What to keep in a Solo 401(k) annual passport
The source-of-truth file that makes next year's Form 5500-EZ packet faster to review.
Summary
A Solo 401(k) annual passport bundles 7 stable identity fields (sponsor, EIN, plan number 002, plan year pattern, opinion-letter ref, custodian, plan adoption date) and 8 yearly numbers (BOY assets, EOY assets, employer contribution, employee deferral, distributions, loan balance, loan during-year flag, final-year flag). Example: with a passport in hand, year 2 packet preparation takes ~6 minutes instead of ~25. ERISA recordkeeping requires plan documents kept for 6 years — the passport bridges that, but does not replace official records.
The annual passport reduces re-entry mistakes; it does not replace official records.
| Carry forward | Plan name, sponsor, EIN, plan numberStable identity fields should be reviewed each year. |
|---|---|
| Annual fields | Assets, contributions, distributions, loansTie each number to source records. |
| Never store | Login.gov, EFAST2, SSN, bank credentialsOfficial credentials and sensitive identifiers stay outside the passport. |
Keep the facts that repeat
Plan name, sponsor name, EIN, plan number, plan year pattern, account references, plan-document notes, and prior-year filed return references are the useful carry-forward fields. They still need review every year.
Keep the facts that change
Annual contributions, rollovers, distributions, transfers, participant loan facts, beginning assets, ending assets, and final-year status are year-specific. Each should point back to a statement, record, or user note.
Keep the boundary clear
The passport helps the user assemble records faster. It does not monitor compliance, operate the plan, approve transactions, store official credentials, or create professional advice.
Common questions
What is an annual passport?
It is a plain record of the filing facts entered, packet summary, source notes, and carry-forward reminders for the next plan year.
Does it replace plan records?
No. Keep official plan documents, amendments, account statements, filed returns, loan records, and extension records separately.
Why keep prior-year balances?
Prior-year ending balances often become the next year's beginning balances. Keeping them visible reduces reconciliation errors.
Should I store official portal credentials?
No. Do not store Login.gov credentials, EFAST2 PINs, SSNs, brokerage credentials, or trust account credentials in the passport.
Related guides
Solo 401(k) $250,000 threshold for Form 5500-EZ
How the IRS $250,000 one-participant plan asset threshold works for Solo 401(k) Form 5500-EZ filing.
Solo 401(k) owner-only eligibility for Form 5500-EZ
The common-law employee question that decides whether a simple one-participant packet is still the right lane.
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.