Filing for an IRS pre-approved plan requires Form 4461, which must be accompanied by a user fee and a power of attorney if necessary. Learn more about IRS pre-approved plans and the submitting requirements for Form 4461.
What is Form 4461?
Form 4461 is used to request an opinion letter on a pre-approved plan from the Internal Revenue Service. This form should be sent to the IRS’ Pre-Approved Plans Coordinator at one of two possible addresses, depending on the delivery service. It must also be signed by a partner or officer of the applicant or by someone authorized to sign via power of attorney. Additionally, a taxpayer can request that the IRS disclose return information to a designated person or persons. Furthermore, pre-approved plans include adoption agreement plans, single document plans, flexible plans, standardized plans, nonstandardized plans, ESOPs, and statutory hybrid plans. Form 4461 also requests various pieces of information regarding the plan, including contact information, user fees, and other information.
IRS Form 4461 – Who Needs to Fill It Out?
Form 4461 must be completed by providers who offer a pre-approved plan for adoption by employers. A provider is any person with an established place of business in the United States who represents they have at least 15 employer-clients using the same plan. The completed form must be submitted with the applicable user fee and be signed by a partner or officer of the applicant, or a person authorized by power of attorney. Additionally, a written request is required if a taxpayer wishes to authorize someone else to receive information about their return. Finally, the form must be sent to the Internal Revenue Service’s Pre-Approved Plans Coordinator, either physically or electronically.
Step-by-Step: Form 4461 Instructions For Filling Out the Document
The Form 4461 application must include a user fee and Form 8717-A, User Fee for Employee Plan Opinion Letter Request (as specified in 2018-1 I.R.B. 146). Information that must be provided includes the applicant’s name and address, a fax number, and a two-digit number for the basic plan document and a three-digit number for the adoption agreement. If applicable, include an authorized power of attorney and a copy of the plan with language differences highlighted. Mass submitters must submit a Form 4461-B and a Form 8717-A. This form is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act; estimated average completion time is 8 hr. 22 min.
Below, we present a table that will help you understand how to fill out Form 4461.
| Information Required for Form 4461 | Details |
|---|---|
| Required Information | Name, address, fax number, two-digit and three-digit numbers, authorized power of attorney, plan copy |
| Mass Submitters | Mass submitters must also submit Form 4461-B and Form 8717-A |
| Time Estimate | Estimated average completion time is 8 hr. 22 min. |
Do You Need to File Form 4461 Each Year?
If you sponsor a pre-approved Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) pension plan, you must file Form 4461 with the IRS each year. This form must include information on the plan’s provider, submission of a user fee, power of attorney, fax number for special notices, plan numbers, and other information. It may also require listed documents such as a copy of the plan or affidavits stating why the plan is not word-for-word identical to the lead plan. Ensure you submit the form with all the necessary documents and information to avoid processing delays.
Download the official IRS Form 4461 PDF
On the official IRS website, you will find a link to download Form 4461. However, to make it easier for you, we are providing the link in our article, which comes directly from the official irs.gov website! Click to download: Form 4461
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