Form 5500-EZ total assets from brokerage statements
A source-record guide for Solo 401(k) sponsors organizing year-end statements and combined one-participant plan assets.
Summary
For Form 5500-EZ, start with year-end plan asset records such as brokerage, trust and loan statements. Combine one-participant plan assets maintained by the sponsor when checking the $250,000 exception. Do not rely on a personal net-worth view, taxable brokerage account, or incomplete custodian export.
The $250,000 check is a plan-asset check, not a personal-account check.
| Record date | Plan year endUse year-end plan statements where possible. |
|---|---|
| Threshold check | Combined one-participant plan assetsNot just one brokerage subaccount. |
| Hard stop | Hard-to-value assetsAlternative assets or liabilities are outside simple packet scope. |
Records to collect
Collect year-end brokerage statements, trust account statements, participant loan schedules, rollover or distribution confirmations, prior-year return, and any custodian valuation support.
Example
A sponsor has $180,000 at one custodian and $92,000 at another for the same one-participant plan arrangement. The combined plan asset view is $272,000, so the $250,000 exception cannot be checked from only one statement.
When to stop
Stop for real estate, private company interests, crypto wallets outside ordinary custodian statements, nonzero liabilities, missing statements, disputed values, or controlled group questions.
Common questions
Which statement should I use?
Use the official plan-year-end statement or custodian/trust records for the plan. Keep beginning and ending statements with the packet.
Do I count participant loans?
Participant loans are plan facts and should be reviewed with the Form 5500-EZ instructions and plan records. If loan reporting is unclear, stop for professional review.
Related guides
Brokerage statement checklist for Form 5500-EZ
The source-record checklist a Solo 401(k) owner should assemble before preparing a Form 5500-EZ packet.
Which Solo 401(k) assets go on Form 5500-EZ?
How to organize beginning and ending plan assets before preparing an annual one-participant return.
Form 5500-EZ final return with zero assets
A practical guide for Solo 401(k) sponsors checking whether a zero-asset final year still needs Form 5500-EZ.
Official sources for this guide
Last reviewed: .