Several IRS forms are associated with 401(k) plans, depending on your role and activity—whether you're a participant receiving a distribution, a plan administrator/TPA reporting plan activity, or a business owner managing tax credits. Below is a breakdown of the most common tax and informational forms related to 401(k) plans.

Tax Forms for 401(k) Participants

Form 1099-R 

Distributions from Retirement Accounts - If you take a distribution from your 401(k)—including a loan that is deemed distributed or offset—you’ll receive Form 1099-R. Includes:

  • The total amount withdrawn

  • The taxable portion of the distribution

  • Whether an early withdrawal penalty may apply

  • Any federal or state tax withheld

Who sends it: The plan's custodian, not Ubiquity.
When to expect it: By January 31 of the year following the distribution.
Need a copy? If you haven’t received your 1099-R by February 15, contact Ubiquity at info@myubiquity.com and we’ll request one from the custodian on your behalf.

Tax Forms for Plan Administrators and Employers

Form 5330

Excise Taxes for Late Contributions - Used to report and pay excise taxes on:

  • Late employee deferrals

  • Late participant loan repayments

  • Late safe harbor employer contributions

  • Late corrective distributions

Deadline: The Form 5330 is due by July 31 following the end of the plan year in which the late transaction occurred.
Extension available: You may request a 6-month filing extension by submitting Form 8868 to the IRS by the original 7/31 deadline. This form should be submitted by the Plan Administrator or Plan Sponsor.

Access Form 8868 and instructions here

Need assistance? Ubiquity can prepare Form 5330 for you upon request for a preparation fee. Contact us for more information.

Form 8881

Credit for Small Employer Pension Plan Startup Costs - This form allows eligible small businesses to claim a tax credit for starting a new 401(k) plan. Use Form 8881 to:

  • Claim up to $5,000/year for 50% of qualified startup and administrative costs

  • File it with your business tax return

This credit is available for each of the first three years of the plan.

 

Informational Forms 

These forms are commonly confused with tax forms but are used for reporting and compliance, not tax filing:

Form 5500

Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan - Used to report plan operations to the IRS and Department of Labor. Includes:

  • Total assets

  • Contributions, distributions, and participant counts

When you’ll receive it: Ubiquity will notify plan administrators beginning in June when the Form 5500 is ready for signature.
It must be signed electronically via EFAST2.

Form 5558

Extension of Time to File Form 5500 - If your Form 5500 is not signed by July 31, Ubiquity will file Form 5558 on your behalf to extend the filing deadline to October 15.

To avoid the $195 extension filing fee, notify Ubiquity before July 25 if you'd like us to place your plan on extension.

Form 8955-SSA

Reporting Terminated Participants - Used to notify the Social Security Administration of former employees who:

  • Are no longer employed

  • Still have a balance in the plan

  • Have not received a full distribution

This allows the SSA to alert them of any retirement benefits when they reach retirement age.

Need Help?

  • Participants: Contact info@myubiquity.com or use the chat tool after logging in to your portal.

  • Plan Administrators/TPAs: Contact us for help with reporting, filing, extensions, or requesting forms