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IRS Form 5500-EZ deadlines

Original due dates and Form 5558 extension dates for the most common Solo 401(k) plan years. Always verify against the official IRS instructions for the form year.

FilingDateApplies to

Form 5500-EZ — Plan year 2024 (calendar year)

Original due date for plan year ending December 31, 2024. File on paper if under the 10-return e-filing threshold, otherwise via EFAST2.

Calendar-year one-participant Solo 401(k) plans above $250,000 combined assets at 12/31/2024.

Form 5500-EZ — Plan year 2024 with Form 5558 extension

Extended deadline if Form 5558 was paper-filed by July 31, 2025. The extension is automatic (no IRS approval letter required).

Calendar-year plans that filed Form 5558 timely for plan year 2024.

Form 5500-EZ — Plan year 2025 (calendar year)

Original due date for plan year ending December 31, 2025. Last day of the 7th month after the plan year ends.

Calendar-year one-participant Solo 401(k) plans above $250,000 combined assets at 12/31/2025.

Form 5500-EZ — Plan year 2025 with Form 5558 extension

Extended deadline if Form 5558 is paper-filed by July 31, 2026 with the IRS Ogden, UT service center.

Calendar-year plans that file Form 5558 timely for plan year 2025.

Form 5500-EZ — Plan year 2026 (calendar year)

Original due date for plan year ending December 31, 2026 (July 31, 2027 falls on a Saturday — deadline rolls to next business day).

Calendar-year one-participant Solo 401(k) plans above $250,000 combined assets at 12/31/2026.

Form 5500-EZ — Final return (sample short plan year)

Final-year due date for a plan terminating March 15, 2026 — last day of the 7th month after the short plan year ends.

Plans with a final year ending in March 2026 (illustrative example).
Penalty reminder: Missing a required Form 5500-EZ can trigger an IRS late-filing penalty of $250 per day, capped at $150,000 per plan year. The IRS Late Filer Penalty Relief Program (Rev. Proc. 2015-32) caps voluntary correction at $500 per delinquent return up to $1,500 per submission.