRE system need 
improvement, including the lack of an efficient batch processing system 
and costs associated with using the system. The specific requirements 
of the FIRE system are outside the scope of these regulations, but 
comments on possible FIRE system improvements have been forwarded to 
the staff at the IRS responsible for the FIRE system.

II. Application of the E-File Mandate to One-Participant Plans

    The proposed regulations under section 6058 provide that a return 
required under section 6058 must be filed on magnetic media if the 
filer is required by the Code or regulations to file at least 250 
returns during the calendar year that includes the first day of the 
plan year. The preamble to the proposed regulations noted that filers 
of the Form 5500, ``Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan,'' 
and Form 5500-SF, ``Short Form Annual Return/Report of Small Employee 
Benefit Plan,'' are already required, pursuant to Department of Labor 
(DOL) rules, to file these returns electronically through the 
computerized ERISA Filing Acceptance System (EFAST2). The preamble to 
the proposed regulations also noted that, while electronic filing is 
not available for the Form 5500-EZ, ``Annual Return of One-Participant 
(Owners and their Spouses) Retirement Plan,'' certain filers that would 
otherwise file the Form 5500-EZ on paper may instead file the Form 
5500-SF electronically through EFAST2.
    One commenter asked whether the proposed regulations impose 
additional filing obligations, other than the requirement to file 
electronically, on one-participant plans that meet the 250-return 
threshold for mandatory electronic filing. In particular, the commenter 
asked whether a one-participant plan would now be required to file an 
actuarial report under section 6059 when filing the Form 5500-SF in 
lieu of a paper Form 5500-EZ.
    In response to this comment, the Department of the Treasury and the 
IRS confirm that a one-participant plan (or a foreign plan) required to 
file electronically must use the Form 5500-SF to file the information 
required on the Form 5500-EZ, but will not be required to attach to the 
filing a Schedule SB, ``Single-Employer Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial 
Information,'' or Schedule MB, ``Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plan and 
Certain Money Purchase Plan Actuarial Information.''

III. Economic Hardship Waiver

    As noted in the proposed regulations, the Commissioner may waive 
the requirement to file electronically in cases of undue economic 
hardship. Because the Department of the Treasury and the IRS believe 
that electronic filing will not impose significant burdens on the 
taxpayers covered by these regulations, the Commissioner anticipates 
granting waivers of the electronic filing requirement in only 
exceptional cases. The Department of the Treasury and the IRS 
anticipate issuing guidance that will set forth procedures whereby a 
taxpayer may request a hardship waiver for electronically filing the 
Form 8955-SSA and the Form 5500 series. The Department of the Treasury 
and the IRS anticipate that the guidance would not provide hardship 
waiver procedures for any electronic filing requirement for a form that 
a filer is already required to file electronically, such as Form 5500 
and Form 5500-SF, which filers are already required to file 
electronically through EFAST2.

IV. Request To Extend Proposed Effective Date

    Commenters requested that the effective date of these regulations 
be extended from the effective date set forth in the proposed 
regulations. The proposed regulations provided that they would be 
effective for plan years that begin on or after January 1, 2014, but 
only for filings with a filing deadline (not taking into account 
extensions) after December 31, 2014. With respect to the filing 
requirements under section 6057, commenters specifically requested that 
the IRS confirm that the use of the existing FIRE system will satisfy 
the electronic filing requirement for the Form 8955-SSA through 2016. 
Because there is no current plan to change the electronic system used 
to file the Form 8955-SSA prior to the end of calendar year 2016, and 
significant changes to the form itself are not anticipated, these 
regulations generally retain the proposed effective date for section 
6057 filings. However, the regulations do provide an extended effective 
date for plans with short 2014 plan years by providing that these 
regulations only apply to filings with a filing deadline on or after 
July 31, 2015. For example, a plan with a short 2014 plan year ending 
November 30, 2014, would have a filing deadline of June 30, 2015, and 
thus would not be required to file electronically for that plan year.

[[Page 58258]]

    With respect to the filing requirements under sections 6058 and 
6059, these regulations extend the effective date by 12 months, so that 
the regulations generally apply to returns and actuarial reports 
required to be filed for plan years that begin on or after January 1, 
2015, but only for filings with a filing deadline (not taking into 
account extensions) after December 31, 2015. As announced in the 
proposed regulations, the IRS anticipates adding items on the Form 5500 
and Form 5500-SF relating solely to Code requirements and intends to 
provide an optional paper-only form containing those Code-related items 
for use by small filers. It is anticipated that the form will be 
available to satisfy the filing requirements with respect to the 2015 
plan year.

V. Certain Delinquent Filers Required To File on Paper

    Notice 2014-35 (2014-23 IRB 1072) provides administrative relief 
from IRS penalties under sections 6652(d), 6652(e), and 6692 for a 
failure to file timely in accordance with annual reporting requirements 
under sections 6047(e), 6057, 6058, and 6059. This administrative 
relief from IRS penalties applies to late filers that satisfy the 
requirements of the Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program 
(``DFVC Program'') administered by DOL. In order to be eligible for 
relief from the IRS penalties for a plan year, the late filer, within a 
certain time period after completing the filing under the DFVC Program, 
must file on paper with the IRS any delinquent Form 8955-SSA for the 
plan year.
    Similarly, Revenue Procedure 2014-32 (2014-23 IRB 1073) establishes 
a pilot program providing administrative relief for late filers of the 
Form 5500-EZ. In general, in order to receive relief from IRS 
penalties, the late filer must submit a complete Form 5500-EZ, 
including all required schedules and attachments, for each plan year 
for which the late filer is seeking penalty relief. A complete return 
for a plan year consists of a signed, filled-out paper version of the 
Form 5500-EZ for that plan year.
    Although the Department of the Treasury and IRS generally encourage 
filers to file electronically whenever possible, the IRS currently does 
not have the capability to accept electronic filing of a delinquent 
Form 8955-SSA or Form 5500-EZ. Thus, a delinquent filing of a Form 
8955-SSA or Form 5500-EZ that complies with the paper filing 
requirements in Notice 2014-35 and Rev. Proc. 2014-32, is excluded from 
the electronic filing requirements under these regulations. The IRS 
will announce those statements and returns that are excluded from 
electronic filing under these regulations in its publications, forms, 
and instructions.

Effective Date

    The regulations apply to employee retirement benefit plan 
statements and notifications required to be filed under section 6057 
for plan years that begin on or after January 1, 2014, but only for 
filings with a filing deadline (not taking into account extensions) on 
or after July 31, 2015.
    For employee retirement benefit plan returns and reports required 
to be filed under sections 6058 and 6059, the regulations apply for 
plan years that begin on or after January 1, 2015, but only for filings 
with a filing deadline (not taking into account extensions) after 
December 31, 2015.

Special Analyses

    It has been determined that this Treasury decision is not a 
significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866. 
Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It has also been 
determined that 5 U.S.C. 533(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 
U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these regulations. In addition, it 
is hereby certified that any collection of information contained in 
this regulation will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities, and therefore no flexibility 
analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) is 
required. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, 
these regulations have been submitted to the Office of Chief Counsel 
for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comments on its 
impact on small businesses.
    The certification is based on the fact that Sec. Sec.  301.6057-1, 
301.6058-1, and 301.6059-1 currently require filing with the IRS of 
information under sections 6057, 6058, and 6059 in accordance with 
applicable forms, schedules, and accompanying instructions. The 
regulations merely require that this information be filed 
electronically by persons required to file at least 250 returns for the 
calendar year, consistent with section 6011(e)(2)(A), which provides 
that, in prescribing regulations providing standards for determining 
which returns must be filed on magnetic media or in other machine-
readable form, the Secretary shall not require any person to file 
returns on magnetic media unless the person is required to file at 
least 250 returns during the calendar year. Many small entities are 
unlikely to file 250 returns or more during the calendar year. Filers 
of the Form 5500 and Form 5500-SF are already required to file the 
returns electronically through EFAST2 pursuant to DOL regulations. In 
addition, many filers of the Form 8955-SSA already voluntarily file 
electronically with the IRS through the use of the FIRE system.
    Further, if a taxpayer's operations are computerized, reporting in 
accordance with the regulations should be less costly than filing on 
paper. The Department of the Treasury and the IRS have determined that 
taxpayers should be able to comply at a reasonable cost with the 
requirement in these regulations to file employee retirement 
statements, returns, and reports on magnetic media. In addition, the 
regulations provide that the IRS may waive the electronic filing 
requirements upon a showing of economic hardship.

Drafting Information

    The principal authors of these regulations are William Gibbs and 
Pamela R. Kinard, Office of Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel 
(Tax Exempt and Government Entities). However, other personnel from the 
IRS and the Treasury Department participated in the development of 
these regulations.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 301

    Administrative practice and procedure, Alimony, Bankruptcy, Child 
support, Continental shelf, Courts, Crime, Employment taxes, Estate 
taxes, Excise taxes, Gift taxes, Income taxes, Investigations, Law 
enforcement, Oil pollution, Penalties, Pensions, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Seals and insignia, Statistics and Taxes.

Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 301 is amended as follows:

PART 301--PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION

0
Par. 1. The authority for part 301 continues to read in part as 
follows:

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7508* * *


0
Par. 2. Section 301.6057-3 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  301.6057-3  Required use of magnetic media for filing 
requirements relating to deferred vested retirement benefit.

    (a) Magnetic media filing requirements under section 6057. A 
registration statement required under section 6057(a) or a notification 
required under section 6057(b) with respect to an employee benefit plan

[[Page 58259]]

must be filed on magnetic media if the filer is required by the 
Internal Revenue Code or regulations to file at least 250 returns 
during the calendar year that includes the first day of the plan year. 
Returns filed on magnetic media must be made in accordance with 
applicable revenue procedures, publications, forms, instructions, or 
other guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site. In prescribing revenue 
procedures, publications, forms, instructions, or other guidance on the 
IRS.gov Internet Web site, the Commissioner may direct the type of 
magnetic media filing. See Sec.  601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    (b) Economic hardship waiver. The Commissioner may waive the 
requirements of this section in cases of undue economic hardship. The 
principal factor in determining hardship will be the amount, if any, by 
which the cost of filing the registration statements or notifications 
on magnetic media in accordance with this section exceeds the cost of 
filing the registration statements or notifications on other media. A 
request for a waiver must be made in accordance with applicable 
published guidance, publications, forms, instructions, or other 
guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site. See Sec.  
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter. The waiver will specify the type 
of filing (that is, a registration statement or notification under 
section 6057) and the period to which it applies. In addition, the 
waiver will be subject to such terms and conditions regarding the 
method of filing as may be prescribed by the Commissioner.
    (c) Failure to file. If a filer required to file a registration 
statement or other notification under section 6057 fails to file the 
statement or other notification on magnetic media when required to do 
so by this section, the filer is deemed to have failed to file the 
statement or other notification. See section 6652(d) for the amount 
imposed for the failure to file a registration statement or other 
notification required under section 6057. In determining whether there 
is reasonable cause for the failure to file the registration statement 
or notification under section 6057, Sec.  301.6652-3(b) and rules 
similar to the rules in Sec.  301.6724-1(c)(3)(ii) (regarding undue 
economic hardship related to filing information returns on magnetic 
media) will apply.
    (d) Meaning of terms. The following definitions apply for purposes 
of this section.
    (1) Magnetic media. The term magnetic media means electronic 
filing, as well as other media specifically permitted under applicable 
regulations, revenue procedures, or publications, forms, instructions, 
or other guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site. See Sec.  
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    (2) Registration statement required under section 6057(a). The term 
registration statement required under section 6057(a) means a Form 
8955-SSA (or its successor).
    (3) Notification required under section 6057(b). The term 
notification required under section 6057(b) means either a Form 8955-
SSA (or its successor) or a return in the Form 5500 series (or its 
successor).
    (4) Determination of 250 returns--(i) In general. For purposes of 
this section, a filer is required to file at least 250 returns if, 
during the calendar year that includes the first day of the plan year, 
the filer is required to file at least 250 returns of any type, 
including information returns (for example, Forms W-2 and Forms 1099), 
income tax returns, employment tax returns, and excise tax returns.
    (ii) Definition of filer. For purposes of this section, the term 
filer means the plan administrator within the meaning of section 
414(g). If the plan administrator within the meaning of section 414(g) 
is the employer, the special rules in Sec.  1.6058-2(d)(3)(iii) will 
apply.
    (e) Example. The following example illustrates the provisions of 
paragraph (d)(4) of this section:

    Example.  In 2015, P, the plan administrator of Plan B, is 
required to file 252 returns (including Forms 1099-R, 
``Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-
Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.;'' Form 8955-SSA, 
``Annual Registration Statement Identifying Separated Participants 
with Deferred Vested Benefits;'' Form 5500, ``Annual Return/Report 
of Employee Benefit Plan;'' and Form 945, ``Annual Return of 
Withheld Federal Income Tax''). Plan B's plan year is the calendar 
year. Because P is required to file at least 250 returns during the 
2015 calendar year, P must file the 2015 Form 8955-SSA for Plan B 
electronically.

    (f) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable for 
registration statements and other notifications required to be filed 
under section 6057 for plan years that begin on or after January 1, 
2014, but only for filings with a filing deadline (not taking into 
account extensions) on or after July 31, 2015.

0
Par. 3. Section 301.6058-2 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  301.6058-2  Required use of magnetic media for filing 
requirements relating to information required in connection with 
certain plans of deferred compensation.

    (a) Magnetic media filing requirements under section 6058. A return 
required under section 6058 with respect to an employee benefit plan 
must be filed on magnetic media if the filer is required by the 
Internal Revenue Code or regulations to file at least 250 returns 
during the calendar year that includes the first day of the plan year. 
Returns filed on magnetic media must be made in accordance with 
applicable revenue procedures, publications, forms, instructions, or 
other guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site. In prescribing revenue 
procedures, publications, forms, and instructions, or other guidance on 
the IRS.gov Internet site, the Commissioner may direct the type of 
magnetic media filing. See Sec.  601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    (b) Economic hardship waiver. The Commissioner may waive the 
requirements of this section in cases of undue economic hardship. The 
principal factor in determining hardship will be the amount, if any, by 
which the cost of filing the return on magnetic media in accordance 
with this section exceeds the cost of filing the returns on other 
media. A request for a waiver must be made in accordance with 
applicable published guidance, publications, forms, instructions, or 
other guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site. See Sec.  
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter. The waiver will specify the type 
of filing (that is, a return required under section 6058) and the 
period to which it applies. In addition, the waiver will be subject to 
such terms and conditions regarding the method of filing as may be 
prescribed by the Commissioner.
    (c) Failure to file. If a filer required to file a return under 
section 6058 fails to file the return on magnetic media when required 
to do so by this section, the filer is deemed to have failed to file 
the return. See section 6652(e) for the amount imposed for the failure 
to file a return required under section 6058. In determining whether 
there is reasonable cause for failure to file the return, Sec.  
301.6652-3(b) and rules similar to the rules in Sec.  301.6724-
1(c)(3)(ii) (regarding undue economic hardship related to filing 
information returns on magnetic media) will apply.
    (d) Meaning of terms. The following definitions apply for purposes 
of this section.
    (1) Magnetic media. The term magnetic media means electronic 
filing, as well as other media specifically permitted under applicable 
regulations, revenue procedures, or publications, forms, instructions, 
or other guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site. See Sec.  
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    (2) Return required under section 6058. The term return required 
under

[[Page 58260]]

section 6058 means a return in the Form 5500 series (or its successor).
    (3) Determination of 250 returns--(i) In general. For purposes of 
this section, a filer is required to file at least 250 returns if, 
during the calendar year that includes the first day of the plan year, 
the filer is required to file at least 250 returns of any type, 
including information returns (for example, Forms W-2 and Forms 1099), 
income tax returns, employment tax returns, and excise tax returns.
    (ii) Definition of filer. For purposes of this section, the term 
filer means the employer or employers maintaining the plan and the plan 
administrator within the meaning of section 414(g).
    (iii) Special rules relating to determining 250 returns. For 
purposes of applying paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section, the 
aggregation rules of section 414(b), (c), (m), and (o) will apply to a 
filer that is or includes an employer. Thus, for example, a filer that 
is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of 
section 414(b) must file the Form 5500 series on magnetic media if the 
aggregate number of returns required to be filed by all members of the 
controlled group of corporations is at least 250.
    (e) Example. The following example illustrates the provisions of 
paragraph (d)(3) of this section:

    Example.  In 2016 Employer X (the plan sponsor of Plan A) and P 
(the plan administrator of Plan A) are required to file 267 returns. 
Employer X is required to file the following: one Form 1120, ``U.S. 
Corporation Income Tax Return;'' 195 Forms W-2, ``Wage and Tax 
Statement;'' 25 Forms 1099-DIV, ``Dividends and Distributions;'' one 
Form 940, ``Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax 
Return;'' and four Forms 941, ``Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax 
Return.'' P is required to file 40 Forms 1099-R, ``Distributions 
From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement, Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, 
Insurance Contracts, etc.'' P and Employer X are jointly required to 
file one Form 5500 series return. Plan A's plan year is the calendar 
year. Because P and Employer X, in the aggregate, are required to 
file at least 250 returns during the calendar year, the 2016 Form 
5500 for Plan A must be filed electronically.

    (f) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable for 
returns required to be filed under section 6058 for plan years that 
begin on or after January 1, 2015, but only for filings with a filing 
deadline (not taking into account extensions) after December 31, 2015.
    Par. 4. Section 301.6059-2 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  301.6059-2  Required use of magnetic media for filing 
requirements relating to periodic report of actuary.

    (a) Magnetic media filing requirements under section 6059. An 
actuarial report required under section 6059 with respect to an 
employee benefit plan must be filed on magnetic media if the filer is 
required by the Internal Revenue Code or regulations to file at least 
250 returns during the calendar year that includes the first day of the 
plan year. Actuarial reports filed on magnetic media must be made in 
accordance with applicable revenue procedures, publications, forms, 
instructions, or other guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site. In 
prescribing revenue procedures, publications, forms, instructions, or 
other guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site, the Commissioner may 
direct the type of magnetic media filing. See Sec.  
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    (b) Economic hardship waiver. The Commissioner may waive the 
requirements of this section in cases of undue economic hardship. The 
principal factor in determining hardship will be the amount, if any, by 
which the cost of filing the reports on magnetic media in accordance 
with this section exceeds the cost of filing the reports on other 
media. A request for a waiver must be made in accordance with 
applicable published guidance, publications, forms, instructions, or 
other guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site. See Sec.  
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter. The waiver will specify the type 
of filing (that is, an actuarial report required under section 6059) 
and the period to which it applies. In addition, the waiver will be 
subject to such terms and conditions regarding the method of filing as 
may be prescribed by the Commissioner.
    (c) Failure to file. If a filer required to file an actuarial 
report under section 6059 fails to file the report on magnetic media 
when required to do so by this section, the filer is deemed to have 
failed to file the report. See section 6692 for the penalty for the 
failure to file an actuarial report. In determining whether there is 
reasonable cause for failure to file the report, Sec.  301.6692-1(c) 
and rules similar to the rules in Sec.  301.6724-1(c)(3)(ii) (regarding 
undue economic hardship related to filing information returns on 
magnetic media) will apply.
    (d) Meaning of terms. The following definitions apply for purposes 
of this section.
    (1) Magnetic media. The term magnetic media means electronic 
filing, as well as other media specifically permitted under applicable 
regulations, revenue procedures, or publications, forms, instructions, 
or other guidance on the IRS.gov Internet Web site. See Sec.  
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    (2) Actuarial report required under section 6059--(i) Single 
employer plans. For a single employer plan, the term actuarial report 
required under section 6059 means the Schedule SB, ``Single-Employer 
Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Information,'' of the Form 5500 series 
(or its successor).
    (ii) Multiemployer and certain money purchase plans. For 
multiemployer and certain money purchase plans, the term actuarial 
report required under section 6059 means the Schedule MB, 
``Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plan and Certain Money Purchase Plan 
Actuarial Information,'' of the Form 5500 series (or its successor).
    (3) Determination of 250 returns--(i) In general. For purposes of 
this section, a filer is required to file at least 250 returns if, 
during the calendar year that includes the first day of the plan year, 
the filer is required to file at least 250 returns of any type, 
including information returns (for example, Forms W-2 and Forms 1099), 
income tax returns, employment tax returns, and excise tax returns.
    (ii) Definition of filer. For purposes of this section, the term 
filer means the plan administrator within the meaning of section 
414(g). If the plan administrator within the meaning of section 414(g) 
is the employer, the special rules in Sec.  1.6058-2(d)(3)(iii) will 
apply.
    (e) Example. The following example illustrates the provisions of 
paragraph (d)(3) of this section:

    Example.  In 2016, P, the plan administrator of Plan B (a single 
employer defined benefit plan), is required to file 266 returns 
(including Forms 1099-R ``Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, 
Retirement, Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.'' 
and one Form 5500 series). Plan B's plan year is the calendar year. 
Because P is required to file at least 250 returns during the 
calendar year, P must file the 2016 Schedule SB of the Form 5500 
series return for Plan B electronically.

    (f) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable for 
actuarial reports required to be filed under section 6059 for plan 
years that begin on or after January 1, 2015, but only for filings with 
a filing deadline (not taking

[[Page 58261]]

into account extensions) after December 31, 2015.

 John Dalrymple,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
    Approved: September 23, 2014.
Mark J. Mazur,
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy).
[FR Doc. 2014-23161 Filed 9-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P