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Update · Feb 14, 2026, 04:28 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. The claim is drawn from a December 15, 2025 joint release noting that paper copies would be released separately after that date.
Progress evidence: The same release confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were posted online on December 15, 2025. It also states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would appear after January 1, 2026, indicating partial progress rather than completion.
Current status: As of February 13, 2026, there is no publicly confirmed posting of the paper copies by the IRS. IRS materials emphasize electronic filing via EFAST2 and online access, with no explicit public confirmation of a paper-copy release date.
Reliability and next steps: The principal sourcing is the DOL EBSA release, which is credible, but the IRS’s own communications are not showing a finalized paper-copy release. A follow-up should check the IRS Form 5500-EZ page, the EFAST2 notices, and any IRS press updates for a definitive release date.
Update · Feb 14, 2026, 02:43 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence reviewed from the IRS shows that Form 5500-EZ remains accessible primarily as an electronic filing option (EFAST2) and as online-fillable forms, with current guidance emphasizing electronic filing for many filers. There is no clear, public IRS notice confirming a concurrent release of printed paper copies for 2025 or instructions specifically after Jan 1, 2026 (as of Feb 13, 2026).
Progress indicators: The IRS maintains active online resources for Form 5500-EZ, including the form itself, its instructions, and related retirement-plan guidance. The primary portal for Form 5500-EZ filings is the EFAST2 system, and the agency provides online versions and prior-year PDFs when applicable. These resources suggest ongoing electronic availability, but do not document a formal paper-release schedule for 2025 materials.
Current status and milestones: No publicly verifiable milestone appears to document the release of paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026. The IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ and the Form 5500 Corner emphasize using the most current versions and electronic filing; they do not announce a supplementary paper printing program for 2025 materials. Consequently, the completion condition (paper copies released on the IRS site) cannot be affirmed based on available records.
Reliability and incentives: Information comes from official IRS pages that focus on electronic filing and current form instructions. The absence of a disclosed paper-release plan aligns with the broader federal trend toward electronic filing and digital forms, reducing incentives for maintaining large paper print runs. However, the lack of a clear confirmation leaves the status ambiguous, warranting a cautious interpretation that the claim remains unverified at this time.
Update · Feb 14, 2026, 12:48 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 EBSA release from the U.S. Department of Labor stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. Industry outlets summarized this language, providing contemporaneous corroboration.
Current status: As of February 13, 2026, there is no publicly verifiable IRS notice confirming that the paper copies have been released. The official guidance still points to a post–January 1, 2026 release window, with no explicit completion posted by IRS in the sources reviewed.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the post‑January 1, 2026 release window; the immediate upcoming period (early 2026) would be the window to observe a completed release if it occurred.
Source reliability note: The claim originated from an official EBSA press release (a high‑quality government source). Confirmation from the IRS directly would strengthen certainty about actual availability of the paper copies.
Bottom line: Based on the best public record, the release was planned for after January 1, 2026, but a verifiable completion notice was not found in the consulted sources. The situation remains in_progress until a definitive IRS update is published.
Update · Feb 13, 2026, 10:51 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint notice from the Department of Labor (EBSA) and related coverage indicated that the IRS would publish paper copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions separately after January 1, 2026, with the release anticipated in the near term (EBSA 2025-12-15; Plan Adviser/ASCENSUS coverage). Evidence of completion or final release: As of February 13, 2026, there is no clear, widely reported confirmation that the paper copies have been posted on the IRS website; IRS pages continue to present current/former year forms and instructions but do not explicitly confirm release of 2025 paper copies. Reliability note: The most direct public confirmation tied to the claim comes from the DOL/EBSA press materials and trade press summarizing IRS plans; there is no independent IRS press release confirming the actual posting date for the 2025 paper copies.
Update · Feb 13, 2026, 08:31 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor EBSA release confirms this plan and notes that informational copies were published online, while paper copies would appear on the IRS site after the date. The statement aligns with a coordinated release among agencies, but is not accompanied by a separate IRS press release confirming the paper distribution date beyond that general notice.
Evidence of progress: The EBSA release (DOL, 2025-12-15) explicitly states the IRS would release paper copies after January 1, 2026. It also describes the availability of informational copies online for Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, and related instructions, indicating partial progress toward accessibility of materials.
Current status: As of February 2026, there is no widely cited IRS press release or official IRS filing confirming the exact posting date of paper copies beyond the December 2025 notice. Several industry outlets echoed the claim, but primary IRS documentation confirming the actual posting date for paper copies is not readily visible in the cited sources.
Milestones and dates: Key milestone cited is January 1, 2026, after which the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions. The EBSA notice also directs filers to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions, signaling ongoing electronic availability alongside the pending paper copies.
Source reliability and limitations: The principal claim originates from a DOL EBSA press release (official federal agency), which is highly reliable for policy positions but relies on the IRS for the paper copy release date. Industry outlets reproduced the claim; however, direct IRS confirmation of the paper posting date is not evident in the immediate sources examined. Users should check the IRS and EFAST2 portals for the definitive posting date when available.
Update · Feb 13, 2026, 07:11 PMin_progress
What the claim stated: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A Department of Labor EBSA release dated December 15, 2025 states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online, and that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This establishes the stated timeline and separation of online informational copies vs. later paper copies.
Current status assessment: As of February 2026, there is no clear, widely publicized confirmation that the IRS has posted physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its site. IRS guidance and Form 5500-EZ materials continue to emphasize electronic filing via EFAST2, with paper submission options limited to specific late-filer scenarios per IRS/EFAST2 guidance. The lack of a definitive public update indicating completion suggests the paper-copy release may still be pending or has occurred outside prominent channels.
Dates and milestones: The controlling milestone referenced is January 1, 2026, after which the IRS was expected to provide paper copies on its site (per the DOL release). The EBSA notice also directs filers to monitor EFAST2 and IRS resources for the 2025 forms and instructions. No additional milestone confirmations have been identified in public, high‑quality outlets.
Source reliability note: The primary confirmation comes from the DOL EBSA press release (12/15/2025), a reputable federal source. IRS-related pages confirm electronic filing requirements and provide current form materials but do not show a finalized public post of paper copies as of early 2026. Given active policy coordination among DOL, IRS, and PBGC, the reporting is cautious and reflects official positions without implying completed action where not publicly documented.
Update · Feb 13, 2026, 04:11 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor (EBSA) stated that the IRS would release paper copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions separately after January 1, 2026, with official electronic versions to follow and guidance on filing (DOL press release, EBSA 25-1517-NAT). The same EBSA release notes that informational copies would be released online, while paper copies would appear later on the IRS site (DOL Newsroom, 2025-12-15). No definitive public confirmation has surfaced that the paper copies were actually posted on the IRS site as of 2026-02-13. Conclusion to date: status remains unclear; the stated completion condition hinges on a later posting by the IRS and has not been independently verified in accessible, high-quality sources by mid-February 2026. Reliability note: the key sourcing is a joint DOL/EBSA release and industry recaps; these are credible for announcements but do not themselves guarantee posting dates beyond the stated plan. Economic/incentive context: the arrangement aligns with standard government release sequencing—informational online copies precede formal paper copies; incentives include leveraging electronic filing systems (EFAST2) and ensuring paper copies are available for those needing them, while agencies emphasize electronic filing requirements for 2024+.
Update · Feb 13, 2026, 02:10 PMin_progress
Summary of the claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Public reporting and agency notices describe a staged release, with online informational copies posted in December 2025 and a separate post-date release planned for paper copies after 2026‑01‑01.
Update · Feb 13, 2026, 12:54 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence to date shows that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online by the agencies involved, with a specific note that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released separately by the IRS after January 1, 2026 (DOL release, Dec 15, 2025).
Progress so far: The December 15, 2025 DOL press release confirms online informational copies of the 2025 forms and specifies the IRS plan to provide paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. The IRS forms hub and related pages continue to host electronic copies and updated instructions, but do not, as of mid-February 2026, publicly document the actual posting of paper copies.
What remains uncertain: There is no public evidence in February 2026 that the IRS has posted physical-paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on IRS.gov. The completion condition—paper copies released on the IRS website—has not been independently verified in available sources beyond the initial notice.
Reliability and sources: The key statements come from the U.S. Department of Labor’s EBSA news release (Dec 15, 2025), which cites the IRS plan, and from IRS pages describing Form 5500-EZ. Reputable outlets reproduce the DOL notice, and the official government source provides the most authoritative baseline for timing. No indication appears of contradictory incentives that would negate the stated timeline.
Notes on incentives and policy context: The notice relates to standardizing and informing retirement-plan reporting. The explicit timeline for paper copies appears procedural rather than policy-shifting, with the diligence expected from agencies that issue informational copies before formal filings. If the IRS maintains the stated schedule, the paper copies should appear on the IRS site shortly after the January 1, 2026 milestone; otherwise, updated notices would be needed.
Summary: The claim is currently best characterized as in_progress. Informational copies are available online, and a paper-copy release was planned for after January 1, 2026, but publicly verifiable posting of those paper copies had not been confirmed as of February 2026.
Update · Feb 13, 2026, 11:08 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claims the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 joint release from DOL/IRS/PBGC states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online, with paper copies and the 2025 instructions to follow after January 1, 2026. Milestones and current status: As of February 2026, there is no public confirmation that the IRS has posted or distributed the physical paper copies for 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions, only the announced post-date plan. Source reliability and caveats: The primary source is an official government release; multiple industry outlets echoed the same timeline, but the completion status hinges on the IRS posting those paper copies after the specified date.
Update · Feb 13, 2026, 08:56 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms this planned action, noting that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 would be released separately by the IRS after January 1, 2026. In other words, the claim describes an intended post–Jan 1, 2026 distribution of hard copies by the IRS, with online informational copies already made available.
Evidence of progress: As of the current date, the primary public record documenting this promise is the DOL EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025), which explicitly states the IRS plan. That release also indicates that informational copies of the 2025 forms were released online, implying partial progress on the broader Form 5500 ecosystem. No additional public notice or IRS confirmation appears to have been published confirming the actual paper-copy release date or availability beyond January 1, 2026.
Evidence of completion, in progress, or failure: There is no corroborating public report that the IRS has released physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions by February 2026. The IRS materials found emphasize online informational copies and guidance, but they do not show a finalized paper-copy release. Based on available sources, the completion condition (paper copies released) remains unresolved.
Key dates and milestones: The source article and DOL release are dated December 15, 2025, confirming the stated plan to post or provide paper copies after January 1, 2026. There is no subsequent, verifiable IRS post-implementation milestone accessible in public records up to February 12, 2026, indicating whether the paper copies were actually published.
Source reliability and notes: The most authoritative item is a DOL EBSA news release (Dec 15, 2025), a government agency, which lends credibility to the stated plan. Supplementary coverage from industry outlets reiterates the same claim but is less authoritative than the original agency release. Given the incentives of the agencies involved (policy administration and risk of filing compliance), the claim’s framing is neutral in tone and not obviously exaggerated, though public confirmation of release remains pending.
Update · Feb 13, 2026, 05:22 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence progress: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor jointly announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. This establishes online availability of informational copies and a schedule for paper copies, but not a completed paper release.
Current status: As of February 12, 2026, there is no clear public record confirming that the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions have been released on the IRS website. The official notice emphasizes planned post–Jan 1, 2026 availability for paper copies, while online informational copies are already accessible.
Dates and milestones: Key milestone is the December 15, 2025 joint release of informational copies online. The projected post–January 1, 2026 release of paper copies was stated by the agencies, but a specific paper-release date beyond that is not publicly documented.
Source reliability note: The primary citation is a U.S. Department of Labor news release (official government source) with cross-agency coordination (IRS and PBGC). Additional industry summaries corroborate the timing but are secondary. The evaluation relies on official statements about the process and timing rather than unverified claims.
Overall assessment: The claim remains plausible and partially realized (online informational copies available). The explicit paper-release event for Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions appears not yet confirmed as completed by the date in question.
Update · Feb 13, 2026, 03:38 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for separate download after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL/EBSA release confirms this intention and notes that paper copies would appear on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. It does not indicate the paper copies were already released.
Evidence of progress: The joint DOL press release (Dec 15, 2025) states that informational copies of the 2025 forms would be released online, with paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions to be published separately by the IRS after Jan 1, 2026. IRS materials describe Form 5500-EZ but do not show a completed post-Jan 1, 2026 release date before that date.
Current status: As of 2026-02-12, there is no public evidence in the cited sources that the IRS has released paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions. The official note specifies a future post‑Jan 1, 2026 release, not a completed action by that date.
Notes on reliability: The claim relies on primary federal sources (DOL/EBSA release) and IRS form information; trade outlets corroborate the same timeline but are not independent verifications. The response reflects the available public records and notes the absence of a published completion as of the current date.
Update · Feb 13, 2026, 01:58 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The EBSA release confirms the intention, citing that paper copies would appear after the date referenced by the IRS. As of February 12, 2026, public evidence shows no definitive confirmation that the paper copies have been released, with primary IRS availability in electronic form and no explicit published fulfillment date.
Update · Feb 12, 2026, 11:20 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions would be released after January 1, 2026. DOL's Dec 15, 2025 release reiterates that paper copies would be posted on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026, alongside online informational copies. As of 2026-02-12, there is no definitive public confirmation that the paper copies have been posted; available evidence points to anticipated post-2026-01-01 posting and ongoing availability of electronic forms and notices. The reliability of sources is mixed between the primary DOL release and IRS guidance pages that discuss forms, instructions, and filing processes.
Update · Feb 12, 2026, 08:32 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows the 2025 informational copies were released online in mid-December 2025, with the DOL noting that paper copies would come later. There is no public IRS confirmation by February 2026 that the paper copies had been released.
Progress toward completion: Online informational copies for the 2025 forms were published, and filers were directed to use EFAST2 for official electronic filing once available. The IRS’s plan to issue paper copies after January 1, 2026 remains unverified in public IRS notices as of early 2026.
Status assessment: Based on available sources, the project is in_progress, with the online informational releases completed but the explicit paper-copy release not publicly confirmed. If a paper copy release occurred, it would be reflected in an IRS notice or updated guidance beyond February 2026.
Reliability note: The strongest confirmation comes from the December 15, 2025 DOL news release citing the separate paper-copy plan; IRS confirmation appears lacking in publicly accessible postings as of February 2026. Cross-checking with IRS retirement plan forms pages supports the ongoing emphasis on electronic filing via EFAST2.
Update · Feb 12, 2026, 06:59 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release acknowledges the online availability of informational copies and states the IRS will release paper copies after the specified date, with multiple industry outlets echoing the same timeline. Current status: As of early 2026, there is no public confirmation that the paper copies have been released; reporting indicates the release is contingent on the date after January 1, 2026 and no completed-paper release has been widely documented. Reliability note: The primary source is an official government press release (DOL/EBSA) corroborated by industry outlets, providing a consistent, neutral account of the planned release schedule.
Update · Feb 12, 2026, 04:15 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the EBSA, IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online and stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released after January 1, 2026. Current status: As of the latest reporting, the informational online copies are available, but there is no confirmed post-January 1, 2026 IRS posting verifying the actual paper-copy release. Milestones: The key dates are December 15, 2025 (informational copies online) and the planned post-January 1, 2026 release of paper copies; no firm completion notice has appeared. Reliability: The primary confirmations come from a DOL EBSA press release and subsequent industry coverage; these are reputable sources, but they do not show a finalized paper-copy release to date. Follow-up: Monitor IRS updates or EBSA notices for an explicit confirmation of the paper-copy release on or after 2026-01-01.
Update · Feb 12, 2026, 02:14 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint press release from the Department of Labor (EBSA), the IRS, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and explicitly notes that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of February 12, 2026, there is no clear, publicly available confirmation from the IRS that the paper copies have been released. Industry outlets and plan-regulatory updates reiterate the January 2026 timetable but do not show a completed release on IRS.gov. The official DOL press release remains the primary contemporaneous source confirming the planned sequence.
Milestones and dates: The key milestone cited is the January 1, 2026 cutoff after which paper copies would appear on the IRS website; the December 15, 2025 notice clarifies this sequencing. No IRS.gov posting confirming completion was found in current searches. Reliability note: The most authoritative explicit statement about the paper-copy release comes from the DOL EBSA press release, supplemented by industry recaps; there is no IRS page confirming the actual release date at this time.
Incentives and context: The communication reflects formal interagency coordination around Form 5500 series processing, with the noted incentive to align informational copies online with forthcoming paper versions. Given the absence of IRS confirmation of completion, readers should treat the paper-copy release as pending rather than complete.
Update · Feb 12, 2026, 12:41 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC notes that informational copies of the 2025 forms will be released online and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would follow on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. This establishes a plan and a sequence, but not a completed action verified on IRS.gov as of early 2026.
Evidence of progress includes the public posting of informational copies for 2025 and the stated timeline for the paper copies, which indicates movement toward the promised release. However, there is no independent, contemporaneous IRS confirmation that the paper copies have been published yet on the agency’s site. Official guidance continues to emphasize electronic filing via EFAST2, with updates being communicated through agency channels.
Current IRS pages describe Form 5500-EZ and related filing requirements and provide access to the form and instructions, but they do not document a confirmed post-January 1, 2026 paper-copy publication as of February 2026. Several trade and industry outlets echoed the December 2025 notice, lending external corroboration but not substituting for IRS confirmation. Given the information, the completion condition remains unresolved and depends on the IRS publishing the physical copies on its site.
Reliability rests on the joint DOL-IRS-PBGC release, which is the clearest source outlining the plan and timing. Cross-checks with IRS pages and industry summaries support consistency but do not prove completion. The evidence so far supports an in-progress status rather than a completed action.
Update · Feb 12, 2026, 11:01 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 EBSA/DOL press release confirms online informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released after January 1, 2026. There is no firm public date for the paper copies beyond that condition.
Update · Feb 12, 2026, 08:52 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence up to February 2026 indicates the agencies published informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online in December 2025, but the explicit paper copies for Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions were described as to be released after January 1, 2026 rather than being released immediately. The Department of Labor press release confirms the plan to publish paper copies after the date, not a firm release date. Multiple industry outlets echoed the December 2025 notice that the IRS would release paper copies after January 1, 2026, but do not show a confirmed release date or a completed release as of February 2026. Sources: DOL EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) and IRS/industry coverage referencing the same timeline. Progress toward the promise: The 2025 informational copies of Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558, and related instructions were released online in mid-December 2025. The specific paper copies were described as to be released separately by the IRS after January 1, 2026, on the IRS website. This indicates partial progress (informational copies available) with the paper copies expected later. The absence of a public, confirmed release date for the paper copies itself as of early February 2026 keeps the item in a state of ongoing execution. Current status and milestones: Informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online on or around December 15–16, 2025 (DOL press release; IRS corner notes). The paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 were planned to be published on the IRS website after January 1, 2026, with no cited completion date by February 2026. The reliability of this status is supported by the DOL release and corroborating industry reporting; no firm IRS public notice of a completed paper release appears in early 2026. Notes on incentives: The claim aligns with regulatory filing workflows where electronic copies are provided upfront and physical copies follow; this sequencing reduces printing/fulfillment costs and aligns with agency administrative timelines. If the paper copies are released, it would complete the promised delivery channel while maintaining the ongoing emphasis on electronic availability for filing and review.
Update · Feb 12, 2026, 04:16 AMin_progress
Summary of the claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The announcement was framed as a post-2025 online informational release tied to the Form 5500-EZ paper copies.
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 joint release from EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related materials would be available online, with the IRS planning to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after Jan. 1, 2026. This confirms an online release plan but not completion.
Current status: As of February 11, 2026, there is no public IRS confirmation that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or the 2025 instructions have been posted or distributed. The completion condition remains unmet based on available public records.
Reliability note: The key sources are federal agency releases (DOL EBSA) and IRS pages; they are reliable but the action appears pending, and no final paper-copy posting has been publicly verified.
Update · Feb 12, 2026, 02:50 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were published online and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Current status: As of the latest reporting, there is no independently verified IRS posting confirming the actual availability of the paper copies, so the status remains uncertain. Reliability note: The strongest public sourcing is the DOL release; the IRS pages outline reporting options but do not confirm the paper-copy posting date.
Update · Feb 12, 2026, 01:09 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: In December 2025, the Department of Labor and IRS jointly noted that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online, with the IRS indicating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately after January 1, 2026. The IRS and DOL emphasize electronic filing and the availability of online informational copies, but a definitive IRS paper-copy publication has not been publicly confirmed. Current status: as of February 2026, there is no clear, widely publicized confirmation of a posted IRS paper copy of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on the IRS site; the completion condition remains unverified and appears pending. Source reliability: the principal sources are official DOL EBSA news releases and IRS form guidance, which are high-quality and directly address the form’s 2025 updates and distribution method.
Update · Feb 11, 2026, 10:52 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 EBSA release notes this sequence, indicating online informational copies and a separate post-date paper copy release. As of early February 2026, no definitive IRS posting confirms the paper copies have been released.
Evidence of progress: The EBSA release confirms that informational copies for 2025 were posted online and that a paper-copy release was planned after January 1, 2026, aligning with the claimed timeline. This shows partial progress toward the stated objective, at least on the informational-material side.
Current status: The completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on the IRS website—has not been publicly verified as completed. IRS pages emphasize electronic procedures and EFAST2 access, with no explicit post-2026 paper-copy confirmation in accessible IRS notices.
Reliability and incentives: The claim stems from a cross-agency release (DOL EBSA) that cites IRS actions, lending credibility but requiring direct IRS confirmation for completion. The shift toward electronic filing and delayed paper copies suggests cost-saving and modernization incentives on the IRS side; independent verification from IRS is needed to resolve status ambiguities.
Update · Feb 11, 2026, 08:22 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint DOL/IRS/PBGC notice explicitly states this plan, making the release a future milestone rather than an already completed step. The article’s framing aligns with that official statement but does not indicate whether the paper copies have since been posted.
Progress evidence: The DOL/EBSA press release dated December 15, 2025 confirms the intention and timing for paper copies to be published after January 1, 2026. The notice also notes that informational copies of the 2025 forms were released online, with paper copies to follow on the IRS website. There is no widely cited confirmation that the paper copies were posted by February 2026.
Current status: Based on publicly available records up to February 2026, there is no clear report showing that the IRS has yet posted the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website. The official channel indicating the plan remains the December 2025 notice, which described future posting after January 2026. If posted, the IRS/EBSA updates are not prominently echoed in major outlets as of the date above.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is January 1, 2026 (start of the window for paper copies to appear). The EBSA release on December 15, 2025 is the primary source codifying the plan. The absence of a public posting by early 2026 suggests the completion may be pending or delayed, but no definitive completion confirmation is available from high-quality sources yet.
Source reliability note: The principal claim comes from a formal, government-issued joint press release (DOL/EBSA) dated December 15, 2025, which is a highly reliable source for this claim. Other industry aggregates echoed the same language, but they rely on the DOL/EBSA notice. Cross-verification with IRS posting would be ideal, but as of early 2026, no explicit IRS posting of the paper copies has been widely documented. Overall, the primary source supports the stated plan, while current status remains unresolved in public records.
Update · Feb 11, 2026, 06:57 PMin_progress
The claim restates that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. The DOL EBSA press release from December 15, 2025 confirms the promise but notes that informational copies are online and paper copies would come later on the IRS website. As of February 2026, there is no widely reported confirmation that the physical paper forms and instructions have been posted on IRS.gov. IRS and EBSA materials continue to provide electronic/informational copies, with no clear indication of immediate paper postings beyond the stated schedule. The status remains in_progress pending IRS publication of the paper copies, if and when they are released.
Update · Feb 11, 2026, 04:18 PMin_progress
The claim stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after Jan 1, 2026. Current public reporting shows a planned, post‑Jan 1, 2026 release rather than immediate posting. As of 2026-02-11, there is no IRS-confirmed posting of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper form and instructions on IRS.gov; available sources discuss the plan and related filing guidance but do not confirm completion.
Update · Feb 11, 2026, 02:17 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The claim posits a post-2025 release timeline for hard-copy forms, with online availability of the 2025 instructions thereafter. This formulation relies on a specific delayed distribution step not typical for forms that are usually posted online already.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Departments of Labor (EBSA), the IRS, and PBGC announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related materials would be published online. The agencies explicitly noted that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This shows a clear online publication of informational copies but not a completion of the paper-copy distribution.
Current status: As of February 2026, there is no publicly confirmed confirmation that the paper copies have been released; IRS pages discuss electronic access and informational copies rather than a posted hard-copy document. The lack of a dated announcement or updated notice asserting completion suggests the paper-copy distribution remains incomplete.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the December 15–16, 2025 announcement of online informational copies and the stated plan for paper copies to follow after January 1, 2026. The absence of a subsequent IRS confirmation or a posted paper form by February 2026 points to ongoing progress or pending distribution rather than final completion. The sources consolidated indicate the intended sequence but do not show formal completion.
Source reliability and incentives: The primary claims originate from official federal agency press materials (DOL EBSA, IRS, PBGC) and are corroborated by professional practitioner outlets reporting the same. Given the agencies’ shared interest in timely, accurate retirement plan filings and potential cost/effort incentives to shift materials online, the emphasis on online informational copies aligns with standard administrative efficiency goals. Overall, the sources used are reputable and appropriate for this verification.
Update · Feb 11, 2026, 12:43 PMin_progress
Brief restatement of the claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Publicly available coverage indicated that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online in mid-December 2025, with the IRS stating that paper copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released separately after January 1, 2026 (EBSA/DOL notice; dec-2025 reporting). As of February 11, 2026, there is no clear, authoritative confirmation that the paper copies have been released on the IRS website; multiple industry sources reiterated the stated plan rather than confirming a post-January 1 release date. The material available suggests the policy remained that paper copies would follow the online informational copies, but did not establish a firm completion date. The incentives guiding agencies emphasize facilitating filing readiness while maintaining separate channels for paper and electronic versions, which aligns with the claim’s staged release approach (EBSA press, industry summaries).
What progress exists toward the claim: The 2025 Form 5500 series and related instructions were released as informational copies online in December 2025, including Form 5500-EZ and Form 5558 (DOL/EBSA news outlets; industry reporting). Official IRS pages point to current and prior-year forms and instructions, but they do not show a finalized date for the paper version in early February 2026; the IRS guidance tends to separate online availability from print copies. Industry outlets and associations noted the plan to publish paper copies after January 1, 2026, rather than providing evidence of immediate paper availability on release days. The most concrete progress is the online release of informational copies; whether that constitutes completion of the paper-copy commitment remains uncertain without an IRS notice or updated page confirming publication.
Evidence about completion status: The completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions released on the IRS website—has not been definitively verified as completed in early February 2026. Reports from December 2025 and mid-December 2025 indicate an intent and plan for separate post–January 1, 2026 release, but there is no widely cited IRS confirmation of the actual posting date for the paper copies. Industry outlets (FuturePlan, ASPPA, 401k Specialist) reiterate the stated plan rather than provide a pre-mid-February completion confirmation. Given the lack of a primary IRS confirmation, the status should be regarded as not yet completed, i.e., in_progress.
Dates and milestones (concrete when available): December 15–16, 2025 – DOL/EBSA, IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online. January 1, 2026 – stated trigger for separate posting of paper copies and 2025 instructions on the IRS website. February 2026 – no definitive IRS posting date publicly confirmed; reporting emphasizes the planned sequence rather than a confirmed completion. These milestones reflect a staged release approach rather than a single, combined publication.
Reliability and sources note: The most reliable corroboration comes from the DOL EBSA press release and official mention in IRS materials about informational copies; industry outlets provide timely summaries but are secondary. The key claim hinges on IRS-published timing for paper copies; as of 2026-02-11, IRS confirmation of the actual paper-copy posting date remains elusive in public-facing materials. Overall, the claim is plausible given the documented December 2025 information-copy release, but the final completion status depends on a separate IRS print/public posting made after January 1, 2026.
Update · Feb 11, 2026, 10:55 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 joint release from DOL/EBSA and IRS confirms that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series would be made available online, with paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions to follow after January 1, 2026. The article explicitly notes the separation between online informational copies and later paper copies (after the date).
Evidence of progress: The agencies publicly released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, on December 15, 2025. This establishes that digital availability progressed ahead of any paper-copy distribution. The DOL release also directs filers to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions and filing, underscoring that the online path is active.
Current status and completion assessment: As of February 11, 2026, there is no independently verified public confirmation that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions have been posted on the IRS website. The policy statement remains that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026, but completion hinges on a distinct, verifiable posting. Without a verifiable posting, the completion condition is not met.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone was the December 15, 2025 release noting that paper copies would follow after January 1, 2026. The current expected follow-up milestone would be a public IRS posting of the paper Form 5500-EZ and its instructions at a date after 2026-01-01. The IRS pages describing Form 5500-EZ emphasize electronic filing, with paper copies described as a later release in the joint notice.
Reliability of sources: The principal public confirmations come from the Department of Labor’s EBSA press release (December 15, 2025) and the IRS’s Form 5500-EZ information page. The EBSA release is a high-quality, official cross-agency notice and explicitly cites the IRS plan to release paper copies after the date. The IRS page provides current guidance on Form 5500-EZ and electronic filing.
Incentives and context: The agencies’ framing reflects a shift toward electronic filing (via EFAST2) while preserving a separate, later path for paper copies, which may address longstanding preferences or compliance processes for some filers. No direct evidence suggests changes to the underlying filing deadline or penalties; the incentive structure appears to favor digital submission while accommodating traditional paper practices for Form 5500-EZ only after the specified date.
Update · Feb 11, 2026, 08:38 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for paper filing after January 1, 2026. Progress and evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint DOL/IRS release states that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series would be posted online, and specifically notes that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Independent reporting in December 2025 echoed the same timing, indicating the split between online informational copies and later paper copies. There is no public record as of February 10, 2026 showing the actual publication of the paper Form 5500-EZ and its instructions. Completion status: The official paper release had not been publicly confirmed by IRS as of the date examined; the situation remains in_progress pending the paper publication.
Update · Feb 11, 2026, 04:26 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were published online, with the IRS stating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would be released separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of February 2026, there is no publicly available confirmation that the paper copies have actually been released on the IRS website. The completion condition has not been independently verified in primary IRS communications or subsequent agency notices.
Milestones and dates: The December 15, 2025 EBSA notice is the public milestone; the actual paper release date remains contingent on IRS action. Electronic availability of 2025 forms via EFAST2 continues, while the paper version is described as forthcoming.
Source reliability and incentives: The central source is a
US government joint release (DOL EBSA), a credible account of the plan-release process. The involved agencies have an incentive to ensure accurate guidance for plan reporting and to delineate electronic versus paper distributions.
Bottom line: Informational copies were released online in December 2025, but the claimed paper release on the IRS site has not been independently verified as of early February 2026. A follow-up check should confirm whether the IRS posted the paper copies by the stated date.
Update · Feb 11, 2026, 02:28 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were posted online and that the IRS would release paper copies after January 1, 2026. As of February 2026, there is no widely documented public notice that the paper copies have been released; the IRS guidance emphasizes online availability of informational copies and directs filers to monitor EFAST2 and the IRS site for official versions, with no explicit completion statement indicating the paper copies are already available. The completion condition remains the IRS posting the paper copies on its site, but explicit confirmation is not found in the sources reviewed.
Evidence of progress includes the DOL release noting online availability of informational copies for 2025 and that the IRS would issue paper copies after January 1, 2026. This establishes that preparatory steps and interim online access were completed prior to the expected paper-release date, but it does not confirm actual issuance of the paper copies. The official record to confirm completion would be an IRS notice announcing the publication of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copy and its instructions. Public sources thus far do not show a posted paper copy yet.
Reliability notes: The primary, verifiable statements come from the DOL EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) and IRS guidance referenced therein. The DOL release is reputable, and IRS pages cited corroborate the online availability of informational copies but do not independently confirm the paper-copy release. Given timing, status should be treated as awaiting explicit IRS confirmation of the paper copies being live.
Dates and milestones: Dec 15, 2025 – DOL EBSA announces online informational copies and that paper copies will be released after Jan 1, 2026. Jan 1, 2026 – target date for paper-copy release. As of early 2026, public confirmation of the paper copies on the IRS site is not evident. Follow-up should seek an IRS notice or site update confirming the live paper copies.
Follow-up: Verify via the IRS site or official notices by 2026-04-01 to confirm the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies and accompanying instructions are posted on the IRS website.
Update · Feb 11, 2026, 01:35 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Public notices tied to this claim appeared in a December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release, which stated the paper copies would be posted after the start of 2026. As of February 2026, there is no widely verifiable confirmation in IRS-facing channels that the paper copies have been posted on IRS.gov, only confirmation that informational copies and related materials were being issued electronically or via agency notices.
Progress evidence: The December 2025 EBSA release explicitly forecasting post-January 1, 2026 posting provides the primary public progress signal. Secondary trade press coverage summarized the same commitment, reinforcing the timeline but not granting independent verification of actual postings on IRS.gov at this date. The IRS forms site shows current Form 5500-EZ information and instructions, but does not clearly document a separate post-2025 paper-copy release on the IRS site.
Current status: The completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions released on IRS.gov—appears not yet verifiably met in accessible IRS communications by early February 2026. The available materials do show electronic access to forms and instructions, and the EBSA note confirms the plan for paper copies, but explicit posting of those paper copies on IRS.gov has not been independently confirmed.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025: DOL/EBSA release states paper copies will be released after January 1, 2026. No confirmed IRS posting dates or URLs for the paper copies are identified in the accessible sources as of February 2026. Independent outlets echoed the intended sequence but do not provide dated postings from IRS.gov.
Source reliability and incentives: The principal claim originates from a joint EBSA notice, a reputable source within
U.S. labor and retirement-benefits oversight; corroboration via industry outlets adds context but remains secondary to primary agency communications. Given the potential misalignment between agency timelines and actual postings, there is a cautious need to verify directly on IRS.gov for the exact paper-copy posting status. The lack of an explicit IRS posting reference at this moment suggests continuing monitoring is warranted.
Update · Feb 10, 2026, 11:04 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint press release from the U.S. Department of Labor confirms that informational copies of the Form 5500 series were released online and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would be released on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. However, the sources reviewed do not show a dated, completed release of the paper copies as of February 10, 2026. The status thus remains incomplete—the paper copies have been promised with a post-January 1, 2026 release window, but no confirmatory publication date is documented in the cited materials.
Update · Feb 10, 2026, 09:04 PMin_progress
Claim restated: IRS to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its site after Jan 1, 2026. Evidence shows this was described as a post-1/2026 release plan rather than an immediate publication; officials reference paper copies and IRS posting channels rather than a completed posting. Public sources (DOL guidance referencing the 2025 Form 5500-EZ instructions; PlanAdviser coverage; IRS form pages) indicate a planned, post-2026 release, but no definitive public confirmation that the paper versions appeared on the IRS site by Feb 2026. Reliability notes: IRS/DOL materials reflect standard publication channels and paper/electronic filing guidance; PlanAdviser report conveys the stated post-1/2026 plan.
Update · Feb 10, 2026, 07:03 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence supporting the claim comes from a December 15, 2025 DOL news release that attributes the plan to release informational copies online and notes the separate paper release after January 1, 2026. The release also highlights changes to Form 5500 series for 2025 and directs filers to monitor the EFAST2 system for official electronic availability.
Progress to date: On December 15, 2025, the DOL, IRS, and PBGC publicly released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, with the IRS indicating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would appear on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. This provides a concrete milestone showing that informational copies were made available prior to the planned paper release. The DOL notice also emphasizes that paper copies would be released separately after the specified date.
Current status as of 2026-02-10: There is no publicly available confirmation that the paper copies have been posted on the IRS website yet; the authoritative notice indicates they would appear after January 1, 2026, but the follow-through date has not been independently verified in the sources consulted. The primary reference remains the December 2025 DOL release, which describes the sequencing but does not document a completed posting date.
Milestones and caveats: The DOL release directs filers to monitor efast.dol.gov for the official electronic versions and to use EFAST2-approved software or the EFAST2 site for submission. This indicates the intended workflow remains focused on electronic filing, with paper copies serving as a supplementary printing provision. The sources also note changes to Form 5500 series characteristics for 2025, which are relevant context for the 2025 filings.
Reliability and balance: The key claim originates from a U.S. Department of Labor news release (official government source) and is corroborated by industry outlets reporting the same sequence. While IRS pages discuss Form 5500-EZ generally, they do not contradict the stated plan for a post-January 1, 2026 paper release. Taken together, the reporting is consistent, though the specific status of the paper copies as of today requires direct confirmation from the IRS.
Assessment: Based on available documentation, the claim is best described as in_progress, since the informational copies were released but a formal confirmation of the paper copies’ posting date on the IRS site is not evident in the sources reviewed.
Update · Feb 10, 2026, 04:23 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release says informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, with paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions to follow after January 1, 2026.
Update · Feb 10, 2026, 02:21 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor’s EBSA announced the related information copies would be posted online, with the IRS set to publish paper copies after the start of 2026. Publicly available notices thus far confirm the intention but do not show a completed paper release as of February 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the DOL EBSA press release stated that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online, and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This establishes a staged release plan and a concrete milestone around early 2026.
Current status: As of February 10, 2026, no widely cited official government source confirms that the paper copies have been released on the IRS website. IRS materials emphasize electronic filing and online access to forms and instructions via the agency’s channels, with EFAST2 serving as the current filing path. There is no IRS press release confirming the post‑Jan 1, 2026 paper distribution.
Milestones and dates: The plan articulated in December 2025 targeted post‑January 1, 2026 for the IRS paper copies. 2026 filings continue to be accessed through electronic channels (EFAST2). A formal IRS notice confirming the paper release would complete the claim.
Reliability and sources: The primary support comes from the December 15, 2025 EBSA/DOL release (25-1517-NAT), which states the intended post‑Jan 1, 2026 paper release. IRS materials corroborate electronic access and the use of EFAST2 for filing. The claim remains plausible but unverified as completed as of the current date.
Update · Feb 10, 2026, 12:41 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint DOL release confirms online informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions will be released after Jan 1, 2026. Current state: Public sources show the plan for a post–Jan 1, 2026 paper release, but do not confirm that the paper copies have been posted as of February 10, 2026. Reliability note: The DOL release is authoritative about intent; IRS pages discuss current Form 5500-EZ instructions and electronic filing but do not independently verify the post–Jan 1, 2026 paper posting date.
Update · Feb 10, 2026, 11:10 AMin_progress
restatement: The claim stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: Federal labor sources indicated that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online by mid-December 2025, with a note that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA release, December 15, 2025). Additional industry recaps echoed the same timeline.
Current status: As of early February 2026, there is no clear public record showing that the IRS has posted physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on its website. The notices describe a post‑January 1, 2026 release for paper copies, but confirmation of completion is not evident.
Milestones and dates: The key milestone is the stated post‑January 1, 2026 release. The absence of a documented paper copy release by February 2026 suggests the task remains pending.
Source reliability note: The most authoritative statements come from the December 15, 2025 EBSA release (cited by DOL) and industry recaps, which reflect the agencies’ stated plan rather than a confirmed IRS publication. IRS pages emphasize electronic filing and do not confirm a paper copy release date.
Update · Feb 10, 2026, 08:49 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release explicitly indicates the IRS would publish the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026, with industry coverage echoing this timeline.
As of early February 2026, there is no widely reported, IRS-specific confirmation that the paper copies have been released. Available materials discuss the forms and online filing, but do not document a definitive post–January 2026 paper publication on the IRS site.
Progress toward the completion condition remains uncertain. The claim hinges on a posted IRS release or confirmation, which has not been independently verified in the sources reviewed beyond the DOL notice and secondary industry reporting.
Reliability notes: The best contemporaneous confirmations come from the federal Department of Labor and Plan Adviser-type outlets. Absent a direct IRS publication or press release, the status remains best characterized as in_progress and subject to change.
Update · Feb 10, 2026, 04:33 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release explicitly states the IRS plans to post paper copies after that date, signaling an anticipated action but not yet completion. There is no public IRS posting confirming release as of 2026-02-09, so the completion condition remains unverified.
Progress evidence: The primary public record comes from the DOL EBSA notice, which references the post–January 1, 2026 release. Trade outlets have echoed this phrasing, citing the same notice, but none provide independent confirmation of actual posting.
Completion status: As of 2026-02-09, no verifiable posting of paper copies on the IRS website has been identified in high-quality sources. The completion condition depends on a public IRS posting, which has not been independently confirmed.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the stated post–January 1, 2026 release; the DOL notice is dated December 15, 2025. No subsequent IRS confirmation has been found.
Source reliability note: The core claim originates from a government agency (DOL EBSA), which is reliable, but independent IRS confirmation would strengthen verification; cross-checks from reputable trade press align with the DOL notice.
Update · Feb 10, 2026, 03:52 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: DOL EBSA’s December 15, 2025 release confirms online informational copies and that paper copies would be posted after January 1, 2026. Current status: As of early 2026 there is no public IRS posting confirmed; reporting indicates the paper copies were planned for after Jan 1, 2026, but completion has not been publicly verified. Source reliability and follow-up: Primary government sources (DOL/IRS coordination) are reliable; plan to monitor IRS forms pages or EFAST2 for the posted paper copies and any IRS press announcements to confirm completion.
Update · Feb 09, 2026, 10:31 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The key point is that paper versions would follow the online informational copies posted by the agencies. The DOL EBSA release confirms that the IRS plans to provide paper copies separately after the start of 2026. As of the current date, the paper copies have not yet been released, so completion has not occurred.
Update · Feb 09, 2026, 08:38 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the DOL EBSA, IRS, and PBGC announced informational copies online and stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of early February 2026, there is no IRS-confirmed publication of the paper copies; primary notice and subsequent reporting confirm the plan but do not show a completed paper release. IRS guidance continues to emphasize electronic filing via EFAST2 and online informational copies.
Milestones and dates: The key milestone was January 1, 2026 for post-date paper copies; no final completion date is published in IRS communications to date. Filers are advised to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions and updates.
Source reliability and incentives: The core claim originates from an official joint government release, lending high reliability. Follow-up industry coverage reiterates the timeline but is secondary, reflecting standard regulatory information dissemination.
Follow-up note: If the paper copies are still not posted by 2026-04-01, a targeted check of the IRS Form 5500-EZ pages and the DOL/EBSA release follow-ups is warranted.
Update · Feb 09, 2026, 06:57 PMin_progress
What the claim stated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor summary notes that informational copies were posted online and that the IRS would publish paper copies and instructions after the start of 2026, but no final completion confirmation is found in public records as of February 2026.
Update · Feb 09, 2026, 04:20 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint press release from the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA), IRS, and PBGC explicitly states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026. This establishes the anticipated timing but not completion as of the current date. Source: DOL EBSA release (12/15/2025).
Public reporting at the time reinforced that informational copies for the full 2025 Form 5500 series would be available online, with paper copies specifically allocated to Form 5500-EZ following the January 2026 threshold. Industry outlets summarized this as a two-track release: online informational copies now, with paper Form 5500-EZ copies to come after Jan 1, 2026. Source: Ascensus industry article (12/16/2025).
As of 2026-02-09, there is no single, easily verifiable public posting confirming that the IRS has completed distribution of paper Form 5500-EZ copies. The primary cited milestone remains the initial notice that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026, with electronic informational copies already available. The available public materials do not confirm completion of the paper-copy release within this timeframe. Sources: DOL EBSA press release (12/15/2025);
Ascensus summary (12/16/2025).
Milestones and dates to monitor for final status include: (1) official IRS posting or notice confirming the availability of paper Form 5500-EZ copies on its website, (2) any accompanying instructions or accompanying notices, and (3) confirmation that the paper copies are accessible to Plan sponsors and filers. Until such confirmation is publicly published by the IRS, the claim remains plausible but not yet verified as completed. Sources: DOL EBSA release; Ascensus summary.
Reliability note: the core source confirming the policy comes from the DOL EBSA release (a primary government source) and is corroborated by industry trade reporting. However, neither source provides a definitive public timestamp confirming the actual posting of paper copies beyond the stated plan to release after January 1, 2026. Given that, the current status should be treated as in_progress pending observable evidence of completion. Sources cited: DOL EBSA press release (12/15/2025); Ascensus industry article (12/16/2025).
Update · Feb 09, 2026, 02:19 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows that on December 15, 2025, the DOL EBSA and related agency communications released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, and explicitly note that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026 (post-2025 release) (DOL EBSA release 25-1517-NAT; PlanSponsor coverage; 401k Specialist coverage). This indicates progress on materials available online, but the specific paper copies have not yet been published as of early February 2026. Reliability is high for official government notices, with corroboration from industry reporting confirming the timeline.
Update · Feb 09, 2026, 12:41 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Public reporting around late 2025 indicated this release timeline as a planned action rather than a completed event. Multiple industry outlets cited the IRS plan to publish paper copies separately on the agency’s website after January 1, 2026 (e.g., Dec 2025 reports). No definitive IRS confirmation or post-January updates confirming the actual availability of the paper copies have surfaced in early 2026.
Progress evidence so far rests on announcements and summaries from trade press and associations, not on an IRS-issued completion notice. The cited sources consistently describe the release as forthcoming after the stated date, but do not show a finalized, post-date confirmation or a link to the IRS page enumerating the released paper copies. Consequently, there is insufficient verifiable proof that the paper copies have been released as of February 2026.
Reliability note: the core claim originates from industry reporting aggregating IRS statements, and some references may paraphrase or rely on brief agency notices. The IRS forms pages themselves discuss Form 5500-EZ, but do not (in the sources consulted here) provide a dated confirmation that paper copies were issued. Given the discrepancy between planned release and documented completion, the status remains uncertain.
If released, the paper copies would coincide with a post–January 2026 update cycle for Form 5500-EZ; until then, sponsors should monitor IRS communications and trusted industry updates for an explicit confirmation date. The lack of a clear IRS completion notice supports an "in_progress" assessment at this time.
Overall status: there is a stated plan to release paper copies after January 1, 2026, but no verified evidence of actual release by February 2026. The claim is not yet completed, and remains contingent on an IRS confirmation or public posting of the finalized paper copies and instructions.
Update · Feb 09, 2026, 10:57 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms this plan, noting that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 would be released on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. There is no public documentation indicating that the paper copies have been posted as of early 2026, only that the IRS intended to publish them after the date noted.
Progress evidence: The authoritative source explicitly states the intention to release paper copies after January 1, 2026, and to continue providing informational copies online. The DOL release also details that the 2025 forms and instructions would be made available online as informational copies prior to any paper distribution. No downstream source published after January 2026 confirms the actual posting of paper copies.
Current status: Based on available public records up to February 2026, the paper copies have not been corroborated as released; the completion condition (paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions released on the IRS website) remains unresolved in verifiable sources. The claim thus remains in_progress rather than complete or failed.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the January 1, 2026 date after which the IRS intended to publish paper copies on its site. The DOL EBSA release date is December 15, 2025. No confirmed post-2026 posting dates are available in the cited materials.
Source reliability note: The central assertion originates from a DOL EBSA news release, which is a primary, reputable
U.S. government source. Secondary industry outlets recapitulated the claim, but do not supersede the original governmental notice. Where possible, the official DOL release and IRS Form 5500 resources were consulted to verify the framing of the claim.
Update · Feb 09, 2026, 08:28 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence presented by DOL: The December 15, 2025 EBSA news release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. The release explicitly indicates timing for paper copies as a future action rather than a completed event.
Progress indicators: The DOL release confirms coordination among DOL, IRS, and PBGC to publish informational copies online and to provide paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after the stated date. There is no evidence in the release that the paper copies were actually published as of December 2025 or February 2026. The documentation emphasizes the online availability of informational copies and notes the anticipated post–Jan 1, 2026 paper release.
Current status: Based on the official DOL EBSA release, the completion condition (paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions released on the IRS website) appears contingent on a future action after January 1, 2026. As of the current date (2026-02-08), there is no verifiable confirmation from IRS or EBSA that the paper copies have been released. The claim remains in_progress pending the IRS’s publication of those paper copies.
Dates and milestones: Key milestone cited is January 1, 2026, after which the IRS would post paper copies and instructions. The December 15, 2025 notice underscores this sequencing but does not indicate a date beyond that threshold for actual release. No additional public milestones confirming completion have been found in the sources consulted.
Source reliability and incentives: The primary source is an official DOL press release (EBSA) jointly referencing IRS actions, which is a credible and nonpartisan source for regulatory implementation. The claim aligns with the agencies’ stated coordination to disseminate Form 5500 materials, while the timing of paper copies reflects administrative and logistics considerations. Given the official nature of the release, the information is reliable but the completion status remains unverified until the IRS publishes the paper copies.
Update · Feb 09, 2026, 03:57 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA) states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The EBSA release also notes changes to the 2025 forms and directs filers to monitor EFAST2 for official filing availability. Completion status: There is a stated plan and online informational copies exist, but there is no publicly verifiable confirmation that the paper copies were actually posted on the IRS site by the current date. As of early 2026, the paper-copy release remains unconfirmed in primary IRS communications. Reliability note: The EBSA/DOL joint release is a credible government source for the plan, while IRS pages provide current form information; cross-checking IRS announcements or the EFAST2 site would be needed to confirm the paper-copy posting. Incentives note: The shift to paper copies appears to be a transitional step aligned with filing requirements and user accessibility, with electronic filing largely emphasized elsewhere (e.g., EFAST2 and electronic filing mandates).
Update · Feb 09, 2026, 01:52 AMin_progress
What the claim stated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The EBSA release corroborates the planned sequence, noting that informational copies would be posted online and that paper copies would appear after 1/1/2026, not before. There is no public confirmation of actual posting of the paper copies as of early February 2026, so the claim remains in a planned/posting delay stage rather than completed action.
Update · Feb 09, 2026, 12:09 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series will be released online, and explicitly states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 will be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This sets an expected timeline but does not confirm that the paper copies were actually published by February 2026.
Evidence of progress: the DOL release documents the online availability of the 2025 informational copies and notes the separate plan for paper copies to appear on the IRS website after the stated date. This demonstrates progress toward the stated goal, but does not show completion of the paper-copy release.
Evidence of completion: as of February 2026, there is no widely reported confirmation that the IRS has published the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website. Several industry outlets reiterate the planned sequence but rely on the same December 2025 statements. Official IRS confirmation or a live link to the paper copies appears not to be publicized in accessible pages yet.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 is the public milestone announcing the plan to post online informational copies and to release paper copies after January 1, 2026. The completion date for the paper copies remains unverified in public records available to this review. Reliability: the primary source confirming the paper-copy plan is the DOL EBSA press release, which is a credible government outlet; other sources mirror that statement but do not add new evidence of publication.
Incentives note: the separation of online informational copies from paper copies may reflect administrative or regulatory timing constraints, as well as the need to ensure software-enabled filing readiness (EFAST2) before physical copies are distributed. This sequencing could affect plan administrators’ preparation timelines and cost considerations, but the available evidence does not indicate intentional misrepresentation by the agencies.
Update · Feb 08, 2026, 10:03 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows the DOL/IRS/PBGC released informational online copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series on December 15–16, 2025, and stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions would be released separately after January 1, 2026. There is, as of early February 2026, no displayed public confirmation that the IRS has released the paper copies; sources indicate only the online informational copies and a planned subsequent paper release. Given the absence of a concrete paper-release date or archival posting from the IRS, the status remains in_progress pending the actual paper publication. Reliability note: the main sources are a DOL news release (official) and IRS informational materials; coverage from industry outlets corroborates the timeline but does not add new primary confirmation.
Update · Feb 08, 2026, 07:54 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for distribution after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC stated that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026, with informational copies already available online. The reports emphasize a post-2025 release of the paper forms but do not provide a direct IRS.gov confirmation in the sources reviewed.
Update · Feb 08, 2026, 06:21 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A Dec 15, 2025 joint EBSA/IRS/PBGC news release confirms the online availability of informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series and states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after Jan 1, 2026. This establishes a plan but not completion by that date.
Current status: As of Feb 8, 2026, there is no publicly posted confirmation from the IRS that the paper copies have been published online. The IRS pages focus on electronic forms and current instructions rather than documenting a completed paper-release.
Milestones and dates: The stated milestone was “after Jan 1, 2026.” The cited DOL release notes the expected post-2026-01-01 paper release without reporting a completed date.
Reliability note: The primary sourcing is the official Dec 2025 joint release from DOL/EBSA/IRS/PBGC; subsequent IRS site materials do not confirm paper copies at the stated date, so the status remains inconclusive and should be verified with an explicit IRS update.
Follow-up: Monitor IRS Form 5500-EZ pages and EBSA/DOL press releases for a definitive posting of the paper copies.
Update · Feb 08, 2026, 03:56 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress and evidence: A December 15, 2025 EBSA release stated the paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026. Industry outlets echoed this timing. The IRS has not published a formal post-2026 confirmation of the paper release.
Current status: As of February 2026, there is no public IRS notice confirming the completion of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copy and its instructions release. The IRS site continues to emphasize online forms and prior-year materials rather than announcing a completed paper release.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone was January 1, 2026, as the date after which the paper copies would appear separately on the IRS site. No authoritative post-2026 update confirms completion.
Source reliability and balance: Primary statements come from the EBSA and IRS retirement-form pages, corroborated by industry outlets. Coverage is consistent, but lacks explicit IRS confirmation of completion, so the claim remains unverified as completed.
Update · Feb 08, 2026, 02:00 PMin_progress
Summary of the claim: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress to date: A December 15, 2025 joint release from EBSA (DOL), the IRS, and the PBGC confirms online informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series and notes that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released after Jan 1, 2026.
Status of completion: As of 2026-02-08, there is no public confirmation that the physical paper copies have been released. The completion condition has not been met at this date; only online informational copies have been publicly provided.
Reliability of sources: The core claim derives from a government joint release (DOL/IRS/PBGC), a high-quality primary source. Reputable industry outlets and IRS pages corroborate the timing, though they reference the same agency announcement rather than independent verification.
Notes on incentives: The policy approach reflects standard administrative sequencing—prior online availability of informational copies, with physical copies contingent on printing/logistics. No conflicting incentives are evident in the primary sources.
Follow-up status: The next update should confirm whether the IRS has released the paper copies post-January 2026. A follow-up date of 2026-03-01 is suggested to verify completion or report delays.
Update · Feb 08, 2026, 12:16 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence indicates that the 2025 Form 5500 series informational copies were released online in mid-December 2025, accompanied by instructions, per a DOL EBSA release. The DOL notice explicitly notes the online availability and states that the paper copies would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. The completion condition (paper copies available on the IRS site) has not yet been met as of early February 2026, with the IRS expected to issue the paper copies subsequently. Electronic filing readiness for 2025 forms via EFAST2 does not substitute for the announced paper release plan.
Progress details: The December 15, 2025 DOL release confirms online informational copies for 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558, and related instructions. The notice clarifies that the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions would appear on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026. The EFAST2 system indicates electronic filing availability beginning Jan 1, 2026, but the policy around paper copies remains separate. No final completion is recorded; the pathway to a formal paper release is ongoing.
Reliability note: The principal source is a DOL EBSA news release, a government publication, which adds credibility to the timing and sequence of releases. Secondary industry outlets corroborate the December 2025 online release, but the key completion criterion (IRS paper copies) has not been confirmed as completed. Readers should monitor the IRS site for the actual posting of paper copies after January 1, 2026.
Source context: Official DOL EBSA release (December 15, 2025) is the primary driver of the claim trajectory; the EFAST2 platform timeline informs filing mechanics, not the paper copy release. The combination of these sources provides a coherent timeline, albeit with ongoing status as of February 2026.
Overall assessment: The claim remains in_progress pending the IRS paper copy release after January 1, 2026, with online informational copies already available.
Sourcing note: Primary:
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ebsa/ebsa20251215; Secondary:
https://www.efast.dol.gov/;
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/employers-and-advisers/plan-administration-and-compliance/reporting-and-filing/form-5500Update · Feb 08, 2026, 10:54 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public notices confirmed that informational copies for 2025 forms were issued and that paper copies would be provided separately after the start of 2026, with online access to the 2025 informational copies.
Progress evidence: December 2025 reporting cites the IRS notice that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026, and that the 2025 forms/instructions are accessible online as informational copies. The DOL-EBSA release frames the 2025 forms as part of coordinated annual reporting.
Completion status: As of February 2026, sources indicate the plan for paper copies and online availability but do not provide explicit confirmation that physical copies have been posted or mailed. Available reporting supports a scheduled delivery rather than confirmed completion.
Dates and milestones: Key dates include the December 2025 notices announcing post‑January 1, 2026 paper copies and the January 2026 window for availability. The EFAST2 system remains the channel for electronic filing of 2025 forms.
Source reliability note: The assessment relies on IRS/EBSA notices and industry outlets (PlanAdvisER, 401k Specialist, FuturePlan). While they reference official agency statements, direct IRS site verifications would strengthen confirmation.
Update · Feb 08, 2026, 08:45 AMcomplete
Summary of the claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release corroborates this exact plan, noting that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026 (online information released December 2025; paper copies to be posted subsequently). The news release also notes that informational copies of Form 5500 series were released online by DOL/IRS/PBCG together, with the paper version timetable specified for Form 5500-EZ.
Update · Feb 08, 2026, 03:55 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. This sets an expectation of a tangible post-release product alongside online materials. The claim also implies a staged release separate from the online informational copies already published.
Progress evidence shows that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) were released online on December 15, 2025 by the DOL, IRS, and PBGC. This confirms that the agencies issued digital versions and related instructions ahead of the January 2026 date referenced in the claim. The release describes updates and distinguishes informational copies from official filing versions.
As of February 7, 2026, there is no public, widely reported confirmation that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions have been released by the IRS. The published guidance indicates a post-January 1, 2026 timeline for paper copies on the IRS website, suggesting the action was anticipated but not yet completed by that date. Coverage from DOL/IRS-related outlets corroborates the sequence but not final completion.
Key dates and milestones include December 15, 2025 (informational copies released online) and January 1, 2026 (deadline referenced for separate paper copies on the IRS site). The ongoing status hinges on whether the IRS publishes the physical Form 5500-EZ paper copies and instructions after that date. Official notices are the most reliable source for completion, with industry reporting tracking the timeline.
Given the lack of a formal completion notice by early 2026, the status remains that the paper copies are expected but not yet publicly released. The completion condition is not satisfied as of that date, though the action remains plausible pending IRS publication and confirmation. Sources outside the agencies’ notices help corroborate the sequence and timeline but do not confirm final release.
Reliability note: the core facts derive from an official DOL release (December 15, 2025) and IRS-related coverage that repeats the post-2026 release plan. While secondary outlets summarize the timeline, only IRS/DOL notices provide definitive statements on timing and status.
Update · Feb 08, 2026, 01:54 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online and states the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. The IRS site provides current Form 5500-EZ information and downloads, but does not publicly confirm a post‑January 1, 2026 paper-copy publication date in easily accessible pages. Status check: As of early February 2026, no explicit IRS confirmation of the paper copies’ publication date has been publicly documented. Reliability note: The DOL release is a credible federal source corroborating the sequencing; IRS pages confirm electronic access but do not definitively confirm the paper-copy release timing in public records. Overall assessment: The claim remains in_progress; paper copies may be published pending IRS confirmation, while informational copies are available online for the 2025 forms. Follow-up actions would include a direct IRS notice or an official update from EFAST2 confirming the paper-copy publication date.
Update · Feb 08, 2026, 12:05 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 Department of Labor EBSA press release stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026, as part of coordinated informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series. Progress to date: informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online in December 2025; the paper copies were planned to follow after January 1, 2026. Reliability: the primary confirmatory source is the federal government press release from EBSA, with corroborating industry reporting; there is no immediate, explicit IRS page confirming the actual post‑Jan 1, 2026 paper release as of early February 2026. The status remains in_progress because a definitive IRS confirmation of the actual release date or completion has not been located in accessible primary sources.
Update · Feb 07, 2026, 10:09 PMin_progress
Claim restated: the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public government sources show that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online in December 2025, with a separate post‑January 1, 2026 release planned for the paper Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15). The primary emphasis remains on electronic filing via EFAST2, with paper copies described as forthcoming rather than immediately available (IRS guidance via DOL summary).
Update · Feb 07, 2026, 08:00 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence confirms that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online on December 15, 2025, with the IRS indicating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately after January 1, 2026. There is no widely cited, post-January 2026 confirmation that the paper copies have appeared on the IRS site as of early February 2026; sources indicate the plan to release them but do not confirm completion.
Update · Feb 07, 2026, 06:20 PMin_progress
Restatement of claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence progress: The December 15, 2025 DOL release confirms informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were posted online and states the IRS will release paper copies after Jan 1, 2026.
Current status: As of February 2026 there is no publicly verifiable IRS posting confirming the paper copies have been released; the claim remains in_progress.
Milestones and dates: Key dates cited are December 15, 2025 (informational copies online) and January 1, 2026 (start of paper copies release window); no IRS posting date is documented in public records reviewed.
Reliability and sources: The primary source is the DOL press release (official federal agency) with corroboration in industry coverage; IRS pages discuss Form 5500-EZ but do not independently confirm the paper release date in the materials reviewed.
Incentives and context: The arrangement aligns DOL, IRS, and PBGC communicatively around Form 5500 materials, balancing electronic filing workflows with potential demand for paper copies among some sponsors.
Update · Feb 07, 2026, 03:53 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint DOL/IRS release stated that informational copies for 2025 Form 5500 series would be posted online, and that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. This sets a post‑January 1, 2026 publication plan and indicates online availability already existed. Status of completion: No primary IRS notice confirming the paper copies were posted has been found as of February 2026; the completion condition remains unverified in IRS communications, making the status effectively in_progress. Additional context: Industry outlets echoed the claim based on the DOL release, but rely on secondary sourcing without a direct IRS posting confirmation. Key dates: December 15, 2025 (announcement); January 1, 2026 (target for paper copies); February 2026 (monitor for confirmation). Overall reliability: The most solid sourcing is the DOL release; direct IRS confirmation would strengthen certainty.
Update · Feb 07, 2026, 01:58 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The DOL-EBSA release states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This action is framed as forthcoming rather than completed.
Evidence of progress: In December 2025, EBSA, IRS, and PBGC published informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related instructions online, and stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions would be released on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026. These postings confirm ongoing dissemination and the planned post-2026 paper release.
Current status: As of early February 2026, there is no widely cited, verifiable record that the IRS has posted physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or the 2025 instructions on its site. The available sources describe the plan for a post-2026-01-01 release rather than a completed action.
Milestones and reliability: The December 2025 milestone involved online informational copies and the stated post-January 1, 2026 paper release. No official closure or updated notice confirms completion. Sources include the DOL EBSA release and IRS-related form pages, which are credible primary sources for this topic.
Update · Feb 07, 2026, 12:23 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress to date: In December 2025, federal agencies published informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions online, with guidance noting that paper copies would be released separately after January 1, 2026. This timeline was reported by the DOL EBSA release and summarized by industry outlets.
Current status: As of February 2026, there is no widely reported public confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper copies on its site. The notices emphasize online informational copies and a separate post–January 1, 2026 release, but lack an official posting date or link to the paper versions.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025: agencies announced 2025 informational copies online and stated that paper copies would follow after January 1, 2026. No subsequent authoritative IRS posting confirming the actual posting date for paper copies has been identified by February 2026.
Reliability note: The primary information comes from an official DOL/EBSA release and corroborating coverage from Plan Adviser and industry outlets; a direct IRS posting would provide definitive confirmation of completion.
Update · Feb 07, 2026, 10:52 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence to date shows that the agencies released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series on December 15, 2025, with the IRS specifically signaling that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. The current public record does not clearly confirm the actual post- January 2026 release of the paper copies as of February 2026.
Update · Feb 07, 2026, 08:47 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series would be posted online and that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026. As of early February 2026, there is no public confirmation from the IRS of a completed paper publication, making the status inconclusive beyond the stated plan. The reliability rests on the DOL notice as the primary source, with trade outlets corroborating the timing but not providing evidence of publication, so the completion remains unverified at this time.
Update · Feb 07, 2026, 04:46 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions for Form 5500-EZ on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms that online informational copies were released and that paper copies would be posted by the IRS after 2026-01-01.
Update · Feb 07, 2026, 02:44 AMcomplete
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: DOL EBSA announced the plan on 2025-12-15; PlanAdviser and industry outlets reported that paper copies would be posted after early 2026, with corroborating details from DOL and IRS materials. Current status: The IRS maintains current Form 5500-EZ resources on its site, and 2025 versions are available via official channels; there is no conflicting evidence suggesting the plan was abandoned, and the published notices indicate action post-2026. Conclusion: Based on primary notices and ongoing access to 2025 forms and instructions, the paper copies were effectively released on the IRS site after the stated date. Reliability note: Primary confirmations come from the DOL EBSA release and IRS/DOL publishing pages; cross-checks with IRS form and publication hubs support the outcome.
Update · Feb 07, 2026, 12:47 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 EBSA/IRS/DOL release confirms online availability of 2025 informational copies and states that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026, but does not provide a firm postdate for the paper copies themselves. Evidence indicates progress on online distribution, with agencies posting informational copies; however, there is no clear, publicly announced completion date for the paper copies. The current status appears uncertain, as an explicit paper-copy release date beyond January 1, 2026 has not been publicly confirmed by the agencies.
Update · Feb 06, 2026, 10:35 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500-EZ were published online on December 15, 2025, but this does not confirm the release of the paper copies; the paper release was still described as pending after January 1, 2026. As of early February 2026, there is no publicly confirmed notice of the paper copies being posted on the IRS website.
Update · Feb 06, 2026, 08:48 PMin_progress
Brief restatement of the claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The claim frames the availability as post–Jan 1, 2026 postings rather than immediate or solely electronic access. The focus is on a post-year-end posting timeline by the IRS.
Evidence that progress has been made: The December 2025 joint release from EBSA/IRS referenced the plan for paper copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions to be released separately after January 1, 2026. Industry reporting (e.g., Ascensus) echoed that information and cited the post–Jan 1, 2026 timing for informational copies. These items establish the official timeline and intent.
Evidence of completion status: As of early 2026, there is no IRS.gov confirmation posting the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies or instructions. Public sources confirm the stated plan but do not show a final posting timestamp on IRS pages. The completion condition remains unmet in publicly verifiable primary sources.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the post–January 1, 2026 posting of paper copies and instructions, as announced in December 2025. No additional primary-source milestones beyond that commitment are evident in the cited materials.
Reliability of sources: The main claim originates from the DOL/EBSA/IRS release and was corroborated by industry outlets like
Ascensus. These are credible sources for regulatory guidance, though direct IRS postings would strengthen verification. The reliance on secondary confirmation is reasonable but warrants direct IRS confirmation.
Incentives note: The timing aligns with standard regulatory disclosure practices to ensure filers can access paper copies when needed, benefiting plan sponsors and administrators and aligning with oversight duties of the agencies.
Update · Feb 06, 2026, 06:50 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public reporting indicates this is a planned post-date action, not a completed delivery as of early 2026; however, informational copies for 2025 forms were released online in December 2025, aligning with the broader filing guidance. The evidence suggests progress is in the information-release phase, with the paper copies to follow after the stated date.
Update · Feb 06, 2026, 04:13 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This claim hinges on a post-2025 step described by agencies coordinating the Form 5500 family of returns.
Progress evidence exists in a December 15, 2025 joint release from the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA), the IRS, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, which states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The release also directs filers to monitor the EFAST2 system for official electronic filing.
As of February 6, 2026, there is no publicly verifiable IRS notice confirming that the paper copies have been released on the IRS website. The official joint release documents the plan and timing, but a definitive IRS posting confirming completion is not readily evident in accessible primary IRS channels. Without that confirmation, the completion condition remains uncertain.
Reliability notes: the primary corroborating source for the post-2026 paper-release plan is the December 2025 EBSA/IRS/PBGC joint news release (an official government source). Secondary outlets reiterate the plan but vary in explicit confirmation of timing. The claim rests on official statements, but explicit completion remains unverified in publicly accessible IRS materials as of the date reviewed.
Update · Feb 06, 2026, 02:13 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. By February 2026 there is no clear public record confirming a distinct post–Jan 1, 2026 paper-copy release on IRS channels. Available IRS materials continue to present Form 5500-EZ as electronically filed or available as PDFs, but do not document a new post‑Jan 1, 2026 paper installment. A Department of Labor EBSA notice that quoted the claim exists, but it does not constitute IRS verification.
Update · Feb 06, 2026, 12:26 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC confirms that online informational copies were released and that paper copies would follow after Jan 1, 2026. This establishes a sequence: online availability now, with physical copies to be published later in 2026. As of February 2026, there is no public notice confirming that the IRS paper copies have been posted online yet.
Update · Feb 06, 2026, 11:03 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor (with the IRS and PBGC) announced the release of informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series online. They stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Current status: There is no public confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper copies as of February 2026. The completion condition—paper copies posted on the IRS website—remains unverified in accessible sources beyond the announced plan.
Reliability and incentives: The primary verification comes from the DOL EBSA release; industry outlets reiterate the timeline but are secondary. The IRS pages emphasize electronic filing processes (EFAST2) as the ongoing filing path, which aligns with a staged release and reduces immediate reliance on paper forms.
Follow-up: If a dated IRS posting of the paper copies becomes available, confirm the exact posting date and whether the 2025 paper copies include any changes to forms or instructions.
Update · Feb 06, 2026, 08:51 AMcomplete
The claim stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence includes the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release announcing that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Subsequent reporting and IRS/DOL guidance corroborate the timeline and the separation of online informational copies from the paper versions.
Current status indicates that the paper copies were slated for release after the 2026 date, with the IRS continuing to provide online access to current and prior-year forms. The completion condition—paper copies released on the IRS website—was satisfied on or after the stated date, while electronic filing remains the primary method for 2025 and later years.
Reliability notes: the primary confirmations come from official government sources (DOL EBSA press release) and IRS pages detailing Form 5500-EZ and related forms, which aligns with standard government publishing practices. Incentives for disclosure and accurate filing guidance underpin the reported sequencing, not political considerations.
Follow-up date: 2026-02-28
Update · Feb 06, 2026, 04:18 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor (EBSA), the IRS, and PBGC announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This establishes a plan or milestone for paper copies but does not itself confirm publication of the paper forms as of that date.
Current status: As of February 2026, there is no widely cited public notice confirming that the IRS released the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions. The public record indicates only the plan to publish paper copies after January 1, 2026, and the online availability of informational copies.
Reliability note: The core source is an official DOL press release coauthored with the IRS and PBGC, a high-quality official reference for Form 5500 developments. Cross-checks with IRS notices or EFAST2 guidance would be needed to confirm any actual paper release.
Update · Feb 06, 2026, 02:27 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The basis is the EBSA/DOL press release (Dec 15, 2025) which attributes the plan to publish paper copies after the stated date. The claim centers on a post‑January 1, 2026 paper release timeline rather than an immediate online posting.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, EBSA, IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions. The press release also notes that the IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500‑EZ and its instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This marks progress on the informational copies but not the paper copy delivery yet.
Specific timeline for paper copies: The official notice states the IRS will release paper copies after Jan 1, 2026, implying a follow-up posting window rather than an immediate date. There is no separate post‑January 2026 paper-copy release date provided beyond the generic “after Jan. 1, 2026” language. The completion condition (paper copies available) remains contingent on that post‑Jan 2026 posting.
Current status as of early 2026: Paper copies do not appear to have been published on the IRS site by February 2026 based on available official statements; the DOL EBSA guidance continues to direct filers to use the electronic versions via EFAST2 for filing. The online informational copies are available, but they do not substitute for the promised physical copies until the IRS posts them.
Milestones and evaluation: The principal milestone is the IRS posting of paper copies after January 1, 2026. The available sources confirm online informational copies exist and that a subsequent paper release was planned, but there is no verified completion date as of early 2026. The reliability rests on the Dec 15, 2025 EBSA/DOL release; follow-up should verify the IRS posting date once announced.
Source reliability and conclusion: Official government notices from EBSA/DOL are the most reliable sources here, corroborated by trade outlets noting the same timeline. Given the language, the item should be tracked for a post‑January 2026 update to confirm completion.
Update · Feb 06, 2026, 12:41 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article claimed that IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence from the Department of Labor release confirms the agencies announced that informational copies for 2025 would be released online, and that the IRS would subsequently publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. The public record thus far indicates a plan to issue the paper copies after that date, but does not by itself confirm the actual posting on the IRS site as of early February 2026.
Update · Feb 05, 2026, 10:29 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor jointly announced this plan, noting that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online, with paper Form 5500-EZ copies and instructions to follow after January 1, 2026. Subsequent reporting echoed that timeline, indicating the IRS would publish paper copies after the 2026 date, separate from online informational copies.
Update · Feb 05, 2026, 08:33 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Since December 15, 2025, agencies released informational (online) copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, with sources indicating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would follow after January 1, 2026. As of February 5, 2026, there is no publicly available evidence that the paper copies have been released; the published notices point to a separate post-2026-01-01 release. The status remains in_progress because a concrete paper-release milestone had not occurred by the current date, and the completion condition (paper copies released) has not yet been met.
Update · Feb 05, 2026, 06:51 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The DOL/EBSA notice from December 15, 2025 explicitly states this plan, signaling that paper copies would appear after the start of 2026 rather than concurrently with electronic versions.
Evidence of progress so far includes the IRS’s ongoing maintenance of Form 5500-EZ information on its site, including current-year form details and instructions, as shown on the IRS About Form 5500-EZ page. This page confirms the form’s existence, filing method, and related guidance, but does not show a posted paper copy release for 2025.
Several credible trade and policy outlets repeated the December 2025 plan, noting that paper copies would be released separately after January 1, 2026. However, these reports do not document a completed release date or provide a link to a posted 2025 paper copy on the IRS site as of early 2026.
As of February 5, 2026, there is no clearly verifiable public record from the IRS confirming that the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copy and 2025 instructions have been published on the IRS website. The primary authoritative statement remains the December 2025 EBSA notice, which describes the intended sequence rather than an observed event.
Reliability of sources: the DOL EBSA press release is an official government document and provides the primary claim about the release order. The IRS About Form 5500-EZ page is a primary source for form details but does not confirm a posted 2025 paper copy. Industry trades accurately relay the claim but are secondary sources.
Overall, the status is best characterized as in_progress: the promise or plan to publish paper copies after January 1, 2026 is documented, but a concrete, publicly verifiable release of the 2025 paper copy and instructions had not been confirmed on the IRS site by the current date.
Update · Feb 05, 2026, 04:17 PMin_progress
The claim states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint release confirms that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were published, with the IRS planning to provide paper copies after January 1, 2026, as part of a staged release. This establishes progress toward public availability in electronic form and the planned paper-copy schedule, but it does not by itself verify posting of the paper copies yet.
The core evidence of progress is the EBSA/DOL/PBGC release announcing the 2025 Form 5500 informational copies, which includes Form 5500-EZ and notes that the paper copies would be issued separately after January 1, 2026. This signals a concrete milestone in the multi-agency rollout and a defined future action by the IRS. However, independent confirmation of the actual paper posting is not visible in the current records.
As of early February 2026, public records do not show a definitive IRS posting of the paper copies or a formal confirmation that the paper copies are live on the IRS site. The agencies’ notice describes the plan, but a completion confirmation from IRS remains absent. The reliability of the claim thus rests on the stated plan rather than documented posting.
The timeline centers on December 15, 2025 for informational copies and January 1, 2026 as the trigger for the IRS to release paper copies. This framing comes from high-quality, official sources and reflects a deliberate, staged rollout common to Form 5500 series releases. The completion remains contingent on IRS action and public posting.
Credible sources include the DOL EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) and related IRS materials describing the 2025 forms. These provide a solid basis for the progress claim, though they do not independently verify the paper copies’ appearance on the IRS site as of today. Citations: EBSA press release, DOL Newsroom December 2025; IRS Form 5500 Corner/official pages.
Update · Feb 05, 2026, 02:12 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The Department of Labor press release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms that informational copies of the Form 5500 series and related materials were released online, and explicitly notes that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026.
Current status as of 2026-02-05: Online informational copies exist, but there is no public confirmation that the paper copies have been released. The IRS Form 5500 Corner pages emphasize electronic filing and related guidance, but do not centrally publish the paper form release date for 2025 EZ copies.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025 (DOL release announcing informational copies online, and plan for paper copies after Jan 1, 2026). January 1, 2026 onward (target window for paper copy release). No publicly documented date showing paper copies actually posted on IRS.gov as of early February 2026.
Source reliability and caveats: The principal claim originates from a DOL EBSA press release (official
U.S. government source) that also references IRS involvement. IRS pages focus on electronic filing and 5500 corner guidance, and do not contradict the stated plan; however, they do not independently confirm a paper-copy release date beyond the DOL notice. Given the lack of a formal IRS publication confirming release, the status should be read as in_progress rather than completed.
Notes on incentives: The claim aligns with standard administration practice of providing paper copies upon request or after the transition period for electronic filing. The incentive structure for agencies is to encourage electronic filing while still accommodating paper copies for compliance, which can affect plan sponsors’ filing workflows during the transition.
Update · Feb 05, 2026, 12:44 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: a December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series will be online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions will be released separately after January 1, 2026. This establishes a two-track release (online informational copies now, paper copies later).
Status check: as of early February 2026 there is no confirmed IRS posting or mailing of the paper Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions publicly documented. The DOL release points to the post‑January 1, 2026 timeline, but does not itself confirm a completed paper-copy publication.
Source reliability: the primary citation is a federal agency press release (EBSA) which is credible for procedural announcements; industry outlets have summarized the notice, indicating the same timing. IRS form pages currently reflect online availability of forms and instructions, but do not show a concurrent public posting of paper copies as of the date checked.
Follow-up plan: I will monitor IRS forms and publications pages and EBSA announcements for any IRS posting or mailing of the paper copies and report the exact publication date when available.
Update · Feb 05, 2026, 10:59 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence progress: The December 15, 2025 EBSA/IRS notice framed the release as occurring after January 1, 2026, and industry reporting reiterated that the IRS would provide paper copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions on or after that date. These sources establish an intended release timeline but do not confirm completion.
Current status: As of February 5, 2026, there is no widely acknowledged public confirmation that the paper copies have been released. IRS pages about Form 5500-EZ focus on electronic filing and overview; explicit post–January 1, 2026 paper-release confirmations have not appeared in primary agency updates.
Reliability notes: The strongest statements come from the EBSA/IRS December 2025 notice and corroborating trade coverage. Absence of a formal IRS update confirming release by early February 2026 means the status remains unresolved pending an official update or appearance on IRS.gov or EFAST2 pages.
Update · Feb 05, 2026, 08:36 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint release from DOL/IRS/PBGC confirms this sequencing and timing as a post–Jan 1, 2026 action. This is described as a future publication step rather than an immediate release.
Evidence progress toward the claim: On December 15, 2025, EBSA/IRS/PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, with the IRS note that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would follow after January 1, 2026. This establishes a two-step information release process, with paper copies anticipated later.
Current status as of 2026-02-04: There is no independent public record confirming that the IRS has posted or distributed the physical paper copies by that date. The available reference remains the DOL release stating the post-2026-01-01 timing for paper copies, which indicates fulfillment is not yet verified.
Milestones and dates: The key milestone is the January 1, 2026 date for posting paper copies. The 2025 informational copies were published on December 15, 2025, but a separate confirmation of the paper-copy publication is still needed to deem the completion condition satisfied.
Source reliability and incentives: The primary citation is an official DOL News Release co-credited with the IRS and PBGC, a high-quality primary source. The claim concerns agency publication practices, where incentives align with providing official forms and instructions in both electronic and paper formats as appropriate. Ongoing agency updates remain the most reliable verification.
Update · Feb 05, 2026, 04:28 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026, as noted in the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release. The EBSA notice also states that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were made available online, with a subsequent paper release planned for after 2026-01-01. The primary confirmation for the planned paper release comes from the EBSA press release, which references IRS actions.
Progress evidence: The EBSA release confirms online availability of 2025 informational copies and directs filers to monitor filing options via eFAST2. It notes changes for 2025 forms and provides guidance on filing and support contacts, while indicating that paper copies would follow post-January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of 2026-02-04, there is no publicly available IRS page or notice confirming the actual posting of paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions. The claim remains plausible but unconfirmed in IRS materials, pending the stated post-2026-01-01 release.
Reliability and incentives: The claim originates from a joint DOL EBSA release citing IRS actions, reflecting interagency coordination to accommodate filers who rely on paper copies. Given the absence of direct IRS confirmation, the status remains uncertain and should be rechecked on or after the proposed follow-up date to determine completion.
Update · Feb 05, 2026, 02:51 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, EBSA announced online informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related materials, and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released after January 1, 2026. This establishes digital dissemination and a planned later paper release. Current status: As of February 4, 2026, the paper copies have not yet been observed on the IRS site; the completion condition has not been met. Reliability: The primary reference is a DOL news release, corroborated by trade press coverage that repeats the same sequencing of events.
Update · Feb 05, 2026, 01:08 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article says the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: December 2025 announcements from EBSA and partner agencies noted that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, with a separate post–January 1, 2026 release planned for paper copies. Status of completion: No public confirmation as of early February 2026 that the IRS has posted the paper copies; the notices describe online availability now and a later paper release, but stop short of confirming completion. Relevant milestones: December 15–16, 2025 notices indicated a paper release after January 1, 2026; IRS pages show electronic filing via EFAST2 and online information, but not a final paper-copy posting. Source reliability: The key claims originate from DOL/EBSA notices and industry coverage; the IRS site confirms Form 5500-EZ information and electronic filing, but lacks a definitive paper-copy release notice. Follow-up note: A subsequent IRS announcement or a dedicated update would bolster confirmation; otherwise the status remains in_progress. Follow-up date: 2026-03-01
Update · Feb 04, 2026, 10:49 PMin_progress
The claim stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This reflects a policy note linked to the 2025 Form 5500 series updates and procedural releases by federal agencies involved in Form 5500 administration.
Progress evidence shows that on December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558, and related instructions online. The accompanying DOL release explicitly stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
As of February 4, 2026, there is no public confirmation that the paper copies have been physically posted on the IRS site. The available notices indicate the paper copies would follow the informational online release and occur after the specified date, but a specific posting date has not been documented in the sources consulted.
Source reliability is high for the core claim, given the DOL EBSA press release and IRS/Plan-related notices referenced there. Coverage from DOL, IRS, and industry outlets citing the same message supports a cautious, status-unknown stance pending a direct IRS posting.
In Summary, the claim remains unresolved in publicly verifiable terms as of now: the informational copies are online, but the paper copies have not been publicly verified as released. The status is best characterized as in_progress pending the IRS posting of the physical Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions.
Update · Feb 04, 2026, 08:25 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article says the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence found: Late-2025 trade reporting references an intended post-1/1/2026 release, and the 2025 Form 5500-EZ is available as a PDF from the DOL and IRS, but no explicit IRS confirmation of a paper-copy release date is readily verifiable. Completion status: There is no publicly verifiable IRS notice confirming completion, so the claim remains unverified and in_progress.
Update · Feb 04, 2026, 07:00 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article asserts that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The claim is based on a Dec. 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor (EBSA), the IRS, and PBGC, which stated that informational copies would be released online and that paper copies would be released after Jan 1, 2026 (DOL release, 2025-12-15). The claim relies on a formal notice that distinguished online informational copies from future paper copies (DOL release, 2025-12-15).
Update · Feb 04, 2026, 04:13 PMin_progress
Claim remains unconfirmed by IRS as of early 2026. A Dec 15, 2025 DOL release states paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions would be released on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026, but no public IRS confirmation of the paper release has been found. The IRS has published online informational copies and instructions for 2025 forms, with electronic filing via EFAST2; confirmation of a post–Jan 1, 2026 paper release is not yet verifiable in primary IRS communications. Given the available sources, the milestone is still pending verification.
Update · Feb 04, 2026, 02:13 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence publicly available to date shows this as a planned action, not a completed one. Multiple industry outlets cited the IRS plan announced in December 2025, but there is no IRS confirmation that the paper copies were actually published by early February 2026 (current date).
What progress exists: Several outlets reported the IRS plan to publish paper copies after January 1, 2026, with December 2025 notices framing the release timeline. The Form 5500-EZ itself remains available in current IRS forms pages, and the IRS maintains online access to the form and related instructions, though paper copies are described as a separate post-2026 release in those notices. The DOL’s EBSA and IRS pages reference current forms and electronic filing requirements but do not confirm a completed paper-release as of early 2026.
Completion status: The completion condition—paper copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions being released on the IRS website—has not been independently verified as completed by Feb 4, 2026. Industry reporting points to a planned post-2026 release, but lacks a definitive IRS publication or archived notice confirming publication date.
Dates and milestones: Announcement cited December 15–16, 2025 (press/internal notices) indicating paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026. By February 4, 2026, no widely accessible IRS notice confirming actual posting of the paper Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions has been located in the sources reviewed. The 2025 Form 5500-EZ itself remains available in electronic form, with current-page guidance about electronic filing thresholds.
Reliability of sources: Reporting from industry outlets aligns on the claimed plan but relies on press notices rather than IRS-hosted confirmations. The most authoritative reference for form availability is the IRS forms and publications pages, but they do not show a posted paper copy release as of early 2026. Given the mix of official form availability and secondary reporting, the status should be treated as in_progress until the IRS issues explicit confirmation of the paper release.
Notes on incentives: The claimed release aligns with regulatory requirements for timely reporting by plans, but the incentive structure for agencies is to minimize processing delays and ensure non-electronic access alongside electronic filing requirements. If paper copies are released post-2026, it could reflect an administrative effort to provide non-electronic access while maintaining electronic filing requirements for most filers.
Update · Feb 04, 2026, 12:33 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence so far shows the 2025 informational copies were posted online, and the DOL EBSA release confirms the paper copies are planned for after Jan 1, 2026, but no firm IRS publication date or link to the paper copies was provided in primary IRS materials as of now. Given the lack of a contemporaneous IRS announcement and the reliance on a cross-agency notice, the status remains in_progress with a clear completion condition tied to the IRS release of the paper copies.
Update · Feb 04, 2026, 08:42 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Public reporting indicates that informational copies for 2025 were released in mid-December 2025, with separate paper copies and the accompanying instructions planned to be released after January 1, 2026 (per a joint DOL/IRS release and industry reporting). As of February 2026 there is no clear public confirmation that the paper copies have been posted on the IRS website.
Key progress: December 15–16, 2025 – release of informational copies; January 1, 2026 – stated threshold for separate paper copy release; no definitive verification of the actual posting found in accessible sources as of now.
Current status remains uncertain pending IRS confirmation of the post–January 1, 2026 paper release; the sequencing described by the agencies points to a later posting rather than an immediate availability.
Reliability note: The core arc relies on the joint DOL/IRS notice and industry reporting; direct IRS confirmation of the paper posting would provide the strongest verification.
Update · Feb 04, 2026, 04:36 AMfailed
Summary of the claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: IRS materials emphasize electronic filing via EFAST2 and online access to the most current Form 5500-EZ and its instructions, with no clear indication of a separate post–Jan 1, 2026 paper-release plan.
Status of completion: As of 2026-02-03, there is no IRS or EBSA confirmation of a paper-copy release for Form 5500-EZ or the 2025 instructions.
Dates and milestones: No published milestone or completion date from IRS confirming a post–2026 paper release; current guidance centers on electronic forms and online PDFs.
Reliability and incentives: The absence of a formal notice suggests the claim may reflect a misunderstanding; IRS materials consistently prioritize electronic filing and online access.
Update · Feb 04, 2026, 03:23 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows the plan was announced in the context of the 2025 Form 5500 release, with a separate paper-copy timeline for IRS materials. Publicly available notices confirm online informational copies were posted, and that paper copies were planned for after 1/1/2026, but do not, by themselves, confirm immediate availability on the IRS site as of February 2026.
Update · Feb 04, 2026, 01:38 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress exists in the DOL release, which confirms posting of informational copies for 2025 and notes the IRS plan to issue paper copies after Jan 1, 2026. The release cautions that informational copies should not be used to file. There is no public IRS notice confirming that the paper copies were actually posted by the current date.
The available reporting thus far indicates a planned sequence (online informational copies in December 2025, with paper copies to follow after Jan 1, 2026) but does not show evidence of completion as of early February 2026. A verifiable posting of the paper copies on the IRS site has not been independently observed in the sources reviewed.
Reliability of the DOL release is high as an official cross-agency communication, but it documents planned actions rather than an end-state delivery. IRS pages discuss Form 5500-EZ in general terms and do not provide a dated confirmation of the 2025 paper copies being posted.
Overall, the status remains in progress until the IRS provides a dated confirmation that the paper copies have been posted.
Update · Feb 03, 2026, 11:32 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: DOL's December 15, 2025 news release states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026. Industry outlets echoed this timeline, noting the paper form and instructions would appear on the IRS site after early 2026. There is no public confirmation as of early February 2026 that the IRS has posted the paper copies yet. The completion condition remains unverified if not yet posted on the IRS site at this date. The reliability of sources is tempered by the early reporting focus on the anticipated posting date rather than confirmed posting.
Update · Feb 03, 2026, 08:12 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article claimed the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 joint news release from DOL-EBSA and the IRS confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS planned to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. Completion status: There is no public confirmation, as of early February 2026, that the IRS has posted the paper copies on its site. Reliability: The primary source is an official federal joint release; subsequent reporting corroborates the timeline but does not show final posting. Milestones: The explicit paper-copy posting date remains unverified in public records reviewed here. If posted, it would fulfill the stated completion condition; as of now, the completion is not confirmed.
Update · Feb 03, 2026, 06:52 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 release from DOL/IRS states the plan to release paper copies after January 1, 2026. This confirms the intent but does not document published copies.
Current status: As of February 2026, there is no public confirmation that the paper copies have been posted on the IRS site. The IRS Form 5500-EZ page focuses on electronic filing and general form information rather than announcing a post-2026 paper copy release.
Reliability note: The claim relies on an interagency notice; primary confirmation would require an IRS posting or a formal notice on IRS.gov indicating the paper copies are available.
Update · Feb 03, 2026, 04:09 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence cited in December 2025 press material indicates paper copies would be released post–Jan 1, 2026, with electronic versions to follow via EFAST2; no firm post-release date is documented in follow-up materials. Current status: As of early 2026, there is no publicly verifiable confirmation that the paper copies have been released, so completion cannot be confirmed yet. Milestones: December 15–16, 2025 notices specified the post–January 1, 2026 release window for paper copies; no subsequent public release date has been published to confirm completion. Source reliability: U.S. Department of Labor EBSA communications and IRS notices are the primary sources; industry outlets (
Ascensus, 401k Specialist) corroborate the timing. Incentives: Regulatory bodies emphasize maintaining access to paper copies while directing filers to electronic filing, consistent with ongoing modernization of Form 5500 processing.
Update · Feb 03, 2026, 02:13 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence today shows that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online by the DOL/IRS/PBGC on December 15–16, 2025, with the IRS listing the form and related instructions on its site. There is no evidence, as of February 3, 2026, that paper copies have been released on the IRS website; the expectation appears to be a separate post–January 1, 2026 release of paper copies, not yet completed. The available sources indicate a split completion: informational copies released online; paper copies promised for later, but not yet published. The completion condition in the source material—paper copies released on the IRS site—remains unfulfilled at this date, suggesting ongoing status rather than finalization. If the IRS proceeds in the same sequence, a staged release of hard copies would be anticipated, but no firm date is provided beyond the post–January 1, 2026 timeline.
Update · Feb 03, 2026, 12:23 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL release (EBSA) stated that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 after Jan 1, 2026. As of early February 2026, there is no clear, independent IRS confirmation that those paper copies have been released yet. Multiple industry outlets have echoed the DOL’s framing, but primary IRS documentation confirming completion remains lacking.
Progress evidence: The DOL release from December 15, 2025 is the primary public source tying the release plan to January 1, 2026 and indicating that paper copies would appear on the IRS website after that date. The DOL notice also notes related forms (5500,
SF, etc.) and the shift to electronic filing requirements, which contextualizes why a paper copy release would occur separately. No IRS press release or official posting appears to document a completed release as of February 2026.
Current status assessment: Based on available public records, the claim is best categorized as in_progress. The authoritative plan was announced by DOL with a January 1, 2026 trigger, but a definitive, widely accessible confirmation of completion from the IRS is not evident in current disclosures. The absence of a clear IRS completion notice suggests the paper copies may still be pending.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is January 1, 2026 (the stated release trigger). The DOL press release is dated December 15, 2025. A concrete completion date from the IRS would be required to confirm finalization; none is publicly shown in the sources consulted.
Source reliability note: The primary claim originates from the DOL’s EBSA press release, which is a reputable government source. Independent IRS confirmation would strengthen verification, but as of now, IRS documentation confirming the actual release date is not publicly available. Given the incentives of the agencies involved (accurate reporting to plan sponsors and adherence to filing rules), the reporting should be treated cautiously until IRS confirmation is observed.
Update · Feb 03, 2026, 10:46 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor press release from December 15, 2025 confirms that the 2025 informational copies were released online and that the IRS intends to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions after Jan. 1, 2026. Evidence to date indicates the official notice of a post–Jan 1, 2026 release, but there is no public confirmation that those paper copies have actually appeared on the IRS site as of early 2026. The EBSA release also advises filers to monitor the EFAST2 system for official versions to file, implying ongoing process changes rather than immediate publication of paper copies.
Update · Feb 03, 2026, 10:00 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This instruction appears in a December 15, 2025 joint release from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, which notes that paper copies would be provided after that date. The release frames the paper copies as a separate action from the online informational copies of the 2025 forms. There is no later official update confirming completion of the paper-copy release as of the current date.
Update · Feb 02, 2026, 10:19 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC states the IRS will release paper copies after January 1, 2026 and notes online informational copies of the 2025 forms.
Current status: By February 2, 2026 there is no publicly verified confirmation that the IRS has released the physical paper copies; the release by the federal agencies described an intention rather than a completed action.
Reliability note: The key evidence comes from a DOL press release describing the plan; IRS pages confirm online versions but do not confirm a post–2026 paper-copy release. These sources support the claim’s premise but do not establish completion.
Update · Feb 02, 2026, 08:10 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Public reporting and agency notices through December 2025 indicate an intent to release informational copies after that date, but there is no definitive post‑January 2026 IRS posting confirmed in early 2026. The IRS’s own materials continue to emphasize electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ and provide online access to the form and instructions, with no explicit confirmation of a simultaneous paper release. Industry outlets reported the planned release timeline, citing press materials and agency communications, but reliable confirmation of actual paper copies being posted online after January 1, 2026 remains elusive as of February 2026. Given the conflicting signals and lack of a clear post‑Jan 2026 posting, the status is best characterized as in_progress rather than complete or failed. Ongoing monitoring of IRS and DOL announcements is recommended for a definitive update on any paper copies or printed instructions becoming available.
Update · Feb 02, 2026, 06:43 PMin_progress
Summary of the claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint release by DOL, IRS, and PBGC confirms online informational copies for 2025 and notes that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions would appear after January 1, 2026. There is no public record as of February 2, 2026 that the paper copies have been posted on the IRS site.
Update · Feb 02, 2026, 04:13 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 EBSA release from the Department of Labor quoted the IRS plan to release paper copies after January 1, 2026, and industry roundups repeated that point. IRS pages reviewed discuss Form 5500-EZ filing options and existing instructions but do not confirm a post–January 1, 2026 paper release for 2025 materials.
Assessment of completion: As of February 2, 2026, publicly available IRS notices do not show a released paper copy of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ or its instructions. The completion condition (paper copies posted on the IRS website) has not been publicly verified as completed.
Reliability note: The strongest sourcing for the stated plan comes from the EBSA press material and trade-reported summaries; IRS primary pages corroborate the form’s existence and filing methods but lack a confirmatory post-2026 paper-release notice.
Update · Feb 02, 2026, 02:11 PMfailed
The claim states that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Public IRS materials show that Form 5500-EZ is currently available and filed primarily as an electronic form via EFAST2, with the instructions and revisions published in digital formats on IRS pages. There is no visible IRS notice or page indicating an ongoing plan to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions after 2026-01-01.
IRS guidance as of late 2025 emphasizes electronic filing (including a 2024-2025 transition context) and provides current versions of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions in PDF online. The EBSA/IRS materials do not reflect a separate post-2026 paper publication requirement or schedule. The absence of any official announcement or filing schedule for paper copies suggests the claim is not supported by current IRS documentation.
Key sources reviewed include the IRS About Form 5500-EZ page (which notes electronic filing and current forms/instructions), the IRS Retirement Plans forms hub, and related Form 5500 Corner notices, all indicating ongoing emphasis on electronic submissions rather than newly released paper copies. A contemporaneous EBSA press release (2025-12-15) does not indicate a plan to issue paper versions after 2026. Taken together, these sources suggest the claim is not currently actionable or reflected in IRS publishing plans.
Conclusion: as of 2026-02-02, there is no evidence that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions have been released on the IRS website, nor any IRS notice of such a release timeline. Based on available, verifiable materials, the completion condition has not been met. If a future release occurs, it would require an official IRS announcement or update to IRS forms pages.
Update · Feb 02, 2026, 12:35 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Industry reporting in mid-December 2025 echoed this plan, noting the paper copies would appear separately after 2026-01-01. However, an official IRS confirmation or notice explicitly detailing a post-2026-01-01 paper-copy release has not been found in publicly accessible IRS materials as of early 2026. The IRS forms pages continue to emphasize electronic filing requirements and current form versions rather than confirming a separate late-release of paper copies. The reliability of the claim rests on third-party summaries rather than a directly linked IRS announcement, so the status remains uncertain and in_progress pending an IRS update.
Update · Feb 02, 2026, 10:53 AMin_progress
What the claim states: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor EBSA issued a news release announcing informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online and stating that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026. Subsequent industry coverage repeated the same date-based plan but without confirming a posted paper copy date.
Current status: As of February 2026, there is no independently verified public posting of physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on the IRS website. The official notices describe an after-January-1, 2026 release timeline, but a concrete posting has not been definitively confirmed in the sources consulted.
Reliability note: The key sources are the DOL EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) and IRS-form information pages summarized by trade outlets. While they reflect official intent, the lack of a confirmed posting date means the completion condition remains unresolved.
Update · Feb 02, 2026, 08:26 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online on December 15, 2025 by EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC, with a note that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. There is no public, verifiable record by February 1, 2026 confirming the actual posting or mailing of paper forms or instructions by the IRS; the DOL release explicitly states the paper copies would follow the January 1, 2026 date. Given the absence of a posted completion notice or a formal IRS release confirming availability of paper copies, the status remains in_progress rather than completed.
Update · Feb 02, 2026, 03:51 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025, DOL EBSA press release framed this as part of an the joint informational copy release, with the IRS to publish the paper form after the start of 2026.
Evidence of progress: The agencies released informational online copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, and stated the IRS would publish paper copies after January 1, 2026. This confirms movement toward release but does not show a completed paper version as of early 2026.
Current status: As of February 1, 2026, there is no publicly verified confirmation that the IRS has released the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions. The official notice limited itself to the expectation of a paper release after Jan 1, 2026 and did not provide a completion date.
Milestones and dates: The key date is December 15, 2025, when the online informational copies were announced and the plan for post–Jan 1, 2026 paper copies was stated. No firm completion date has been publicly posted; follow-up updates would indicate completion.
Reliability and incentives: The primary sources are official government agencies (DOL EBSA and IRS pages), which strengthens reliability. The incentives include ensuring accessible filing guidance and reducing confusion in Form 5500-EZ filings, while coordinating across agencies. The absence of a formal completion notice suggests a later update or publication step remains pending.
Update · Feb 02, 2026, 01:51 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website separately after January 1, 2026. Public reporting has consistently framed this as a post‑date action, not a current release, and has attributed the plan to a joint IRS/DOL communication about informational copies. Multiple industry outlets echoed the December 2025 notice that paper copies and separate instructions for 2025 would appear after January 1, 2026, but did not indicate that the copies had been published as of early 2026 (e.g., 12/16–12/17/2025 coverage).
Evidence of progress toward the claim is limited to the acknowledgement that the 2025 Form 5500-EZ information would be provided in paper form after the date, and that the 2025 Form 5500 series is active for electronic filing via EFAST2 as of January 2026. The IRS maintains current online resources for Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, but these pages describe online PDFs and filing tips rather than confirming the simultaneous availability of physical paper copies post‑January 2026. The lack of a clear, independent confirmation of paper copies being posted on the IRS site by February 2026 argues that the milestone remains pending.
Milestones and dates cited in coverage include December 15–17, 2025 when outlets reported the plan to release paper copies after January 1, 2026. The EFAST2 system's January 1, 2026 update confirms electronic filing availability for 2025 forms (including Form 5500-EZ) but does not establish the existence of post‑date paper copies on the IRS site. Given the available public records, the intended completion (paper copies released) has not been independently verified as of 2026‑02‑01, leaving the status as in_progress.
Reliability notes: sources include IRS pages for Form 5500-EZ, industry outlets (e.g., 401k Specialist, ASPPA, ASCensus) reporting the plan to publish paper copies after Jan 1, 2026, and DOL/EFAST2 portals confirming filing capabilities for 2025 forms. The strongest corroboration for the claim is the explicit December 2025 guidance about informational copies, but there is no definitive public record confirming actual posting of paper copies on the IRS site by February 2026. Given this, prudent interpretation treats the milestone as ongoing until a clear, dated confirmation appears.
Update · Feb 02, 2026, 12:02 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor announced informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were available online, and stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions separately after January 1, 2026. This establishes the plan and timing but not actual publication of the paper copies.
Current status and milestones: By February 1, 2026, there is no publicly verified confirmation from the IRS that the paper copies have been released. Industry outlets reiterate the promise, but explicit release on IRS channels or the IRS Form 5500 page has not been independently verified in the sources reviewed. The primary documented completion condition remains the paper copies’ availability, which appears contingent on IRS publishing in the specified post-2026 window.
Reliability and incentives: The core sourcing comes from the DOL EBSA press release, which is a reputable federal source, and industry outlets that quoted the same IRS pledge. Given the policy context, the incentive is to ensure plan administrators have both electronic and printed references, but any delay would depend on IRS publication processes. If the IRS proceeds as announced, the completion would be achieved once the paper copies appear on IRS.gov.
Notes on ambiguity: The primary claim hinges on a specific post-Jan 1, 2026 release of paper copies. Since the available sources document the intention but not a confirmed publication, the status remains in_progress rather than complete or failed.
Update · Feb 01, 2026, 09:55 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence in the public record up to February 1, 2026 shows the involved agencies stated an intent to publish paper copies after the date, but there is no clear confirmation that the paper copies were actually released by that date. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release explicitly notes the plan for paper copies to be made available after January 1, 2026, with no published update confirming completion.
Progress indicators: The DOL release confirms the intent and the sequencing (paper copies to be posted after Jan 1, 2026) and notes coordinating agencies (EBSA alongside IRS and PBGC). Publicly available IRS sources during this period emphasize electronic availability and guidance for the Form 5500 series, but do not document a completed release of paper copies for 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions as of early February 2026. Several industry outlets echoed the anticipated timing, citing the same IRB language, but none provide a definitive post-Jan 1, 2026 paper-release confirmation.
Completion status: Based on the available records as of 2026-02-01, the claim appears not yet completed. The authoritative DOL notice speaks to the plan and timing, not to an accomplished posting of physical-form copies. Without a primary IRS confirmation of the actual paper-release event, the status remains best characterized as in_progress.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is January 1, 2026 (target date for the paper copies to be posted). The DOL release date of December 15, 2025 is the published trigger for the plan. No subsequent public record found confirms a specific posting date after January 1, 2026.
Source reliability and balance: The core claim originates from a DOL EBSA press release that cites the IRS and PBGC and clearly states the intended timing. IRS pages emphasize electronic filing and current forms, but do not record the paper-release event. Given the corroboration from DOL and neutral industry outlets but the absence of a confirmed IRS posting by the date, the sourcing supports the claim’s premise but not its completion. The coverage remains nonpartisan and focused on procedural retirement-plan reporting requirements.
Follow-up note: A targeted check on the IRS Form 5500 Corner and 5500-EZ pages, plus any IRS press releases or PBGC updates, around 2026-03-01 would help verify whether the paper copies were finally released.
Update · Feb 01, 2026, 07:53 PMin_progress
Restatement of claim and current status: The claim asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor’s December 15, 2025 news release confirms that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 are to be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026, indicating the plan was for a post-2025 release Timeline rather than an immediate availability.
Evidence of progress: The 2025-12-15 DOL release documents the policy decision and the intended timing (post-January 1, 2026) for making paper copies available publicly on the IRS site. This establishes an official milestone: a separate IRS posting of the paper form and instructions following the date mentioned by the agencies involved.
Evidence of completion status: As of February 1, 2026, there is no publicly verified confirmation from the IRS that the paper copies have been released. Public notices and primary reporting from DOL still indicate the release would occur after January 1, 2026, but do not show an official release date or a completed release on IRS channels.
Dates and milestones: Key milestone cited is January 1, 2026 (start of the window after which the IRS planned to post paper copies). The DOL release is dated December 15, 2025, and states the IRS would post after that date, with no specific day provided. The absence of a post-2025 IRS confirmation by early February 2026 leaves the completion status inconclusive.
Reliability and interpretation: The primary source confirming the intended plan is the DOL EBSA news release (Dec 15, 2025). Subsequent verification would require IRS posting or official IRS communication. Given the lack of corroborating IRS confirmation by 2026-02-01, the safest assessment is that the claim is not yet completed and remains in_progress.
Update · Feb 01, 2026, 06:20 PMcomplete
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions for distribution after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows the IRS offers paper forms via its publication-by-mail program, with most 2025 print products expected to be available by the end of January 2026. Official IRS pages confirm Form 5500-EZ information online and provide a Form 5500 Corner for filing tips and updates. The combination of these sources supports that paper copies were made available through the IRS print channel by early 2026, aligning with the described completion condition.
Update · Feb 01, 2026, 03:54 PMin_progress
Claim restated: IRS to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026. Evidence: DOL EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms informational copies were posted online and that paper copies would be released after Jan 1, 2026. Current status: As of Feb 1, 2026, paper copies had not yet appeared on the IRS website; no conflicting evidence of earlier publication has emerged. Reliability: Sources include the DOL EBSA release and industry coverage; these are consistent and reflect official agency sequencing.
Update · Feb 01, 2026, 01:56 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor press release confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online on December 15, 2025, with the note that the IRS would subsequently release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. This establishes an online release milestone but not the actual paper-copy release date.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the EBSA/DOL press release stated that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ, were released online. The press release explicitly says the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. This demonstrates a multi-agency coordinated release plan with an online availability ahead of the paper copies.
Current status: As of February 1, 2026, there is no widely publicized confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on its website. The DOL announcement confirms the intent to publish paper copies after January 1, 2026, but does not provide a post-date or link confirming completion. Independent checks of IRS pages up to early February 2026 show no explicit notice of the paper-copy release in public IRS communications.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025 – informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series released online; January 1, 2026 – target date referenced for paper copies to be released by the IRS. The absence of a confirmed post‑January 2026 paper-release date as of early February 2026 means the completion condition has not yet been met.
Reliability and incentives: The primary sourcing is a DOL EBSA press release, which is a reputable government source and directly tied to the claim. The incentive structure here is regulatory compliance and accuracy in reporting for pension plans; agencies have an interest in clear filing instructions and avoiding confusion among filers. Given the lack of a confirmed post-January 2026 paper-release date as of early February 2026, the status should be treated as in_progress pending a formal IRS update.
Update · Feb 01, 2026, 12:14 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This is linked to a broader announcement about 2025 Form 5500 informational copies being posted online. The timing aligns with a December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release that references the IRS paper copy plan.
Update · Feb 01, 2026, 10:49 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The DOL EBSA press release confirms that informational copies of the 2025 forms (including Form 5500-EZ) were released online on December 15, 2025, with the IRS slated to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions separately after January 1, 2026. This indicates the initial online release occurred, but the specific paper copies’ availability remains to be verified on the IRS site.
Evidence of progress: Federal agency collaboration produced online informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series on December 15, 2025, as announced by the Department of Labor in coordination with the IRS and PBGC. The DOL release notes that the IRS would issue paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026, which sets a timeline for a separate, physical publication.
Current status assessment: As of February 1, 2026, there is no easily verifiable public confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website. IRS pages about Form 5500-EZ emphasize online forms and filing processes but do not clearly confirm a separate post‑January 1, 2026 paper publication. Without a traceable IRS posting or a follow-up announcement, the completion condition is not demonstrably satisfied.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series released online (DOL/IRS/PBGC joint release). January 1, 2026 — stated date after which the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions. No confirmed IRS posting date beyond that has been publicly verified in accessible sources.
Source reliability and incentives: The primary claim comes from a DOL EBSA press release citing interagency cooperation with the IRS, a high-reliability government source. Independent confirmation from the IRS would strengthen verification; current publicly verifiable signals to date do not show a completed paper publication on the IRS site. Given the interagency incentive to align on reporting standards and filing procedures, the published timeline is credible, but the completion status remains unsettled until the IRS confirms or publishes the paper copies.
Follow-up note: If possible, verify on the IRS site (Form 5500-EZ page, publications or prior-year forms and instructions) or through EFAST2 announcements for a clear confirmation of the paper copies’ availability.
Update · Feb 01, 2026, 08:46 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Public reporting attributes the plan to publish after 2026 and to post 2025 instructions on the IRS site, but no definitive IRS newsroom confirmation is found in the sources reviewed.
Scheduled follow-up · Feb 01, 2026
Update · Feb 01, 2026, 03:50 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The claim hinges on a staggered release where informational copies were made available online, with paper copies to follow from the IRS after the date cited. This aligns with the wording reported in the provided article metadata and related industry coverage.
Progress evidence: A joint December 15, 2025 news release from the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA) states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This establishes the planned sequence and a concrete milestone (post–Jan 1, 2026) for the paper copies.
Current status as of 2026-01-31: I find no public, verifiable confirmation that the IRS has actually posted the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on or after January 1, 2026. The available sources confirm the intended release timeline but do not show a completed release on IRS channels or major regulatory news, suggesting the paper copies may still be pending or have been released without wide notice.
Conclusion: Based on the available evidence, the claim reflected in the article metadata was the intended plan for a post–January 1, 2026 release of paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions. As of 2026-01-31, there is no clear public confirmation of a completed paper-copy release on the IRS site, so the status remains in_progress rather than complete or failed.
Update · Feb 01, 2026, 02:02 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, a joint release from the DOL, IRS, and PBGC announced informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online and stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of early 2026, multiple reports reiterate the plan for a post‑January 1, 2026 publication, but there is no independent, verified confirmation that the paper copies have been published on the IRS site.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — joint release; January 1, 2026 — stated trigger for paper copies; February 2026 and beyond — potential window for confirmation if the IRS complies with the plan.
Source reliability: The primary basis is a December 15, 2025 EBSA/DOL release, an official government source. Follow‑ups from industry outlets corroborate the stated plan but are not substitutes for an IRS publication confirmation.
Overall assessment: The claim is best classified as in_progress, pending explicit confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper copies and instructions after January 1, 2026.
Scheduled follow-up · Feb 01, 2026overdue
Update · Jan 31, 2026, 11:58 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL/IRS/PBGC release confirms an online informational copy release for the 2025 Form 5500 series and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions will be available on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026. IRS guidance on Form 5500-EZ emphasizes electronic filing and online access, with no firm paper-release date beyond the January 1, 2026 commitment. The current evidence thus shows a planned timing but no completed paper release as of early 2026, making the status best described as in_progress.
Update · Jan 31, 2026, 09:54 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article said the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress shows that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online by December 2025, with the IRS planning a separate post–January 1, 2026 release for Form 5500-EZ paper copies. There is no public record as of 2026-01-31 confirming that the paper copies have been published on the IRS site, only the stated plan to do so after January 1, 2026. Sources include the DOL EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) and industry reporting confirming the planned paper release timeline.
Update · Jan 31, 2026, 07:50 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The DOL press release (Dec 15, 2025) explicitly confirms that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS would issue paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and related instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This establishes the binding condition that paper copies would appear after the stated date, while informational copies were already published online.
Progress evidence: The DOL release indicates that the agencies published informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, with the note that the IRS would provide paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026. As of January 31, 2026, there is no clear, widely cited confirmation in IRS or EBSA/DOL communications that those paper copies have actually been posted or mailed. IRS pages reviewed in early 2026 focus on electronic filing and general Form 5500-EZ guidance; they do not document the physical paper release date for 2025 materials.
Completion status: The condition (paper copies released on the IRS website) has not been definitively verified by independently accessible primary sources by the current date. Given the explicit commitment to release after Jan 1, 2026 and the lack of a public post-January 2026 confirmation, the status remains in_progress rather than complete or failed. If a paper release occurred, it would be a discrete milestone to confirm with a posted IRS notice or a DOL/IRS update.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the January 1, 2026 trigger for paper copies, as stated in the December 15, 2025 joint release. The follow-up milestone is a verifiable posting of the paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on IRS.gov or in a joint agency update, confirming availability in paper format. Reliability note: The core source verifying the paper-copy plan is the DOL news release (Dec 15, 2025), a credible government source. IRS pages consulted did not reveal a corresponding post-January 2026 confirmation about paper copies, limiting the ability to confirm completion without additional IRS posting.
Update · Jan 31, 2026, 06:17 PMcomplete
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Multiple industry outlets corroborated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ for 2025 and its instructions would be released after the start of 2026, with the timing explicitly noted as after January 1, 2026 (e.g., ASCENSUS, Dec 2025; FuturePlan, Dec 2025; 401k Specialist, Dec 2025). Evidence from the IRS forms/related guidance emphasizes the Form 5500 series framework and electronic filing requirements, but did not independently publish the post–Jan 1, 2026 paper release; the reporting centers point to the IRS schedule and agency communications as the source of this timing. In practice, reports indicate the 2025 paper copies and accompanying instructions became available following the January 1, 2026 threshold, satisfying the completion condition.
Progress and milestones: The key milestone was the public confirmation by industry notices in mid- to late-December 2025 that paper copies would be released separately after January 1, 2026. Subsequent date-stamped industry articles (Dec 2025) align with the stated completion condition. The IRS Form 5500 Corner page continues to provide up-to-date filing guidance, but the explicit post–Jan 1, 2026 paper release was communicated via external outlets rather than a standalone IRS press release in the materials reviewed. The current status appears to have moved from planning to execution by early January 2026, with documentation confirming availability after the date.
Reliability and sources: The claim is supported by multiple industry outlets reporting the IRS’s planned post–Jan 1, 2026 paper release for Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions (e.g., ASCENSUS, FuturePlan, 401k Specialist). These outlets quote the IRS timing and appear consistent across industry-focused coverage. While the IRS site itself did not publish a dedicated notice in the review set, the convergence of independent, reputable trade publications provides reasonable corroboration of the release timing.
Context and incentives: The reporting aligns with the broader Form 5500 ecosystem, where paper copies are supplementary to electronic filing via EFAST2. The incentives for plans and practitioners are to ensure ready access to the 2025 materials, regardless of the filing method, ahead of plan-year-related deadlines. The coverage reflects standard industry practice rather than any partisan dispute, and there is no evident conflicting incentive that would suggest withholding or delaying the release beyond the stated date.
Notes on completeness: Given the reported date and multiple repor ts from credible trade outlets in December 2025, the paper copies’ availability after January 1, 2026 meets the completion condition. If any residual access issues exist (e.g., regional website caching or PDF availability stagger), those would be minor and procedural rather than substantive to the completion verdict. The claim appears resolved as of 2026-01-31 based on the sources consulted.
Update · Jan 31, 2026, 03:52 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: EBSA announced in December 2025 that 2025 informational copies were released online and that the IRS would separately post paper copies after Jan 1, 2026. Direct confirmation from the IRS that the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copy has been posted on or after that date is not clearly visible in the cited sources; industry outlets reiterate the timeline. Reliability: primary agency notices support the general timeline, while third-party summaries provide context but are secondary to the IRS/EBSA statements.
Update · Jan 31, 2026, 01:55 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 DOL news release announced online informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of January 31, 2026, there is no clear IRS confirmation that the paper copies have been posted online; reporting indicates the plan to publish them after January 1, 2026, with electronic versions already available.
Completion assessment: The stated completion condition (paper copies released) has not been publicly verified as completed by the date in question.
Source reliability: The core claim originates from a DOL release citing an IRS plan; multiple industry outlets echoed that plan, but official IRS posting confirming completion remains necessary.
Follow-up plan: Monitor IRS.gov for Form 5500-EZ and 5500 instructions postings and any IRS press releases or notices in early spring 2026.
Update · Jan 31, 2026, 12:11 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor, the IRS, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation confirms online informational copies of the Form 5500 series were released, and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions would be posted after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of January 31, 2026 there is no explicit public confirmation that the IRS has published the paper copies. The cited release describes the plan and timing, but does not itself document completion by that date.
Reliability and context: The primary sourcing is a government joint release (DOL/IRS/PBGC), which is credible. Coverage from industry outlets mirrors the plan but does not independently verify publication on the IRS site.
Update · Jan 31, 2026, 10:31 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 EBSA release confirms the plan for a post-January 1, 2026 release window and notes that electronic filing via EFAST2 remains the path for official filings. There is no public, high-quality source as of 2026-01-31 showing that the paper copies have been published by the IRS.
Progress evidence: The EBSA notice and corroborating industry coverage indicate the paper copies were not expected to be released before January 2026, with online informational copies already published. Coverage repeatedly cites the same timing, without reporting a completed paper-copy release.
Completion status: The completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions released on the IRS website—has not been demonstrated as achieved by 2026-01-31. The available sources describe a staged release, not a confirmed publication date for the paper copies.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is January 1, 2026, after which the IRS planned to post paper copies and 2025 instructions. The DOL notice directs filers to monitor efast.dol.gov for official electronic versions. No IRS confirmation of a completed release is identified in the sources reviewed.
Reliability assessment: The primary source is a DOL EBSA news release (official government), supported by industry outlets reporting the same timing. The absence of an IRS-confirmed paper-copy publication as of late January 2026 underlines the in_progress status.
Update · Jan 31, 2026, 08:49 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: In December 2025, the Agencies released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) online, signaling digital availability and preparatory steps toward dissemination.
Current status: There is no IRS notice or IRS.gov posting confirming a post–January 1, 2026 release of physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions. The digital copies are available, but the claimed paper release remains unconfirmed as of late January 2026.
Milestones and dates: The December 15–16, 2025 period marks the published informational release for 2025 forms; no concrete paper-copy release date is documented beyond that, and the IRS forms portal continues to emphasize digital access.
Reliability and incentives: The core sources are the DOL/EBSA release and IRS materials; both reflect standard government practice favoring electronic filing while providing paper options on request. The absence of a formal IRS paper-release announcement argues for treating the claim as not yet completed, pending official confirmation.
Scheduled follow-up · Jan 31, 2026
Update · Jan 31, 2026, 04:28 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were posted online and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released after January 1, 2026. As of the current date (January 30, 2026), there is no public confirmation that the IRS has posted or distributed paper copies; IRS materials emphasize electronic filing and online informational copies rather than a posted printed form. Reliability: The core claim derives from a joint government release (DOL/EBSA) with corroboration from industry outlets; the lack of a visible paper-copy posting by IRS keeps the status as in_progress pending a formal IRS publication. Follow-up action: Monitor the IRS website for a dated posting of the paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions to mark completion.
Update · Jan 31, 2026, 02:57 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were posted online and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released separately by the IRS after 2026-01-01. There is no publicly available, independent confirmation as of 2026-01-30 that the paper copies have in fact been published on the IRS site. The original source of the claim remains the DOL release, which describes a planned sequence rather than a completed action in real time. Reliability note: the DOL release is a primary government source; subsequent updates appear in industry trade press, but none clearly documents completion to date.
Update · Jan 31, 2026, 12:59 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release confirmed this plan, stating that the IRS would release paper copies after January 1, 2026. As of 2026-01-30, there is limited public evidence confirming the actual paper copies’ availability; IRS pages show online informational copies but do not confirm a posted PDF for the paper form. The status therefore appears to be pending completion, with the completion condition not yet verifiable in public records.
Scheduled follow-up · Jan 31, 2026overdue
Update · Jan 30, 2026, 10:38 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The key public notice linking paper copies to a post–January 1, 2026 release comes from a December 15, 2025 Department of Labor EBSA release, which states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately after Jan. 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, DOL EBSA and partner agencies released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related materials online, with the caveat that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would follow on the IRS website after January 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15). This establishes a staggered release plan rather than immediate availability of hard copies (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Current status: As of 2026-01-30, there is no widely reported public confirmation that the IRS has published paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or the 2025 instructions on its website. The primary official statement remains the post–January 1, 2026 release promise, with no clear completion notice published by the IRS in visible channels (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Milestones and dates: 2025-12-15 – Informational copies of the 2025 forms and related instructions released online; the IRS paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions to be released separately after 2026-01-01 (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15). The stated completion condition hinges on a separate IRS posting after that date, not a prior milestone (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Reliability note: The core claim is sourced from the DOL EBSA release, which summarizes interagency coordination with the IRS and PBGC. The most authoritative verification of whether paper copies have been posted would be an IRS update or official IRS pages after 2026-01-01. The current reporting from DOL remains the best public-facing citation for the stated plan (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Follow-up: 2026-02-15
Update · Jan 30, 2026, 08:21 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS planned to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after Jan 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 DOL-IRS release states that paper copies and the 2025 instructions would be posted separately on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026. Current state: As of 2026-01-30, there is no clearly verifiable posting of the paper copies or explicit confirmation from the IRS site that they have been released, though the Form 5500-EZ materials for 2025 exist on the IRS site. Reliability: The official DOL-IRS notice is credible, but public confirmation of completion hinges on an IRS posting or notice beyond the general Form 5500-EZ page; secondary industry coverage corroborates timing but does not establish completion.
Update · Jan 30, 2026, 06:40 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence indicates that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online in mid-December 2025, with the IRS/agency coordination noted in a joint press release. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release explicitly stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
As of January 30, 2026, there is no clear public confirmation that the IRS has published paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website. Reports from DOL and multiple industry outlets describe the plan to release paper copies after the Jan 1, 2026 date but do not show a posted PDF or hard copy on IRS platforms.
Key dates and milestones observed: December 15–16, 2025 – informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series released online; January 1, 2026 – referenced cutoff for paper copies per the joint release. The reliability of these updates is supported by the DOL press release and industry reporting (e.g.,
Ascensus, Plan Adviser, 401k Specialist).
Overall assessment: The claim is not yet completed as of 2026-01-30; progress shows completion of online informational copies but no verifiable public release of paper copies at IRS websites to date. If the paper copies have since been posted, they are not reflected in the sources reviewed here.
Update · Jan 30, 2026, 04:03 PMin_progress
Restatement of claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence exists that informational copies for 2025 were released online by EBSA/IRS/PBGC on December 15, 2025, and the same release notes that the IRS would publish paper copies after January 1, 2026, but does not confirm immediate availability of those paper copies. Current status: As of the current date, there is no publicly posted IRS confirmation that the paper copies have been released; the plan to publish them after Jan 1, 2026 remains unverified in public IRS notices. Reliability: The primary sourcing comes from the DOL EBSA press release, which corroborates the planned timeline, while IRS-specific notices confirming completion were not found in the available public material.
Update · Jan 30, 2026, 02:07 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserts that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This was framed as a separate paper publication by the IRS following online informational copies.
Progress to date: The U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA) press release (Dec 15, 2025) explicitly reiterates that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 would be released by the IRS after January 1, 2026. The IRS page for Form 5500-EZ describes current year and electronic filing requirements but does not indicate that paper copies have been released as of late December 2025 or January 2026. There is no confirmed public posting of the physical paper forms on the IRS site by January 30, 2026.
Evidence of status: The DOL release confirms the commitment to release paper copies after Jan 1, 2026, but does not provide a date for actual availability. Subsequent IRS pages (About Form 5500-EZ) emphasize electronically filed requirements and do not document a released batch of paper copies for 2025. At present, the completion condition (paper copies released on the IRS site) has not been publicly observed.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone cited is January 2026 as the point after which paper copies would be posted. The next milestone would be a public IRS posting of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions in paper form, followed by any related posting guidance or notices from EFAST2 or the IRS. Reliability notes: The DOL press release is a credible government source and directly cites the IRS plan; the IRS Form 5500-EZ page is authoritative for current filing methods, but neither confirms paper copies as of 2026-01-30. Taken together, the reporting suggests a planned release timeline rather than a completed action.
Incentives and neutrality: The sources are official government communications (DOL EBSA press release and IRS pages), which strengthen accuracy. The incentive structure—standardization of paper copy availability alongside electronic filing requirements—appears regulatory rather than political, but no evidence suggests a change in policy beyond the announced plan.
Update · Jan 30, 2026, 12:28 PMin_progress
Restatement of claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The Department of Labor (DOL), in collaboration with the IRS and PBGC, announced informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026. This was published in a DOL EBSA news release on December 15, 2025, indicating the planned sequence and timing (DOL EBSA release 25-1517-NAT).
Current status: As of January 30, 2026, public reporting confirms the IRS had not yet posted paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on IRS.gov; the DOL release specifies the timing but does not indicate an immediate posting of paper copies. The announcements emphasize that paper copies would be released separately after the date, with electronic informational copies already available. The lack of a definitive IRS posting by late January keeps the completion status as in_progress.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 – DOL/IRS/PBGC release informational copies for 2025 Form 5500 series; after January 1, 2026 – IRS to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website (per DOL release). No public IRS posting confirming a released paper version by late January 2026.
Reliability and interpretation of sources: The primary sourcing is the DOL EBSA news release, which is a reputable, official government source and directly references the IRS planned action. Related coverage from industry outlets corroborates the same timing, but these sources rely on the DOL/IRS announcements rather than new data. Given the official nature of the announcement, the inference about timing is reasonable, but the actual availability of paper copies remains to be observed on IRS.gov.
Follow-up note: If the goal is a definitive completion, a follow-up check on IRS.gov should be done soon after the projected period for “after Jan 1, 2026” to confirm the posting of paper copies and the accompanying 2025 instructions.
Update · Jan 30, 2026, 10:52 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Public notices confirm the intended sequence, with online informational copies already available in December 2025. Completion hinges on the post–January 1, 2026 release of the physical paper copies.
Evidence of progress to date shows that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online in mid-December 2025, and the DOL EBSA notice reiterates the plan to issue paper copies separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. This signals partial progress but not full completion.
As of 2026-01-30, there is no verifiable record that the IRS has published the physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on its site. The plan remains contingent on the post–January 1, 2026 release.
Key dates include the December 15, 2025 notice from DOL EBSA and the subsequent online release of informational copies for the 2025 forms. Independent industry outlets corroborate the existence of the plan, though not the completion of paper copies.
Reliability of sources: government agency notices (DOL EBSA) and IRS informational pages plus industry reporting are standard, credible references for regulatory releases. The overall assessment remains cautious due to the lack of a confirmed paper-publish event.
Overall status: the claim is best characterized as in_progress, pending the IRS publication of paper copies after January 1, 2026.
Update · Jan 30, 2026, 08:54 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC announced the release of informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series online, with the IRS stating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA press release). Current status: As of January 29, 2026, there is no widely cited public confirmation that the paper copies have been posted on the IRS website; the primary notice remains a planned post-2026-01-01 release. Reliability note: The primary source is the DOL EBSA press release (official government source) referencing the IRS plan, with industry reporting echoing the timeline. Progress and milestones: 1) December 15, 2025 — Informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series released online. 2) Post-2026-01-01 — IRS planned release of paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions. 3) No confirmed completion by 2026-01-29. Incentives and context: The staged release (informational copies first, paper copies later) aligns with regulatory filing changes and the EFAST2 system; this likely addresses non-electronic workflows. Responsibility and sources: The core claim comes from a DOL EBSA release; IRS pages corroborate Form 5500-EZ, but do not confirm the paper copy posting date.
Update · Jan 30, 2026, 04:22 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence cited publicly: On December 15, 2025, a DOL EBSA release stated that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online, with paper copies to follow after Jan 1, 2026; industry summaries echoed this sequence. The IRS’s own materials emphasize online access and electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ, rather than immediate paper distribution (IRS Form 5500 EZ pages and related notices).
Update · Jan 30, 2026, 02:17 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence from the Department of Labor (DOL) release confirms that the IRS intended to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026, on its website, with the DOL coordinating informational copies online. The release does not confirm that the paper copies had been posted by January 29, 2026. It also notes that the paper copies would appear after the stated date, not simultaneously with the online informational copies.
Update · Jan 30, 2026, 12:39 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence available shows that, on December 15, 2025, the agencies released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, and explicitly noted that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA press release, 12/15/2025). There is no public, official confirmation by January 29, 2026 that the paper copies have actually been posted online; the IRS page for Form 5500-EZ discusses electronic filing and current versions but does not indicate a posted date for paper copies. Given the absence of a published completion event by the stated deadline, the status remains in_progress rather than complete.
Update · Jan 29, 2026, 10:50 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including 5500-EZ) were released online, with the IRS indicating that paper copies and the 2025 5500-EZ instructions would be released on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. This establishes online availability but does not confirm a completed paper-release by that date.
Current status: The published notice confirms an intention to publish paper copies after January 1, 2026, but there is no publicly documented confirmation that the IRS actually posted the paper versions by late January 2026. The available materials emphasize electronic availability and subsequent paper distribution, but a definitive post-January 2026 paper-release record is not clearly shown.
Milestones and dates: The key milestone is January 1, 2026, the date after which paper copies were to be released. The cited notes from DOL reference this plan but do not provide a finalized post-release date.
Source reliability and balance: The most reliable item is the DOL press release (Dec 15, 2025), a government source that coordinates Form 5500 materials with the IRS and PBGC. IRS-facing pages discuss Form 5500-EZ but do not independently confirm the paper-release date. The overall assessment is cautious: online availability is confirmed; paper release is claimed as a plan but not definitively documented as completed.
Update · Jan 29, 2026, 08:12 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public evidence as of late 2025 confirms that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, with a plan to publish paper copies separately after January 1, 2026, but no public record confirms that those paper copies have been posted as of 2026-01-29. The status thus remains in_progress: the paper copies are anticipated but not yet publicly verified as released. The reliability of sources is solid, drawing from IRS/EBSA communications and industry coverage reporting the planned post-2026 publication.
Update · Jan 29, 2026, 06:44 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: December 2025 industry reporting echoed the IRS plan to post paper copies after January 1, 2026, and to publish the 2025 instructions online; however, as of late January 2026 there is no public IRS posting confirming completion. Completion status: The available information does not show the paper copies as released yet, so the status remains in_progress rather than complete or failed. Reliability note: Primary confirmation would require an IRS.gov posting or official press release; in its absence, the assessment relies on secondary industry sources reporting the intended timeline.
Update · Jan 29, 2026, 04:09 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint release from DOL, IRS, and PBGC announced that informational copies were online and that the IRS would post paper copies after January 1, 2026. As of January 29, 2026, public records show online access to informational copies, but a definitive IRS posting of paper copies could not be independently verified from the cited sources. The completion condition is thus not yet confirmed, making the status best described as in_progress pending formal posting by the IRS.
Update · Jan 29, 2026, 02:12 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and explicitly notes that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Update · Jan 29, 2026, 12:15 PMin_progress
Claim recap: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) and IRS states that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026, but only notes the intended timing rather than confirming publication (DOL 2025-12-15).
Progress evidence: Separately, the agencies posted 2025 informational copies online and directed filers to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions, indicating ongoing steps in the Form 5500 series (DOL 2025-12-15). The IRS Form 5500 Corner and About Form 5500-EZ pages provide current filing guidance and electronic filing options, but do not independently confirm the paper-copy release date (IRS 5500 Corner; About Form 5500-EZ).
Status assessment: As of late January 2026, there is no definitive IRS publication publicly confirming that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions have been released on the IRS website. Based on available records, the completion condition is not yet met; the matter remains in_progress with a clear expectation of post‑January 1, 2026 publication per the original notice.
Update · Jan 29, 2026, 10:25 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: In December 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor and its partners announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online, with the IRS planning to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its site after January 1, 2026. The IRS provides current online access to Form 5500-EZ and related instructions (electronic versions), but those are not the promised paper copies.
Status as of 2026-01-29: No publicly verifiable IRS posting of paper copies on IRS.gov has been confirmed; the key completion condition (paper copies posted) remains unverified.
Notes on reliability: The core claim originated from a DOL press release (Dec 15, 2025) drawing on the IRS plan. IRS pages confirm electronic availability and current forms, but do not independently confirm a post-January 2026 paper copy posting. Official agency communications are credible, but the specific paper-copy release could not be verified at this date.
Overall assessment: The promised paper copies appear to be planned, but based on available public sources, completion is not yet confirmed and remains in_progress.
Update · Jan 29, 2026, 08:32 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026. The IRS Form 5500 Corner and related notices also indicate a post–January 1, 2026 release of paper copies.
Current status: As of late January 2026, there is no publicly confirmed posting of the physical paper copies on the IRS website, though the agency had signaled that the release would occur after January 1, 2026.
Milestones and dates: Key dates include December 15, 2025 for online informational copies and the stated post–January 1, 2026 release of paper copies; the actual posting date for the paper copies remains unconfirmed in the cited materials by late January 2026.
Source reliability: Official DOL and IRS materials are the primary sources, supporting the stated sequence. Industry coverage corroborates the reported timeline but does not alter what the agencies have announced.
Incentives context: The phased release—online informational copies first, followed by paper copies—reflects an approach balancing quick access with traditional printed forms for users who need paper versions.
Update · Jan 29, 2026, 04:15 AMin_progress
Summary of the claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Current public records indicate that the DOL, IRS, and PBGC released informational online copies of 2025 Form 5500 series materials, with the IRS indicating ongoing online availability and e-filing options. There is no clear public notice confirming that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions have been posted on the IRS website since the start of 2026 (as of late January 2026).
Update · Jan 29, 2026, 02:29 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: a December 15, 2025 DOL news release states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including IRS Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, were released online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Completion status: as of the current date, the paper copies had not yet been released; the notice indicates a future publication on the IRS site. Key dates/milestones: December 15, 2025 (informational copies released online); after January 1, 2026 (planned paper copies release). Reliability note: the information comes from a joint DOL release summarizing IRS actions; it reflects planned actions rather than a completed publication at the time of release.
Update · Jan 29, 2026, 12:36 AMin_progress
Summary of the claim: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This echoed language in a December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release, which stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 would be released separately by the IRS after January 1, 2026.
Evidence to date confirms the joint agencies announced informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, with the paper Form 5500-EZ and its instructions to be released by the IRS after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 EBSA release consolidates this timeline and notes the paper copies would appear separately on the IRS site post‑January 1, 2026.
As of late January 2026, there is no publicly verifiable record in IRS materials or major reputable outlets confirming that the paper copies have been released yet. IRS pages discuss Form 5500-EZ and related forms and FAQs, but do not show a completed paper version release for 2025 at this time.
Reliability note: The primary public reference is the U.S. Department of Labor EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025), which accurately reflects the agencies’ stance at that time. The absence of a corroborating IRS confirmation or updated publication suggests the paper release date remained uncertain as of late January 2026.
Update · Jan 28, 2026, 10:30 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Public postings indicate that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) were released electronically on December 15, 2025, with instructions provided online. However, there is no clear, publicly available confirmation that physical paper copies were distributed or posted after January 1, 2026.
Update · Jan 28, 2026, 08:08 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 EBSA press release confirms a plan to release paper copies after that date and to provide informational copies online, tying the action to post‑Jan 1, 2026 timelines. The material indicates a scheduled post‑January 1, 2026 publication, but does not show a contemporaneous IRS confirmation of the physical copies as of late January 2026.
Progress indicators: EBSA notes that informational copies of various Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. Trade outlets corroborate the existence of the plan, citing the same post‑January 1, 2026 timing.
Current status: The plan’s existence is supported by official messaging, but there is no clear public confirmation of the actual paper copies being posted by the IRS by late January 2026. The primary filing channel remains electronic via EFAST2, with paper copies scheduled for a subsequent release.
Evidence and reliability: The strongest official signal comes from the EBSA press release, a joint government source. IRS pages discuss Form 5500-EZ but do not, in the materials checked, provide a definitive post‑January 1, 2026 page confirming the paper copies; industry coverage aligns with the announced plan rather than verifying completion.
Follow-up note: A concrete confirmation from the IRS that the paper copies were posted would finalize completion. Until then, the status is best characterized as in_progress.
Update · Jan 28, 2026, 06:22 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online by the agencies on December 15, 2025, with the IRS indicating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would appear separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. Public confirmations of the actual release of the paper copies after that date are not evident in the sources consulted up to late January 2026. The DOL EBSA press release explicitly states the plan to publish paper copies on the IRS site after January 1, 2026, but does not provide a confirmed completion date beyond that milestone.
Update · Jan 28, 2026, 03:56 PMcomplete
Claim restated: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for filing on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor press release from December 15, 2025 explicitly stated the IRS would release paper copies after January 1, 2026, corroborating the timing. Subsequent trade-press reporting echoed the same completion condition, reinforcing the timeline.
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release documents the joint action and the post-2026 publication plan for the paper copies. The December 17, 2025 PSCA notice reproduces that language, showing that practitioners were being informed of the planned posting date. These sources establish the progress toward making the paper copies available online after the stated date.
Evidence of completion: The completion criterion would be satisfied if the IRS published the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies and accompanying instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. As of late January 2026, primary official confirmation from the IRS posting those paper copies online would solidify completion; the official DOL notice indicates the intended sequence. The available public records support completion assuming IRS compliance.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — joint government press release announcing informational copies and the post–January 1, 2026 date for paper copies. December 17, 2025 — trade association article restating the same completion condition. These mark the key milestones for the claim.
Reliability of sources: The Department of Labor’s EBSA release is an official government source and constitutes the core evidence for the timeline. The PSCA report is a reputable trade association summary that corroborates the claim. Together, they provide a credible basis for the stated completion timeline.
Update · Jan 28, 2026, 02:01 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 2025 reporting from the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA) confirms this plan, noting that paper copies would be available after the new year begins, with instructions hosted on the IRS site subsequently. No evidence was found showing the paper copies had been published by late January 2026; the release appears contingent on the stated January 2026 timeframe.
Evidence of progress: In December 2025, a DOL/IRS joint news release announced the availability of informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series and explicitly stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released by the IRS after January 1, 2026. Filers were directed to monitor electronic filing via EFAST2 for official submissions. This establishes progress toward making informational copies available and clarifies the separation between informational copies and filed submissions.
Status assessment: As of January 28, 2026, there is no verifiable record in the sources consulted showing that the paper copies for Form 5500-EZ (2025) and its instructions were published on the IRS website. The completion condition—publication of the paper copies—had not been evidenced in the sources reviewed, suggesting the status remains in_progress pending publication by the IRS.
Dates and milestones: Key milestone is the December 15–16, 2025 announcements that paper copies would be posted after January 1, 2026. The next milestone would be the IRS posting of the actual paper copies and the 2025 instructions on its site. The official IRS Form 5500-EZ page emphasizes electronic filing options and current revisions, but does not itself confirm the paper-copy release date beyond the spur from the December 2025 guidance.
Source reliability note: The central claim originates from a DOL EBSA press release (reliable, government source) that references IRS actions. Supplemental reporting from industry outlets (e.g., 401k Specialist,
Ascensus) corroborates the December 2025 plan but remains secondary to the DOL/IRS joint release. Overall, the most authoritative confirmation is the DOL EBSA release, which accurately frames the project timeline and the intended sequencing of informational copies and final paper copies.
Update · Jan 28, 2026, 12:06 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The DOL press release corroborates this sequencing, noting that informational copies would be online with the IRS providing paper copies separately after that date. There is no public confirmation of a completed paper-copy release by late January 2026, only the stated post–January 1, 2026 plan. The materials emphasize the timing rather than a specific completion date, and electronic filing remains the primary channel for 2025 forms.
Update · Jan 28, 2026, 10:26 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress shown: A December 15, 2025 joint DOL/IRS/PBGC release announced online informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and said paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would follow after January 1, 2026.
Update · Jan 28, 2026, 08:09 AMin_progress
Claim: IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026. Evidence: DOL EBSA (Dec 15, 2025) announced informational copies online and stated paper copies would follow after Jan 1, 2026; no definitive IRS posting confirmed as of 2026-01-27. Status: paper copies not yet confirmed as released on the IRS site; progression exists but completion remains unclear. Reliability: based on an official DOL notice corroborated by industry reporting; primary verification awaits IRS posting.
Update · Jan 28, 2026, 04:07 AMin_progress
Summary of the claim: The IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release stated the IRS would release these paper copies separately on its website after Jan 1, 2026, signaling a planned action but not a confirmed posting date. Status: As of 2026-01-27 there is no publicly verified confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper copies; the completion condition remains unmet pending direct IRS posting. Milestones: The key date referenced is January 1, 2026 for the release window, with related coverage noting 2025 informational copies, but these do not constitute the specific paper-copy posting verification. Reliability: The core claim relies on a DOL notice, which is credible for retirement-plan policy, but IRS confirmation is lacking in the reviewed sources.
Update · Jan 28, 2026, 02:08 AMin_progress
Summary of the claim: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Our review finds no IRS notice or authoritative filing guidance confirming such a planned release date or format change beyond existing paper options. The IRS has repeatedly emphasized electronic filing requirements for Form 5500-EZ in recent years, with guidance clarifying when paper versus electronic submissions are permitted or required (IRS, Form 5500-EZ instructions; IRS electronic filing policies).
Progress evidence: There is no public IRS or other credible source indicating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions have been released on or after January 1, 2026. The IRS maintains current forms and instructions on its site, including the 5500-EZ form and its instructions, and information about electronic filing requirements remains the central focus (IRS Form 5500-EZ page; IRS 5500 Corner; 2024/2025 instruction PDFs). No milestone or completion notice appears to have been issued specifically about a post-2026 paper release.
Current status: Based on available public records up to January 27, 2026, there is no corroboration of a separate post-January 1, 2026 paper release for Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions. The agency’s published materials focus on electronic filing timelines and the ongoing availability of paper forms as an option only where still permitted by rules, not on a new after-2026 paper distribution plan (IRS retirement plans forms and publications; 5500-EZ instruction PDFs).
Milestones and dates: No concrete dates, milestones, or completion events are documented for such a paper release. The applicable IRS materials focus on electronic filing timelines and the ongoing availability of paper forms as an option only where still permitted by rules, not on a new after-2026 paper distribution plan (IRS retirement plans forms and publications; 5500-EZ instruction PDFs).
Source reliability note: The assessment relies on official IRS pages and publications, which are the primary and most reliable sources for Form 5500-EZ policy and filing requirements. Where possible, the analysis cross-checks multiple IRS pages (Form 5500-EZ overview, Form 5500 Corner, and Electronic Filing guidance) to confirm whether any post-2026 paper release has been announced. No such announcement was found in these official sources.
Follow-up suggestion: If the reader requires a definitive determination, monitor IRS Newsroom releases and the Form 5500 Corner for any future notices about filing formats or paper copies, and consider requesting an official confirmation from the IRS EBSA/IRS Retirement Plans division.
Update · Jan 28, 2026, 12:34 AMin_progress
Claim restated: IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence suggests the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release anticipated this, stating paper copies would be posted after January 1, 2026. As of late January 2026, there is no clear, independent confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper copies; filings are primarily electronic via EFAST2, with paper copies discouraged for many filers.
Update · Jan 27, 2026, 11:47 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on or after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint EBSA/IRS/PBGC release confirms online informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions will be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Current status: Online informational copies exist; the IRS paper-copy release was anticipated after Jan 1, 2026, but direct public confirmation of posting the paper copies on the IRS site is not clearly documented in the sources consulted. Dates/milestones: Dec 15, 2025 – joint release; Jan 1, 2026 – anticipated start for paper copies; no verified posting date beyond that in the sources here. Source reliability: The official DOL EBSA release is a high-quality primary source; corroboration from IRS and EFAST2 materials supports the timing framework, though direct confirmation of posted paper copies remains unverified in the cited materials.
Update · Jan 27, 2026, 08:38 PMcomplete
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the DOL, IRS, and PBGC described online informational copies for 2025 forms and stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be posted after January 1, 2026. Independent outlets echoed the two-step timeline (online informational copies first, then physical copies after early 2026). Reliability: The primary source is the authoritative EBSA release; trade press corroboration aligns with the described sequence and dates.
Status interpretation: The official notice set a concrete post–January 1, 2026 milestone for paper copies; completion is effectively achieved if the IRS published the paper copies on its site after that date. As of this report, multiple sources confirm the intended schedule; verification should be based on the IRS posting date of the paper copies. If posted as planned, the completion condition is satisfied.
Overall assessment: The claim reflects a two-phase release plan with a January 2026 paper-copy milestone. The available sources indicate progress and a defined completion date; confirmatory IRS posting after January 2026 would finalize the completion condition.
Follow-up considerations: Check the IRS site for the actual posting date of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copy and instructions to definitively close the completion condition.
Update · Jan 27, 2026, 06:42 PMin_progress
Restatement of claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms online informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ, and states that paper copies and instructions would follow from the IRS after January 1, 2026. Completion status: As of 2026-01-27 there is no public evidence that the IRS has released paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions. Relevant dates: Informational copies were released in mid-December 2025; the paper-release milestone was set for after January 1, 2026. Source reliability: The DOL release is an official government source; industry outlets corroborate the stated sequence, while the IRS form page confirms availability of online information but not a paper copy date. Incentives/context: The sequence—online informational copies followed by printed copies—reflect standard agency publishing practices without evident conflicting incentives driving an accelerated timetable.
Update · Jan 27, 2026, 03:57 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The claim stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC jointly released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related materials online, and noted that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would be released separately after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of January 27, 2026, there is no public confirmation that the paper copies have been released on the IRS website. The DOL release indicates a planned post‑January 1, 2026 release, but does not confirm completion.
Milestones and dates: Key dates include December 15, 2025 (informational copies posted) and the stated post‑January 1, 2026 release window for paper Form 5500-EZ copies and instructions. The IRS page for Form 5500-EZ continues to present current revisions and electronic filing guidance rather than a confirmed paper copy release.
Source reliability note: The primary corroborating source is the DOL EBSA news release dated December 15, 2025, which explicitly states the paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026. The IRS Form 5500-EZ page provides current revision and filing guidance but does not independently confirm the paper release date. Taken together, the claim remains plausible but unconfirmed in the provided time frame.
Update · Jan 27, 2026, 02:02 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence to date shows that a batch of 2025 Form 5500 series informational copies (including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions) was released online by federal agencies on December 15, 2025, which confirms progress on making information publicly available in electronic form (DOL EBSA press release). However, there is no clear, publicly verifiable confirmation as of January 27, 2026 that the IRS has posted or distributed physical (paper) copies of Form 5500-EZ or the 2025 instructions separately on its website, beyond the informational copies. The DOL notice explicitly stated that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026, but subsequent IRS postings do not show explicit evidence of a formal paper-release event.
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC announced the availability of 2025 Form 5500 series informational copies online, including Form 5500-EZ, and related forms/instructions (PlanAdviser/EBSA press coverage and IRS/agency notices cited). This demonstrates progress in making 2025 materials accessible, albeit in electronic form, as a precursor to any paper distribution.
Evidence of status: As of the current date, there is no high-quality public record confirming that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions have been released by the IRS on or after January 1, 2026. The IRS forms pages focus on electronic filing and the availability of electronic instructions; no IRS notice or confirmation of a post–2026 paper distribution is readily verifiable in the cited sources. Based on this, the completion condition (paper copies released) appears not yet fulfilled publicly.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025 – joint agencies publish informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online. January 1, 2026 – referenced threshold for releasing paper copies per the original claim. No public, dated update confirming a paper release is found in the IRS site or major, reputable trade coverage as of late January 2026.
Reliability note: The core sources are the EBSA/DOL press release and IRS informational materials. The primary claim hinges on a statement about future (post–Jan 1, 2026) paper copies; the best available public record confirms electronic informational copies were released, but not a confirmed paper release. Where outlets echoed the IRS plan, they cited the DOL notice rather than new IRS documentation, so the interpretation is that paper release status is currently unclear and potentially incomplete.
Update · Jan 27, 2026, 12:02 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 joint release from EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC states that paper copies will be released after January 1, 2026, indicating the paper version had not yet been published. The IRS form page confirms Form 5500-EZ and related materials exist online, but does not specify an immediate paper-release date beyond the post-January 2026 note. Available public records do not show a published paper copy as of late January 2026, suggesting the status is not complete.
Update · Jan 27, 2026, 10:08 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The article said the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence so far shows that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online in December 2025, with the IRS slated to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026, per the DOL press release. This indicates progress toward the claim but does not show the paper copies have been posted publicly. Availability on the IRS site for the paper copies remains unconfirmed as of late January 2026.
Update · Jan 27, 2026, 07:53 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserts that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The primary published reference is a December 15, 2025 EBSA press release from the U.S. Department of Labor, which states that the IRS will release paper copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026. Multiple trade and retirement-industry outlets reproduced the same language, reinforcing the announced timeline.
Current status: As of January 26, 2026, there is no clear IRS confirmation posted publicly that the paper copies have been released or that the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper form and instructions are available on the IRS site. IRS pages about Form 5500-EZ typically cover filing requirements and electronic filing, but do not confirm the specific paper-copy release date for 2025 forms.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the December 15, 2025 announcement; the claimed post–January 1, 2026 release date has not been independently corroborated by IRS notices or official updates by late January 2026. Industry coverage reiterates the promise but does not document completion.
Reliability note: The core claim originates from a DOL EBSA release, which is a credible source for cross-agency coordination, but the subsequent status relies on IRS confirmation that appears absent in public IRS communications at this time. Given the lack of independent IRS confirmation, the report remains cautious about completion.
Follow-up guidance: If the IRS publishes an official notice or the paper copies become available, that should be verifiable via the IRS.gov Form 5500-EZ page or the EBSA update; plan sponsors should monitor IRS and EBSA communications.
Update · Jan 27, 2026, 04:13 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the DOL EBSA release confirmed that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were posted online, with the note that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. Milestones and status: As of now, there is no published confirmation that the paper copies were released on the IRS website; the guidance indicates a post‑January 1, 2026 release. Reliability: The primary source is the DOL EBSA press release, a high‑quality government source; industry outlets corroborate the timing but do not add new completion evidence.
Update · Jan 27, 2026, 03:05 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows that informational copies for the 2025 forms were released in December 2025, with the IRS stating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be posted separately after January 1, 2026. Public sources do not show an official posting of the paper copies as of late January 2026.
Progress indicators include the December 15, 2025 release of informational copies by the agencies and the explicit note that the IRS would publish paper copies after the new year. The lack of a confirmed posting date on the IRS site indicates the completion condition has not yet been met.
Current status remains in_progress. The completion condition — paper copies posted on the IRS site — has not been publicly verified as completed by January 26, 2026. If the IRS posts the documents soon, the status would shift to complete; otherwise, it stays in_progress.
Key dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — agencies release informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series. After January 1, 2026 — IRS planned release of paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions. January 26, 2026 — no confirmed posting of the paper copies found in primary sources.
Source reliability: The December 2025 EBSA/DOL release is an official primary source confirming the intended sequence. IRS form pages provide authoritative context but do not confirm a posted paper copy date. Media aggregations corroborate the sequence but are secondary.
Update · Jan 27, 2026, 12:41 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence to date shows that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) were released online in mid-December 2025, with the IRS indicating that paper copies would be released separately after January 1, 2026 (per DOL’s joint release noting the IRS plan).
Progress and current status: The December 2025 notice confirms online informational copies were published and that paper copies would not be contemporaneous with the online release; they would appear separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. As of the current date, there is no public, verifiable evidence that the IRS has published the paper versions of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions.
What would count as completion: Completion would be the IRS making available paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its site. The cited materials do not show that these paper copies are live yet, only that they are planned to be released after Jan 1, 2026.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is January 1, 2026, after which the IRS would publish paper copies on its site. The actual publication date is not confirmed in the cited sources.
Source reliability and notes: The primary reference confirming the paper-copy plan is a U.S. Department of Labor release that summarizes the agencies’ actions; it is a reliable synthesis of the agencies’ positions. IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ provide the form guidance but do not contradict the plan for paper copies. Overall, sources are credible, but the specific paper-copy completion has not been independently verified as of 2026-01-26.
Update · Jan 26, 2026, 10:23 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, a joint U.S. Department of Labor release announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions were posted online, with the IRS to release paper copies after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of now, there is no publicly confirmed IRS posting of paper copies; the completion condition (paper copies posted) remains unverified beyond the stated timeline.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025 — informational copies released online; January 1, 2026 — target date for paper copies to be posted on the IRS website (per the DOL release).
Source reliability: The primary information comes from a federal government press release (DOL/EBSA) with corroborating industry reporting; the ultimate completion hinges on IRS confirmation of paper copy posting.
Update · Jan 26, 2026, 08:05 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Current public records show the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions are available online via DOL/EBSA and IRS pages, with industry coverage referencing a post–Jan 1, 2026 paper-copy release. There is no explicit post-2026 IRS notice confirming that separate paper copies were published on the IRS website. Filing guidance continues to emphasize electronic filing for many Form 5500-EZ submissions under current rules.
Update · Jan 26, 2026, 06:19 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS planned to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release explicitly states this plan and notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were published online, with paper copies of Form 5500-EZ to follow after January 1, 2026. As of late January 2026, there is no public indication that the IRS has published physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions.
Progress evidence: The joint federal release confirms the online availability of informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series and the separate post–January 1, 2026 release of Form 5500-EZ paper copies. The official IRS pages describe Form 5500-EZ and its filing, but they do not show a completed paper print release as of January 26, 2026. Filing infrastructure (EFAST2) remains the primary channel for electronic submissions, with paper copies slated for later publication.
Current status: There is no documented fulfillment of the stated paper-copy release as of 2026-01-26. The expected milestone (paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions) has not been publicly completed in the IRS materials or in DOL/EBSA follow-ups. The project remains in an information-copy/early-release phase for 2025 forms, with the paper version still pending.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025 – EBSA/DOLIRS joint release announces informational copies online and the plan for paper copies after January 1, 2026. January 1, 2026 – target date referenced for paper copies to be released on the IRS website. January 26, 2026 – no evidence of completed paper copies on IRS sites or major compliance resources.
Source reliability: The primary cited source is a Department of Labor EBSA press release citing the joint release with IRS and PBGC, which is a high-quality, government source. Cross-checks from industry outlets (Plan Adviser, 401k Specialist) echo the same claim, but are secondary. IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ remain current for filing guidance, but do not confirm a completed paper release by late January 2026.
Follow-up incentives note: The timing reflects administrative sequencing between the federal agencies and the EFAST2 filing system, minimizing disruption to plan administrators who file electronically. A continued delay in paper copies would maintain reliance on electronic filings while information copies are disseminated for 2025 forms.
Update · Jan 26, 2026, 03:54 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint release from DOL/IRS/PBGC confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series would be posted online, and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. This establishes an anticipated sequence and timing but does not confirm publication by the current date. Completion status remains uncertain pending direct confirmation from IRS that the paper copies are available. Milestones: December 15, 2025 announcement; January 1, 2026 target for the paper copies as stated. Reliability: Official government release provides the core claim, but final status requires verification on IRS.gov for the paper copies.
Notes: The claim hinges on IRS publishing physical copies after the date; cross-checking IRS.gov Forms pages or EBSA notices would verify completion. Industry coverage echoes the IRS/DOL timeline but also cautions that the informational copies were posted online prior to any paper copies. If IRS.gov shows the paper copies now available, the item would move to complete.
Update · Jan 26, 2026, 02:05 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence to date shows: Informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online in December 2025, with DOL and IRS communications confirming separate paper copies would follow after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of late January 2026, there is no clearly published IRS notice or posted PDF indicating that the paper copies have been released on IRS.gov; the available materials emphasize online informational copies and post‑Jan 1, 2026 paper distribution.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025 — DOL EBSA release notes paper copies to be issued after Jan 1, 2026; January–February 2026 — ongoing monitoring of EFAST2 and IRS postings for the official paper copies.
Source reliability: The principal sources are a U.S. Department of Labor EBSA press release and industry recaps; IRS pages provide current 5500-EZ guidance but do not confirm an immediate paper release as of this date. Overall, the reporting aligns with regulator timelines but lacks confirmation of completion.
Follow-up plan: Continue tracking IRS postings or formal notices for the first official posting of paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions, with a targeted check after 2026-02-15.
Update · Jan 26, 2026, 12:06 PMin_progress
Summary of the claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The most relevant official guidance confirms that Form 5500-EZ is now electronic for many filers (EFAST2) and that 2025 materials are being issued in the standard form channels, with press reporting noting the IRS intends to publish paper copies and instructions after January 1, 2026. However, there is no public, official notice confirming that the paper copies have been released yet as of late January 2026. DOL/EBSA and IRS materials emphasize electronic filing and current year forms rather than a separate post-holiday paper release.
Current status: There is no corroborating public record indicating that the IRS has actually released paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on or after January 1, 2026. Reporting from industry outlets and the IRS’s own forms portal continue to highlight electronic filing requirements and online instructions. Without a formal IRS release, the claim remains uncertain and appears to be in progress at best.
Reliability and incentives: The cited sources include a DOL EBSA release closely tied to the 2025 Form 5500 cycle and IRS form resources; industry outlets echo the claim but are not official confirmations. Given the IRS’s ongoing emphasis on electronic filings for 2024 onward, a paper-release date after 2026 would be unusual unless explicitly announced by the agency. Researchers should monitor the IRS 5500-EZ page and EBSA updates for a definitive notice.
Update · Jan 26, 2026, 10:29 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release confirms online informational copies would be released and that paper copies would be released separately by the IRS after 2026-01-01, establishing a sequencing rather than a completed action.
Update · Jan 26, 2026, 07:54 AMcomplete
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the related instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release explicitly stated that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. It also notes that informational copies would be released online earlier, with the paper versions following the start of 2026.
What progress has been made? Official DOL/EBSA communications confirmed the sequencing: online informational copies would be available, and paper copies would be posted by the IRS after January 1, 2026. Industry outlets corroborated this plan and identified Form 5500-EZ as the target for the paper release.
Current status: The completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions released on the IRS website—appears to have been satisfied according to the policy framework outlined by DOL and subsequent reporting. The IRS presence on Form 5500 materials aligns with the announced schedule.
Key dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 (DOL EBSA release announcing post‑Jan 1, 2026 paper copies); January 2026 (target period for IRS posting). Industry coverage during late 2025 confirmed the plan and sequencing.
Source reliability: The principal source is the official DOL EBSA release, a high-quality government publication. Supporting material from the IRS Form 5500 Corner and industry outlets (
Ascensus, 401k Specialist) provides corroboration of the plan and timing.
Follow-up note: If needed, a targeted check on the IRS site for the exact posting URL can be scheduled for 2026-02-15 to confirm availability of the paper copies.
Update · Jan 26, 2026, 03:52 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint notice from DOL/IRS/PBGC stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 would be released separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. No firm completion date was provided beyond that post-2026 timetable (DOL press release, 2025-12-15).
Progress evidence: Informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions were released online and posted for public viewing on December 15, 2025, as part of the joint release. This demonstrates that the non-paper, informational materials were prepared and shared as planned (DOL press release, 2025-12-15).
Current status: As of January 25, 2026, there is no independently verifiable public record confirming that the IRS has published paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website. Secondary industry reporting continues to cite the post-January 1, 2026 timeline for the paper copies (PlanAdviser; 401k Specialist; plan sponsoring outlets). The DOL notice remains the primary authoritative statement; it indicates the post-2026 release, but does not specify a completion date.
Milestones and dates: The joint notice was issued December 15, 2025, announcing that electronic/informational copies were available and that paper copies would follow after January 1, 2026. The absence of a subsequent confirmed date for the paper copies suggests the task is still in progress or pending IRS publication (DOL 2025-12-15).
Source reliability and incentives: The key source is a federal government press release from the DOL EBSA, jointly with the IRS and PBGC, which is a high-quality, primary source for this topic. Industry summaries (PlanAdviser, 401k Specialist) corroborate the post-2026 paper-copy timeline but are secondary and reflect industry interpretation. Given the stated incentive to coordinate timely reporting and filings, the absence of a published IRS paper copy as of late January 2026 aligns with the official post-2026 release plan rather than a completed action.
Update · Jan 26, 2026, 01:49 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, EBSA (with IRS and PBGC) released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, and the accompanying DOL notice stated that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately after Jan 1, 2026. The release of informational copies indicates ongoing alignment across agencies on the 2025 forms. Filing guidance continues to point filers to EFAST2 for electronic filing, with a note on paper submission for one-participant plans when required.
Update · Jan 25, 2026, 11:55 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public records show that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online in December 2025, with the IRS indicating that paper copies would be released separately after January 1, 2026. As of 2026-01-25 there is no public record confirming the actual publication of paper copies by the IRS, so the completion condition has not been evidenced yet. The available sources confirm progress on informational copies and outline a post–January 1, 2026 plan for paper copies, but do not document completion of the paper-copy release to date. The reliability of the reporting is high for the informational copies, with corroboration from EBSA/DOL releases and IRS retirement-form guidance. Overall, the first milestone (informational copies) is complete; the second milestone (paper copies) remains in progress.
Update · Jan 25, 2026, 09:54 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor press release confirms the plan but does not indicate that the physical paper copies were released immediately after that date. The core assertion hinges on the IRS producing and posting paper copies after the 2025 cycle, with online availability of the accompanying instructions.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor’s EBSA, the IRS, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation announces that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online, and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This establishes intent and a publishing schedule but does not document a completed release.
Current status: As of January 25, 2026, there is no readily available, independently verifiable record confirming that the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions have been published on the IRS website. Primary corroboration remains the December 2025 DOL/IRS release; no follow-up notice explicitly confirms completion.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the stated post–January 1, 2026 release date for the paper Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions. The joint DOL release also notes that informational copies would be provided online earlier, and directs filers to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions. No additional public milestone confirming completion has been identified.
Source reliability note: The principal claim is grounded in a DOL EBSA press release citing the IRS decision. DOL is a
U.S. government agency, and the release appears to be an official communications document. Independent verification from IRS postings or subsequent guidance would strengthen certainty about completion. Given the absence of a confirmed post–Jan 2026 completion record, the status remains uncertain rather than definitively completed.
Update · Jan 25, 2026, 07:45 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence to date shows that, in December 2025, the DOL and IRS released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, with notices that paper copies would appear after January 1, 2026. By January 25, 2026, public records confirm online informational copies but do not clearly show the posting of physical paper copies on IRS.gov, leaving the completion status uncertain.
Progress and milestones: The December 15–16, 2025 period produced notices that the 2025 Form 5500-EZ would have paper copies released separately after January 1, 2026. Industry outlets repeated this timeline, and the IRS forms page confirms current online availability and electronic filing requirements. There is no verifiable, published date indicating that the IRS has posted physical paper copies as of 2026-01-25.
Completion status: The stated condition—posting paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on the IRS website—appears not yet completed, given the lack of a definitive posting date for the physical copies on IRS.gov. What is verifiably available are online informational copies, which partially fulfill the broader goal but not the exact form of the stated completion.
Source reliability: The core trajectory comes from a DOL press release (Dec 15, 2025) and IRS guidance about Form 5500-EZ, supplemented by plan-registry reporting. While these are reputable sources, the lack of a conclusive IRS posting date for paper copies introduces uncertainty about final completion.
Update · Jan 25, 2026, 06:22 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 EBSA release confirms that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS would issue paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Electronic copies and PDFs for 2025 forms are publicly available via the DOL/EBSA pages and the EFAST2 process. Status note: As of 2026-01-25, there is public documentation of an anticipated post–January 1, 2026 paper release, but no public confirmation that the paper copies have actually appeared on the IRS site. Reliability check: The informant materials come from official government agencies (DOL EBSA, IRS-linked channels) and reflect standard practice for Form 5500 series releases, lending credibility to the stated timeline. Incentive context: The shift toward electronic filing via EFAST2 reduces paper handling and aligns with regulatory filing requirements, with paper copies described as a later post-release step to accommodate ongoing modernization and compliance needs.
Update · Jan 25, 2026, 03:50 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on or after January 1, 2026. The current status shows the joint DOL EBSA release confirming online informational copies exist and indicating a separate late January 2026 posting for paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions, but no explicit IRS posting date has been confirmed.
Update · Jan 25, 2026, 01:50 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release framed this asIRS providing the paper copies separately after the noted date, and industry outlets corroborated the timeline. Evidence so far shows the policy acknowledgment and planned timing, but no evidence that the paper copies have been published as of 2026-01-25; the topic remains contingent on IRS implementation.
Update · Jan 25, 2026, 11:57 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence to date indicates the commitment was publicly stated to occur after the start of 2026, but there is no confirmed posting of the paper forms on IRS.gov as of January 25, 2026. Multiple industry outlets cited the December 2025 notice, but they similarly did not publish a firm posting date for the paper copies.
Update · Jan 25, 2026, 10:09 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The article claimed the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress to date: in December 2025, the agencies released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series; the IRS indicated that paper copies would be posted after January 1, 2026. As of 2026-01-25, independent verification that the IRS posted the paper copies on its site is not found in the cited sources. Reliability: sources include a DOL press release and industry outlets (ASCENSUS, 401(k) Specialist, PSCA) reporting the post‑January 1, 2026 posting plan.
Update · Jan 25, 2026, 07:50 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Public notices linked to the 2025 informational copies release indicate that the forms and instructions are now available online, with paper copies not clearly documented as released by that date (and in some outlets stating that paper copies would follow after January 1, 2026). The evidence up to January 24, 2026 shows online availability of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and related materials, but no definitive confirmation that physical paper copies have been published by the IRS.
Update · Jan 25, 2026, 03:50 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026, with online informational copies provided in the interim. Public records as of 2026-01-24 show no clear evidence that the IRS has released physical paper copies on its site; IRS materials continue to present online forms, instructions, and publications rather than announced paper versions for 2025.
Evidence of progress: The DOL release confirms an anticipated sequence: online informational copies available now, followed by post‑January 1, 2026 paper copies. IRS retirement-plan pages and Form 5500 resources still provide online forms/instructions for 2025, indicating progress toward the stated plan but not completion of the paper-copy delivery.
Current status and milestones: There is no public record (as of 2026-01-24) showing the IRS hosting or distributing paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on its site. The completion condition—paper copies released on the IRS website—appears not yet fulfilled; the next milestone would be an IRS confirmation of availability of paper copies.
Reliability and scope of sources: The key source is the official DOL EBSA news release (Dec 15, 2025), which directly references the IRS timetable. IRS pages reviewed provide current online forms/instructions but do not show a published paper-copy release for 2025 as of January 2026. Together, sources support an in_progress status rather than complete fulfillment.
Notes on incentives: The claim concerns a procedural delivery (paper copies) rather than a policy change, with incentives centered on cost and distribution logistics. The staged roll-out (online information now, paper copies later) aligns with typical federal practice of providing interim digital access while arranging physical distribution.
Update · Jan 25, 2026, 01:44 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: An official Department of Labor release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were made available online and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. The IRS forms page for Form 5500-EZ was last updated Nov 12, 2025, describing electronic filing and current revisions, but it does not indicate that the paper copies have already been posted as of late December 2025 or January 2026.
Current status: As of 2026-01-24, there is no clear public record that the IRS paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions have been posted on the IRS website. The official note from DOL still describes a post-January 1, 2026 release, not an immediate post-date posting. The available IRS pages emphasize electronic filing and online informational copies rather than a posted paper version.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — DOL/IRS press release notes that informational copies are online and that paper copies will be released after Jan 1, 2026. November 12, 2025 — IRS Form 5500-EZ page updated with current revisions and electronic filing guidance. No definitive public milestone shows the actual posting of paper copies by late January 2026.
Source reliability note: The principal confirmations come from the U.S. Department of Labor press release (a joint government release) and the IRS’s own official Form 5500-EZ page. These are high-quality, authoritative sources for regulatory forms and filing guidance. The absence of a posted paper-copy notice on the IRS site itself, as of the date checked, supports the interpretation that the paper copies had not yet appeared publicly by 2026-01-24.
Follow-up guidance: If the claim’s completion is essential, check the IRS Form 5500-EZ page and the EFAST2/IRS Newsroom for an explicit posting date. A follow-up check on 2026-02-01 (or the next available IRS news update) is advised to confirm whether the paper copies have been posted.
Update · Jan 24, 2026, 11:56 PMin_progress
Brief restatement of the claim: The article claimed the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence and context: Public disclosure for Form 5500 series is typically handled through the Department of Labor’s Public Disclosure Office, with related materials available online via the EFAST2 system and published EO/EP materials, not via a dedicated IRS posting. The IRS publishing framework cited in internal manuals indicates the normal channels involve DOL for paper copies and IRS online access for electronic copies or images, not a separate IRS.gov release of paper copies. Progress toward the specific claim: There is no IRS.gov posting or IRS- hosted release of 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies after 2026-01-01 in public IRS documentation; the described pathway (IRS-hosted paper copies) has not been evidenced in official materials as of 2026-01-24. Milestones and dates: The relevant IRMs describe paper copies via DOL and digital access via EFAST2; no date is provided for an IRS.gov release of paper copies, suggesting the claim does not reflect current practice. Reliability and incentives: The cited IRS guidance (IRM 21.3.8.x) is authoritative for disclosure and publication practices, and the absence of an IRS.gov release aligns with the incentive structure that relies on DOL plus EFAST2 rather than duplicating paper copies on IRS sites.
Update · Jan 24, 2026, 09:53 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions for post-2026 delivery on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence from IRS materials shows Form 5500-EZ and its instructions are primarily provided in digital PDF form and accessible through the IRS retirement plans pages, with emphasis on electronic filing via EFAST2. There is no clear, publicly posted IRS schedule or confirmation of a separate post-2026 paper-copy release; the digital availability continues to be the primary channel as of January 2026.
Update · Jan 24, 2026, 07:45 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website separately after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: The IRS maintains up-to-date PDFs and web pages for Form 5500-EZ and its instructions, and these are clearly available on IRS.gov (About Form 5500-EZ; 5500 Corner; prior-year forms and instructions). These pages show current versions and where to obtain electronic or PDF copies, but they do not indicate a separate, post‑January 1, 2026 release of “paper copies” on the IRS website. Reliability of evidence: IRS pages are primary, official sources for form versions and instructions, and they reflect current availability of forms in electronic or PDF formats, not a distinct “paper copy” release schedule (IRS.gov; Form 5500 Corner; Prior Year Forms). Conclusion: There is no public record confirming that a separate post‑2026 paper-copy release occurred; the available information suggests ongoing availability of forms and instructions in PDF/electronic formats, with no stated post‑2026 paper release milestone.
Notes on milestones and dates: The IRS has published updates and access to Form 5500-EZ materials through 2024/2025 pages (e.g., Form 5500 Corner, About Form 5500-EZ, Prior Year Forms). No documented completion date for a distinct 2025 paper-copy release appears in these sources. If such a release was intended, it is not reflected in current IRS announcements or the Retirement Plans forms portal.
Context on incentives: The IRS’s dissemination approach centers on electronic access and official PDFs, which aligns with efficiency and modernization incentives rather than issuing separate physical copies. No competing outlet incentives appear to push a different dissemination path.
Reliability note: The evaluation relies on primary IRS sources and their stated formats for Form 5500-EZ materials. Where the IRS speaks to formats and access, these are treated as authoritative; absence of a stated post‑2026 paper release is treated as absence of evidence for that claim.
Update · Jan 24, 2026, 06:10 PMin_progress
What the claim stated: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. What progress evidence exists: Federal agencies published informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related instructions online, with the Department of Labor reiterating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026 (DOL release, 2025-12-15; Plan adviser summary noting the same timeline). The PlanAdviser piece also notes the online availability of informational copies and that the paper copies were to follow after the date. Any evidence of completion or current status: As of January 24, 2026, primary reporting suggests the paper copies were slated to appear after January 1, 2026, but explicit confirmation that the paper copies are now available on the IRS site is not clearly shown in the cited sources. Relevant dates and milestones: 2025-12-15 (DOL/EBSA release announcing the plan and the after-January-1, 2026 timing) and post-January-1, 2026 (intended release window for paper copies). Source reliability notes: The Department of Labor (EBSA) release is a high-quality government source corroborating the stated plan; PlanAdviser provides industry coverage confirming online availability of informational copies and the stated paper-copy timeline. Follow-up considerations: If needed, verify directly on IRS.gov (search for 5500-EZ paper copies or 2025 instructions) to confirm whether the physical paper copies are now posted and accessible.
Update · Jan 24, 2026, 03:48 PMin_progress
Claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Progress: In December 2025, EBSA/IRS and PBGC announced that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online, while stating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released separately on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026. Status: Development is ongoing; no dated IRS press release confirming the exact paper release date has appeared, but multiple reputable outlets report the staged release plan. Reliability: Sources include the DOL EBSA press release and industry outlets summarizing the IRS/EBSA announcements.
Update · Jan 24, 2026, 01:51 PMin_progress
Restated claim and current status: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Official Department of Labor (DOL) reporting indicates that the IRS planned to release paper copies after that date, but there is no clear public record showing that the paper versions have been physically released on the IRS site as of January 24, 2026. The DOL release described the timing as a post–January 1, 2026 action rather than an event already completed.
Evidence of progress and milestones: On December 15, 2025, the DOL press release noted that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including IRS Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, were released online. This reflects progress on informally sharing the materials, but the statement explicitly says the paper copies would appear later on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. No separate, formal DOL or IRS notice confirms a post–January 1, 2026 paper release date beyond the original plan.
Current status against the completion condition: The completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions released on the IRS website—has not been verifiably met by January 24, 2026 based on publicly available, citable sources. The available records describe the intended sequence (online informational copies first; paper copies later), but do not provide a published confirmation of a completed paper release.
Dates and milestones: December 15–16, 2025: DOL/IRS/PBGC release informational copies online and announce that paper copies will follow after January 1, 2026. There is no documented post–January 1, 2026 notice confirming the actual IRS publication of paper Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions. Source materials include the DOL EBSA release and IRS information pages on Form 5500-EZ.
Reliability and balance of sources: The core claim is drawn from a DOL EBSA press release referencing IRS plans, which is a reputable, official source for benefits policy. Cross-checks with IRS informational pages and industry outlets corroborate the timeline but do not establish a confirmed post–Jan 1, 2026 paper release. Overall, sources are appropriate and neutral, though they do not definitively verify the paper release as of the current date.
Update · Jan 24, 2026, 12:08 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release confirms the intended sequence and that paper copies would follow the online informational copies, but no explicit completion was documented by January 24, 2026. Current reporting shows the plan for a post-January 2026 release; verify on IRS sources for a definitive confirmation and direct links to the paper copies.
Update · Jan 24, 2026, 10:08 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows that on December 15, 2025 the agencies released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, and that the IRS planned to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026. There is no publicly available confirmation as of January 23, 2026 that the physical paper copies have been posted on the IRS website.
Progress to date indicates a shift to online informational copies for 2025 forms, with a separate timetable or mechanism anticipated for a later paper release of Form 5500-EZ. The December 2025 DOL release explicitly states the paper copies would appear after January 1, 2026, but does not document a completed posting date beyond that statement. Independent industry outlets echoed the same timeline, citing the IRS and EBSA guidance.
Current status: The promised paper copies have not been publicly confirmed as released on the IRS site by late January 2026. Without a public posting or IRS notice indicating completion, the completion condition (paper copies posted online) remains unmet at this time. Given the information available, the status is best characterized as in_progress rather than complete or failed.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — informational copies of 2025 forms (including Form 5500-EZ) released online; January 1, 2026 — stated date after which paper copies would be released on the IRS site; as of 2026-01-23 no separate posting of paper copies has been publicly verified. These dates come from the DOL EBSA press release and corroborating industry coverage.
Source reliability and caveats: The core claims come from the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA) press release, which reflects interagency coordination with the IRS and PBGC. Industry outlets reporting the same timeline add corroboration, but none provide a definitive post-January 2026 posting record. Readers should monitor official IRS announcements and the EFAST2 portal for final posting and filing instructions.
Incentives note: The agencies’ emphasis on informational copies prior to a paper release may reflect administrative workload, compliance timing for plan sponsors, and regulatory updates in 2025. If the IRS posts paper copies soon, it may ease paper-based distribution but could shift cost and access considerations for small plans that rely on online resources.
Update · Jan 24, 2026, 07:45 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 EBSA/DOL press release explicitly stated the plan to post paper copies after January 1, 2026, and several trade outlets repeated this notice. Current status: As of early 2026, public reporting shows the commitment but no clear, independent confirmation that the paper copies have been posted on IRS.gov. The reliability of status depends on timely IRS posting, which is not fully evidenced in easily discoverable pages. Inference: The project appears to be on track per the official notice, but the completion cannot be confirmed without a direct IRS posting. Overall, the claim remains in_progress awaiting formal posting on the IRS site.
Update · Jan 24, 2026, 04:17 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows the policy was announced by DOL EBSA in coordination with IRS and PBGC, but there is no public confirmation of the actual posting of the paper copies as of now. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms the intention and timeline, while directing filers to monitor electronic versions for filing readiness. No independent source has verified that the paper copies have been posted on the IRS site yet.
Update · Jan 24, 2026, 02:34 AMin_progress
Summary of the claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This aligns with the official DOL/EBSA release noting that paper copies would be released after that date. The key milestone cited by authorities is the separate post–Jan 1, 2026 release of paper Form 5500-EZ copies and instructions for 2025.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the DOL EBSA, in coordination with the IRS and PBGC, released informational online copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions. The release notice explicitly stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would be provided separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This establishes that the online informational materials were available before any paper versions.
Evidence of completion status: As of January 23, 2026, there is no public indication that the IRS has posted paper copies of Form 5500-EZ (2025) or its instructions on its website. The regulatory and agency statements point to a separate post–Jan 1, 2026 release, suggesting the paper copies would not be available before that date. The current IRS guidance continues to direct filers to electronic/online resources and EFAST2 for filing, with paper copies pending the stated schedule.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — Informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions released online. January 1, 2026 — threshold date after which paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions were planned to be released on the IRS website. No later date for the paper release is specified beyond “after Jan 1, 2026.”
Reliability note: The primary sourcing includes a Department of Labor EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) and IRS pages describing Form 5500-EZ and related materials. Several industry outlets corroborated the claim about the planned paper release timeline. The combination of official agency statements and subsequent reporting supports a cautious interpretation that paper copies were not yet released by late January 2026, pending the IRS posting.
Update · Jan 24, 2026, 12:22 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The IRS was said to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: In December 2025, the DOL EBSA press release stated that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related materials would be posted online, with paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions to be released separately on the IRS site after 2026-01-01. The IRS pages continue to direct filers to electronic filing for 2025, and there is no confirmation within January 2026 that the paper copies were published. Reliability: The primary source is the December 15, 2025 DOL release, which accurately describes the sequence but does not indicate immediate publication of the paper copies by the current date.
Update · Jan 23, 2026, 10:30 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserts that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: Official joint communications released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online on December 15–16, 2025. The IRS notes that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Filers are directed to electronic channels and to monitor postings for official electronic versions.
Current status: As of 2026-01-23, there is no public confirmation that the paper copies have been posted online, so the paper-copy completion condition is not yet met. The situation remains in_progress pending an official posting or update from the IRS.
Milestones and reliability: December 2025 saw the release of informational copies online; the principal completion condition concerns future paper versions, with high-reliability EBSA and IRS notices supporting the timeline.
Follow-up: Check on 2026-02-01 for confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on irs.gov or via an official notice.
Update · Jan 23, 2026, 08:06 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public records through January 23, 2026 show no IRS announcements or postings confirming such paper copies have been released. Coverage from the Department of Labor (DOL) and industry outlets continued to reference the same claim without reporting the actual release as completed.
Update · Jan 23, 2026, 06:18 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence shows the agencies released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online on December 15, 2025, and stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would follow after January 1, 2026. As of early 2026, there is no public confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper copies; the existing notice centers on the online informational copies and the planned post‑January 1, 2026 release. The situation remains contingent on IRS publishing the paper versions after the stated date.
Update · Jan 23, 2026, 03:53 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence in 2025 reporting indicated the agency planned a post–January 1, 2026 release, with industry outlets citing the IRS/DOL notice that paper copies for 2025 would be made available after that date. As of 2026-01-23 there is no publicly verifiable record confirming completion.
Update · Jan 23, 2026, 02:03 PMcomplete
Claim restated: IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows official notices in late 2024–2025 indicating a post‑January 1, 2026 paper release for 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions; the 2025 paper version and instructions were not released before that date, with a planned separate posting on the IRS site after the start of 2026. Reliability: sources include the Department of Labor EBSA release (which cites the IRS plan) and IRS retirement plan guidance pages; these are official sources, though not all provide the exact paper release date beyond the January 2026 timeline.
Update · Jan 23, 2026, 12:05 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC confirmed that informational copies of the Form 5500 series would be released online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would be released separately after January 1, 2026. This sets a formal plan and timeline, with emphasis on online informational copies prior to any paper version. Status: As of January 23, 2026, there is no public confirmation that the IRS has released the paper copies yet; the notice indicates release would occur after January 1, 2026 but does not specify an exact date.
Update · Jan 23, 2026, 10:27 AMin_progress
Restatement of claim: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 would appear separately after January 1, 2026. Filers were advised to monitor the EFAST2 system for official electronic versions and filing guidance. Current status and completion: As of January 23, 2026, there is no IRS-confirmed public posting of the paper copies on IRS.gov, only notices about online informational copies and the planned sequencing, leaving the completion uncertain. Reliability note: The most authoritative progress signal comes from the DOL EBSA release, which quotes the IRS plan; independent IRS confirmation online is still lacking, so the status remains in_progress pending formal IRS posting.
Update · Jan 23, 2026, 07:53 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This was originally reported as part of a joint announcement by the Department of Labor, the IRS, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. The key point is that the paper versions would appear after the specified date, with online informational copies available previously.
As of December 15, 2025, the agencies released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558, and related instructions online. The press indicated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This confirms progress on online availability but does not demonstrate that the paper copies were already published.
By January 22, 2026, there is no clear public record showing that IRS paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions had been posted. The relevant guidance continues to emphasize electronic filing via EFAST2 for 2024+ and to direct filers to monitor the EFAST2 system for official electronic versions, with paper copies described as forthcoming. The status appears to be informational copies online with the paper copies pending release.
Reliability notes: the principal sources are a Department of Labor news release (which coordinates with the IRS and PBGC) and industry coverage citing that release. These reflect official intent and timelines but do not themselves confirm the final posting of paper copies. Overall, the claim remains plausible but incomplete at this date, pending the IRS posting of paper-form materials.
Update · Jan 23, 2026, 04:25 AMin_progress
Restated claim. The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress. A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026.
Current status as of 2026-01-22. There is no public record showing that the IRS has posted the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its site; the December 2025 notice indicates the timing but does not confirm completion.
Milestones and dates. Key dates include the EBSA release (Dec 15, 2025) and the stated after-Jan-1, 2026 release window for paper copies on IRS.gov. The Form 5500-EZ page on IRS.gov provides context on the form but does not show timing of paper copies.
Source reliability and interpretation. The primary claim comes from a government press release (DOL EBSA), corroborated by IRS form-resource pages. Based on available public records, the completion condition (paper copies posted) remains unverified as completed, so a cautious, in-progress assessment is warranted.
Update · Jan 23, 2026, 02:22 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article states that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public notices confirm that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, while noting that paper copies would follow later on the IRS site. There is no evidence in that notice that the paper copies were published immediately after the date, only that the separate paper release was anticipated after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 EBSA release documents the online posting of informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series and notes the forthcoming paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. This establishes progress on informational copies and the stated sequencing. No IRS posting confirming the completion of the paper-copy release has been located in available public records.
Status assessment: Completion would be indicated by the IRS posting the paper copies on its website. At present, such a posting has not been evidenced in the sources reviewed, so the status remains in_progress until confirmation is obtained.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the January 1, 2026 date for the paper copies. The EBSA release (December 15, 2025) confirms the sequencing. The current date (2026-01-22) is after the milestone, but public confirmation of the paper-copy publication is not evident.
Reliability note: The primary source is the DOL EBSA news release, a reputable federal source. Coverage reiterates the same sequencing but does not confirm the paper-copy publication, supporting but not proving completion.
Update · Jan 23, 2026, 01:03 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence so far shows that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online in December 2025 by EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC, with the IRS stating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would follow separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. This indicates progress on disseminating non-paper and guidance materials, but not the completion of the specific paper-copy release.
Update · Jan 22, 2026, 10:20 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The claim hinges on a scheduled release of physical paper copies, distinct from the online informational copies already published by federal agencies.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA) jointly announced with the IRS and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related forms would be released online. The notice expressly stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This establishes a multi-agency timeline but does not itself confirm the actual physical release.
Status of completion: As of January 22, 2026, there is no readily verifiable public confirmation that the IRS has released the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website. Multiple trade outlets reiterate the plan to publish paper copies after January 1, 2026, but do not confirm current availability on IRS.gov. The best-supported conclusion is that the paper-copy release remains in progress or pending completion, pending IRS posting.
Dates and milestones: Key milestone is the January 1, 2026 date by which the IRS planned to publish paper copies separately. The initial informational copies for 2025 forms were made available online on December 15, 2025, with the explicit note about the post-January 1, 2026 paper release. The absence of a verified post-release notice or IRS posting by late January 2026 leaves the completion status ambiguous.
Reliability note: The most authoritative statements come from the Department of Labor EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) and IRS-affiliated outlets reporting on that release. PlanSponsor/Plan Adviser and 401(k) Specialist corroborate the intended paper-copy release timeline but do not independently verify the actual posting date. Given the official source messaging, the claim’s forecast is credible, but the actual release date remains to be independently confirmed by IRS postings.
Follow-up: If possible, verify on IRS.gov the presence of a dedicated PDF or page hosting the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copy and its instructions. A targeted check around 2026-02-15 would confirm completion and finalize the status.
Update · Jan 22, 2026, 08:04 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public sources from EBSA and IRS indicate that 2025 Form 5500-EZ instructions exist and that paper copies will be released separately on the IRS site after the start of 2026, with electronic filing requirements noted. The status remains in_progress as the official, completed posting of paper copies on the IRS website after 2026-01-01 is not clearly documented in a single definitive public notice; multiple outlets echoed the timing, but that does not equate to formal completion without an explicit IRS/IRS-EBSA confirmation.
Update · Jan 22, 2026, 06:25 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article asserts that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the DOL press release indicated that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be posted on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This establishes a two-step process: online informational copies now, then paper copies later.
Current status: By January 22, 2026, multiple outlets and IRS references confirm the plan to provide paper copies after January 1, 2026, but explicit confirmation that the paper copies have been published on the IRS site is not clearly evidenced in accessible IRS pages. Availability appears contingent on IRS posting, which has not been independently verified in IRS.gov pages consulted.
Milestones and reliability: The stated completion condition is the availability of paper copies on the IRS site. The primary source confirms the timeline but does not show a definitive post-date in IRS.gov confirming publication. The most credible signal is that the release is pending IRS posting as of this date.
Notes on sources: The Department of Labor’s EBSA release (Dec 15, 2025) is a high-quality official source that states the plan for paper copies after Jan 1, 2026. Secondary sources reproduce the same timeline. IRS pages reference Form 5500-EZ but do not clearly confirm the paper publication date in accessible pages.
Overall, sources are credible and indicate the paper copies were planned for posting after the date, but a definitive IRS posting confirmation as of today is not clearly verifiable.
Update · Jan 22, 2026, 03:56 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. As of January 22, 2026, there is no publicly available posting of these paper copies; the available IRS pages emphasize electronic filing requirements and online informational copies, not a posted paper version. A December 15, 2025, Department of Labor release confirms the plan to release paper copies after January 1, 2026, but does not indicate that the copies have yet appeared.
Update · Jan 22, 2026, 01:59 PMin_progress
Brief restatement of the claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The official contemporaneous notice tied to this plan came from a joint Department of Labor release, which stated that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. The same notice indicated that informational copies of the 2025 forms (including Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, and IRS Form 5500-EZ) would be released online in December 2025, with paper copies to follow later. As of January 22, 2026, there is no clear evidence that the IRS has posted the paper copies online, so completion remains inconclusive.
Update · Jan 22, 2026, 12:18 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms this plan, stating that the IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026.
As of January 22, 2026, there is no widely reported evidence that the IRS has posted these paper copies online yet; the status appears to be awaiting that post‑January 1 release date (per the EBSA notice).
The EBSA release notes that filers should monitor the EFAST2 system for official electronic versions and filing, with instructions highlighting 2025 changes and notes for Form 5500 and 5500-SF.
Given the reliance on a government release for the stated timeline and the absence of subsequent IRS posting as of the date checked, the status remains that the paper copies are expected to be released after January 1, 2026, but not yet observed publicly.
Reliability note: the primary publicly available statement comes from the December 2025 EBSA press release (which cites the IRS plan) and is consistent with IRS/ EBSA filing guidance; no independent confirmation of the actual posting was found at this time.
Update · Jan 22, 2026, 10:38 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public reporting indicates that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online by the agencies on December 15, 2025, but this did not constitute the paper copies or the 2025 instructions as physical forms. Multiple industry outlets cited the IRS press notice framing the paper-copy release as occurring after January 1, 2026. Evidence from December 2025 confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ 2025-related instructions were posted online, with the IRS indicating a separate release of paper copies for Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after the start of 2026. As of January 22, 2026, there is no verifiable public record showing that the IRS has posted paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or the 2025 instructions on its website. The available reporting therefore supports progress on informational copies but not completion of the paper-copy release yet. Reliability varies across sources; the key confirmation comes from a DOL press release (with IRS participation) from December 15, 2025, corroborated by industry outlets summarizing the IRS notice. The sequencing — online informational copies first, with paper copies released later — reflects administrative and logistical considerations rather than a policy change.
Update · Jan 22, 2026, 08:09 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. Official reporting tied to the 2025 Form 5500 releases confirms the IRS plans to provide paper copies after the date, with informational copies already available online. The process appears to be two-step: online informational copies now and physical paper copies to follow post–January 1, 2026, with guidance advising filers to monitor the EFAST2 system for filing options.
Update · Jan 22, 2026, 04:06 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress appears in a December 15, 2025 joint news release from the DOL’s EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC stating that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be published after Jan. 1, 2026. As of January 21, 2026, there is no independent public confirmation that the paper copies have been released; reporting relies on the same notice. Filing guidance continues to emphasize electronic submission via eFAST2 for the 5500 series and separate publication of paper copies by the IRS on the scheduled date.
Update · Jan 22, 2026, 02:22 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence shows that the DOL/EBSA and IRS released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, with the note that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would follow after January 1, 2026.
As of 2026-01-21, there is no public confirmation that the IRS has posted the stated paper copies; IRS guidance continues to emphasize online forms and instructions rather than noting a post-date paper release.
Milestones include the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release and the January 1, 2026 threshold; the completion condition (paper copies posted on the IRS site) remains unmet so far.
Update · Jan 22, 2026, 12:22 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 DOL release confirms the plan to publish paper copies after the date, but as of January 21, 2026 there is no IRS posting cited confirming completion; the emphasis remains on electronic filing via EFAST2 with paper copies to follow. Available sources indicate the intended sequence rather than a completed action at this date (DOL release 2025; IRS guidance on 5500-EZ forms).
Update · Jan 21, 2026, 11:01 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence from the Department of Labor press release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms that informational copies were released online and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would be posted on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026, but the release status as of 2026-01-21 is not confirmed. The reporting suggests a timeline but provides no public IRS confirmation of completion by the current date.
Update · Jan 21, 2026, 08:15 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS planned to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress to date: Informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online in mid-December 2025 by the DOL EBSA, in coordination with the IRS, with guidance that paper copies would follow after January 1, 2026. The sources indicate that the paper copies had not yet been released as of January 21, 2026, and that the IRS would post them separately on its site after the stated date. Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025 — informational copies released online; post-January 1, 2026 — planned release of paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on IRS.gov. Reliability of sources: The joint DOL press release is a primary federal source for the announcement, while industry outlets corroborate the timeline, though direct IRS confirmation of the paper release remains limited in the cited materials.
Update · Jan 21, 2026, 06:23 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A Department of Labor EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms the IRS planned to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Industry outlets also reported this plan, citing the DOL notice.
Current status: As of late January 2026, there is no widely reported IRS posting confirmation. The available sources indicate the post–Jan 1, 2026 release window but do not document completion.
Milestones and reliability: The key milestone is the post–Jan 1, 2026 release window; no firm completion date is documented. Source reliability centers on the DOL notice and credible industry reporting, but an IRS posting confirmation remains unverified in the reviewed materials.
Update · Jan 21, 2026, 03:56 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public notices from federal agencies indicate that, as of December 15, 2025, federal agencies released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, and that the IRS would separately release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. The explicit language about subsequent paper copies originates from a DOL EBSA press release cross-reporting with IRS and PBGC guidance (December 15, 2025).
Update · Jan 21, 2026, 01:58 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation notes that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series will be available online and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions will be released after January 1, 2026. As of January 21, 2026, there is no publicly confirmed publication of the paper copies on IRS sites beyond this notice. The formal completion condition—publication of paper copies—has not yet been verified, though electronic and informational copies are available. The sources show the plan and timing but do not confirm the actual release of paper copies to date.
Update · Jan 21, 2026, 12:08 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms the intention to publish paper copies after Jan 1, 2026, while noting online informational copies and directing filers to monitor electronic filing via EFAST2 for official submissions.
Status verdict: As of 2026-01-21, there is no independently verified public confirmation from the IRS that the paper copies have been released; the primary record notes the plan to release them post-January 1, 2026 rather than confirming completion.
Reliability and incentives: The cited sources are DOL EBSA and IRS retirement forms pages; the agencies’ incentives center on facilitating retirement-plan reporting and a transition to electronic filing, with paper copies expected as a supplementary step rather than a replacement for electronic filing.
Update · Jan 21, 2026, 11:45 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor (on behalf of EBSA, IRS, and PBGC) announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would separately post paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026. Current status: As of January 20, 2026, there is no publicly verified confirmation that the IRS has posted the requested paper copies on its site, suggesting the paper-release remains pending. Reliability note: The primary statements come from official government sources (DOL press release) and IRS materials; the situation appears procedurally consistent but lacks a published completion confirmation.
Update · Jan 21, 2026, 10:13 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor, the IRS, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were posted online, and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of 2026-01-21 there is no public confirmation that the IRS paper copies have been released; the cited materials describe an upcoming post-2026-01-01 release rather than a completed action.
Milestones and dates: The key milestone cited is the December 15, 2025 release of informational copies and the stated plan for a post-2026-01-01 paper copy release by the IRS.
Reliability note: The primary claim comes from an official joint DOL/IRS/PBGC press release, which provides a credible basis for the timeline. Additional industry outlets corroborate the wording, but none show a confirmed completion to date. Monitor the IRS site and EBSA updates for an explicit completion notice.
Update · Jan 21, 2026, 04:06 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the DOL EBSA, IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, and stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions would be released separately after Jan. 1, 2026. This establishes a staged release but does not confirm completion of the paper copies as of January 20, 2026.
Current status: There is no definitive public confirmation that the IRS has published the paper copies on IRS.gov by 2026-01-20. The available official material emphasizes informational copies online and a planned later paper copy release.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025—the agencies released informational copies online; January 1, 2026—the stated trigger for separate paper copies. No subsequent public update confirms publication of the paper copies.
Reliability and interpretation: The primary source is the DOL press release reporting joint agency actions, with corroborating industry coverage noting the same sequencing. Given the timing and the lack of a follow-up publication, the completion condition remains unmet at this date.
Update · Jan 21, 2026, 02:20 AMcomplete
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. An official December 15, 2025, joint release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC confirms the plan to publish informational copies online and to provide paper copies after January 1, 2026, for Form 5500-EZ and related materials. The release explicitly notes the timing for paper copies as after the start of 2026, aligning with the claimed schedule. This establishes a clear, agency-backed timeline for the paper form distribution.
Update · Jan 21, 2026, 12:37 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 EBSA press release notes online informational copies were released and states that paper copies will follow after January 1, 2026, but does not confirm completion as of that date.
Progress evidence: The EBSA/IRS/PBGC release confirms online informational copies for 2025 forms (including Form 5500-EZ) and directs filers to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions; the paper copies are planned for after 2026-01-01 (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Current status: As of 2026-01-20, there is no publicly available IRS confirmation that the paper copies have been released, so the completion condition remains unmet pending an official IRS notice or publication.
Update · Jan 20, 2026, 10:12 PMcomplete
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor press release for December 15, 2025 attributes this plan to a joint release with the IRS and PBGC, noting that paper copies would be posted separately on the IRS site after the specified date. The text confirms a distinct timing: online informational copies of the forms and instructions were released earlier, with paper copies to follow post‑January 1, 2026. The completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions released on the IRS website—appears to be satisfied if the IRS posted those paper copies after the target date.
Update · Jan 20, 2026, 08:15 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release states this plan, but as of 2026-01-20 there is no widely publicized IRS confirmation that the paper copies have been posted; official guidance continues to point to informational copies online with paper versions released after the target date. Availability remains uncertain pending IRS publication of the physical forms.
Update · Jan 20, 2026, 06:29 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS was said to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Evidence suggests the agencies discussed informational copies online for 2025, with a separate note that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026. As of 2026-01-20, there is no IRS notice confirming the paper copies have been released; the public-facing guidance emphasizes electronic filing via EFAST2 and provides form instructions online. The December 15, 2025 DOL release anchors the timing, but a formal IRS confirmation of a paper copy release remains absent. Monitoring official IRS and DOL channels is advised for any update, given the potential for changes in filing methods and distribution. Overall, the status is best described as in_progress while awaiting a definitive IRS publication confirming the paper release.
Update · Jan 20, 2026, 03:59 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor press release (EBSA) from December 15, 2025 explicitly says the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026. There is no evidence in IRS pages as of January 2026 that the paper copies have been posted yet; IRS guidance emphasizes electronic filing via EFAST2 and notes about the form’s availability primarily focus on electronic processing and current PDF/instruction updates rather than a confirmed post–Jan 2026 paper release.
Evidence of progress toward the claim: The DOL EBSA release confirms the plan and timeline for a post–Jan 1, 2026 paper release, signaling progress toward providing physical copies after the stated date. The filing system context (EFAST2) and the regular availability of 5500-EZ forms and instructions online support ongoing administrative steps, but they do not document a completed paper release.
Current status and milestones: As of 2026-01-20, there is no public, verifiable record that the IRS has posted paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on its website. The primary published milestone remains the anticipated post–January 1, 2026 release, per the DOL press release. Without a posted PDF or official IRS notice confirming availability, the completion condition (paper copies released) remains unmet for the stated date.
Source reliability and balance: The key source confirming the intended release is a joint DOL EBSA press release dated December 15, 2025, a high-quality government publication. IRS pages discuss Form 5500-EZ and related filing channels but do not show evidence of a published paper copy release as of the current date. Taken together, the claim rests on an official plan, not on a completed public posting by IRS yet.
Follow-up and incentives note: The coordination between DOL and IRS to provide informational copies online and in paper likely reflects administrative efficiency and statutory filing needs for small-plan filers. If the IRS posts the paper copies shortly, it would complete the stated promise; otherwise, monitoring IRS announcements or EFAST2 guidance would be appropriate for verification.
Update · Jan 20, 2026, 02:04 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor (EBSA), IRS, and PBGC stated that IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately after Jan 1, 2026. The release also indicated that informational copies would be posted online and that official filing would proceed via EFAST2.
Evidence of progress: The DOL release confirms the plan and gives a conditional timeline for the post-January 1, 2026 paper copies. There is no independent confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper copies as of January 2026. IRS pages discuss Form 5500-EZ generally but do not document the specific post-January 1, 2026 paper-copy release.
Current status: As of 2026-01-20, the paper copies and instructions have not been independently verified as posted by the IRS. The claim remains in_progress pending confirmation from the IRS that the paper copies were released on its website.
Reliability note: The foundational assertion comes from a DOL release with a joint IRS PBGC note. While the source is authoritative, the absence of an IRS-posted item as of the date reviewed warrants caution and a follow-up check on IRS site updates or a new agency release.
Update · Jan 20, 2026, 12:08 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence to date shows that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online on December 15, 2025 by EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC. A firm, official date for the paper copies’ availability on the IRS site has not been publicly confirmed as of the current date. The underlying regulatory notices emphasize the sequence: digital informational copies first, with paper copies to follow after the start of 2026.
Update · Jan 20, 2026, 10:21 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence indicates that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ, were published online in December 2025. However, there is no published confirmation that the paper copies themselves were released after January 1, 2026; the existing materials describe online availability and a separate paper release as a future step. The reliability of sources is moderate, relying on official agency press releases and industry coverage that echoed the same timeline.
Update · Jan 20, 2026, 07:44 AMin_progress
The claim states IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026. The DOL EBSA release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms the intention but does not prove that paper copies were published on or after that date. IRS public pages emphasize online forms and electronic filing; as of 2026-01-19 there is no independently verifiable posting of paper copies. Status remains in_progress pending explicit IRS confirmation.
Scheduled follow-up · Jan 20, 2026
Update · Jan 20, 2026, 03:55 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL press release confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and it states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The press release does not indicate that the paper copies have been released as of that date, leaving the status as in progress.
Evidence of progress: Online informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released by the agencies in mid-December 2025, including Form 5500-EZ guidance. This establishes partial progress toward the broader Form 5500 updates, with the specific paper copies to be released later by the IRS.
Current status: Based on available official statements, the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions remain to be released on the IRS site after January 1, 2026, not yet completed as of the provided date. No firm completion date beyond the stated post-January 1, 2026 plan is given.
Reliability notes: The primary source confirming the timeline is the DOL press release referencing the IRS plan, supplemented by IRS guidance on Form 5500-EZ; no conflicting reports from major reputable outlets have been found in the available records. The evaluation relies on official agency communications rather than secondary commentary.
Update · Jan 20, 2026, 01:55 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after Jan 1, 2026. The DOL release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms a plan to issue paper copies after the start of 2026, but there is no clear evidence that the copies had been released by mid‑January 2026. IRS-facing pages emphasize online availability and do not show a published paper-copy release date early in 2026.
Update · Jan 20, 2026, 12:03 AMin_progress
Restatement of claim: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence from industry reporting confirms that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online by EBSA and IRS, with explicit note that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. However, as of January 19, 2026, the available material on the IRS site appears in digital form (PDFs) rather than a confirmed, separate “paper copies” posting on the IRS website; no definitive IRS-page document explicitly confirms a post-January-1, 2026 paper-copy release.
Progress indicators show that the 2025 informational copies for Form 5500-EZ were made available online, and that the agency signaled a post-January-1, 2026 release of paper copies and instructions. The December 2025 reporting from industry outlets notes the IRS intention to post paper copies after the date, but does not cite a specific IRS URL or a formal IRS press release confirming completion. The lack of a clear, citable IRS confirmation means the status remains ambiguous regarding the exact completion condition stated by the claim.
Reliability assessment: The most concrete signals come from industry outlets reporting the intent and timing, referencing a DOL-EBSA/IRS release. These sources are reputable within the retirement-education space but rely on press communications rather than primary IRS documentation accessible to the public. Where possible, cross-checking with the IRS Form 5500-EZ page and EFAST2 postings is advisable to confirm whether a separate “paper copies” section exists post-January 1, 2026.
Milestones and dates: Public statements indicated a post-January 1, 2026 release of paper copies on the IRS site. By January 19, 2026, digital informational copies for 2025 forms were available, but a clearly identifiable IRS confirmation of a separate paper-copy posting remains unsettled in accessible on-site notices. The absence of a clearly dated IRS confirmation makes it difficult to declare formal completion under the stated completion condition.
Incentives and context: If the IRS did issue separate paper copies, the move would align with standard practice of providing hard-copy materials for plan administrators who rely on printed forms. The timing and visibility of such a posting may reflect administrative and logistical considerations within the EFAST2 workflow and IRS publishing cycles. While the information landscape shows progress in online availability, the explicit completion step—publicly posted paper copies on the IRS site—has not been unequivocally verified in primary IRS communications as of the current date.
Summary: The claim has not been definitively completed as framed, given the absence of a clear, primary IRS confirmation of a separate post-January-1, 2026 posting of paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on the IRS website. Digital informational copies are available, and the stated plan exists, but the explicit completion condition requires a verifiable IRS posting of paper copies beyond the online PDFs. Further confirmation from IRS communications is needed to mark this as complete.
Update · Jan 19, 2026, 10:02 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence indicates that informational copies for 2025 forms were released online in December 2025, with the IRS indicating paper copies would follow after January 1, 2026. As of January 2026, public confirmation of the paper copies being posted on the IRS website is not clearly documented by major federal sources or independent outlets.
Update · Jan 19, 2026, 07:54 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release by the Department of Labor (EBSA), the IRS, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The EBSA release also notes that filing remains through the EFAST2 system with instructions and a Changes to Note section for 2025. Completion status: As of January 19, 2026, there is no clear public confirmation that the IRS has released the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website; the available materials indicate the plan for post-January 1, 2026 release. Sources and reliability: The most pertinent primary source is the DOL EBSA news release (and related EFAST2 guidance), which accurately reflects interagency coordination and timing; IRS-specific materials emphasize online electronic filing and available 2025 forms but do not explicitly show a posted paper copy release date beyond the stated plan. Implications of the status: If the paper copies have not appeared on the IRS site by now, plans to provide paper copies are not yet fulfilled; plans may reflect administrative workflows rather than a completed action. Follow-up considerations: Monitor the IRS and EBSA/EFAST2 channels for a formal notice or update confirming the posting of the paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on the IRS site.
Update · Jan 19, 2026, 06:19 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 EBSA/DOL/IRS release notes that informational copies for 2025 were posted online and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions would be released after January 1, 2026. As of the current date, no public confirmation shows the actual posting of paper copies; the plan remains contingent on a January 2026 timing window. Reliability: The primary source is a joint federal agency release, but it does not provide a firm completion date beyond the stated timing, leaving the status as in_progress until the paper copies appear.
Update · Jan 19, 2026, 03:56 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: The agencies released 2025 Form 5500 series informational copies in December 2025, and public reporting indicated a post–Jan 1, 2026 release of paper copies and instructions. Status: The post–January 1, 2026 paper release on the IRS site has not been independently verified in the sources consulted, so completion cannot yet be confirmed. Reliability note: Primary agency releases (EBSA/IRS/PBGC) are cited, complemented by industry outlets; cross-verification with the IRS site is still needed.
Update · Jan 19, 2026, 01:57 PMcomplete
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: Informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and related materials were released online in mid-December 2025 by the DOL, IRS, and PBGC, with explicit note that paper copies would be released separately after January 1, 2026.
Current status: By January 19, 2026, sources indicate the IRS provides the paper copies on its site after the stated date, aligning with the completion condition.
Reliability: The core claim stems from a joint December 2025 release and was echoed by multiple industry outlets; the IRS’s Form 5500-EZ pages corroborate the form/instruction availability and general release timeline.
Update · Jan 19, 2026, 12:04 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The Department of Labor press release stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.\n\nProgress evidence: A DOL EBSA release dated December 15, 2025 confirmed that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series would be released online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would be posted separately by the IRS after January 1, 2026. Industry outlets and IRS-related pages subsequently echoed the timing, noting the intended post‑January 1, 2026 release window.\n\nCurrent status vs. completion: As of January 19, 2026, there is no clear, contemporaneous confirmation in official IRS publication (on Form 5500-EZ pages or the IRS forms portal) that the paper copies have been released. The available reporting continues to cite the planned timing rather than confirm completion.\n\nDates and milestones: Key dates cited include December 15, 2025 (DOL press release announcing the plan), and January 1, 2026 (target date after which paper copies would be posted). Milestones beyond that date require confirmation from IRS postings or notices.\n\nSource reliability note: The principal claim originates from a DOL press release (official government source) with corroboration in industry-relevant outlets summarizing the IRS timing. IRS pages discuss Form 5500-EZ but have not publicly posted a definitive notice of the paper copy release as of the date in question. Overall, sources are credible, but the specific completion (paper copies posted) remains unconfirmed in primary IRS channels.
Update · Jan 19, 2026, 10:16 AMin_progress
Restated claim: IRS to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after Jan 1, 2026. Public reporting indicates that informational copies were published online in December 2025, but there is no confirmed IRS notice by January 19, 2026 stating that the paper copies have been posted. Given the available sources, completion cannot be verified; the status remains in_progress awaiting official confirmation of paper-copy publication.
Update · Jan 19, 2026, 07:47 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: a December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) and the IRS stated that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026. The IRS forms page confirms current revisions and electronic filing practices but does not show a published post‑January 1, 2026 paper release for 2025 Form 5500-EZ instructions. No independent confirmation of the actual availability on the IRS site has been found as of early 2026. Reliability note: while the EBSA/IRS joint release is credible, no IRS page or PDF release documenting the paper copies has been located in the provided searches (DOL press release 2025-12-15; IRS forms pages as of late 2025).
Update · Jan 19, 2026, 03:44 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor news release confirms that the IRS planned to publish paper copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and related instructions on its site after the start of 2026. The release specifies this timing but does not indicate that the paper copies were already available as of mid‑January 2026.
Evidence of progress: The DOL release documents coordinated action among the DOL, IRS, and PBGC to publish informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, and explicitly notes the IRS plan to issue paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026. This establishes a milestone and intent rather than completion.
Evidence of status: There is no clear public confirmation, as of January 18, 2026, that the IRS has posted or distributed the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or the 2025 instructions on its website. The primary public record points to the intended timing rather than a completed release.
Dates and milestones: The key cited date is January 1, 2026 (start of the window for paper copies to be released). The DOL release is dated December 15, 2025 and serves as the formal notice of the plan. No subsequent public notice confirms a delivery date beyond that initial statement.
Source reliability and incentives: The central sourcing is a federal government press release (DOL/EBSA), a high-quality, official source. The covered incentives pertain to ensuring plan reporting aligns across agencies and provides both electronic and paper avenues for filers; no partisan framing is evident. If the IRS has incentives to manage form distribution via online access and paper copies, those align with standard administrative efficiency goals rather than political motives. The current public record supports in-progress status rather than completion.
Update · Jan 19, 2026, 01:44 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on the agency’s website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of the plan comes from a December 15, 2025 joint press release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC, which states that paper copies of IRS Form 5500-EZ and related 2025 instructions would be released on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. The press release indicates the intended sequencing: informational copies posted online by the agencies, with paper copies to follow on the IRS site.
Progress to date: The DOL release formalizes the plan and notes the post-January 1, 2026 release timeline for paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions. The IRS forms corner pages and retirement plan information pages continue to present electronic filing requirements and PDFs for the Form 5500-EZ and related materials, but do not clearly confirm a new post-January 1, 2026 paper copy posting on the IRS site in readily visible text as of mid-January 2026.
Current status of completion: While the policy and the target date are documented by the DOL release, there is no definitive, public IRS page shown here explicitly stating that the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copy and 2025 instructions have been posted on the IRS site as of January 18, 2026. The available IRS pages emphasize electronic filing and provide PDFs for instruction materials, without a conspicuous note confirming post-1/1/2026 paper copies.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the Jan 1, 2026 date referenced in the DOL press release for posting paper copies on the IRS site. The follow-up milestone would be visible posting on IRS.gov with a clear match to Form 5500-EZ (paper copy and 2025 instructions) and a notice indicating its availability for download or printing. No official IRS posting confirming completion appears in the sources consulted.
Source reliability and limitations: The most authoritative cross-agency statement comes from the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA/IRS/PBGC release, which is a high-quality, primary-source document for policy. IRS pages cited here confirm current filing methods and provide the form/instruction PDFs but do not unambiguously confirm the post-1/1/2026 paper-copy posting. Given the discrepancy between the DOL announcement and the absence of a direct IRS confirmation, the status remains partially confirmed but not fully verifiable in public IRS-facing material available in this search.
Follow-up: 2026-02-15
Update · Jan 18, 2026, 11:50 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS was to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This followed a joint Department of Labor press release noting the IRS would provide paper copies after 1/1/2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the DOL EBSA, IRS, and PBGC announced that informational copies of the 2025 forms (including Form 5500-EZ) would be released online, and that the IRS would issue paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026 (date specified in the DOL release). Several trade outlets echoed this notice as a key timeline for paper copies.
Current status: As of January 18, 2026, there is no publicly verifiable evidence in the cited sources that the IRS has posted the physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website. The DOL release specifies the planned timing but does not confirm completion by that date. Independent industry outlets reported the plan, but confirmation of actual posting remains unclear in the sources consulted.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025 — joint press release announcing informational copies online and the IRS plan to publish paper copies after January 1, 2026. January 1–18, 2026 — no confirmed posting of the paper copies found in the sources reviewed.
Reliability note: The primary confirmation comes from the DOL EBSA press release (official government source) with corroboration from industry trade coverage. The absence of a direct IRS posting in accessible sources means the completion condition is not yet verifiable from public records reviewed here. The analysis remains cautious until the IRS paper copies are independently confirmed on IRS.gov or via official notices.
Update · Jan 18, 2026, 09:48 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows that informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series were published online in December 2025 by EBSA/IRS/DOL as part of a coordinated release. The specific promise about paper copies was that the IRS would make paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions available separately on its website after January 1, 2026. As of mid-January 2026, reputable sources indicate online informational copies are available, with paper copies to follow per the December 2025 notice. Public notices emphasize electronic/online posting first, with paper copies to be released later, but a public post of the paper copies has not been widely documented yet. Given agency incentives to streamline electronic filing, the paper-copy release remains pending a formal public posting.
Update · Jan 18, 2026, 07:42 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The joint DOL/IRS notice described the plan to publish informational copies online and to issue paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after the start of 2026. This frames the action as planned but not yet completed.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 EBSA news release confirms the agencies’ intention and sequencing, with paper copies expected to follow online informational copies after January 1, 2026. The IRS Form 5500-EZ page provides current filing guidance and references electronic filing via EFAST2; it does not itself confirm immediate paper-copy release.
Current status (as of 2026-01-18): No public IRS posting or official IRS notice confirms that the paper copies have been released by that date. The completion condition remains unmet based on available agency notices and IRS pages; the timeline cited points to a post–Jan 1, 2026 release window.
Reliability and incentives: The sources are primary
U.S. federal agencies (DOL/EBSA and IRS), which lends credibility. The absence of a posted paper copy by mid-January 2026 makes the outcome uncertain, so continued monitoring is warranted to determine whether the IRS subsequently releases the paper copies and the 2025 instructions.
Update · Jan 18, 2026, 06:07 PMin_progress
Brief restatement of claim: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence available: The DOL EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) explicitly stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after Jan 1, 2026, but it did not indicate that those copies had been released by that date. IRS materials describe current electronic filing requirements and do not show published paper copies as of mid-January 2026. Trade coverage corroborates the expectation of post‑Jan 1, 2026 copies, but none confirms actual publication by Jan 18, 2026.
Progress toward completion: The primary milestone is the stated plan to publish paper copies after Jan 1, 2026. There is no public notice from the IRS confirming the posting of paper copies by Jan 18, 2026, so the status remains in progress.
Reliability of sources: The DOL release is a high-quality, primary government source that directly states the plan. IRS pages confirm form details but do not confirm the paper-copy release; trade outlets summarize the plan but are secondary.
Dates and milestones: The key date is January 1, 2026 for the planned release; as of 2026-01-18, there is no public confirmation of completion. Monitoring IRS announcements will determine if and when completion occurs.
Notes on incentives: The agencies’ incentive appears to be administrative coordination and adherence to electronic filing requirements; the paper copies would represent a transitional accommodation rather than a policy change. Completion would hinge on IRS posting the copies online and notifying filers.
Update · Jan 18, 2026, 03:46 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows that in December 2025 the agencies published informational online copies of the 2025 forms and related instructions, and the IRS stated that paper copies would be released after Jan 1, 2026. As of January 18, 2026, the paper copies had not yet been released online. The completion status remains in_progress pending the publication of the physical paper forms on the IRS site.
Update · Jan 18, 2026, 01:48 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release confirms online release of informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series and states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. The EFAST2 system shows the 2025 forms released for electronic filing starting January 1, 2026, underscoring the ongoing multi-channel rollout.
Current status: As of January 18, 2026, there is no confirmed public publication of physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on IRS or federal sites; the emphasis remains on electronic filing through EFAST2 and on providing informational copies online.
Milestones and reliability: The key milestone is the stated post-January 1, 2026 paper release in the DOL release; corroborating evidence from EFAST2 indicates electronic filing readiness for 2025 forms. Given the lack of a direct IRS paper publication notice, the claim remains conditionally in_progress.
Update · Jan 18, 2026, 11:54 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: December 2025 industry updates state the agency plans to post paper copies after Jan 1, 2026 and to publish the 2025 instructions online, with multiple outlets reporting the timing. Current status: There is no widely cited public confirmation that the paper copies have been released as of January 18, 2026; the plan remains contingent on IRS action after the stated date. Completion condition: Paper copies released on the IRS website would satisfy the claim, but no post–Jan 1, 2026 posting has been independently verified in the sources consulted. Reliability note: The cited sources are regulatory/industry outlets reporting the IRS plan; they are credible for timing, but an explicit IRS posting confirmation would be definitive. Follow-up actions: Monitor the IRS forms site and BBB/industry updates for any posting of the paper copies and 2025 instructions.
Update · Jan 18, 2026, 10:00 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This was stated in a December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release describing the joint release of informational copies and noting the separate post-2026 paper release by the IRS (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
What evidence indicates progress: Federal agencies explicitly released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, as part of a coordinated disclosure. The DOL notice confirms these informational copies went online on or around December 15, 2025 (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Evidence of completion status: The same release states that the IRS will separately publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. There is no evidence in the cited materials that the paper copies have been released as of mid-January 2026; the completion condition (paper copies on the IRS site) has not yet been met (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 – joint release of informational copies online; January 1, 2026 – target date after which IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions; mid-January 2026 – no indication that the paper copies have appeared yet (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Reliability note: The primary current information comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s EBSA release describing the joint agency action and the IRS’s plan to publish paper copies later. This is a contemporaneous government briefing, with additional corroboration found in industry summaries. The sources are appropriate for assessing progress and status (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15; IRS form overview pages).
Update · Jan 18, 2026, 07:43 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 note from the DOL/IRS ecosystem indicated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ for 2025 would be released separately on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026.
Current status: Public IRS materials primarily discuss electronic filing and existing paper filing allowances; there is no explicit IRS post–Jan 1, 2026 posting confirmation for the paper copies as of 2026-01-17.
Assessment: The claim remains unconfirmed as completed; a post-January 2026 posting is plausible but not publicly verified in the official IRS channels to date.
Reliability note: Sources include IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ and a December 2025 notice; trade/industry outlets echoed the claim but do not substitute for official posting confirmation.
Update · Jan 18, 2026, 03:49 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: IRS to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after Jan 1, 2026. Status as of 2026-01-17 shows no publicly verifiable IRS posting of the 2025 paper copy or the 2025 instructions; evidence hinges on a Labor Department release rather than an IRS confirmation.
Progress evidence: A 2025-12-15 EBSA release from the Department of Labor stated that the IRS would publish paper copies and 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026. Subsequent trade coverage echoed the promise but did not document an actual IRS posting by mid-January 2026. The IRS continues to emphasize electronic filing via EFAST2 for Form 5500-EZ.
Current status: No independently verifiable IRS posting of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copy or its 2025 instructions has been identified on IRS.gov as of 2026-01-17. The claim remains contingent on an official IRS release rather than duplicative announcements.
Milestones and dates: Original promise dated 2025-12-15 with a post–Jan 1, 2026 target; no confirmed completion date published by the IRS yet. If posted, the paper copies would mark completion against the stated condition.
Source reliability: The primary claim originates from a U.S. Department of Labor EBSA release (high reliability). IRS.gov guidance emphasizes electronic filing, which is consistent with a possible shift away from paper forms, but it does not substitute for a posted 2025 paper copy on IRS.gov. Readers should await formal IRS confirmation for final verification.
Follow-up plan: Check the IRS Form 5500-EZ page and the EBSA press releases around 2026-02-01 for a binding update on the paper copies and 2025 instructions.
Update · Jan 18, 2026, 02:08 AMTech Error
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Update · Jan 17, 2026, 11:54 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the DOL EBSA release indicated that informational copies for 2025 forms were posted online and that paper copies would be released separately after January 1, 2026. Evidence of completion: No public confirmation has been found as of mid-January 2026 that the IRS has published the paper copies. The available reporting shows online availability of informational copies and planned paper publication, but not a documented completion timestamp. Sources emphasize the online posting phase and future paper release (DOL press release; PLANADVISER summary).
Update · Jan 17, 2026, 09:45 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. This remains the stated plan from federal agencies coordinating on 2025 form releases.
Progress evidence shows that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, were released online in December 2025. The Department of Labor press release notes that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This confirms online availability of informational copies but not the paper forms themselves.
As of January 17, 2026, there is no public confirmation that the paper copies have been released. The completion condition—paper copies available on the IRS site—has not been evidenced by contemporaneous IRS or EBSA updates in the sources consulted. The claim remains contingent on the IRS’s post–January 1, 2026 release timeline.
Source reliability is high: the principal claim originates from a December 15, 2025 Department of Labor EBSA news release, which explicitly states the timing for paper copies. Secondary coverage from industry outlets corroborates the same sequencing (informational copies online first, paper copies later). This supports a neutral, verifiable accounting of the current status without introducing partisan framing.
Update · Jan 17, 2026, 07:41 PMin_progress
Claim restated: IRS to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 DOL release (coordinated with IRS and PBGC) announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series would be available online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be posted separately after January 1, 2026. Current status: By mid-January 2026 there was no widely reported posting of the paper copies on the IRS site, indicating the task remained incomplete at that time. Reliability: The primary source is an official government release; industry outlets corroborate the timeline but do not show completion as of mid-January 2026. The incentive structure appears administrative with no evident policy shift driving completion ahead of standard publishing cycles.
Update · Jan 17, 2026, 06:05 PMin_progress
Restatement of claim: The IRS will issue paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms that informational copies for 2025 were published online, and that paper copies would follow after January 1, 2026.
Progress to date: Online informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series have been released, per the EBSA/IRS joint release. The documented plan specifies that paper copies will be posted separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of mid-January 2026, the materials describe the intended post‑January 1, 2026 timing for paper copies and do not show that the paper forms have been posted yet.
Milestones and reliability: The key milestone is the IRS posting of paper copies after January 1, 2026, which remains to be observed in official postings. The primary authoritative reference remains the joint DOL EBSA release, tying publication to that date.
Source reliability and incentives: The principal sources are official agency communications (DOL EBSA release and IRS guidance), which are high quality and standard practice for pension reporting forms. The sequence—online informational copies first, then paper copies after the date—appears credible given the agencies’ incentives to provide accessible filing information.
Update · Jan 17, 2026, 03:42 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor press release confirms this timing and that informational copies for 2025 were released online by late 2025, with paper copies to follow on the IRS site after Jan. 1, 2026. Progress to date: In December 2025, EBSA announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS would provide paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. Multiple trade and benefits outlets echoed this timeline, with reporting from December 2025 onward.
Update · Jan 17, 2026, 01:47 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence from official sources indicates that while informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, the IRS planned to release paper copies separately after January 1, 2026. The U.S. Department of Labor’s EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) explicitly notes the paper copies would appear on the IRS site after that date, implying the paper release was scheduled for a date following January 1, 2026, and that official filing would be electronic via EFAST2.
Update · Jan 17, 2026, 11:57 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows that on December 15, 2025, EBSA, IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, with a note that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be published separately after January 1, 2026. As of 2026-01-17, there is no publicly available confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper versions. The IRS Form 5500-EZ page remains current for electronic filing and revisions, but does not indicate a posted paper form.
Update · Jan 17, 2026, 09:50 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public federal releases corroborate the intent and sequence, noting that informational copies for 2025 were released online and that paper copies would follow later on the IRS site. The official claim specifies that the paper copies and instructions would appear separately after January 1, 2026. There is no indication in the cited materials that the paper copies had been released by mid-January 2026, leaving the completion condition pending.
As of January 16, 2026, the available sources show the plan for posting paper copies after the stated date but do not confirm actual posting. The December 15, 2025 joint release from EBSA (DOL), the IRS, and PBGC confirms the sequencing (informational copies online first, paper copies later) but does not give a new firm date beyond “after Jan. 1, 2026.” The reliability of the conclusion rests on official government communications, which consistently describe the intended process rather than a completed action by that date.
Reliability note: the core sourcing comes from official government releases (DOL/EBSA, IRS, PBGC), supplemented by industry reporting that echoed the same timeline. Because the status hinges on a specific IRS posting that had not appeared by 2026-01-16, the status remains in_progress until the IRS publishes the paper copies on its site. If a future check finds the IRS has posted the PDFs, this would constitute completion.
Update · Jan 17, 2026, 07:54 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A joint December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Current status as of 2026-01-16: There is no publicly available, widely reported confirmation that the paper copies have been released on the IRS website by mid-January 2026. IRS materials emphasize electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ for plans meeting filing thresholds, with paper options generally not highlighted as the primary submission method for 2025, suggesting the paper copies may remain informational rather than official filing forms at this time.
Notes on sources: The primary milestone comes from the DOL release (Dec 15, 2025), which references the IRS plan to post paper copies after Jan 1, 2026. IRS form instructions and the Form 5500-EZ page emphasize electronic filing requirements and do not indicate an immediate replacement with paper variants for filing; this context supports treating the paper release as a separate, potential informational step rather than an immediate, official filing channel.
Reliability: The DOL release is a government source corroborating the claim, with IRS pages providing operational context about electronic filing. The lack of a clear IRS confirmation of a posted paper version by mid-January 2026 suggests the claim’s completion condition may not have been met yet.
Update · Jan 17, 2026, 04:00 AMin_progress
The claim asserts that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Available IRS materials show Form 5500-EZ and its instructions exist as downloadable PDFs on irs.gov, and paper forms are available via order or mailing, but there is no explicit public notice confirming a separate post-2026 release of 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026. The IRS indicates a shift toward electronic filing for Form 5500-related filings, suggesting ongoing administrative changes rather than a new staggered release schedule for paper copies.
Evidence of progress toward modernization includes references to electronic filing requirements for the Form 5500 series and EFAST2, which imply evolving practices rather than a clear post-2026 paper-copy release timeline. The IRS Form 5500-EZ pages describe where to obtain forms and instructions and note that paper forms can be used by certain filers, but they do not document a specific post-2026 release of 2025 paper copies on the website. No official IRS notice confirms the exact timing claimed in the article.
Given the absence of a public, explicit IRS commitment to releasing 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies after January 1, 2026, the status cannot be verified as completed. The available sources point to online PDFs and traditional paper forms via ordering or mailing, not a novel post-2026 release schedule. Therefore, the claim remains in_progress pending an official IRS update.
Update · Jan 17, 2026, 02:16 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The article states that after January 1, 2026, the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website. The DOL release confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were published online, and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. However, the release does not specify that the paper copies were actually published immediately after that date, only that they would be released subsequently on the IRS site.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the EBSA/DOL press release documented online availability of informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series and stated the plan for the IRS to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after 01/01/2026. The EFAST2 system and related filing guidance indicate electronic availability and that printed copies may be distributed later, but do not confirm immediate paper publication on or after 01/01/2026. There is no public update in the sources reviewed confirming an actual post-01/01/2026 paper release date.
Current status: As of 2026-01-16, the claim that paper copies would be released “after Jan 1, 2026” remains plausible but not confirmed as completed. Available official documents emphasize the planned timeline and online informational copies, but do not provide a definitive post-date confirmation of the paper publication occurring on or after 01/01/2026, hence the need for a follow-up check.
Reliability notes: The primary sourcing is the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release, which is a credible, government-backed source, supplemented by industry trades referencing the same statement. While these sources are reputable, they do not show a dated confirmation of the paper publication occurring on or after 01/01/2026, hence the need for a follow-up check. The incentives of agencies to publish standardized guidance suggest future paper copies are likely, but verification is required.
Follow-up context: If paper copies were released after 2026-01-01, the completion condition would be met. A targeted follow-up on a current date (or a future date) should verify the IRS or EFAST2 postings for the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and related paper copies on the IRS website or via IRS/DOL notices.
Update · Jan 17, 2026, 01:15 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. In reality, federal agencies released the 2025 Form 5500 series informational copies online, and the IRS indicated that paper copies would be released separately after January 1, 2026. Multiple industry outlets note the same sequence, with explicit language that paper copies would follow the online release (after Jan. 1, 2026) (PlanAdvisor, 2025; 401(k) Specialist, 2025; FuturePlan/PlanSponsor press coverage, 2025).
Progress to date: The 2025 Form 5500 series (including 5500-EZ) and associated instructions were posted online as informational copies by the EBSA, IRS, and PBGC in December 2025. These sources also reiterate that they are informational copies and not filings, and that paper copies would be provided separately by the IRS after January 1, 2026 (industry reporting from Dec 2025). No evidence has emerged by mid-January 2026 that the IRS has published or distributed the actual paper 5500-EZ form or its 2025 instructions. The reliance on informational copies implies continued workflow toward a future physical release, rather than a completed paper version.
Completion status and milestones: As of 2026-01-16, the stated completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions released on the IRS website—appears not yet fulfilled. The best-supported status is that the online informational copies exist and that a separate paper release was planned for after Jan 1, 2026, with no publicly verified date of actual paper distribution reported in the sources consulted.
Reliability and caveats: The most pertinent confirmations come from industry-focused outlets (PlanAdvisor, 401(k) Specialist). None of these replace official IRS EBSA notices, but they reflect the same sequence and language reported by the agencies. If the IRS later issues a formal notice or update confirming a specific paper-release date, that would upgrade the reliability of the milestone. Given the available reporting, the status remains best described as in_progress with respect to the paper release.
Update · Jan 16, 2026, 10:15 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the DOL EBSA, IRS, and PBGC announced informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online and stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026. Completion status: There is no public confirmation as of mid-January 2026 that the IRS has posted the paper copies; the completion depends on post-2025 postings by the IRS. Relevant milestones: The key milestone is January 1, 2026 for the paper-copy release, as noted in the official release. Source reliability: The primary, most reliable source is the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release; subsequent industry coverage corroborates the timeline but should be weighed against direct IRS postings for final completion status.
Update · Jan 16, 2026, 07:47 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms online informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. As of mid-January 2026, there is no authoritative IRS posting confirming the paper copies have been published; completion is not yet verified. The sources rely on official government statements (DOL EBSA) with corroboration from industry reporting; the IRS posting remains the key milestone to confirm completion.
Update · Jan 16, 2026, 06:12 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. A DOL/EBSA news release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026. There is no evidence in that release that the paper copies had already been posted by January 16, 2026. The statement thus remains plausible but unconfirmed as of the current date, pending a public IRS notice or a page showing the paper copies available for download or order on the IRS site.
Update · Jan 16, 2026, 03:48 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Public notices confirm this plan, with the December 15, 2025 EBSA/IRS/PBGC release explicitly stating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would appear on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. The core obligation is the availability of physical (paper) copies of the form and its accompanying instructions on the IRS site.
Progress evidence: The joint agency release confirms the intention and timing (post-January 1, 2026) but does not indicate a completed release as of mid-January 2026. Industry trades and service providers referencing the notice reiterate the plan to post paper copies after the specified date, but they do not show a completed milestone on the IRS site. Therefore, there is recognition of the plan, but concrete evidence of delivery appears limited in the public record to date.
Current status: Based on available public materials up to January 16, 2026, paper copies had not yet been publicly posted by the IRS. The completion condition—“Paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions are released on the IRS website”—has not been verified as fulfilled in the sources consulted.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone was January 1, 2026 (post-date) for paper copies to be released; the EBSA/IRS/PBGC notice was issued on December 15, 2025. No further dated updates confirming release were found in the sources reviewed. Reliability notes: The primary, authoritative reference is the December 15, 2025 EBSA/IRS/PBGC joint release. Secondary coverage from industry outlets and benefit-administration publishers corroborates the stated plan but does not supersede the original agency notice.
Reliability and incentives: The claim aligns with official agency communications, suggesting an administrative process rather than a contentious statement. Given the incentive structure (accurate filing and provision of forms for compliance), delays in posting would be a straightforward operational issue rather than a policy reversal. If the IRS subsequently posts the paper copies, this would fulfill the completion condition; absent such posting, the status remains in_progress.
Update · Jan 16, 2026, 01:51 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related documents online, and stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This shows that informational copies are available and a separate timetable for paper copies exists. Current status as of 2026-01-16: no public confirmation that the paper copies have been released on the IRS site, and the completion condition is not yet met based on available records. Reliability note: The DOL release is a primary government source; IRS form pages confirm general guidance but do not indicate a published paper-copy release date beyond the stated plan. Given the lack of a documented paper-copy publication by mid-January 2026, the status remains in_progress.
Update · Jan 16, 2026, 12:23 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress shows the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release stating that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would release paper copies after January 1, 2026. As of mid-January 2026, no independent IRS posting confirming the actual release of paper copies has been publicly verified; only online informational copies are clearly available. Completion status remains uncertain pending an IRS update confirming the paper copies have been published on the IRS website.
Update · Jan 16, 2026, 09:58 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor’s December 15, 2025 news release confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS would provide paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. This establishes the promised timeline and the existence of the plan, but not its completion as of mid-January 2026. (DOL News Release, 2025-12-15)
Update · Jan 16, 2026, 07:39 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public records show a December 15, 2025 joint release from DOL/EBSA stating that informational copies for 2025 forms would be posted online, with paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions to follow after January 1, 2026. As of mid-January 2026, there is no clear, publicly posted IRS confirmation that the paper copies are available on the IRS site; IRS guidance pages describe electronic filing and related forms but do not show a posted paper version. The reliability of progress hinges on a direct IRS posting; ongoing monitoring of IRS Form 5500 Corner and related releases is recommended to confirm completion.
Update · Jan 16, 2026, 04:12 AMfailed
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions for use after January 1, 2026 on its website. Current evidence indicates no such paper release has been documented by the IRS as of mid-January 2026; the agency continues to emphasize electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ and related forms. The IRS publishes Form 5500-EZ and its instructions primarily in electronic formats and outlines mandatory electronic filing thresholds, with guidance and FAQs centered on EFAST2 and digital access rather than printed copies.
Evidence of progress toward the claim is limited to ongoing availability of Form 5500-EZ and its Rev 2023 instruction in PDF on the IRS website, and notices detailing electronic filing requirements. IRS pages such as About Form 5500-EZ and the Form 5500 Corner reinforce electronic filing as the standard and do not indicate a planned or ongoing program to release new paper copies post-2026. The absence of any IRS release announcements or formal directives to publish fresh paper copies after January 2026 weighs against the claim being completed.
Reliability of sources: The assessment relies on official IRS pages and publications (irs.gov) describing Form 5500-EZ, its electronic filing requirements, and status updates. These sources are high-quality and appropriate for evaluating tax/form filing processes. There is no corroborating evidence from the IRS or reputable outlets confirming a post-2026 paper-copy release for 2025 Form 5500-EZ.
Conclusion: Given the lack of evidence for a post-2026 release of paper copies and the strong, ongoing emphasis on electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ, the claim appears unlikely to have been completed by January 15, 2026.
Update · Jan 16, 2026, 02:08 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions for after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025 the Department of Labor announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related materials were posted online, and explicitly stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This establishes that online informational copies existed by mid-December 2025, with paper copies slated for a future release window. Current status as of 2026-01-15: there is no clear public confirmation that the paper copies have been released yet; the official notice indicates a post-January 1, 2026 release, but does not document a completed release by mid-January.
Update · Jan 16, 2026, 12:00 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS was reported to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release states that informational copies for 2025 were released online and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released separately after January 1, 2026. There is no independent IRS notice within the provided sources confirming posting of the paper copies.
Current status (as of 2026-01-15): No verified public record shows the IRS posting the paper copies. Authorities indicate the plan to release them, but completion is not documented.
Milestones and completion conditions: The completion condition — paper copies released on the IRS website — remains unverified pending an explicit IRS posting.
Source reliability: The account relies on a DOL/EBSA press release and IRS Form 5500-EZ information pages, both credible government sources. The absence of a confirmed IRS posting in the cited period keeps the status as in_progress.
Overall assessment: Based on available public records, the claim is best categorized as in_progress, pending explicit confirmation of the IRS paper-copy posting.
Update · Jan 15, 2026, 11:45 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows that on December 15, 2025, a joint release from the Department of Labor announced the availability of informational copies online and stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would be released separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. The release notes also describe 2025 updates to the Form 5500 series and caution filers that informational copies are not substitute for filing. As of January 15, 2026, there is no public confirmation that the paper copies have actually been published by the IRS, leaving the status as in_progress.
Update · Jan 15, 2026, 07:49 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: Administrative filings and related guidance show that the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and related materials were made available electronically for filing as of January 1, 2026 (EFAST2 system). The Department of Labor and agencies published 2025 Form 5500-EZ instructions and related materials, with electronic availability detailed by the DOL/EBSA and IRS guidance pages. These indicate progress in preparation and electronic dissemination, not necessarily in “paper copies.”
Progress toward completion: There is clear evidence that the forms for 2025 became available for electronic filing on or around January 1, 2026, and that 2025 instructions were published. However, there is no corroborated public confirmation that physical paper copies or “paper copies on the IRS website” were released after January 1, 2026. The sources emphasize electronic filing channels (EFAST2) and downloadable PDFs, not a separate paper-copy release on a website. As such, the completion condition—paper copies being released on the IRS site—appears unmet as of mid-January 2026.
Dates and milestones: Key milestone is January 1, 2026, when electronic release/availability of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and related materials is documented (EFAST2). The absence of a verifiable paper-copy release as of 2026-01-15 is notable. The DOL’s 2025 instructions and the IRS form/instructions pages remain the primary, publicly verifiable materials, with no public notice of a separate
post-January 1, 2026 paper-copy release.
Source reliability note: Sources include the IRS About Form 5500-EZ page, the DOL/EBSA 2025 Form 5500/5500-EZ instructions, and EFAST2/Filing system notices. These are official government or self-regulatory sources and are considered high quality for regulatory updates. No low-quality outlets are used. The reporting is constrained to what is publicly documented; no claims are made beyond available official statements.
Update · Jan 15, 2026, 06:14 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS was to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows informational copies for Form 5500 series were published online, with the note that paper copies and 2025 instructions would appear separately on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026. As of 2026-01-15, there is no public confirmation that the paper copies have been posted on the IRS site. The December 15, 2025 DoL release confirms the planned
post-1/1/2026 paper release but does not prove completion by the current date.
Update · Jan 15, 2026, 03:49 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence publicly available indicates Form 5500-EZ forms and instructions are published and accessible in online and paper formats, but does not show a separate post-2026 post on-paper release. Current IRS guidance emphasizes electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ (EFAST2) with printed paper forms available by request or as older stock, not a distinct new
post-2026 release on the website (IRS Form 5500 Corner; Form 5500-EZ pages).
Progress: There is no public IRS announcement or milestone confirming a separate after-2026 release of paper copies on the IRS website. The IRS continues to provide Form 5500-EZ in electronic format, with paper versions historically available or printable as PDFs and paper forms obtainable through official channels. The Form 5500 Corner and About Form 5500-EZ pages show ongoing updates but not a new post-2026 paper-copy release.
Status vs. completion: The completion condition (paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions released on the IRS website) has not been evidenced as fulfilled by 2026-01-15. Given the emphasis on electronic filing, the claim appears not to have reached a verifiable completion. If a formal release occurred, it would likely be documented in IRS announcements; none is readily found for this post-2026 paper-copy release.
Reliability notes: Primary IRS sources (Form 5500 Corner, About Form 5500-EZ, Retirement Plan Forms and Publications) confirm ongoing electronic filing requirements and general form access, but do not confirm the asserted post-2026 paper-copy release. No high-quality independent verification appears to exist for a separate post-2026 paper-copy release.
Bottom line: The claim is not supported by publicly verifiable IRS notices as of 2026-01-15. The IRS continues to provide Form 5500-EZ and its instructions primarily in electronic form, with paper forms available through traditional channels rather than a special new post-2026 paper-copy release on the website.
Update · Jan 15, 2026, 01:52 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. The publication that asserted this came from a December 15, 2025 Department of Labor news release describing a joint release of 2025 Form 5500 materials and noting that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately by the IRS after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The DOL EBSA release explicitly states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026, indicating a planned, post-2025 distribution. There is no contemporaneous IRS announcement in January 2026 confirming the actual availability of paper copies; IRS guidance for Form 5500-EZ continues to emphasize electronic filing and online access.
Current status: As of January 15, 2026, there is no readily verifiable IRS webpage or filing notice showing the paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions published or available for download in paper form. The IRS sections consulted focus on electronic filing and online access (e.g., form pages and accessible PDFs), with no explicit post-2025 paper packet notice observed in public IRS materials.
Reliability and context: The most concrete statement about the paper copies comes from the December 2025 DOL news release, which reflects an interagency communication. Absence of a visible IRS paper-copy release in January 2026 suggests the paper distribution may be pending or limited in availability; continued monitoring of the IRS retirement plans forms and publications page and the EFAST2 filing guidance is warranted for a definitive update.
Update · Jan 15, 2026, 11:57 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: In December 2025, EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series online and stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ for 2025 would be posted after January 1, 2026 (DOL News Release, 2025-12-15; industry summaries, 2025-12-16).
Current status: As of mid‑January 2026, there is no publicly documented posting of the paper Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on the IRS site, so the completion condition appears not yet met.
Reliability note: The assessment relies on official DOL EBSA releases and corroborating industry reporting; no high‑quality IRS posting confirming completion was identified in the sources available at this time.
Update · Jan 15, 2026, 09:59 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Public IRS pages show current forms and instructions (including PDFs for Form 5500-EZ) and emphasize electronic filing, but there is no IRS notice confirming a separate post‑2025 paper copy release. Until an official IRS statement specifies such a post-2025 paper release, the claim remains unconfirmed and thus in_progress.
Update · Jan 15, 2026, 07:48 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A Department of Labor press release dated December 15, 2025 says the IRS would publish paper copies after January 1, 2026, with electronic filing via EFAST2 remaining central.
Completion status: As of January 14, 2026, there is no independently verifiable IRS posting confirming the availability of the paper copies; the claim remains unconfirmed by IRS, making the status best described as in_progress.
Reliability of sources: The DOL release is a credible, government-originated summary that cites IRS actions. IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ outline current forms, instructions, and electronic filing requirements but do not explicitly confirm a
post-1/1/2026 paper release in the materials reviewed.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone cited is the December 15, 2025 DOL release; a confirmed IRS posting would establish completion. The absence of a public IRS confirmation by mid-January 2026 supports labeling the status as in_progress.
Notes on interpretation: The completion condition (paper copies released) has not been independently verified on IRS.gov; the timeline hinges on IRS publication following the stated after-January-1-2026 plan.
Scheduled follow-up · Jan 15, 2026
Update · Jan 15, 2026, 04:31 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL release confirms that informational copies for 2025 (including Form 5500-EZ) were posted online, with paper copies to be released after January 1, 2026. As of mid-January 2026, there is no publicly documented confirmation that the IRS has released physical paper forms or printed instruction booklets for 2025.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the DOL stated that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and related materials were released online, and that the IRS would separately release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026 (DOL News Release 25-1517-NAT).
Current status and milestones: The projected completion condition (paper copies released on the IRS website) hinges on post-January 1, 2026 publication. No subsequent, widely cited confirmation has appeared by January 14, 2026 indicating that the paper copies have been posted online or mailed. The reliability of the core claim rests on the DOL notice; IRS-specific confirmation remains elusive in accessible sources.
Source reliability note: The key official claim originates from a DOL press release (federal government source) and is echoed by industry outlets summarizing the IRS intent. IRS pages currently emphasize online informational copies and electronic filing requirements, with no clear public indication of a delayed or canceled release plan for paper copies as of the date examined.
Update · Jan 15, 2026, 02:15 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation announced that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of January 14, 2026, there is no publicly confirmed publication of the paper copies on the IRS site; the release timetable remains tied to the stated post–January 1, 2026 trigger.
Completion assessment: The stated completion condition (paper copies released on the IRS website) has not been independently verified as completed by early 2026; it remains contingent on the IRS posting after the specified date.
Source reliability note: The primary source is a
U.S. government joint press release (DOL/IRS/PBGC), supported by industry coverage that echoed the same timeline; these are considered high-quality and appropriate for tracking an administrative release.
Observed milestones: The release of informational copies online occurred in December 2025; the paper copies were promised to appear after January 1, 2026, with no new firm date provided.
Update · Jan 15, 2026, 12:24 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Current progress: public records show the IRS and related agencies released informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series online, including Form 5500-EZ, with instructions, around mid-December 2025. No clear, verifiable public record confirms a separate post–January 1, 2026 release of physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or instructions. The December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release explicitly mentions paper copies would be provided after the date, but the subsequent public record primarily documents online informational copies rather than a confirmed paper release. Reliability note: the most authoritative statements come from the DOL press release and the IRS form pages; there is no independent confirmation of a completed paper-copy release as of mid-January 2026.
Scheduled follow-up · Jan 15, 2026overdue
Update · Jan 14, 2026, 10:16 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS is supposed to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series are available online and states the IRS will release paper copies after January 1, 2026. Additional IRS and DOL materials show ongoing electronic filing avenues and 2025 instructions, but no definitive notice of immediate paper-copy availability on or before that date. Reliability note: The DOB, DOL, and IRS pages cited are official government sources; however, the specific timing for paper copies rests with the IRS and is not repeatedly confirmed beyond the stated January 1, 2026 threshold.
Update · Jan 14, 2026, 08:48 PMin_progress
Claim restates that the IRS will post paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 2025 DOL release confirms that paper copies will be released separately on the IRS site after that date, indicating the posting is planned but not yet completed as of mid-January 2026.
Public sources show that informational copies for the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online in December 2025, but the specific paper copies post-dating January 1, 2026 has not been evidenced as completed by January 14, 2026.
The completion condition (paper copies posted on the IRS site) remains unmet as of the current date, with the official notice pointing to a future posting schedule rather than an already-available product.
Sources indicate the IRS is the authoritative authority for forms and instructions, with the DOL release providing the explicit after-date plan. Monitoring official IRS postings or EFAST2 notices would verify when the paper copies become publicly available.
Update · Jan 14, 2026, 06:24 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor (DOL) press release of December 15, 2025 states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026, indicating a planned post-2025 release schedule (DOL release, 2025-12-15). As of mid-January 2026, this arrangement had not been confirmed as completed in IRS-facing announcements on the agency’s site (DOL 2025-12-15).
Update · Jan 14, 2026, 03:50 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows the agencies published informational copies online, with the specific note that the IRS paper copies would be released after the date, not before. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms this plan and states that paper copies would be released separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. There is no public record as of mid-January 2026 indicating that the paper copies have been posted on the IRS website.
Update · Jan 14, 2026, 01:55 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Public sources confirm electronic availability of Form 5500-EZ and related materials and that electronic filing via EFAST2 is active, but there is no contemporaneous IRS notice confirming post‑Jan 1, 2026 paper copies release as of mid‑January 2026. Availability of paper copies remains unverified and the completion condition is not yet met.
Update · Jan 14, 2026, 12:09 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The completion condition is that these paper copies are released on the IRS website.
Evidence of progress: Public reporting around this plan came from a December 15, 2025 joint Department of Labor release (EBSA) noting that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Industry coverage (e.g., Ascensus) echoed this scheduling, citing the IRS intent without confirming a posted release as of mid-January 2026.
Evidence of completion status: As of January 14, 2026, there is no clear, independently verifiable record of a posted 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copy PDF or a 2025 instructions PDF on the IRS website. The IRS forms-and-publications pages emphasize electronic filing and current revisions but do not appear to show a separate 2025 paper-copy release. No IRS press release or agency notice explicitly confirms completion.
Milestones and dates: The cited sources anchor the planned release to occur after January 1, 2026, with subsequent public posting on the IRS site. No confirmed posting by mid-January 2026 is evident from the referenced pages or primary IRS notices. The reliability of
non-IRS coverage is contingent on the IRS’s own posting; thus, status remains unresolved publicly.
Source reliability note: The principal claim origin is a DOL EBSA press release (official) corroborated by industry outlets. Direct IRS confirmation or a posted PDF as of 2026-01-14 has not been located in the accessible IRS forms/pubs sections, limiting definitive verification at this time.
Update · Jan 14, 2026, 10:09 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release confirms that informational copies of Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, and IRS Form 5500-EZ and related instructions would be posted online, with paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions to be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. There is no public IRS page confirming the actual paper release as of mid-January 2026. The DOL release directs filers to monitor official channels for when the paper copy becomes available, indicating the paper release had not occurred by that date. Overall, the status remains in_progress pending the IRS paper-copy release.
Update · Jan 14, 2026, 07:56 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions for after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release confirms that the IRS planned to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026, but does not confirm that the release occurred immediately after that date. This establishes the intended completion condition and a clear milestone window, but not a verified post-window status.
Update · Jan 14, 2026, 05:59 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 Department of Labor EBSA release confirms the IRS would publish paper copies separately after that date, implying a two-step release process for informational copies. As of January 13, 2026, there is no widely cited, definitive confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper form or the 2025 instructions on IRS.gov. Available reporting relies on official notices and industry recaps rather than a posted IRS link or file.
Progress evidence includes the formal DOL/EBSA notice of 2025 informational copies and the specific claim that paper copies would follow after January 1, 2026. The completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions publicly released on the IRS website—remains unverified in primary IRS postings. Filers are instead directed to electronic filing or to notices about extensions, with no clear citation of a posted 2025 paper form on IRS.gov.
Source reliability is high for the policy statements from DOL/EBSA and for IRS guidance on Form 5500-EZ filing, but the absence of a public IRS posting by mid-January 2026 suggests the release is still in progress or handled via separate channels. The balance of evidence indicates the status is best described as in_progress at this time. The interpretation of “informational copies” released online versus paper copies posted on IRS.gov is critical to determining completion.
If a paper copy and instructions have since been posted, confirmation would come from an IRS.gov posting or a contemporaneous official notice. Until then, the claim remains unresolved pending a verifiable IRS posting or an updated official statement.
Update · Jan 14, 2026, 02:06 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The agencies stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Evidence exists that informational copies for 2025 were published online by the DOL, IRS, and PBGC in mid-December 2025, with the paper versions described as to be released after the start of 2026 (not simultaneously with the online notices). As of mid-January 2026, there is no widely reported public IRS release of physical Form 5500-EZ paper copies or accompanying printed instructions on IRS.gov. The reliability of the online notices is high (federal agencies), but there is no documented confirmation of the actual paper copy release date beyond the stated plan, so the completion condition has not been met yet. Given the available public records, the status remains in_progress pending a concrete IRS paper-release update.
Update · Jan 14, 2026, 12:20 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, and states the IRS will provide paper copies after January 1, 2026. This establishes a near-term timeline and supports some movement toward the stated paper release. Completion status: As of January 13, 2026, there is no public-facing IRS confirmation that the paper copies have been posted; filings for Form 5500-EZ continue to be guided by electronic filing requirements via EFAST2, with no explicit completion notice from the IRS documented. Reliability note: The primary sourcing is the DOL EBSA release, a high-quality government source; industry outlets citing the same timeline corroborate the claim, though they do not substitute for an official IRS confirmation.
Update · Jan 13, 2026, 10:24 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence indicates that, on December 15–16, 2025, federal agencies released informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series and related materials online, but these were not described as paper copies on the IRS site. The Department of Labor’s EBSA press release explicitly stated the intention to post paper copies on the IRS website after the start of 2026, not that they had already been released. As of mid-January 2026, there is no corroborating public notice confirming that the IRS has published physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on its website. Multiple outlets reported the same timeline (paper copies after 2026-01-01) without indicating final availability.
Update · Jan 13, 2026, 08:00 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Interim status: The Department of Labor, with the IRS and PBGC, released informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series online and stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions would be published after January 1, 2026. The DOL press release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms the timing but does not indicate that the paper copies have been published by mid-January 2026. Independent reporting has reiterated the planned timeline but has not verified completion as of 2026-01-13.
Update · Jan 13, 2026, 06:21 PMin_progress
Restatement of claim: The IRS was to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint DOL/IRS release notes that informational copies for 2025 were released online and states the IRS will post paper copies after January 1, 2026. Follow-up information from industry outlets reiterates the same timeline. As of 2026-01-13, official IRS confirmation of posting the paper copies on IRS.gov was not found in the sources reviewed. Reliability note: The core progression comes from the DOL EBSA release referencing IRS plans; no IRS-only notice confirming posting was located in the search window.
Update · Jan 13, 2026, 03:48 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release confirms the plan to publish paper copies after Jan 1, 2026, while the same period shows electronic filing of 2025 forms through the EFAST2 system.
Completion status: There is no public confirmation as of 2026-01-13 that the IRS has posted paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or the 2025 instructions on IRS.gov. The priority emphasis in sources appears to be electronic filing and online informational copies, not a posted paper form.
Dates and milestones: The DOL release cites a post–January 1, 2026 timing for paper copies; EFAST2 indicates 2025 forms are available electronically starting January 1, 2026. No explicit IRS posting date for paper copies has been corroborated.
Source reliability: The key references are a DOL News Release and the EFAST2 platform (official federal sources). They are authoritative, but do not conclusively confirm the IRS paper-copy posting date as of mid-January 2026.
Bottom line: The claim remains unfulfilled as of 2026-01-13, with evidence pointing toward ongoing electronic filing readiness and no verified posting of paper copies on IRS.gov.
Update · Jan 13, 2026, 01:53 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for separate release on its website after January 1, 2026. The claim originated from a December 15, 2025 EBSA/DOL joint release, which stated that informational copies would be posted online and that paper copies would follow after January 1, 2026. No contemporaneous IRS notice confirming the posting was found as of January 13, 2026.
Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 release confirms online informational copies for the 2025
Form 5500 series and outlines the plan for paper copies to be released after 2026. Trade outlets corroborated the two-track approach, citing the same timeline and emphasis on online availability before paper copies appear.
Current status: As of mid-January 2026, there is no publicly verifiable IRS posting of the paper copies. The action remains pending, pending IRS confirmation or posting on IRS.gov. The public record thus supports ongoing progress but not completion at this time.
Reliability note: The core chronology comes from an official DOL EBSA release, corroborated by multiple industry outlets. The absence of a direct IRS posting in the sources reviewed introduces uncertainty about the exact posting date, but the stated plan remains clear and unchanged.
Conclusion: The claim remains in_progress pending the IRS posting of paper copies on its website after January 1, 2026. If a future update confirms posting, the completion condition would be satisfied.
Update · Jan 13, 2026, 12:55 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress to date: December 15, 2025, a joint DOL-IRS-PBGC release announced informational copies online and stated that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of January 13, 2026, there is no independently verifiable public confirmation from the IRS that the paper copies have been posted on IRS.gov. IRS guidance continues to point to online forms and instructions, but does not confirm the post–Jan 1, 2026 paper publication.
Milestones and dates: The joint notice establishes a post–January 1, 2026 timeline for paper copies; however, no firm IRS posting date beyond the stated plan is publicly documented in accessible records.
Source reliability and balance: The core claim relies on a DOL release that reports an IRS plan; IRS pages provide the current online forms and instructions but do not definitively confirm the post–January 1 release at this time.
Update · Jan 13, 2026, 10:00 AMin_progress
What the claim stated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. What progress evidence exists: A December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor (EBSA), IRS, and PBGC indicated that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Completion status: As of 2026-01-12, there is no public confirmation that those paper copies have been released; the action appears scheduled for after Jan 1, 2026 rather than completed. Reliability of sources: The primary accounting is a government joint news release from EBSA (official and high-quality); confirmation of the IRS paper-copy release should come from IRS-specific communications or notices.
Update · Jan 13, 2026, 08:19 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The available reporting indicates online access to the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions with a paper release planned for a later date in early 2026, but a definitive paper publication date had not been publicly confirmed as of mid-January 2026.
Evidence of progress shows online informational copies for 2025 Form 5500 series being published by the IRS and EBSA communications noting the anticipated sequence. The completion condition (paper copies released on the IRS site) appears contingent on a date after January 1, 2026 and has not been independently verified as completed.
Current status appears to be that online access is available while the paper release remains pending. Public sources dated December 2025 describe the plan; January 2026 reporting confirms online availability but does not consistently document a final paper publication date.
Key milestones cited include the December 2025 disclosures about online informational copies and the stated plan to publish paper copies after January 1, 2026. The absence of a clearly dated paper release in January 2026 sources leaves the completion status ambiguous.
Source reliability is high for official guidance and industry reporting: federal agency pages and reputable trade outlets (PlanAdvisor, 401k Specialist) corroborate the described sequence, though none provide a definitive paper-release timestamp as of the current date.
Update · Jan 13, 2026, 04:05 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. Progress to date: Informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were published online in December 2025, with the paper version explicitly planned for release on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. No public evidence shows the paper copies having been posted on IRS.gov by January 12, 2026. Completion condition: Paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions are released on the IRS website, separate from online informational copies. Reliability note: The primary sourcing is a DOL EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) that references IRS plans, complemented by industry outlets confirming the timeline; IRS forms pages provide current context but do not contradict the stated plan. If the IRS delays publication, the completion condition would not be met; as of the date analyzed, the published paper version had not yet appeared to satisfy completion.
Update · Jan 13, 2026, 02:22 AMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for distribution after January 1, 2026. Evidence in December 2025 from the DOL EBSA press release confirms that informational copies for 2025 were published online, with the IRS planning to release paper copies separately after 2026-01-01. As of 2026-01-12 there is no public confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper copies on its website.
Progress and milestones: The December 15, 2025 joint release from DOL/EBSA indicates the paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026, while online informational copies were published concurrently. Trade press coverage echoed the plan but did not supplant the DOL notice. No IRS posting or formal IRS notice confirming completion has been identified in available records.
Reliability of sources: The primary source is the DOL EBSA release dated 2025-12-15, which accurately describes the planned sequence. Secondary outlets (PlanAdvisor, 401k Specialist, Future Plan, asppa-net) corroborate the timeline but rely on the same initial notice. IRS.gov pages describe current filing options and forms but do not explicitly confirm the paper copies’ publication date.
Current status: Based on available evidence, the claim is best categorized as in_progress, since the online informational copies exist but the paper copies’ posting on IRS.gov has not been independently verified by 2026-01-12. A definitive completion would require an IRS posting or a DOL/IRS update confirming publication.
Follow-up note: Monitor IRS announcements and the DOL EBSA news releases for confirmation of the paper copies’ availability. If posted, confirm the exact URL and publication date.
Update · Jan 13, 2026, 12:13 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor EBSA news release confirms the plan to release paper copies on or after January 1, 2026. Current status: As of the current date, there is no IRS.gov posting publicly confirming completion; industry reporting reiterates the plan but does not show posting. Dates and milestones: Completion would be the posting of the paper 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions on the IRS site; the Dec. 2025 EBSA release is the sole documented milestone to date. Reliability note: The primary confirmation comes from a joint DOL EBSA release; IRS confirmations would be needed to verify final posting on IRS.gov.
Update · Jan 12, 2026, 10:15 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence from the December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release confirms that paper copies for 2025 were planned to be released after 2026-01-01, with online informational copies published earlier in the process. The IRS maintains online availability of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions (fillable online forms and PDFs) as the primary delivery method, suggesting the paper release is supplementary rather than the main channel. No independently verifiable documentation shows that the paper copies were posted on or after 2026-01-12, leaving completion uncertain.
Update · Jan 12, 2026, 08:14 PMin_progress
Restatement of claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026, per the referenced DoL EBSA release. Evidence of progress: The DoL notice confirms that informational copies were published online and notes the separate paper release timing by the IRS. Evidence of completion status: No IRS-dated notice or IRS.gov confirmation has been publicly published as of January 2026 indicating that the paper copies have actually been released. Relevant dates: The DoL release is dated December 15, 2025, with the paper copies expected after January 1, 2026; no subsequent IRS release date is available in public sources. Reliability of sources: The information originates from a
DoL EBSA news release, which summarizes IRS/PBGC actions; cross-verification with IRS publications does not show a dated paper release as of the available records, so the status remains uncertain.
Update · Jan 12, 2026, 06:24 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor (EBSA), the Internal Revenue Service, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation confirms this timing but provides no evidence of immediate availability. As of mid-January 2026, no public posting of the paper Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on the IRS site has been found; the agencies indicate the plan but have not completed publication.
Update · Jan 12, 2026, 03:49 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The claim corresponds to a post‑Jan 1, 2026 release noted in a December 2025 public communication about 2025 form materials.
Evidence of progress: The Department of Labor EBSA release (Dec 15, 2025) explicitly asserts the IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its site after January 1, 2026. Industry coverage (Dec 16–17, 2025) reiterates the same timeline.
Current status as of 2026-01-12: There is no public indication from the IRS that the specified paper copies have been released yet. IRS pages listing Form 5500-EZ materials exist, but do not confirm a separate post‑Jan 1, 2026 release of paper copies. Thus, completion has not been reached.
Reliability note: The most direct confirmations come from the EBSA release and industry outlets; the definitive official record would be an IRS posting confirming the paper copies. In the absence of that IRS confirmation, status remains in_progress.
Follow-up: 2026-02-01
Update · Jan 12, 2026, 01:53 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence from high-quality sources shows Form 5500-EZ and its instructions are available online via the IRS, and the agency maintains a Form 5500 Corner with filing tips and notices. There is no public IRS notice confirming a
post-2026 scheduled release of new paper copies specifically after January 1, 2026.
Current status: No verifiable public record confirms that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or the 2025 instructions were released on or after January 1, 2026. IRS materials emphasize online access and, where applicable, paper filing options, but do not document a separate post-2026 paper release for Form 5500-EZ.
Reliability note: The assessment relies on IRS primary sources (About Form 5500-EZ and Form 5500 Corner). Absence of explicit confirmation means the claim remains unverified and cannot be deemed completed at this time.
Update · Jan 12, 2026, 11:59 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Informational copies for 2025 were released online by the agencies in mid-December 2025, with the paper version announced for a separate post-2026 date. Public reporting confirms the plan but does not document a posted paper copy as of 2026-01-12. The completion condition—posting the paper copies on the IRS site—remains unfulfilled at this time.
Update · Jan 12, 2026, 10:09 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint press release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC indicated that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series would be released online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This establishes a sequence that first prioritizes online informational copies, with paper copies following post-date.
Status: As of January 12, 2026, there is no independently verified confirmation from IRS that the paper copies have been published on its site. The primary notification remains the joint release, which cites a post-2026-01-01 publication without documenting completion.
Dates/milestones: The key milestone is the post-January 1, 2026 posting of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions in paper form. The December 15, 2025 release provides this timeline, but no subsequent confirmation of completion is found in the cited sources.
Source reliability: The central source is a government-level joint release (DOL/IRS/PBGC), which is credible for outcomes in this policy area. Additional corroboration from IRS pages (e.g., Form 5500-Corner) supports the context but does not by itself confirm paper publication status.
Update · Jan 12, 2026, 07:39 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Public reporting from December 15, 2025 confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, with the IRS promising that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately after January 1, 2026.
As of January 11, 2026, there is no established evidence in major, high-quality outlets confirming that the paper copies have been released. The DOL release attributes the plan-filing updates to EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC, but only notes the timing for the paper copies rather than confirming completion.
Progress evidence includes the December 15, 2025 joint press release announcing online availability of informational copies and the planned post-January-1, 2026 paper release for Form 5500-EZ. There is no documented completion timestamp or product page indicating the actual availability of the paper copies by January 11, 2026.
Independent reporting echoes the timeline but does not provide a verification of completion. The reliability of the cited materials is high for the stated plan, but there remains no definitive confirmation of a completed paper release.
Official IRS postings would provide the most definitive confirmation once available, as this is a regulatory filing context with multiple agency roles.
Notes on sources indicate the core assertion originated from the December 15, 2025 EBSA/DOL release, with subsequent industry coverage reiterating the same timeline.
Update · Jan 12, 2026, 03:42 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserts that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 U.S. Department of Labor EBSA release states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. Current status as of 2026-01-11: IRS materials emphasize electronic filing and provide current forms/instructions, but no independently verifiable public notice confirms a post–January 1, 2026 paper release. Milestones: the stated completion condition is a post–January 1, 2026 release on the IRS site, with confirmation appearing first in the DOL release; no explicit IRS posting visible to date. Reliability note: The primary corroboration comes from a government press release (DOL/EBSA); IRS confirmation or a specific posting of paper copies has not been independently verified in IRS.gov materials available publicly.
Update · Jan 12, 2026, 01:42 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: In December 2025, the Department of Labor and the IRS published informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series online, including Form 5500-EZ, but specified that paper copies and the 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Primary sources corroborate this timeline (DOL EBSA release; IRS forms pages).
Current status: As of 2026-01-11, there is no publicly available IRS page or official notice confirming that the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions have been released. The completion condition remains unmet.
Reliability: The core sources are
U.S. federal agencies (DOL/EBSA and IRS). Industry outlets reiterate the timing but are secondary and corroborative.
Follow-up: Monitor the IRS for an explicit posting of the paper copies and 2025 instructions after the January 2026 date, and update when confirmed.
Update · Jan 12, 2026, 12:06 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence from the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release confirms this planned sequence for informational copies and notes that paper copies would follow post–January 1, 2026. The IRS current Form 5500-EZ guidance emphasizes electronic filing and does not itself confirm a post‑January 1, 2026 paper-release timeline, rendering the status uncertain.
Progress evidence: The DOL release documents the intent and timing for paper copies, but there is no IRS confirmation of a date beyond stating where to obtain the forms electronically. The IRS form page shows the current approach to Form 5500-EZ but does not specify a firm post‑2025 paper release date. This creates an information gap between the DOL notice and IRS-specific publication.
Current status: As of now, there is no completed status for the paper release; the information points to an anticipated post‑January 1, 2026 release, with ongoing reliance on electronic availability and official notices for filing. Without a direct IRS confirmation or a new release, the completion condition remains unmet.
Update · Jan 11, 2026, 09:47 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 cross-agency DOL release confirms the intention and timing window but does not provide a posted confirmation from the IRS. Available IRS materials describe the form and filing process but do not explicitly verify the paper-copy release date on IRS.gov as of mid-January 2026.
Update · Jan 11, 2026, 07:42 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release explicitly states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026, and that electronic/Informational copies would be released online.
Current status: As of 2026-01-11, there is no readily verifiable public IRS page confirming that paper copies have been released. IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ emphasize electronic filing requirements and provide current form/instruction PDFs, but do not show a published post-January-2026 paper-copy release. The DOL source remains the primary contemporaneous claim about the paper copies.
Milestones and dates: The key date referenced is January 1, 2026 (post-date for paper-copy release). No documented completion notice or IRS-hosted file indicating the paper copies have been posted has been identified in accessible records as of the current date.
Source reliability note: The main corroboration for the claim comes from the DOL EBSA press release, which cites collaboration with the IRS and PBGC. IRS primary materials focus on electronic filing and current forms/instructions; the absence of a public IRS paper-copy release notice reduces confirmatory ordering but does not necessarily negate the claim. In this context, the sourcing is split, and the status remains uncertain pending explicit IRS confirmation.
Update · Jan 11, 2026, 06:06 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: Federal agencies announced the availability of informational copies online for 2025 forms, including Form 5500-EZ, on December 15, 2025 (DOL EBSA press release). The same release indicated that the IRS would issue paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026, on its website.
Current status: As of January 11, 2026, there is no publicly available IRS notice or posting confirming that the paper copies have been released. Given the December 2025 notice specifying a post–January 1, 2026 release, completion cannot be affirmed at this time; the item remains pending.
Source reliability: The principal sourcing comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s EBSA press release dated December 15, 2025, which cites the IRS plan regarding paper copies. IRS pages related to Form 5500 provide context on filing methods and forms but do not show a confirmed paper-copy release date beyond the stated post–January 1, 2026 plan. Both sources are authoritative federal-agency outlets, supporting a cautious interpretation that the paper release is scheduled but not yet verified as completed.
Update · Jan 11, 2026, 03:44 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: IRS materials consistently emphasize electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ through EFAST2 and do not indicate a planned or scheduled release of paper copies for 2025 forms or instructions. The Form 5500 Corner page and the Form 5500-EZ overview note ongoing electronic filing requirements and provide guidance and PDFs of current forms and instructions, but do not announce a shift to releasing paper versions after 2026.
What remains in question: There is no public IRS notice or official update confirming a planned
post-2026 release of paper copies for Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions. Given the agency’s broader move toward electronic filing and the lack of any credible update, the claim appears not to have been fulfilled or officially initiated as of early 2026.
Dates and milestones: The IRS has highlighted electronic filing as the default for Form 5500-EZ since 2021, with no documented milestone signaling a reversal to paper distribution. The absence of any post-2026 paper copy announcement in IRS forms-pubs or retirement plans pages further supports that no completion milestone exists to date.
Reliability note: The sources consulted (IRS Form 5500 Corner and About Form 5500-EZ pages) are the primary, authoritative references for Form 5500-EZ. There is no corroborating information from high-quality outlets indicating a paper-copy release, and other outlets have not covered this specific claim. The current evidence favors electronic filing continuity over any planned paper distribution.
Update · Jan 11, 2026, 01:46 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint DOL EBSA release confirms informational online copies for 2025 forms and states the IRS will release paper copies and 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. As of 2026-01-11, there is no public confirmation of the paper copies’ release; electronic filing remains the primary method. The notice clarifies that paper copies are supplementary and advises monitoring for official electronic versions via EFAST2. Completion status remains unresolved pending IRS posting.
Update · Jan 11, 2026, 11:52 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15–17, 2025, EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC released informational online copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series and related materials. The official release notes that paper copies will be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. No final paper copies were reported as released at the current date.
Update · Jan 11, 2026, 10:01 AMin_progress
The claim stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor announced that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series would be released online, with the IRS planning to issue paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This establishes an online release of informational copies but preserves a later date for paper copies.
As of January 10, 2026, there is no publicly verifiable IRS notice confirming that the paper copies have been released on the IRS website. IRS materials discuss the form and its instructions and indicate paper copies would appear separately after January 1, 2026, but explicit confirmation of availability on IRS.gov is not evident in the materials surveyed. The available sources support the planned sequence (online informational copies now, paper copies later) but do not confirm completion of the paper-release milestone.
Key milestones include: (a) December 15, 2025 – DOL press release noting online informational copies and a separate
post-January 1, 2026 paper-copy release; (b) January 1, 2026 – referenced target date for the paper-copy release; (c) ongoing IRS updates about Form 5500-EZ and related materials. These sources reliably document the online release and the stated plan, but do not verify the paper copies have been published.
Reliability: The DOL release is the anchor for the paper-copy plan, with IRS form pages outlining current PDFs and instructions but not a clear
post-January 2026 paper-copy confirmation. Consequently, the status remains in_progress rather than complete or failed, pending explicit IRS confirmation of the paper-copy publication.
Follow-up date: 2026-02-01
Update · Jan 11, 2026, 07:43 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence to date shows that informational (online) copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series, including the 5500-EZ and related instructions, were released on December 15, 2025 by the agencies (DOL press release), with a notice that paper copies would be released separately by the IRS after January 1, 2026. This establishes a plan but does not by itself confirm completion of the paper copies. The key milestone remains the IRS posting of physical paper copies and instructions, which has not been independently verified as completed as of January 10, 2026.
Update · Jan 11, 2026, 03:43 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor, EBSA, announced that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. The release notes indicate the paper copies would appear post-2025 informational copy release. Current status: As of early January 2026, there is no explicit IRS confirmation on the posting of paper copies on IRS.gov, and no IRS page clearly documenting the paper release date. Reliability: The most authoritative statements come from the DOL EBSA release citing the IRS plan; IRS confirmation is not readily verifiable in IRS.gov pages and should be monitored for an official update.
Update · Jan 11, 2026, 01:42 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Current publicly accessible IRS sources show Form 5500-EZ and its instructions are available through the IRS website and related retirement-plan pages, with no clear indication of a separate
post-January 1, 2026 release of physical paper copies on the site. There is no notice or press release from the IRS confirming such a staggered or post-2026 release of paper copies specifically for 2025 materials.
Evidence suggests ongoing availability of Form 5500-EZ and instructions in digital format (PDFs) via the IRS; ongoing updates to retirement forms and publications are listed on the IRS retirement plans pages (e.g., Form 5500-EZ information, instruction PDFs, and
the Form 5500 Corner). There is no corroborating record of a dedicated “paper copies” release dated after 2026-01-01. If the claim referenced a separate print-on-demand or non-digital release, this has not been evidenced in the primary IRS channels reviewed.
Notes on reliability: IRS.gov is the authoritative source for form availability and instructions; however, the absence of any explicit IRS confirmation about a
post-2026 paper-copy release suggests the claim may be based on a misreading or misstatement of how forms are distributed (digital-first with optional printed copies). The sources consulted (IRS forms pages and the Form 5500 Corner) provide current digital access but do not document a distinct
after-2026 paper-release event.
Dates and milestones: No published date beyond 2026-01-01 is identified for a separate paper-copy release. The IRS consistently provides online access to Form 5500-EZ and its instructions, with periodic updates to related forms and publications (e.g., 2025/2026 references on IRS retirement plans pages). Reliability of the cited sources is high when discussing form availability; the specific print-release claim lacks corroboration.
Overall assessment: based on current publicly available information, there is no evidence that a separate post-2026 paper-copy release of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions occurred. The situation appears to remain digital-access driven, with paper copies available only through traditional ordering or printing from available PDFs if needed.
Update · Jan 10, 2026, 11:50 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence available as of 2026-01-10 shows the IRS continuing to provide Form 5500-EZ materials primarily in electronic form, with online access to current forms and instructions and no explicit notice of new paper copies being posted after 2026. The IRS page for About Form 5500-EZ confirms electronic filing as the default path and notes related filing requirements, but does not document a post-2025 paper release schedule. There is no public IRS indication that paper versions for 2025 would be released after the stated date.
Progress indicators: The IRS maintains and updates Form 5500-EZ materials on its website, including PDFs of the form and instructions, and highlights electronic filing through EFAST2. The absence of a dated announcement or posted 2025 paper form PDF after January 1, 2026 suggests no completed paper-release has occurred to date. Filing notices and the Form 5500 Corner pages emphasize electronic filing, with no clear milestone announcing a separate paper distribution for 2025. Recent IRS pages show continued prioritization of electronic filing rather than publishing new paper copies.
Reliability of sources: Primary IRS sources (About Form 5500-EZ and Form 5500 Corner pages) are used to gauge current filing methods and available formats. These sources are authoritative for tax forms and instructions, and their content aligns with the ongoing emphasis on electronic filing since 2021. No independent or high-quality secondary source documents a 2025 paper release, and no credible outlet has reported such a development, reducing the likelihood that a late paper release occurred without notice.
Conclusion: Based on publicly available IRS materials as of 2026-01-10, there is no evidence that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions have been released on the IRS website. The claim remains unconfirmed and, given the IRS’s continued emphasis on electronic filing, is unlikely to reflect a completed action unless a formal IRS update is issued.
Update · Jan 10, 2026, 09:46 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The DOL EBSA press release from December 15, 2025 notes that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, and states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. This establishes online availability and a separate
post-2026 paper-copy timeline.
Current status as of 2026-01-10: There is no publicly documented publication of the paper copies on the IRS website by January 10, 2026. Industry recaps reiterate the post-2026 timing but do not show a completed release date.
Completion assessment: The stated completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions released on the IRS site—remains unmet based on available public records through 2026-01-10.
Source reliability: The principal source is the federal DOL press release (primary government source). IRS forms and instructions are referenced, but direct confirmation of the paper copy release would require IRS publication on paper copies.
Update · Jan 10, 2026, 07:41 PMin_progress
Restatement of the claim: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The Department of Labor (DOL), in a December 15, 2025 news release, stated that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions would be posted online, and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This confirms online availability but specifies a delayed release for the paper version.
Current status as of 2026-01-10: There is no public IRS notice or update confirming that the paper copies have been released. Multiple official and reputable industry summaries cite the DOL release and reiterate the stated post–January 1, 2026 timeline for paper copies, but do not show evidence of actual posting to IRS.gov or other IRS channels by that date.
Dates and milestones: The DOL release is dated December 15, 2025 and references a post–January 1, 2026 release of paper Form 5500-EZ copies. The IRS forms page shows current online PDFs and instructions as of late 2025, but does not document a separate paper-copy release. Reliability note: The primary and most authoritative source for the claim is the DOL news release, which is an official government source. IRS pages corroborate the existence of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions but do not confirm the paper-copy release date.
Update · Jan 10, 2026, 06:05 PMin_progress
Brief restatement of the claim: A DOL-EBSA/IRS coordination notice stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The December 2025 cross-agency release and subsequent industry reporting noted the intention for a post–1/1/2026 paper release. As of 2026-01-10, there is no widely publicized IRS confirmation of actual paper copies being released.
Assessment of completion status: No verifiable public record shows the paper copies were released by the IRS by 2026-01-10. IRS materials online emphasize electronic filing where required and provide current-year instructions; no explicit post–1/1/2026 paper release notice is evident on primary IRS pages in the available sources.
Dates and milestones: The target was December 2025/January 2026 per the notice. The lack of a documented IRS release by 2026-01-10 leaves the completion status as in_progress, pending official confirmation.
Source reliability and caveats: The strongest corroboration comes from PLANADVISER reporting summarizing the DOL/IRS notice; primary IRS pages describe Form 5500-EZ content and filing options but do not confirm a paper release. Given the absence of formal IRS confirmation, treat the status as tentative and subject to official update.
Update · Jan 10, 2026, 03:43 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. There is no public record indicating those paper copies were available as of January 10, 2026.
Current status: As of 2026-01-10, the paper copies had not been publicly released on the IRS website, based on official statements and reporting. The absence of a formal completion notice or updated IRS materials suggests the release remains pending.
Milestones and dates: The key milestone is January 1, 2026, after which the IRS planned to post paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions. No confirmed completion has been identified in IRS or EBSA communications to date.
Source reliability: The primary confirmation comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s EBSA release (Dec 15, 2025), which cites the IRS plan. Industry outlets corroborate the plan, but none report a completed release by 2026-01-10. Overall, sources are reputable and consistent; completion remains unmet as of the date analyzed.
Update · Jan 10, 2026, 01:46 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence: The December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) stated the intention to release paper copies after January 1, 2026, with IRS and PBGC involvement; no post as of January 10, 2026 shows the paper copies online. Completion status: The paper copies have not been publicly posted by the given date, so the task remains in_progress or potentially delayed. The press release also directs filers to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions and notes 2025 form/instruction updates. Reliability: The primary source is a
U.S. federal government release, which is credible for this topic; secondary coverage confirms the claim but does not establish completion. Overall assessment: The claim is not yet completed as of the current date, with official posting still outstanding.
Update · Jan 10, 2026, 11:59 AMin_progress
Restatement of claim: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) indicated the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Additional IRS-facing materials emphasize electronic filing and current PDFs, with no clear confirmation that physical paper copies had been published by January 2026. Completion status: As of January 10, 2026, there is no publicly available IRS notice confirming the release of physical paper copies; the milestone remains unconfirmed and unresolved. Reliability note: The corroboration primarily rests on the DOL press release; IRS guidance centers on electronic filing and existing PDF instructions, suggesting the paper-copy action has not yet materialized.
Update · Jan 10, 2026, 09:52 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms that informational copies for 2025 were posted online, while the paper forms were described as to be released separately after the specified date. There is no public confirmation that the paper copies were posted by early January 2026, indicating the status remained in_progress as of 2026-01-09. The primary source is a government press release, with trade outlets corroborating the timing, but none verifying completion of the paper release.
Update · Jan 10, 2026, 07:49 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions for the form on its website after January 1, 2026. Current status: As of 2026-01-09 there is no IRS confirmation of the paper copies’ posting; available sources indicate the plan but not completion. Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 Department of Labor press release confirms the intent to publish paper copies after 1/1/2026 and notes that informational copies of the 5500 forms are online, with paper copies to follow. Reliability of sources: The DOL release is a primary source establishing the plan, while IRS guidance emphasizes electronic filing; no definitive IRS posting of the paper copies has been verified in the provided checks.
Update · Jan 10, 2026, 05:07 AMin_progress
The claim stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. Public IRS materials emphasize electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ and do not indicate a planned or completed release of new paper copies for 2025 beyond existing printed forms where applicable.
Evidence shows a strong, ongoing shift toward mandatory electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ, including guidance that electronic filing is required for many plan years beginning after January 1, 2024. There is no publicly documented schedule for distributing new 2025 paper forms after 2026.
IRS pages related to Form 5500-EZ and retirement plan forms continue to frame access through online and printable options, but they do not announce a new
post-2026 paper release for 2025 forms. The absence of a formal completion statement suggests the claim has not been completed.
Reliability assessment: sources are official IRS pages and guidance, which consistently emphasize electronic filing and online access. The lack of an explicit paper-release announcement implies the claim remains unverified as completed and aligns with the ongoing electronic filing transition.
Update · Jan 10, 2026, 01:57 AMin_progress
Brief restatement of the claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence from the December 15, 2025 joint DOL-IRS-PBGC release confirms the intended timing but does not provide a published IRS confirmation of the post-date release. As of 2026-01-09, public records show no IRS posting confirming the actual paper-copy publication.
Evidence of progress: The DOL EBSA release (Dec 15, 2025) explicitly notes that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions would be available after January 1, 2026 on the IRS site. IRS materials around late 2025 emphasize electronic filing and online resources rather than a paper release.
Completion status: The completion condition—paper copies released on the IRS website—has not been publicly confirmed as completed by the IRS by 2026-01-09. The available official statements indicate the timing, but a post-date publication has not been verifiably documented.
Reliability note: The most authoritative confirmation comes from the DOL press release, which cites the joint release and dates. IRS pages referenced in late 2025 discuss Form 5500-EZ generally but do not confirm the paper-copy release date, making the claim contingent on an IRS update.
Overall assessment: The claim remains in_progress pending an explicit IRS confirmation of the paper-copy publication after January 1, 2026.
Synthesis: Until the IRS issues a formal posting confirming the paper copies are available, the status should be treated as not yet completed but on track according to the coordinating agencies (DOL/IRS/PBGC).
Update · Jan 10, 2026, 12:09 AMin_progress
The claim asserts that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. This was communicated in December 2025 as part of a coordinated notice from the Department of Labor (EBSA) and the IRS, indicating a planned post-2025 release. As of January 9, 2026, there is no independently verifiable confirmation that the paper copies have been released on the IRS website yet. Available sources describe the intention and timing but do not confirm completion.
Scheduled follow-up · Jan 10, 2026overdue
Update · Jan 09, 2026, 10:15 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 EBSA release frames this as a post‑January 1, 2026 publication milestone, establishing the intended timeline for paper copies; this is an announced plan rather than a fulfilled action as of early January 2026.
Current status: There is no public confirmation as of 2026-01-09 that the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies and instructions have been posted on the IRS site. The forms and instructions remain available in electronic form and via print channels, but the specific post‑2026 release has not been independently verified.
Milestones and dates: The completion condition is the posting of paper copies after January 1, 2026; no published completion notice has been identified by early February 2026. The source document for the milestone is the EBSA release dated December 15, 2025.
Source reliability and limitations: The primary assertion comes from a government release (EBSA/DOL). While credible, it describes a planned action rather than a documented completion, and corroborating evidence for the actual posting on the IRS site is not yet visible.
Update · Jan 09, 2026, 07:48 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 joint release by the Department of Labor's EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC confirms that informational copies for the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and that paper copies of Form 5500‑EZ and its instructions will be provided on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. As of January 9, 2026, there is no public evidence in the cited materials of the actual paper copies having been published yet; the schedule remains contingent on the post‑January 1, 2026 release. The reporting agencies also advise monitoring the EFAST2 process for official electronic filings rather than relying on informational copies for filing. The reliability of the sources is high for official agency notices, but the specific post‑January 1, 2026 publication of paper copies has not been independently verified beyond the agencies’ statement.
Update · Jan 09, 2026, 06:16 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC confirms that paper copies will be released after January 1, 2026, and notes that informational copies for 2025 are online for reference. It also directs filers to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic filing access.
Additional milestones: EFAST2 indicates electronic versions of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, and Form 5500-EZ were released for filing as of January 1, 2026, showing ongoing digital delivery ahead of any paper distribution.
Considerations on reliability: The primary corroboration comes from the official DOL EBSA press release, a high-quality government source. Supplemental context from EFAST2 provides a contemporaneous filing milestone for 2025 forms, though it does not replace the paper-copy disclosure.
Current status: There is no public evidence as of 2026-01-09 that the IRS has posted or mailed the paper copies, so the claim remains in_progress pending the
post-January 1, 2026 paper release.
Sourcing note: Key sources include the DOL EBSA news release (12/15/2025), the EFAST2 system pages, and IRS form pages for context on 2025 forms.
Update · Jan 09, 2026, 03:53 PMin_progress
The claim stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This was reported by the Department of Labor’s EBSA in a December 15, 2025 release, which framed the action as forthcoming after the start of 2026. The claim is therefore a pending action rather than a completed one as of January 9, 2026 (the current date).
The available progress evidence indicates that the IRS signaled an intention to publish paper copies post-January 1, 2026. The EBSA announcement explicitly notes that the paper copies and 2025 instructions would appear separately on the IRS website after that date. There is no independent confirmation of a completed release in early January 2026 from primary IRS publication pages.
As of the current date, no IRS-facing notice or update explicitly confirms that the paper copies have been released. IRS materials from 2025 emphasize electronic filing requirements for Form 5500-EZ and provide current versions of forms and instructions, but do not document a
post-2026 paper publication. This lack of corroboration from IRS pages supports the interpretation that the release remains pending.
The claim’s potential impact concerns sponsors of one-participant plans who rely on paper copies for 2025 forms and instructions. If released, the paper copies would complete the information package alongside the electronically submitted forms, though the regulatory framework increasingly prioritizes electronic filing. The information available suggests a planned but not yet completed action.
Source reliability varies: the EBSA press release (DOL) provides the most explicit statement about the planned release timeline, while IRS pages offer context on current filing methods but do not confirm a post-2026 paper publication. Given the absence of a formal IRS confirmation by January 9, 2026, the claim remains unverified as completed. Overall, the status is best characterized as in_progress.
Update · Jan 09, 2026, 01:52 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint press release from the Department of Labor (EBSA), IRS, and PBGC states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released on the IRS site after Jan. 1, 2026.
Current status: By January 9, 2026, there is no widely cited IRS page confirming the actual posting of the paper Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions. IRS materials discuss filing options but do not show a definitive post‑Jan 1, 2026 release confirmation in accessible pages consulted.
Milestones and dates: The milestone is the post‑2026-01-01 publication on the IRS site. Completion would occur when the paper form and instructions are posted. The DOL release remains the primary public signal; IRS confirmation appears pending in public records reviewed.
Source reliability note: The central claim originates from official government agencies (DOL/IRS/PBGC), a high-quality source. The absence of updated IRS confirmation suggests the status is uncertain rather than completed.
Update · Jan 09, 2026, 12:07 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint notice from the DOL, IRS, and PBGC indicated that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, with paper copies and instructions to be posted separately after January 1, 2026. As of January 9, 2026, no public record confirms the paper copies have been released on the IRS site; IRS retirement forms pages do not show a completed paper version yet. Reliability note: The main confirmations come from the joint agency notice and subsequent industry reporting; lack of IRS-page confirmation suggests ongoing completion.
Update · Jan 09, 2026, 10:04 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The December 2025 DOL EBSA press release indicates that informational copies for the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, while stating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions would be released separately by the IRS after January 1, 2026. This establishes a two-track release plan, with the paper copies pending post‑Jan. 1, 2026.
Current status: As of early January 2026, there is no confirmed report in the cited materials that the IRS has published the paper copies yet. Public industry coverage reiterates the plan but does not document a completed release. The available sources thus describe the milestone as anticipated rather than completed.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the post‑January 1, 2026 release date for paper Form 5500-EZ and its instructions, as per the DOL release. The January 8, 2026 date falls within the window where completion would be expected if the IRS followed through on the stated plan.
Reliability note: Primary confirmation comes from the DOL press release (a reputable federal agency) and multiple industry outlets summarizing the same plan. The IRS page itself is not shown in the cited materials confirming the completion, so the claim remains unconfirmed as completed as of the date analyzed.
Update · Jan 09, 2026, 07:45 AMin_progress
Restatement of claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor EBSA press release confirms that informational copies were released online and that the IRS would release paper copies after January 1, 2026. Dates and milestones: The release notes the post–January 1, 2026 timeline for paper copies; electronic filing via EFAST2 for Form 5500-EZ began earlier, in 2025. Completion status: As of early January 2026, there is no public confirmation that the IRS has posted physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions, suggesting the status remains unresolved. Reliability note: The primary confirmation comes from a federal agency press release; additional industry outlets echo the claim but do not independently verify actual release. Overall assessment: The claim is currently unconfirmed as completed; progress appears to be ongoing with no published completion announcement.
Update · Jan 09, 2026, 04:35 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: public notices from December 2025 indicated that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026, but no final posting date is shown in early January 2026. Status nuance: IRS guidance remains focused on form availability and electronic filing where applicable, while the specific 2025 paper copies’ posting date remains unconfirmed. Completion condition: The advertised milestone has not been independently verified as completed as of 2026-01-08. Ambiguity persists due to lack of a post-date confirmation from IRS. Reliability: The cited sources (DOL EBSA release and IRS form materials) are credible, but the absence of a posted completion update undermines a firm completion classification.
Update · Jan 09, 2026, 03:21 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. As of January 8, 2026, there is no public IRS notice or confirmation that such a paper copy release has occurred. The IRS continues to emphasize electronic filing as the primary method for Form 5500-EZ (with paper filing still allowed only in specific cases), and there is no credible IRS announcement about a post–Jan 1, 2026 release of paper forms or separate 2025 instructions on the IRS website. The available IRS guidance points to current filing options and the continued use of electronically submitted forms for most filers (EFAST2).
Update · Jan 09, 2026, 12:50 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: As of January 8, 2026, primary sources indicate the plan to release paper copies was contingent on a
post-January 1, 2026 timeline. The DOL EBSA release (Dec 15, 2025) reiterates the plan but does not confirm publication of paper copies by the IRS at that time. Industry coverage notes the intended
post-2026 release but does not document completion.
Completion status: There is no verifiable evidence by the cutoff date that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions were published on the IRS website. Public IRS pages emphasize electronic filing and online access for Form 5500-EZ, with no explicit post–Jan 1, 2026 paper-copy publication confirmation available publicly at this time. Industry outlets recap the announcement but do not prove completion.
Dates and milestones: The source statement assigning a
post-January 1, 2026 release appears in the DOL EBSA press material dated December 15, 2025. No documented IRS posting or PDF publication for 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies is found through early January 2026 in the cited sources. Milestones beyond the initial announcement remain unverified.
Source reliability note: The most authoritative reference is the DOL EBSA release (official government agency). IRS pages provide current guidance on Form 5500-EZ availability and filing methods but do not confirm the specific paper-copy publication date. Given the lack of a definitive IRS publication by the date in question, the status remains best characterized as in_progress.
Update · Jan 08, 2026, 10:07 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence shows that informational copies for the 2025
Form 5500 series were published online by the agencies on December 15, 2025, with the IRS Form 5500-EZ identified among the materials (DOL EBSA release 25-1517-NAT). The DOL press release notes that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Other outlets summarized this timing as “after Jan. 1, 2026” but have not provided evidence of actual paper release as of early January 2026. The completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on the IRS site—has not been met by January 8, 2026, based on available official notices and subsequent reporting.
Update · Jan 08, 2026, 07:59 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: Current IRS pages indicate ongoing updates to Form 5500-EZ (including electronic filing requirements and available publications), with notes that many filers file electronically via EFAST2 and that paper filings remain possible only in certain historical or hardship circumstances; there is no clear IRS notice or page confirming the release of 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies after Jan 1, 2026.
Evidence of completion or status: No documented completion as of 2026-01-08. The IRS’s Form 5500-EZ guidance emphasizes electronic filing and provides current revisions and accessible PDFs, but does not announce a separate
post-2026 paper-copy release for 2025 forms/instructions. This suggests the stated paper-copy release has not been publicly completed or confirmed.
Dates and milestones: The most relevant public references show updates to Form 5500-EZ guidance through 2025, with the 2025 materials appearing in current-year pages and the form still described as electronically filed; no milestone indicating post-2026 paper copies exists in the retrieved sources. Reliability note: IRS pages are official but primarily describe electronic filing and current revisions; absence of an explicit post-January-2026 paper-copy notice weakens support for the claim.
Update · Jan 08, 2026, 06:13 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, and explicitly states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This provides a clear milestone tied to the IRS release after the date in question.
Current status: As of January 8, 2026, there is no widely reported, independently verifiable IRS web page or official IRS notice confirming that the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions have been posted. Industry outlets (trade press) reiterate the expectation that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026, but they do not constitute formal confirmation from the IRS itself.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the anticipated post–January 1, 2026 release on the IRS site as noted by the DOL release. No subsequent IRS confirmation of completion has been identified in the available sources consulted by this report.
Reliability of sources: Primary confirmation would require an IRS posting or notice. The best-established reference here is the DOL EBSA press release (12/15/2025) which accurately conveys the intended IRS action and cites the institutional collaboration. Trade outlets aggregating the statement provide corroboration of the expectation but are secondary sources. Overall, the core claim rests on a reliable primary source (DOL) predicting a future IRS action, with current verification pending a direct IRS update.
Update · Jan 08, 2026, 03:49 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The Department of Labor press release dated December 15, 2025 confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions were posted online, and notes the IRS’s plan to release paper copies after January 1, 2026 (DOL 2025-12-15).
Current status vs. completion: As of January 8, 2026 there is no public IRS notice confirming that the paper copies have been released on IRS.gov, so completion is not yet verifiable (IRS.gov; DOL 2025-12-15).
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the stated after-January-1, 2026 release for paper copies; electronic and informational copies were already posted December 15, 2025 (DOL 2025-12-15).
Reliability note: The primary confirmation comes from a U.S. Department of Labor press release aggregating information from the IRS; IRS.gov pages describe Form 5500-EZ formats but do not publicly confirm the paper-copy release by the date checked (IRS.gov; DOL 2025-12-15).
Overall assessment: Status remains in_progress given the lack of independent public IRS confirmation of the paper-copy release by 2026-01-08.
Update · Jan 08, 2026, 01:52 PMfailed
What the claim stated: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This asserted a post-2025, paper-based publication step for Form 5500-EZ materials.
Evidence of progress: Public IRS guidance indicates ongoing emphasis on electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ. The IRS notes mandatory electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2024 (where applicable), with paper filing remaining only for filers not subject to the electronic-filing requirement. See IRS pages on 5500-EZ and the mandatory electronic filing rule (e.g., Form 5500-EZ instructions and the “Mandatory electronic filing” guidance).
Evidence about completion status: There is no IRS publication or official notice indicating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions were released after January 1, 2026. In fact, the available IRS materials emphasize electronic filing and provide paper options only in specific, limited scenarios (not as a routine post-2025 release). No verifiable source confirms a completed paper release.
Dates and milestones: The relevant milestones show a shift to electronic filing starting in 2024 for eligible returns, with paper filing still described as allowed only for filers not subject to mandatory electronic filing. No milestone confirms a 2026 paper-release for Form 5500-EZ materials. Key sources include the IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ (About Form 5500-EZ) and the Mandatory Electronic Filing guidance.
Source reliability note: The analysis relies on official IRS pages and instructions (irs.gov) which are primary, authoritative sources for Form 5500-EZ filing requirements. These sources consistently emphasize electronic filing and do not indicate a forthcoming general publication of paper copies post-2025. The sources are considered high quality for this topic; no high-quality, independent reporting identifies a completed paper release.
Update · Jan 08, 2026, 12:03 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: Public IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ and retirement plan forms provide current-year information, filing requirements, and instructions but do not show a confirmed post–January 1, 2026 release of paper copies for Form 5500-EZ (2025) or its instructions. Several industry outlets have echoed the same timeline, but none provide an IRS-confirmed publication date or PDF after January 1, 2026.
Completion status: There is no official IRS notice or dated paper-copy release for 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions as of 2026-01-08, leaving the completion condition unverified and the status ambiguous.
Reliability note: The IRS site is the primary, most reliable source for Form 5500-EZ information; industry summaries can help track the claim but should be weighed against official IRS publications. No independent confirmation outside IRS materials is evident in the current records.
Update · Jan 08, 2026, 09:57 AMfailed
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: As of 2026-01-07, there is no publicly verifiable IRS notice or IRS.gov page confirming the specific release of separate paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. The IRS continues to provide Form 5500-EZ materials primarily via electronic forms and PDFs on its retirement plans pages, and allows paper filing as an option in certain cases, but no explicit post-January 1, 2026 release of separate paper copies has been documented on official IRS channels (IRS Form 5500 corner and retirement plan forms pages; DOL reporting confirms the historical paper filing option but not a new separate release).
Completion status: The stated completion condition (paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions released on the IRS website) appears not to have been publicly fulfilled by January 7, 2026, based on available official sources. No official IRS post-2026-01-01 release notice has been located to date.
Dates and milestones: The source reference cites a Department of Labor release dated 2025-12-15 stating the releases would occur after January 1, 2026. The absence of a corroborating IRS publication or notice by 2026-01-07 implies the milestone has not been publicly realized or disclosed on IRS channels yet. The continuing availability of Form 5500-EZ materials on IRS sites remains consistent with prior practice; no new
post-1/1/2026 paper-release milestone is visible.
Source reliability note: Primary corroborating sources include the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA) press release and the Internal Revenue Service’s own retirement-plan/form pages. The IRS materials consistently describe electronic filing options and paper filing allowances where applicable, but do not show a specific
post-2026-01-01 release of separate paper copies. These sources are considered reliable for regulatory and procedural details; none indicate the promised paper-copy release has occurred.
Update · Jan 08, 2026, 07:51 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ for 2025 and its instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: Public notices in December 2025 (DOL EBSA release) and industry coverage (
Ascensus, PlanSponsor) reiterated the plan to publish paper copies after the start of 2026.
Current status: As of early January 2026, no definitive IRS posting of the paper copies appears in primary IRS pages; the communications indicate a future release but verification of completion is not established.
Dates and milestones: The stated milestone is posting after January 1, 2026; there is no confirmed completion date beyond that, and monitoring is needed to confirm posting.
Source reliability: Primary confirmations come from the DOL/EBSA release and industry outlets; IRS pages exist but have not independently confirmed the posting date in this snapshot. These sources are typically credible for this topic, but timing specifics should be verified against the IRS site.
Update · Jan 08, 2026, 03:58 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: IRS guidance emphasizes electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ, including the EFAST2 system and instructions that electronic submission is required or preferred for many filers; these materials highlight current formats and online availability rather than a new post-2025 paper publication (IRS forms and publications pages).
Evidence of status: There is no official IRS notice confirming a separate post–Jan 1, 2026 release of paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions. Available materials in early 2026 focus on electronic filing requirements and the continued availability of printed forms by request, with no stated post-2025 paper publication date.
Dates and milestones: No dated commitment to publish new paper copies after 2025 is found. Primary materials reference electronic filing requirements and current form availability, not a scheduled post-2025 paper publication.
Reliability of sources: The analysis relies on IRS official pages (About Form 5500-EZ, Form 5500 Corner, retirement plan forms and publications, and instruction PDFs), which are authoritative for filing requirements and form availability; these sources provide no corroborating evidence of a post–2025 paper publication.
Update · Jan 08, 2026, 01:53 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS promised to release paper copies (PDF/plain copies) of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence to progress: IRS materials indicate ongoing updates to Form 5500-EZ materials, with November 2025 notes on the Form 5500-EZ overview page confirming current revision status and references to 2025 materials (PDFs and instructions) on the IRS site. IRS forms portals show 5500-EZ materials exist in PDF form (e.g., 2024 instructions) and are maintained for download, suggesting continued material availability rather than a discrete new 2025 paper-copy release.
Progress status: There is no explicit, verifiable IRS announcement or dated filing confirming a separate 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copy release after 2026-01-01 in the sources consulted. The completion condition cannot be definitively confirmed as met; the matter remains in_progress pending a clear IRS update.
Dates and milestones: The source metadata cites a 2025-12-15 article date; IRS pages show ongoing revision status and availability of 5500-EZ PDFs, with 2025 materials referenced but without a clearly labeled
post-2026 paper-copy release date.
Source reliability: IRS.gov is the authoritative source for Form 5500-EZ materials; cited pages include the Form 5500-EZ overview and the retirement plans forms/instructions hub. Some third-party pages summarize filing expectations but are not primary sources. The absence of a specific dated IRS release for the 2025 paper copies reduces certainty about the claimed milestone.
Update · Jan 08, 2026, 12:04 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA) confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500-series were released online, and explicitly states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would be released on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Industry outlets reported the same sequence of events, citing the same DOL/IRS coordination.
Current status: As of January 7, 2026, there is no publicly available confirmation that the IRS has posted the paper copies for Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions. The completion condition—paper copies posted on the IRS site—remains unconfirmed in the sources reviewed, so the effort appears to be ongoing.
Dates and milestones: The December 15, 2025 notice anchors the planned timing, with the January 1, 2026 threshold for the IRS posting. No IRS-posted date beyond that threshold is documented in the materials checked. The information is drawn from official government sources and industry coverage that cites the same timeline.
Reliability note: The primary source is the official DOL EBSA release, which is a credible government document, corroborated by multiple trade coverage. While highly reliable for intended timing, there is no independent IRS confirmation of the exact posting date in the materials evaluated.
Update · Jan 07, 2026, 10:15 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence to date shows that informational copies for 2025 were released online on December 15, 2025, with a clear note that paper copies would be posted separately after January 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA release 25-1517-NAT). There is no widely reported confirmation that the paper copies have appeared on the IRS site as of early January 2026. The DOL notice confirms progress on online information, while the paper-copy timeline remains contingent on IRS posting after the stated date. Milestones include the December 15, 2025 release of informational copies and the post–January 1, 2026 plan to publish paper copies. Reliability is mixed but stems from official government notices and IRS information about Form 5500-EZ; cross-checks with multiple outlets corroborate the timeline, though official IRS posting remains the definitive milestone.
Update · Jan 07, 2026, 07:58 PMin_progress
Claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Evidence indicates that informational copies for 2025 were released online by the agencies in December 2025, with a separate paper copy release anticipated
post–2026. As of 2026-01-07, there is no public evidence in primary sources confirming the actual availability of printed paper copies; the published notices referenced a planned post–2026-01-01 release. The status remains in_progress pending confirmation of the physical paper distribution by the IRS.
Update · Jan 07, 2026, 06:12 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The IRS maintains a Form 5500 Corner page and retirement plan forms repository that indicate Form 5500-EZ remains available in paper form where elective (not subject to mandatory electronic filing) and that electronic filing is mandatory for many related returns. The official guidance also documents that Form 5500-EZ instructions exist (Rev. 2023) and that electronic filing requirements were clarified as of 2024–2025 (e.g., mandatory electronic filing for certain forms). These sources show ongoing availability of both paper options and electronic filing, but they do not confirm a distinct post‑Jan 1, 2026 release of separate “paper copies” on the IRS site.
Completion status: No evidence found of a specific IRS announcement or release event after Jan 1, 2026 explicitly delivering new separate paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions. Existing IRS pages indicate PDFs and paper forms can still be accessed, but they do not corroborate a new, post‑2026 release as described in the claim. Therefore, the completion condition as stated (a post‑2026 separate release) appears not yet fulfilled or documented.
Dates and milestones: The relevant conduct began with guidance noting electronic filing requirements for Form 5500-EZ and related forms (2024–2025), and the ongoing availability of Form 5500‑EZ paper forms where permitted. The materials reviewed include IRS Form 5500 Corner, About Form 5500-EZ, and the mandatory electronic filing guidance, which are primary sources for filing requirements and form availability. No milestone indicating a January 2026 separate “paper copies release” was found.
Reliability of sources: All cited material comes from official IRS pages (IRS.gov), including
the Form 5500 Corner, About Form 5500-EZ, and the mandatory electronic filing guidance, which are primary sources for filing requirements and form availability. These sources are reliable for current filing rules, though they do not support the specific post‑2026 release claim. No low‑quality outlets were used.
Update · Jan 07, 2026, 03:47 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor (EBSA), IRS, and PBGC stated that informational copies would be released online and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This establishes a planned sequence and timing rather than a finalized delivery.
Completion status: As of January 7, 2026, there is no clearly visible official confirmation in IRS communications that the paper copies have been published on the IRS website. Primary sources (DOL news release and IRS form pages) indicate the promise and timing but do not show a generated PDF or landing page for the paper copies at IRS.gov publicly available by that date.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone was January 1, 2026 (target for releasing paper copies). The DOL release was dated December 15, 2025, signaling the plan; subsequent verification would require IRS site availability or a contemporaneous agency notice confirming publication.
Source reliability: The principal sources are official government outlets (DOL EBSA press release; IRS form pages). DOL’s notice is credible as a joint release with the IRS and PBGC, but a lack of a direct IRS confirmation or a hosted IRS PDF by early January 2026 introduces some uncertainty about complete delivery at that exact time.
Note on ambiguity: Information is interpreted from official notices and routine publication practices; without explicit IRS publication as of the date checked, the status remains uncertain and reasonably described as in_progress.
Update · Jan 07, 2026, 01:52 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor notice confirms that the IRS planned to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026, and that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were published online.
Status and completion: As of 2026-01-07 there is no public confirmation from the IRS that the paper copies were released; the claim remains unverified and therefore in_progress.
Milestones and dates: The DOL notice (Dec 15, 2025) marks the announced
post-1/1/2026 paper release plan; no subsequent dated milestone confirms completion.
Reliability note: The DOL release is a government source indicating intent; IRS confirmation of actual paper release timing is not present in the cited materials, so the claim’s completion cannot be affirmed.
Update · Jan 07, 2026, 11:56 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, EBSA, jointly with the IRS and PBGC, released informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series and stated that paper copies would be released by the IRS after January 1, 2026. The IRS has published 2025 informational copies online and continues to direct filers to use electronic filing through EFAST2 for official submissions. Completion condition: Paper copies have not yet been released as of the current date; the stated
post-January 1, 2026 rollout remains pending.
Update · Jan 07, 2026, 09:58 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: There is no official IRS confirmation that such a
post-2026 paper release occurred. Primary IRS guidance on Form 5500-EZ and related publications centers on online filing, current forms, and 2025 materials, with no explicit post-2026 paper release notice.
Status of completion: As of 2026-01-06, there is no verifiable evidence that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or the 2025 instructions have been published on the IRS site. Industry newsletters repeat the claim but rely on secondary sources; none provide an IRS-confirmed completion.
Dates and milestones: The claim anchors the action to January 1, 2026, but no IRS milestone announcing a paper release has been identified. IRS pages for 2025 materials do not indicate a forthcoming post-2025 paper version.
Source reliability note: Primary sources (irs.gov) focus on electronic filing and current online forms, with no official post-2025 paper release notice. Secondary outlets have echoed the claim but lack IRS corroboration, so their reports are treated cautiously.
Update · Jan 07, 2026, 07:56 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The 2025 form release and related notices were publicly announced by the agencies, with explicit language about
post-January 1, 2026 paper copies (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15).
Update · Jan 07, 2026, 04:15 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 joint press release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) and the IRS notes that informational copies for the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. The DOL release also highlights that filing for Form 5500-EZ (and related forms) can be done electronically via EFAST2, with paper filing permissible for certain cases.
Current status: As of 2026-01-06, there is no clear, publicly verifiable confirmation that the IRS has already posted or mailed paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions. The available official notices indicate an expected post–January 1, 2026 release on the IRS site, but do not document completion.
Dates and milestones: Key dates include December 15, 2025 (DOL/IRS release announcing online informational copies and the
post-1/1/2026 paper copies), and January 1, 2026 (target date referenced for the IRS paper copies to appear). The IRS continues to direct filers to eFAST2 for electronic filing while allowing paper filing for eligible plans, per the DOL guidance.
Reliability of sources: Primary sources are official government entities (DOL EBSA press release, IRS guidance pages) and the EFAST2 system. These are high-quality, official sources. No indication from these sources confirms immediate availability of paper copies as of early January 2026.
Update · Jan 07, 2026, 02:00 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor EBSA notice and multiple industry outlets communicated this plan with the stated timing. As of 2026-01-06, no IRS.gov link confirming the actual posting of the paper copies could be verified from primary agency pages.
Evidence of progress: December 2025 announcements from EBSA and coverage in retirement-plan press indicate the plan is moving toward post-2025 publication, with January 1, 2026 identified as the threshold for release. The reporting references the IRS providing paper copies and online availability after that date, aligning with the stated timeline.
Evidence of completion status: No definitive primary-source IRS posting accessible by early January 2026 confirming the publication of the paper copies or the exact location on IRS.gov. Industry summaries rely on the same statements and do not demonstrate a completed posting.
Milestones and dates: Key milestone is January 1, 2026, after which the paper copies and 2025 instructions were to be released on the IRS website. The absence of a verifiable IRS URL or PDF as of the date reviewed leaves completion status inconclusive.
Source reliability note: Core claims originate from the DOL EBSA release and corroborating retirement-benefits press coverage; these sources are reliable for regulatory updates but require direct IRS.gov confirmation for completion.
Update · Jan 07, 2026, 12:50 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This followed
the December 15, 2025 EBSA notice indicating that the 2025 informational copies, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, would be released online, with paper copies to be provided separately after the start of 2026. Evidence suggests the plan was to separate online informational copies from physical paper copies and to publish the latter post‑Jan 1, 2026 (as reported by DOL/EBSA and industry outlets).
Update · Jan 06, 2026, 10:29 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the DOL EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC states that informational copies for 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and that paper copies would be posted separately on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026; industry outlets repeated this timeline.
Current status: As of early January 2026 there is no independently verifiable IRS posting confirming the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copy and its instructions on the IRS website; completion cannot be confirmed from publicly available notices.
Dates and milestones: The key date is January 1, 2026 for the anticipated IRS posting; the Dec 15, 2025 release is the primary milestone cited for this plan, with no confirmed posting evidence in sources consulted.
Reliability of sources: The core information comes from official government releases (DOL EBSA, IRS) and corroborated industry coverage; the most authoritative confirmation would be an IRS posting, which has not been independently verified in the sources reviewed.
Update · Jan 06, 2026, 08:03 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) confirmed that informational copies for the 2025
Form 5500 series would be released online, and explicitly stated that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 would be released after January 1, 2026 on the IRS website.
Current status and milestones: As of January 6, 2026, there is no widely reported or publicly accessible issuance of physical paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on the IRS site or other major government outlets. The IRS listing for Form 5500-EZ remains focused on electronic filing and online guidance; no official IRS notice confirms the paper-copy release beyond the DOL statement.
Reliability of sources: The primary source supporting the claim is the DOL EBSA press release (official government source) from December 15, 2025. IRS pages provide current form/instruction information but do not confirm the paper-copy release. Trade publications cited reiterate the government notice; the most authoritative information comes from the DOL release, with ongoing corroboration from IRS form pages when published.
Update · Jan 06, 2026, 06:11 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Source context from the DOL press release confirms the plan to provide informational copies online and that paper copies would be released by the IRS after Jan 1, 2026 (noting the sequence tied to the 2025 forms) (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Evidence of progress: As of early January 2026, there is no corroborating evidence that the IRS has posted or distributed paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions. Official progress indicators appear in the DOL EBSA notice (which described the plan) but do not indicate completion or availability of the physical copies. IRS-facing pages on Form 5500-EZ emphasize electronic filing and current forms/instructions, without announcing a paper release (IRS pages accessed 2025–2026).
Completion status: No confirmation of completion—paper copies have not been visibly released on IRS channels by 2026-01-06, based on available official and widely cited industry disclosures. The completion condition stated in the article would require a posted or mailed paper form and instructions, which is not evidenced in the sources consulted.
Dates and milestones: The definitive milestone cited is the post–January 1, 2026 timing for the IRS paper copies per the DOL release (2025-12-15). No subsequent, verifiable milestone indicating release has appeared in IRS communications by 2026-01-06.
Reliability of sources: The primary claim originates from a DOL EBSA news release (official federal agency). Secondary industry outlets (401k Specialist, PlanSponsor) echoed the same timeline but are not primary sources. IRS.gov materials analyzed focus on current forms and electronic filing, with no explicit notice about a paper copy release as of this date. This combination suggests cautious interpretation pending a direct IRS confirmation.
Follow-up note: If the IRS releases the paper copies or issues an official update, provide a follow-up with the exact release date and a link to the IRS notice or posting.
Update · Jan 06, 2026, 03:48 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor, the IRS, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation notes the IRS would release paper copies after January 1, 2026 and that informational copies for 2025 would be posted online. Current status and milestones: As of early January 2026, IRS materials emphasize electronic filing and online availability of forms and instructions; no explicit public IRS confirmation yet that the paper copies have been released, suggesting the paper version remains pending. Reliability note: The primary confirmation of the plan comes from a government joint release (DOL/IRS/PBGC), which is a credible source, while IRS-centric pages focus on digital filings and may not reflect a finalized paper-release date. Ambiguity: The completion condition hinges on the paper copies appearing on the IRS site, which has not been independently verified by a closed-date public IRS statement as of the date analyzed.
Update · Jan 06, 2026, 01:52 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS was said to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions for distribution on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: IRS materials emphasize electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ (EFAST2) and provide electronic versions of the form and instructions; a December 2025 EBSA release notes the IRS will release paper copies after 1/1/2026.
Status assessment: As of 2026-01-06 there is no publicly accessible IRS confirmation that the paper copies have been posted on irs.gov. IRS pages continue to reference electronic filing as the supported method, with paper submission not described as available.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the promised post–1/1/2026 paper release per the EBSA statement; no corroborating IRS posting was found by 2026-01-06. The 2025 Form 5500-EZ instructions PDFs reiterate electronic filing and do not indicate a forthcoming paper version in those documents.
Source reliability note: Primary sources include official government pages from the IRS and the Department of Labor’s EBSA; both are considered authoritative, though the EBSA statement about a
post-1/1/2026 paper release remains unverified on IRS-site postings as of early 2026.
Overall conclusion: The claim is still unverified as completed and remains in_progress pending an explicit IRS posting of the paper copies on irs.gov.
Update · Jan 06, 2026, 12:09 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The DOL release states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The article explicitly frames this as a separate
post-2026 release by the IRS (paper copies) following the online informational copies provided by EBSA, IRS, and PBGC.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the DOL EBSA news release describes that informational copies of Form 5500, 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions were released online, and notes that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions would be released after Jan 1, 2026. No other contemporaneous public postings confirm that the IRS has subsequently published the paper copies as of 2026-01-06.
Completion status: There is no confirmed evidence as of 2026-01-06 that the paper copies have been published. If the IRS released the paper copies after Jan 1, 2026, that would complete the claim; the public record does not document a completed post-2026 paper release yet.
Update · Jan 06, 2026, 09:57 AMin_progress
What the claim states: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for separate availability on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor and agencies published informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series and related forms online, and the accompanying notice explicitly stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This is documented in the DOL EBSA news release and corroborating coverage (e.g., EBSA release 25-1517-NAT;
Plan Adviser / Bloomberg Law summaries).
Current status and completion signal: The available sources show the plan to publish paper copies after January 1, 2026, but do not provide evidence that the paper copies were actually released by January 5, 2026. The DOL release emphasizes that paper copies would follow the online informational copies and directs filers to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions. There is no posted IRS notice confirming a completed paper-copy release as of the current date.
Dates and milestones: December 15–16, 2025: joint release of informational copies online; policy note that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026. January 5, 2026: current date, with no confirmatory evidence of paper-copy publication on IRS websites. The reported timeline relies on official statements from DOL/EBSA referencing IRS plans, rather than a directly verifiable IRS publication of the paper copies.
Source reliability note: The primary confirmations come from the DOL EBSA press release and subsequent industry reporting. These sources accurately reflect the agencies’ statements about the release plan and reference the IRS’s intent. The absence of a direct IRS notice confirming completion makes the status best characterized as in_progress rather than complete.
Update · Jan 06, 2026, 07:32 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence cited includes a joint December 15, 2025, Department of Labor release noting the intended paper release after Jan 1, 2026. Public IRS sources indicate online availability of Form 5500-EZ and related publications but do not confirm a distinct post–Jan 1, 2026 paper-release date; no official IRS notice of a separate paper distribution has been located as of early January 2026.
Update · Jan 06, 2026, 04:10 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 EBSA news release confirms online informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions will be released on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. The IRS emphasizes electronic filing through EFAST2 and does not indicate an imminent paper release date beyond the stated post-2026 timeline. Reliability of sources: The key statements come from official DOL/EBSA and IRS materials, which are authoritative but present the plan rather than a completed action as of early 2026.
Update · Jan 06, 2026, 02:01 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: Public notices confirm the 2025 Form 5500 series informational copies were released online, and the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release notes that paper copies would follow on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of completion status: No public IRS release or official confirmation as of early January 2026 indicating that the paper copies have been published; status remains uncertain pending IRS actions. Important dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 announcement; claim about after January 1, 2026; current date January 5, 2026. Source reliability: The principal claim originates from a
U.S. government joint release (DOL EBSA), a reliable source; IRS form pages provide baseline information but do not confirm the paper-copy release date.
Update · Jan 06, 2026, 12:10 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The DOL EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms online informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series and states the IRS would post paper copies after Jan 1, 2026. As of Jan 5, 2026 there is no publicly verifiable posting of the paper copies on IRS channels.
Current status: No confirmed posting of the paper copies by the IRS as of early January 2026; the plan to release after Jan 1, 2026 is still not completed according to available sources.
Dates and milestones: Key milestone cited is Jan 1, 2026 for posting; DOL release date is Dec 15, 2025. No firm posting evidence from IRS by 2026-01-05.
Source reliability: Primary confirmation comes from a DOL press release; IRS webpages discuss Form 5500-EZ and electronic filing but do not confirm the paper-copy posting as of the date checked.
Update · Jan 05, 2026, 09:49 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A DOL EBSA press release (2025-12-15) explicitly indicated the anticipated
post-January 1, 2026 posting of paper copies and 2025 instructions on the IRS site, with industry outlets echoing the timeline.
Status as of 2026-01-05: IRS sources and Form 5500-EZ pages confirm electronic access and current-year revisions but do not provide a clear IRS confirmation that paper copies have been posted as of the date, suggesting the paper release has not been publicly verified yet.
Dates and milestones: The targeted milestone was January 1, 2026 for posting the paper copies; no subsequent formal completion notice from the IRS is found in primary communications as of early February 2026. Reliability of coverage varies, but the DOL notice remains the primary timestamp for the announced plan.
Overall assessment: Given the absence of definitive IRS confirmation by 2026-01-05, the status is best described as in_progress pending explicit IRS posting of paper copies.
Update · Jan 05, 2026, 07:50 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article asserts that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence in public sources confirms the claim originated from a December 15, 2025 EBSA/DOL joint release, which states that paper copies will be released after Jan 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The December 2025 release confirms the plan but does not show a completed posting date; it indicates timing for future publication. Multiple industry repackagings echo the same language, but none provide a confirmed posting date on IRS.gov as of early January 2026.
Completion status: There is no independently verified posting of 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies or corresponding instructions on IRS.gov by early January 2026. The action remains in the planned/anticipated phase rather than completed.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the threshold date of January 1, 2026 referenced in the joint release; the post-January 1 timeframe suggests publication would occur after that date, without a firm date. No later IRS confirmation has been located.
Reliability note: The principal claim originates from a
U.S. government agency press release (EBSA), supplemented by industry coverage. IRS pages emphasize form availability and electronic filing and do not confirm a specific paper-copy posting date, which limits independent verification.
Synthesis: Based on available public records, the claim is plausible and in progress, but not yet verifiably completed as of early 2026.
Update · Jan 05, 2026, 06:13 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article asserted the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: IRS forms pages confirm current Form 5500-EZ and related instructions exist, but do not document a separate post–Jan 1, 2026 paper-release; reporting from industry outlets reiterates the claim without independent confirmation. Status of the promise: No definitive evidence of a distinct
post-2026 paper-copy release on the IRS site as of early 2026; therefore, the completion condition is not met and the claim remains uncertain. Relevant dates/milestones: Source article dated 2025-12-15; no publicly verifiable post–Jan 1, 2026 release has been confirmed in IRS communications. Source reliability: IRS official pages are primary for forms and filing rules; third-party outlets provide secondary summaries and should be treated cautiously when asserting release events.
Update · Jan 05, 2026, 03:50 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The IRS site for Form 5500-EZ confirms current filing options (electronic via EFAST2 and PDFs) and notes recent developments through 2025, but does not document a post–Jan 1, 2026 paper-copy release. Industry outlets repeatedly cite the claim, but they rely on secondary reporting and do not provide an official IRS confirmation.
Progress assessment: There is no verifiable evidence from the IRS that the 2025 paper copies and instructions were released after January 1, 2026. The claim remains unverified by primary sources as of early 2026, suggesting the completion condition is not met.
Dates and milestones: The relevant policy cited dates around January 1, 2026 for a potential release; the IRS page was last updated in late 2025, with no explicit
post–2026 paper-release notice found in official IRS communications.
Reliability of sources: Official IRS materials are the most reliable reference, but they do not confirm the paper-copy release. Secondary industry sources corroborate the claim but are not authoritative for completion; they should be treated cautiously until the IRS issues formal confirmation.
Update · Jan 05, 2026, 01:55 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article claimed the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint release from EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC notes that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026, with electronic filing already in place for related forms. Additional industry coverage (
Plan Adviser,
Ascensus, 401k Specialist) repeats the post-January 1, 2026 timeline. Current status: as of 2026-01-05 there is no widely reported IRS posting of paper copies; IRS pages emphasize electronic filing and current revisions rather than announcing posted paper copies. Reliability note: the primary cross-agency release is credible, but IRS-specific confirmation of posting is not evident in the sources cited; industry outlets relay the same timeline.
Update · Jan 05, 2026, 12:01 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 2025 joint announcement from the Department of Labor (EBSA) and related industry coverage stated that the IRS would release paper copies separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Industry outlets and aggregators echoed this plan, citing IRS/agency coordination and the expectation of a separate paper copy release.
Current status: As of early January 2026, there is no clear public record of a posted paper copy release for Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions. IRS materials emphasize electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ and related forms, with no explicit update confirming a new paper copy publication date.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone was the post–January 1, 2026 release window announced in mid-December 2025. No IRS posting or formal confirmation appears in publicly accessible IRS pages by January 5, 2026.
Reliability of sources: Primary confirmations come from the DOL EBSA release and industry coverage. The IRS has historically stressed electronic filing for this form, which challenges the likelihood of a late paper-copy publication without explicit IRS notice. Given the absence of an IRS posting by early January 2026, the claim remains unverified as completed and should be treated as in_progress.
Follow-up note: Monitor IRS.gov for any official posting or revised filing instructions for Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions.
Update · Jan 05, 2026, 10:11 AMin_progress
What the claim stated: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC announced that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series would be released online, with the IRS indicating that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026 (DOL news release, 2025-12-15). Additional industry reporting echoed the same timeline (
Plan Adviser, 2025-12-16; 401k Specialist, 2025-12-15). Current status: As of early January 2026, paper copies had not yet been released; the official guidance points to a post‑Jan 1, 2026 release for paper copies.
Update · Jan 05, 2026, 07:44 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were published online and notes the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. This shows movement toward the stated outcome but not completion of the paper copies.
Current status: As of early January 2026, there is no public IRS posting confirming that the paper copies have been released; the expectation remains that such copies will appear after the threshold date.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is January 1, 2026, after which the IRS paper copies are expected. The DOL release provides the milestone and context but does not document ultimate posting of physical copies.
Source reliability: The core claim originates from an official DOL News Release (EBSA) and is corroborated by industry coverage; IRS guidance confirms electronic availability but does not independently verify a post–January 1, 2026 paper release date.
Overall assessment: Progress exists in the sense that the 2025 informational copies are online and the paper copies were promised for after January 1, 2026, but the completion condition (paper copies posted) has not been independently verified as of the date analyzed.
Update · Jan 05, 2026, 03:49 AMfailed
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Primary evidence from the IRS itself shows the current revision and downloadable PDFs of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions, with no mention of a separate paper copy release. State of progress: There is no publicly available IRS notice or official update confirming the release of physical paper copies after 2026-01-01; the IRS emphasizes electronic filing and provides online electronic forms/instructions instead. Independent summaries from industry outlets cite the same claim, but rely on secondary rumors rather than primary IRS documentation, which reduces reliability of those claims.
Update · Jan 05, 2026, 01:42 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, DOL’s EBSA–in collaboration with IRS and PBGC–announced online informational copies of the 2025 forms and related instructions, with the IRS statement that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026 (DOL press release; 401(k) Specialist coverage).
Evidence of completion status: As of January 4, 2026, there is no widely verifiable public posting of the paper Form 5500-EZ copies or 2025 instructions on IRS.gov; the authoritative guidance still frames the release as occurring after January 1, 2026. Dates and milestones: Key dates include December 15, 2025 (informational copies released online) and the stated post–January 1, 2026 release window for paper copies per the DOL release; the current date is January 4, 2026, with no confirmed paper copy availability yet.
Source reliability: The primary sources are a U.S. Department of Labor News Release (official government) and industry coverage (401(k) Specialist) referencing the same statement; IRS.gov pages emphasize electronic filing requirements for Form 5500-EZ rather than paper copies, which supports the interpretation that paper copies would be a separate post-release item. Note on neutrality: All cited materials are policy communications or official guidance; no evidence suggests retraction or change in the stated timeline at this time.
Follow-up status: The call to action remains: monitor the IRS and DOL official channels for the appearance of paper Form 5500-EZ copies and 2025 instructions on the IRS site after January 1, 2026.
Update · Jan 05, 2026, 12:09 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, federal agencies released informational online copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558, and related instructions, indicating movement toward the 2025 cycle. The published notices describe online informational copies ahead of any print releases, with the paper copies to follow after January 1, 2026. Current status: Paper copies have not yet been released as of the current date; progress is ongoing with an announced sequencing to print after the stated date. Reliability of sources: Official agency communications reported by DOL/IRS and corroborated by industry outlets provide a reasonable basis for tracking the release schedule, though final paper distribution remains pending.
Update · Jan 04, 2026, 09:45 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: Industry sources reiterated the plan to publish paper copies after Jan 1, 2026, citing IRS activity and communication to that effect (e.g., trade press coverage such as ASCensus and 401k Specialist).
Status of completion: No formal IRS confirmation or posted IRS notice confirming the actual release as of 2026-01-04; no IRS PDF or web page documenting a
post-2026 paper copy release has been located.
Dates and milestones: The trigger date is January 1, 2026; the absence of a definitive IRS release by early January 2026 leaves the status as in_progress.
Reliability of sources: Primary IRS pages emphasize electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ and do not document a post-2026 paper release; trade press reports provide secondary corroboration but are not official confirmations.
Update · Jan 04, 2026, 07:40 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The report states that IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS planned to issue paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026 (no exact release date provided yet). It also notes monitoring the EFAST2 system for official electronic versions.
Current status vs. completion: As of early January 2026, there is no public confirmation that the IRS has posted physical-paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on its site. The initial promise remains contingent on a post–January 1, 2026 release window, with no posted publication date found in the sources consulted.
Dates and milestones: Key dated items include the DOL EBSA notice (Dec 15, 2025) indicating the paper release would occur after Jan 1, 2026, and the current date (2026-01-04) suggesting the post–Jan 1 window has begun but without a recorded posting to IRS sites at this time. Industry outlets echoed the same promise but provided no independent posting dates for the IRS release.
Source reliability note: The primary corroboration comes from the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA) press release, which is a government source. Secondary industry coverage (401k Specialist, Ascensus) reiterates the claim but relies on the DOL/IRS announcement. Overall, the reported development is credible, though the explicit paper copies have not been independently observed on IRS.gov as of the date analyzed.
Update · Jan 04, 2026, 06:05 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS was said to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: Independent trade outlets summarized the claim and reported it as forthcoming, but there is no IRS confirmation by early January 2026. The IRS continues to emphasize electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ via EFAST2, with current revision materials on IRS pages.
Completion status: No verifiable evidence shows the paper copies or 2025 instructions released on the IRS website as of the current date. The absence of an official IRS notice means completion cannot be confirmed.
Dates and milestones: The claim references a post‑January 1, 2026 release, reported about three weeks before December 2025; subsequent IRS confirmation has not been found.
Reliability of sources: IRS.gov pages are primary for filing requirements, but they do not document a paper-copy release. Secondary industry sources corroborate the claim but lack regulatory detail and independent verification.
Overall assessment: Given the lack of official confirmation, the status remains in_progress pending IRS notice or release on the agency website.
Update · Jan 04, 2026, 03:43 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 DOL press release confirms online informational copies for 2025 forms and states that the IRS will publish paper copies after January 1, 2026. Subsequent reporting (Planadviser, 401k Specialist) reiterates the post‑Jan 1, 2026 timing but does not show official IRS confirmation of completion as of early January 2026. Current status: As of 2026-01-04, no authoritative IRS release confirming the actual availability of the paper copies has been located in public sources. Dates and milestones: The DOL release sets the milestone as post‑Jan 1, 2026 for paper copies; industry coverage repeats the promise but does not document a completed release. Source reliability: Official government sources (DOL/IRS) are high reliability; corroboration from trade press is useful for context but not definitive without an IRS confirmation.
Update · Jan 04, 2026, 01:48 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from EBSA notes that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS will provide paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026.
Evidence of status: Industry coverage reiterates the same timeline, stating that paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026, with no confirmation of posting by January 4, 2026.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the stated
post-January 1, 2026 release date; as of 2026-01-04, no official IRS posting confirming completion has been found in the cited sources.
Source reliability: The core timeline comes from the official DOL EBSA release and corroborating industry outlets; all emphasize the planned date rather than a completed action, and no primary IRS posting is cited confirming completion.
Update · Jan 04, 2026, 11:53 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 joint DOL release confirms this plan and notes that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series would be released online, with paper Form 5500-EZ to follow after Jan. 1, 2026 (DOL News Release 25-1517-NAT). As of Jan 4, 2026, no publicly verifiable evidence shows the paper copies being published on the IRS site; filers were directed to monitor the IRS site or EFAST2 for official electronic availability. The reliability of sources is limited to official agency statements and trade coverage; no IRS posting of the paper copies has been independently verified in the cited materials.
Update · Jan 04, 2026, 10:03 AMin_progress
Claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release states that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series would be online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released after Jan 1, 2026.
Completion status: As of January 4, 2026, there is no public record that the IRS has posted or mailed the paper copies; the available records show online informational copies but not the physical copies.
Milestones and reliability: The key milestone is the January 1, 2026 date for the paper release; the December 15, 2025 DOL release provides the timeline. Reliability: The principal sources are a DOL press release citing the IRS/PBGC agreement and IRS guidance on Form 5500-EZ, which discuss the form but do not independently confirm the paper release date beyond the joint note.
Update · Jan 04, 2026, 07:50 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This was drawn from a December 15, 2025 Department of Labor EBSA release noting the IRS would publish paper copies separately after that date. The claim ties a concrete delivery promise to a post-2025 date.
Evidence of progress: The EBSA release confirms that informational copies of the Form 5500 series would be posted online, with a separate note that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions would be released on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This indicates the IRS planned a later paper release rather than an immediate publication alongside electronic copies.
Current status: As of January 3, 2026, there is no publicly available IRS page confirming the paper release. The DOL release specifies the timing but does not confirm completion by that date, so the completion condition appears not yet fulfilled.
Reliability note: The main sourcing is the DOL EBSA press release, which cites the IRS but remains a secondary conduit. IRS forms pages emphasize electronic filing and current versions; no definitive post-January 2026 paper release is publicly shown in early January 2026, so the status remains unclear pending IRS confirmation.
Update · Jan 04, 2026, 03:50 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Current reporting landscape shows ongoing emphasis on electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ (and related forms) rather than a renewed emphasis on paper versions. There is no public evidence as of 2026-01-03 that a separate,
post-January 1, 2026 release of paper Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions has occurred on the IRS website.
Update · Jan 04, 2026, 01:41 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release explicitly states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The IRS materials emphasize electronic filing and online access for Form 5500-EZ, with no clear indication of immediate paper copies in public-facing forms or instructions as of early January 2026. As of 2026-01-03, there is no independently verifiable public notice that the paper copies have been posted; the situation remains awaiting confirmation from IRS publishing channels.
Update · Jan 03, 2026, 11:49 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This was asserted in a December 15, 2025 U.S. Department of Labor EBSA news release, which notes that the IRS would release paper copies after the stated date. The release positions the paper distribution as a post–January 1, 2026 action rather than an immediate January 2026 release.
As of 2026-01-03, there is no publicly available confirmation from the IRS that the paper copies have been released yet; the EBSA statement describes the plan but does not indicate that the paper copies were subsequently published on the IRS site. The December 2025 DOL release remains the most authoritative reference tying the action to a post–January 1, 2026 timeline.
Progress evidence includes the formal announcement in the EBSA news release (12/15/2025) and subsequent industry coverage reiterating the same timeline. However, concrete proof of completion (i.e., the IRS posting the paper Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on IRS.gov) has not been demonstrated in primary sources available by 2026-01-03.
Key dates and milestones identified are: (a) Dec 15, 2025 – DOL EBSA announces the plan to publish paper copies after Jan 1, 2026; (b) Jan 1, 2026 – threshold date referenced for paper publication; (c) no publicly verified completion date available beyond the post–Jan 1, 2026 commitment.
Source reliability: the primary source is the DOL EBSA press release, a government authority, which is appropriate for establishing the stated timeline. Secondary industry outlets corroborate the claim but do not replace the need for a formal IRS posting to confirm completion. The absence of an IRS confirmation as of early 2026 supports an in-progress status rather than completed.
Update · Jan 03, 2026, 09:57 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: In December 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA) reported that the IRS would release paper copies after January 1, 2026. Independent reporting also noted that the agencies published informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series and related instructions online by mid-December 2025, which are available electronically rather than as physical paper copies (DOL release; planadviser/planadviser-stories, 2025). Completion status: As of January 3, 2026, there is no public, verifiable indication that physical paper copies have been released on the IRS website; the articles emphasize upcoming paper copies after the date, while online informational copies exist. Relevant dates/milestones: December 15, 2025 (DOL EBSA press release announcing paper copies after Jan 1, 2026) and mid-December 2025 (online informational copies released). Source reliability: The primary claim comes from an official DOL EBSA press release, supplemented by industry reporting noting available online informational copies; all sources are standard-government or reputable trade outlets.
Update · Jan 03, 2026, 07:41 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Official coordination notes from December 2025 indicate online availability of the 2025 forms and that paper copies would be provided separately after the start of 2026 (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15). Progress evidence: Multiple industry outlets reported in December 2025 that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, would be accessible online, with the paper release planned after January 1, 2026 (Plan Adviser, 401k Specialist, ASCENSUS coverage). Current status: As of 2026-01-03, online access and form updates are documented, but explicit public confirmation that the paper copies have been posted to IRS.gov is not clearly evidenced in the sources available. Reliability note: Sources include cross-agency coverage from DOL/EBSA and industry trades that summarize IRS notices, plus IRS form guidance pages; these are credible, but the key paper-copy release lacks a definitive post-January 1, 2026 posting confirmation in the cited materials.
Update · Jan 03, 2026, 06:04 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website separately after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: IRS guidance confirms ongoing Form 5500-EZ processing and emphasizes electronic filing for many filers, with pages such as About Form 5500-EZ and Form 5500 Corner discussing current forms, filing methods, and instructions. There is no published IRS notice or press release announcing a
post-2026 release of separate paper copies or 2025 instructions.
Current status: No verifiable evidence shows that the IRS released new paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Guidance continues to emphasize electronic filing for many filers and provides updated PDFs/instructions online, but does not indicate a formal paper-copy release schedule for 2025 forms.
Dates and milestones: Verified milestones pertain to filing methods (electronic filing thresholds) and online availability of Form 5500-EZ instructions on the IRS site. No concrete milestone confirms a post-2026 paper-copy release.
Source reliability note: Evidence draws from IRS.gov official pages and Form 5500 materials, which are authoritative for filing requirements and available formats. There is no official IRS confirmation of a post-2026 paper-copy release in agency communications to date.
Update · Jan 03, 2026, 03:43 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A DOL EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) notes that informational online copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released and that the IRS planned to publish paper copies after Jan 1, 2026. Completion status: Not completed yet; the paper copies are expected after the online copies, with no firm completion date provided. Reliability note: The DOL release is a primary government source; coverage is corroborated by industry outlets but should be read with awareness of staged release timing.
Update · Jan 03, 2026, 01:47 PMin_progress
The claim stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. On December 15–16, 2025, federal agencies released informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions, with the releases described as informational rather than final paper postings. These releases show progress toward making the 2025 forms available, but do not confirm that physical paper copies were posted to the IRS site after the stated date. IRS pages emphasize electronic filing and current form details rather than confirming new paper postings, so the specific promised action remains unconfirmed as of 2026-01-03. Reliability varies: IRS pages provide authoritative context for Form 5500-EZ, while industry outlets report agency releases, which are credible but secondary to primary agency communications. A definitive confirmation from the IRS or DOL/PBGC would be required to terminate the claim as complete.
Update · Jan 03, 2026, 01:23 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence consulted from IRS pages and industry outlets indicates the IRS public-facing materials continue to show current-year Form 5500-EZ information and do not confirm a
post-January 1, 2026 paper-release date. Industry reporting in December 2025 reiterated the promise, but did not provide a finalized, IRS-confirmed release date (e.g., 2026-01-03 status). IRS page on Form 5500-EZ (Nov 2025 update) discusses electronic filing requirements and current year forms/instructions, with no explicit notice of a separate paper-release event after 2026-01-01. See: IRS About Form 5500-EZ (Nov 2025), 401k Specialist (Dec 2025), ASPPA (Dec 2025), and related retirement-plan forms pages.
Progress evidence: The claim hinges on a late-2025/early-2026 release of paper copies and 2025 instructions on the IRS site. Multiple outlets repeated the promise (Dec 2025), but there is no IRS confirmation or a published completion notice as of 2026-01-03 that the paper copies have been posted on the IRS site. The IRS Form 5500-EZ overview page shows current-year guidance and references to electronic filing (EFAST2) without detailing a post-2026-01-01 paper-release event.
Status assessment: Based on available public materials up to 2026-01-03, the promised paper copies have not been independently confirmed as posted on the IRS site, and no completion notice exists in the IRS-facing pages reviewed. The reporting suggests the plan remained in a stated intention period rather than a completed action, or the release occurred without a clearly published IRS update.
Dates and milestones: Publication of the claim and contemporaneous reporting occurred in December 2025; the current date is 2026-01-03. No concrete IRS posting or PDF download link for 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies or 2025 instructions was found in the reviewed IRS pages as of 2026-01-03. Milestones would include an IRS news release or a Form 5500-EZ page update confirming availability on the IRS site.
Source reliability: IRS pages (official) are the baseline for Form 5500-EZ guidance, but the Nov 2025 page provides current-year information and electronic-filing context without confirming a separate
post-2026 paper-release. Industry outlets (401k Specialist, ASPPA,
Ascensus, FuturePlan, PSCA) accurately quoted the claim but are not official IRS confirmations; they reference the same anticipated action. Overall, official confirmation from IRS is lacking as of 2026-01-03, so reliability leans toward caution regarding the claimed completion.
Update · Jan 03, 2026, 11:52 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The IRS and related agencies continue to provide Form 5500-EZ guidance and PDFs online, and the IRS requires electronic filing for many Form 5500-EZ submissions (with paper filing allowed only under certain conditions or exemptions). IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ and Form 5500 Corner discuss current forms/instructions and electronic filing requirements, without indicating a scheduled
post-2026 paper release.
Progress assessment: No publicly available IRS notice confirms a post‑2026 paper edition release. The ongoing emphasis is on electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ; a dedicated post‑Jan 1, 2026 paper release remains unverified.
Dates and milestones: Public records show the 2024–2025 push toward mandatory electronic filing for certain 5500-EZ returns and the availability of current form PDFs on IRS pages; no dated milestone for a separate 2026 paper release. Any future milestone would require an IRS announcement.
Source reliability: Sources are official IRS pages (Form 5500 Corner, About Form 5500-EZ) and related retirement-plan guidance, appropriate for status checks. They corroborate Form 5500-EZ’s place in the Form 5500 series but do not substantiate the specific post‑2026 paper release claim.
Follow-up readiness: If no IRS announcement appears, rechecking the IRS Retirement Plans forms page and IRS Newsroom after mid-2026 is advised to confirm whether a paper release occurred.
Update · Jan 03, 2026, 10:08 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The Dec 15, 2025 EBSA news release confirms issuance of online informational copies for 2025 forms and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026.
Current status: As of Jan 2, 2026, IRS site pages continue to emphasize online versions; no definitive IRS posting of paper copies was found. Reporting relies on the DOL release and industry outlets; independent IRS confirmation is lacking in the brief window observed.
Milestones and dates: Key milestone is the post–Jan 1, 2026 release date for paper copies; no IRS posting confirmed by 2026-01-02. Filing guidance remains directed to electronic channels (EFAST2) for 2025.
Source reliability: The EBSA release is an official government source; IRS pages are authoritative for forms and instructions but did not show a paper-copy posting within the observed window. Industry pieces corroborate the claim but are secondary.
Update · Jan 03, 2026, 07:33 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for distribution after January 1, 2026. The source article from the Department of Labor (EBSA) explicitly notes that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after Jan. 1, 2026. It frames the online informational copies as available, with paper copies contingent on a post–Jan 1, 2026 release.
Evidence of progress includes the EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) announcing the availability of informational copies online and the coordination among DOL, IRS, and PBGC. TheIRS Form 5500-EZ and Form 5500-EZ instructions are accessible electronically, and IRS guidance documents describe electronic filing requirements and related materials. There is no contemporaneous public notice confirming that paper copies have been released yet as of Jan 2, 2026.
As of 2026-01-02, there is no evidence that the paper copies have been released; only online copies and related electronic guidance exist. The DOL release indicates the paper versions would appear after January 1, 2026, but the IRS site does not show a posted date or link for physical copies. The lack of a visible paper copy release suggests the completion condition has not yet been met.
Key dates and milestones include the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release announcing online informational copies and the stated post–Jan 1, 2026 plan for paper copies. There is no published completion date beyond the
post-2026 timeframe, and no additional milestone indicating immediate availability of paper copies. The current status hinges on whether the IRS fulfills the stated post-2026 release.
Source reliability: the report relies on an official DOL EBSA press release and IRS forms/instructions pages. Both sources are primary government communications and generally trustworthy, though the EBSA release presents the policy as a plan, while IRS pages confirm current electronic availability. Taken together, they support a status of planned paper copies in progress but not yet released at the start of 2026.
Update · Jan 03, 2026, 03:59 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence that progress has occurred: A Department of Labor EBSA release (2025-12-15) references the IRS plan to publish paper copies after the stated date. IRS materials discuss current forms and instructions online (e.g., Form 5500-EZ page and
Form 5500 Corner), but do not confirm a posted paper copy on the IRS site as of 2026-01-02. Completion status: The specific completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions released on the IRS website—has not been independently confirmed as completed by the date in question. Notes on reliability: The cited DOL notice is a secondary source reporting IRS plans; IRS primary pages provide current forms and guidance but do not log the targeted paper posting event, so the status remains uncertain pending an explicit IRS posting.
Update · Jan 03, 2026, 01:45 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 U.S. Department of Labor news release (EBSA) jointly with the IRS and PBGC states that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, and that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ (and its instructions) separately after January 1, 2026.
Status of completion: IRS pages about Form 5500-EZ emphasize electronic filing and provide current-year information, but do not indicate that paper copies have been published yet. The completion condition (paper copies published) has not been confirmed as completed as of 2026-01-02.
Dates and milestones: The trigger was January 1, 2026 for paper copies to appear on the IRS website; as of 2026-01-02, no confirmed IRS link or announcement confirms availability.
Source reliability: The primary references are a DOL EBSA press release (official federal agencies) and IRS Form 5500-EZ informational pages. These sources are appropriate for regulatory-tracking, though IRS pages do not yet show the promised paper copies. Overall: the claim remains in_progress.
Update · Jan 02, 2026, 11:55 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: Public IRS resources confirm ongoing availability of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions digitally on the IRS site, with updated instructions published in recent years; there is no clear public record showing a separate print-paper release specifically for 2025 forms after January 1, 2026. Coverage from PlanAdvisor around December 2025 notes 2025 forms and related information but does not document a definitive post–Jan 1, 2026 print release date.
Completion status: No verified publication of paper copies or a dated post–January 1, 2026 print release. The absence of an IRS press notice or IRS.gov update confirming a paper-copy release as of 2026-01-02 suggests the completion condition has not been met.
Dates and milestones: The intended event was a post–January 1, 2026 release of paper copies; public records do not show a confirmed milestone for this specific paper release. The available public information indicates online access to forms and instructions rather than a distinct paper release.
Source reliability note: IRS pages are the most authoritative for form availability, but no explicit IRS confirmation of a paper-copy release exists here. Secondary coverage (PlanAdvisor) supports contemporaneous reporting but does not provide a definitive paper-release date. Given the lack of verifiable confirmation, the assessment relies on publicly verifiable statements and avoids unconfirmed claims.
Update · Jan 02, 2026, 09:54 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Public IRS guidance shows Form 5500-EZ and its instructions are available as online PDFs and can be obtained via ordering, with no explicit post-2026 paper-copy release date announced. There is no official IRS publication confirming a dedicated 2025 paper-copy release after 2026, suggesting the claim remains unconfirmed. Available materials emphasize online access and paper order options rather than a new post-2026 publication event. The reliability rests on official IRS pages, which currently do not document the promised
post-2026 release.
Update · Jan 02, 2026, 07:51 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence shows the December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release confirming the IRS plan and the
post-2026 timing; as of January 2, 2026 there is no publicly posted IRS paper copy. The reliability of sources is high for the overarching plan (DOL press release citing IRS guidance and IRS form-related pages), but independent verification of actual posting by IRS on or before the date is not shown in public notices. Overall, the status remains in_progress pending official posting by the IRS.
Update · Jan 02, 2026, 06:08 PMin_progress
Claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor EBSA press release (citing IRS plans) states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This document also notes that informational copies were released online, with paper versions to follow. This provides the principal public articulation of the timing and sequence (DOL EBSA, 2025-12-15).
Current status: As of January 2, 2026, there is no independently verified public posting confirming that the IRS has uploaded the paper copies. The EBSA statement remains the primary source tying the plan to a post–Jan. 1, 2026 release. No new authoritative confirmation beyond that promise has been found in the sources reviewed.
Milestones and dates: The key milestone is the post–January 1, 2026 release of paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on the IRS site (per the EBSA release). No exact posting date is provided beyond that generic after-January-1 window. Filing year context remains 2025 for forms and instructions, with paper copies to be issued by IRS after the date mentioned (DOL EBSA, 2025-12-15).
Source reliability: The principal source is a
U.S. government EBSA press release (high reliability) referencing IRS plans and providing regulatory context. IRS form pages corroborate the continued existence and purpose of Form 5500-EZ but do not independently verify the paper-publish date beyond the EBSA statement. Overall, the sources are credible for this topic.
Update · Jan 02, 2026, 03:44 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) confirms theIRS plan to publish paper copies after the date, and notes that informational copies are being posted online ahead of filing season. As of January 2, 2026, there is no public confirmation that the paper copies have been posted on IRS.gov; the timeline remains the stated plan rather than a verified completion. The reliability of the sources is high for the plan itself, but actual posting should be confirmed directly on the IRS site.
Update · Jan 02, 2026, 01:50 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor EBSA announced that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, with the IRS stating paper copies would follow after January 1, 2026 (reported by DOL/IRS coordination materials and industry coverage).
Current status: As of January 2, 2026, there is no publicly available confirmation that the IRS has posted or distributed the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions yet; the public record supports a planned post–Jan 1 release but not completion.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone tied to the claim is the post–January 1, 2026 release window for paper copies, as emphasized in the December 2025 announcements; the actual paper release date has not been evidenced in public IRS filings or notices by Jan 2, 2026.
Source reliability: Primary confirmations come from the DOL EBSA press release and industry coverage (401k Specialist,
Ascensus) citing the IRS plan. These sources are reliable for regulatory updates, though the IRS page itself does not yet show a published paper copy release.
Update · Jan 02, 2026, 11:55 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint EBSA/DOL release notes that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were posted online and states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of 2026-01-02, there is no publicly visible IRS posting confirming that the paper copies have been posted; the EBSA notice indicates a post-date release path but does not certify completion.
Relevant dates and milestones: The key milestone is the stated
post-January 1, 2026 release window; December 15, 2025 is the date of the joint announcement.
Source reliability note: The principal source is a
U.S. government release (DOL/EBSA), complemented by industry coverage; IRS-specific pages consulted do not show a finalized paper-copy posting date. This combination supports cautious interpretation that the action is not yet completed.
Overall assessment: The status remains in_progress pending public confirmation of the IRS posting of paper copies.
Update · Jan 02, 2026, 09:58 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL release confirms this timing but does not indicate immediate availability on that date. It only notes a post–January 1, 2026 posting plan.
Evidence of progress: The official DOL release on December 15, 2025 documents that informational copies for the 2025
Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ, would be released online, with paper copies to follow on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. This establishes a published plan and a concrete milestone related to the paper copies’ release date.
Current status: As of January 1, 2026, there is no independent IRS confirmation that the paper copies have been posted online. The available materials describe the sequencing (online informational copies first, then paper copies) but do not provide a post–January 1, 2026 posting confirmation from IRS.
Dates and milestones: Key dates cited are December 15, 2025 (DOL release) and January 1, 2026 (anchor date for IRS paper copy posting). No additional official milestones have been publicly documented beyond this plan. Reliability note: The DOL release is a credible government source; direct IRS postings confirming the paper copy availability would strengthen verification.
Source reliability: The primary citation is the DOL News Release (official), with related discussions from industry outlets confirming the stated plan. IRS internal pages reference Form 5500 developments but do not, on the record here, confirm the paper copy posting date beyond the stated plan.
Update · Jan 02, 2026, 07:37 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: Public notices in December 2025 referenced the IRS plan to post paper copies after 2026-01-01, with industry outlets reporting the plan but not confirming immediate availability on the IRS site.
Current status and milestones: As of 2026-01-01, there is no IRS-confirmed publication of paper Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on the IRS website; the released notices indicate a post–January 1, 2026 release window but no concrete completion date.
Dates and milestones: The core date is the post-January 1, 2026 window; no subsequent IRS confirmation of a completed release is publicly documented.
Reliability of sources: Primary confirmations would be IRS postings; existing references come from the DOL EBSA release and industry outlets quoting the plan, which are credible for announcements but do not verify a completed IRS publication.
Follow-up: A check on 2026-02-15 is recommended to confirm whether the IRS has posted paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website.
Scheduled follow-up · Jan 02, 2026
Update · Jan 02, 2026, 03:43 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS planned to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. The DOL release frames the timing as occurring after 2026-01-01.
Progress status: There is no public confirmation as of 2026-01-01 that the IRS paper copies have been released; the available source indicates the intended timing rather than completion.
Key milestones: The principal milestone noted is the post–January 1, 2026 release window for the IRS paper copies, per the DOL release. No additional firm completion date is provided.
Source reliability: The primary source is an official government press release (DOL EBSA, 2025-12-15), which is a reliable basis for the stated timing; industry outlets largely reproduce the same timing claim but are secondary.
Update · Jan 02, 2026, 01:43 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The Department of Labor’s EBSA press release dated December 15, 2025 explicitly states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This documents an intended release timeline rather than a completed action.
Current status: As of January 1, 2026, there is no publicly available confirmation that the IRS has actually published the paper copies; multiple industry outlets continue to report only the stated plan to release after the date. The action remains described as forthcoming rather than completed.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the January 1, 2026 threshold referenced by the official notice; the expected follow-up is publication of paper copies on the IRS website at a date after that threshold. No subsequent IRS confirmation of the actual publication has been identified in the sources consulted.
Reliability note: The primary source confirming the claim is the DOL EBSA release (official government). Secondary coverage from trade press reiterates the plan but does not by itself establish completion. Given the absence of a direct IRS posting as of 2026-01-01, the completion status remains unconfirmed.
Scheduled follow-up · Jan 02, 2026overdue
Completion due · Jan 02, 2026
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 11:59 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS promised to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor’s EBSA, the IRS, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation stated that informational copies for 2025 forms were released online and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This establishes a plan and a timeline, but does not confirm completion by January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of January 1, 2026, there is no publicly verifiable evidence in IRS updates or agency pages confirming that the paper copies have been released. The rule-of-thumb completion condition requires the actual availability of the paper Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on the IRS site, which has not been independently verified in the sources checked.
Dates and milestones: Key date cited is January 1, 2026 for the paper copies’ online release, with the declarative source being the December 15, 2025 EBSA release. No further concrete milestones (e.g., a specific URL posting or a press update confirming availability) were found in the materials reviewed.
Source reliability: The primary citation is a joint EBSA/DOL release, which is a high-quality, official government source. IRS-facing pages about Form 5500-EZ remain the most authoritative for actual availability, but no explicit post-2025 update confirming paper copy release was found in the sources consulted. The lack of a direct IRS confirmation reduces certainty about completion as of 2026-01-01.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 09:48 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor, in a joint release with the IRS and PBGC, announced that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series would be released online, and explicitly stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026 (DOL News Release, 2025-12-15).
Current status versus completion: As of January 1, 2026, there is no public evidence that the paper copies have been released; the DOL release directs observers to monitor the IRS website for the paper copies after the stated date, implying the task is not yet complete and remains pending.
Dates and milestones: Key milestone cited is the January 1, 2026 date after which the IRS would post paper copies; the joint release confirms availability on the IRS site only after that date (DOL News Release, 2025-12-15).
Source reliability: The primary sourcing is an official U.S. Department of Labor press release describing a joint release with the IRS and PBGC, which is a reliable government source. The statement mirrors, and is corroborated by, trade press coverage referencing the same release (e.g., 401k Specialist; ASPPA). Limitations include the absence of an IRS-hosted confirmation page in this summary and the need to verify actual posting on IRS.gov after the target date.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 07:43 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The 2025-12-15 DOL EBSA release framed the promise, and trade press outlets echoed that language; no IRS.gov confirmation of actual release has been found as of 2026-01-01.
Completion status: There is no verifiable IRS release date or page confirming completion; the claim remains unconfirmed and likely in-progress.
Dates and milestones: Origin: 2025-12-15; purported publication after 2026-01-01; no subsequent IRS milestone confirmed.
Reliability of sources: Primary origin from a government agency (DOL EBSA) is credible for the claim’s framing, but lack of an IRS confirmation and reliance on trade/industry outlets reduces certainty about completion.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 06:08 PMin_progress
Claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 EBSA release states the IRS will publish paper copies after 2026-01-01; industry outlets subsequently echoed this plan. Current status: As of 2026-01-01, there is no confirmed IRS page documenting the actual release; sources indicate the plan but do not show completion by that date. Dates and milestones: The post–2026-01-01 timing comes from the EBSA notice; no explicit completion milestone beyond the stated timeframe is published in primary sources. Source reliability: The core claim originates from a federal agency release and was repeated by industry outlets; IRS online forms and publications remain the primary current channel, with no definitive confirmation of paper copies published by the date.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 03:46 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The source article (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15) explicitly notes that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 would be released separately on the IRS website after Jan. 1, 2026, which serves as the origin of the claim. Public contemporaneous reporting confirms the stated plan but does not itself verify a completed release by the current date.
As of January 1, 2026, there is no readily available public evidence showing that the IRS has published paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website. The DOL release encourages filers to monitor eFAST2 and the IRS for the electronic availability and any official filing channels, implying a delay or separation between paper copies and online forms (informational copies were released online per the same statement). Multiple secondary outlets echoed the same forecast without confirming a
post-2026 release milestone.
The completion condition—“Paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions are released on the IRS website”—has not been independently confirmed as completed by 2026-01-01. The strongest documented status is the initial plan announced in the DOL/IRS/PBGC joint release; no authoritative IRS page or subsequent DOL update publicly confirms final publication of the paper copies by that date.
Dates and milestones available are limited to the 2025 joint release date (December 15, 2025) and the stated
post-January 1, 2026 release plan for paper copies. The available sources are official DOL materials (which reference the IRS action) and industry outlets summarizing the plan; no post-2025 IRS document confirming the actual paper copy publication has been located. Reliability: the primary source (DOL EBSA release) is official; secondary outlets reproduce the claim but lack independent verification of the paper copy release.
If the goal is to confirm status, monitoring IRS announcements or updates to eFAST2/EFast2-registered resources would be the most authoritative next step, given the stated plan to publish after January 1, 2026. Until such an update is publicly verifiable, the claim should be treated as in_progress with a cautious expectation of eventual publication.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 01:49 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The available IRS guidance focuses on Form 5500-EZ and its instructions, but does not indicate a planned separate
post-2026-01-01 paper release as a funded milestone. It describes electronic filing options and provides PDFs of current instructions and forms rather than announcing a new paper print run.
Evidence of progress: The IRS continues to publish Form 5500-EZ materials online (e.g., About Form 5500-EZ page, Form 5500 Corner, and PDF instructions for 2023/2024; see IRS pages for 5500-EZ and instruction PDFs). These sources show ongoing availability of forms and electronic filing information, not a declared paper release schedule. No dated IRS notice or press release confirms a new paper release after 2026-01-01.
Evidence of completion, progress, or cancellation: There is no verifiable evidence of a separate post-2026-01-01 paper copy release for Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions. The completion condition (paper copies released on the IRS website) does not appear satisfied based on publicly available IRS materials through early 2026. The primary IRS materials emphasize electronic filing and online access.
Dates and milestones: No explicit milestone or completion date is published for a paper copy release beyond the general availability of online forms and PDFs. Notable related dates include ongoing electronic filing requirements and the presence of current PDF instructions (e.g., i5500ez.pdf) but no post-2026-01-01 paper release notice.
Source reliability note: The sources are official IRS pages documenting Form 5500-EZ and its instructions, including
the Form 5500 Corner and form PDFs. These sources are authoritative for regulatory materials, though they do not substantiate the claimed post-2026-01-01 paper release timeline. As with all regulatory materials, cross-check against any new IRS notices for updates.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 12:14 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint release from the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA) notes that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This confirms a
post-January 1, 2026 release plan rather than immediate availability.
Current status: As of 2026-01-01, there is no publicly verifiable evidence in the sources examined that the IRS has published or posted the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or its 2025 instructions on its website. The primary directive comes from the DOL EBSA release, which sets expectations but does not provide a concrete post-release date.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the post-2026-01-01 release by the IRS. The EBSA release is dated December 15, 2025, and specifies the sequence without a specific post-release date. No completion or cancellation is documented in the sources consulted.
Source reliability: The EBSA release is a government document and credible for policy announcements. IRS forms pages were consulted for context on filing mechanics but do not document the post-January 2026 paper-copy release date. The overall assessment remains credible but incomplete pending IRS confirmation of the paper copies.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 12:02 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: Current IRS materials show Form 5500-EZ and its instructions exist in electronic and print formats for prior years, with ongoing updates to the Form 5500-Corner and related filing guidance (through 2023–2025). No publicly available IRS notice or press release explicitly confirming the
post-2026 paper-release plan for 2025 Form 5500-EZ materials. Relevant IRS pages describe current filing options (electronic via EFAST2 and paper where applicable) but do not document a separate post-2026 paper release schedule for 2025 materials.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 11:39 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence on progress: The IRS maintains current Form 5500-EZ and its instructions are available on IRS webpages, with notices and corner pages detailing filing requirements and electronic filing mandates (e.g., mandatory electronic filing for Form 8955-SSA and Form 5500-EZ for plan years beginning after January 1, 2024) and general guidance for Form 5500-EZ on irs.gov (About Form 5500-EZ;
Form 5500 Corner) [irs.gov]. There is no clear IRS public notice or update specifically confirming the release of paper copies for 2025 forms after 2026-01-01.
Current status and progress: No explicit evidence shows that a separate, paper-version release for 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions occurred after January 1, 2026. The IRS continues to publish and provide electronic guidance and printable PDF forms on its site, but these serve as the standard formats rather than a new
post-2026 paper edition release. This aligns with ongoing moves toward electronic filing for many related forms (e.g., 5500-EZ and 8955-SSA) and the availability of current PDFs on irs.gov or in
the Form Corner [IRS forms and publications pages;
5500 Corner; Mandatory electronic filing notice].
Dates and milestones: The IRS information pages and instruction PDFs are updated periodically, with 2023–2024 revision cycles noted (e.g., Instruction 5500-EZ Rev. 2023; 5558 Rev. Jan 2025), but there is no documented milestone or completion date stating a
post-January 1, 2026 paper release for 2025 form materials [IRS Instruction 5500-EZ PDF; 5558 page; 5500 Corner].
Source reliability note: The sources consulted are official IRS pages and PDFs (irs.gov), which are primary for Form 5500-EZ guidance and filing requirements. These sources consistently emphasize electronic filing options and current forms, with no explicit confirmation of a separate
after-2026 paper-release for 2025 form materials. While tax-forms guidance is generally stable, the absence of a clear post-2026 paper-release announcement suggests the claim may not reflect current IRS practice or could be outdated compared to ongoing electronic filing emphasis. Citations: About Form 5500-EZ (irs.gov), Form 5500 Corner (irs.gov), Instruction 5500-EZ (pdf on irs.gov).
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 11:25 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS promised to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series, including IRS Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, were released online; the accompanying note stated that paper copies and instructions would be released after January 1, 2026. Several outlets echoed the timeline, linking the December 15 release to the later availability of paper copies (e.g., PlanAdviser, 2025-12-16; 401(k) Specialist, 2025-12-15). Status of completion: As of 2026-01-01 there is no public evidence that the IRS has posted paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions; only the online informational copies are available. Reliability of sources: The primary reference is the official DOL EBSA press release (government source); additional industry coverage corroborates the timeline but remains secondary to the official notice. Overall assessment: the claim is in progress pending the release of paper copies by the IRS on its website.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 10:04 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS was said to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for distribution after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor news release indicates that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions were released online. There is no evidence in that release of any paper copies being produced or distributed after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The EBSA-DOL release confirms online availability of informational copies for 2025 filings, including Form 5500-EZ, as of December 15, 2025. The release explicitly frames the action as releasing information online rather than printing and distributing paper forms. This demonstrates progress toward greater online accessibility, but not toward the claimed paper copies.
Current status relative to completion: The stated completion condition (paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions released on the IRS website) has not been demonstrated as fulfilled. The available documentation shows online versions only, with no recorded issuance of paper copies after January 1, 2026. Therefore, the claim remains incomplete and is best categorized as in_progress.
Dates and milestones: The key date in the public record is December 15, 2025, when the DOL news release announced online informational copies. No public record appears to show a paper-copy release or a separate IRS posting after January 1, 2026. Source reliability: The primary sources are the U.S. Department of Labor news release (reliable, government) and IRS publishing norms (reliable for electronic filings); no low-quality outlets are cited.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 09:54 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, and notes that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan. 1, 2026. Completion status: No evidence that the paper copies have been released as of 2025-12-31; the timeline remains post-January 1, 2026. Relevant dates: December 15, 2025 (online informational copies released) and January 1, 2026 (target for IRS paper copy release). Source reliability: The primary source is a
U.S. government press release (DOL EBSA), which is a reliable official statement; it aligns with related IRS guidance, but does not itself publish the paper copies yet. Note: The claim’s completion hinges on the IRS posting the paper copies after the stated date, which has not been independently verified in other sources yet.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 08:40 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 EBSA press release framed this as the intended approach but does not present an independent, verifiable post–January 1, 2026 release date in official IRS guidance. Public IRS materials emphasize electronic filing and online access to Form 5500-EZ and related instructions rather than a discrete paper-copy release schedule. Available official sources confirm the existence of the 2025 form and instructions but do not conclusively confirm the promised post‑Jan 1, 2026 paper release. Given the lack of explicit, dated official confirmation, the status remains unverified and progressing toward a potential release is uncertain.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 07:42 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: Industry outlets report the plan to publish 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies and instructions after 2026-01-01, citing IRS intentions (e.g., 401k Specialist, ASPPA,
Ascensus, FuturePlan).
Current status: No primary IRS confirmation or IRS.gov posting has been found as of 2025-12-31. The claim rests on secondary sources and remains unconfirmed by an official IRS release.
Completion status: The completion condition (paper copies and instructions released on the IRS site) has not yet been met according to the sources available up to 2025-12-31; the date window for completion remains post-2026-01-01 per these reports.
Dates and milestones: Projected release is after January 1, 2026, with no firm IRS announcement published by year-end 2025. Reliability notes: While noted by industry outlets, these are secondary sources; no direct IRS confirmation is observed in the evaluated material.
Overall assessment: The claim is best characterized as in_progress pending formal IRS confirmation and posting.
Scheduled follow-up · Jan 01, 2026
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 03:46 AMin_progress
What the claim stated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release (EBSA) states that informational online copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released and that the IRS will provide paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. Current status: Paper copies had not yet been published as of 2025-12-31; the announcement confirms a future post-January 1, 2026 publication, with filers directed to monitor EFAST2 and IRS channels for official versions. Key dates/milestones: December 15, 2025 (DOL release); January 1, 2026 (target date for IRS paper copies). Source reliability: The primary source is an official DOL news release citing IRS/PBGC actions, supported by IRS materials and industry coverage; all sources are standard, official or trade-press corroboration with appropriate caveats. Follow-up: Monitor IRS notices and EFAST2 updates in early January 2026 for confirmation of paper copy availability.
Update · Jan 01, 2026, 01:51 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for public use after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release notes that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were posted online, and that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Status of completion: The online informational copies are available, but the paper copies have not yet been released; the completion condition remains contingent on the IRS publishing the paper copies after the specified date.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 (informational copies posted online); after January 1, 2026 (IRS paper copies expected to be published).
Source reliability: The primary source is a
U.S. government EBSA news release (official, high reliability for regulatory updates); coverage from secondary outlets aligns with the same timeline, but relies on the same government statement.
Update · Dec 31, 2025, 11:59 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserts that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The claim refers specifically to the timing of the paper copies following the 2025 informational online release.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor press release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions were released online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions would be released after January 1, 2026 on the IRS website.
Status assessment: As of 2025-12-31, the paper copies had not yet been released; electronic informational copies are available, with the paper version expected
post-2026.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the anticipated post-2026 release of paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions, as communicated by EBSA in the 2025 release; no specific date beyond “after Jan. 1, 2026” is provided.
Source reliability: The main sourcing comes from a U.S. Department of Labor news release, an official government communication, which in turn cites IRS plans; supplemental context from IRS form pages corroborates the existence of the forms but not the paper release date.
Overall status: In progress, with the paper release pending after January 1, 2026.
Update · Dec 31, 2025, 09:56 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and states the IRS plan to publish paper copies after January 1, 2026.
Progress status: As of 2025-12-31, the paper copies had not yet been released; the schedule is contingent on the post–January 1, 2026 plan described in the release.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025 – EBSA announces online availability of informational copies; anticipated paper copies after January 1, 2026 on the IRS site. There is no separate announced completion date beyond that
post-2026 timing.
Update · Dec 31, 2025, 07:50 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: Current IRS guidance shows a strong and ongoing shift to electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ, with mandatory electronic filing thresholds further clarified by final regulations (Treasury/IRS guidance updated through 2025). The IRS describes electronic filing pathways (EFAST2 for Form 5500-EZ; FIRE for electronic submission of related items) and notes that paper filing remains available only under specific exemptions or hardship waivers, not as a standard replacement for 2024 onward. The 2023-2025 guidance explicitly emphasizes electronic filing for plan years beginning after 2023 and references continued paper filing only in limited, nonstandard circumstances per historical procedures.
Completion status and milestones: There is no publicly available IRS or EBSA statement confirming a planned or completed release of paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026. The dominant and current workflow remains electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ, with paper forms ordinarily not published as standard practice. No concrete milestone or completion date has been announced by the IRS to publish 2025-form paper copies online.
Dates and milestones: The notable milestones in this space are the 2023 final regulations on electronic filing thresholds (impacting filings from 2024 onward) and the IRS/EBSA ongoing emphasis on electronic submission via EFAST2 and FIRE. There is no documented date for a
post-2026 paper-copy release.
Source reliability: The primary sources are IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ,
the Form 5500 Corner, and the mandatory electronic filing guidance. These are official government outlets providing current policy on filing methods and formats. Given the ongoing shift to electronic filing, these sources suggest a low likelihood of a broad, post-2026 paper-copy release, though they do not explicitly rule out isolated exceptions.
Follow-up note: If new IRS guidance explicitly announces a paper-copy release after January 1, 2026, provide a direct link and official publication date to update this status.
Update · Dec 31, 2025, 06:17 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The IRS provides current Form 5500-EZ materials as PDFs and notes on where to access forms and instructions (e.g., About Form 5500-EZ, Form 5500 Corner). These resources indicate availability of digital versions and filing guidance, not ongoing paper-only releases. Notably, the IRS has historically maintained both paper and electronic filing paths for Form 5500-EZ and related materials (e.g., 2024 Instructions PDF and the Form 5500 Corner page).
Evidence of completion status: There is no public IRS notice or DoL EBSA update confirming a separate post-2026 “paper copy” release of 5500-EZ forms and 2025 instructions. As of 2025-12-31, the IRS materials are accessible as PDFs on irs.gov, with no documented transition to a distinct
post-January 1, 2026 paper-only release. The DoL article’s claim thus remains unverified by primary IRS announcements.
Dates and milestones: Current IRS resources show ready-to-access electronic PDFs (e.g., 2024 Instructions i5500ez.pdf) but do not show a stated
post-2026 paper-copy publication schedule. The completion condition (paper copies released on the IRS website) has not been evidenced by IRS communications or updated guidance.
Reliability of sources: Primary IRS pages (About Form 5500-EZ, Form 5500 Corner) are reliable for current form availability and filing guidance. The DoL EBSA article provides the initial claim but does not reflect an IRS-confirmed milestone as of 2025-12-31. Cross-source consistency is limited; no independent confirmation of a post-2026 paper-release has been found.
Update · Dec 31, 2025, 03:45 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the EBSA news release states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions were released online. It also notes that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of 2025-12-31, paper copies had not yet been released; the paper version is pending a future IRS release after the stated date.
Reliability: The primary source is an official DOL EBSA news release, a reliable government source, which cites the IRS paper-copy plan and contemporaneous online informational copies.
Update · Dec 31, 2025, 01:49 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026. The claim originates from a Dec 15, 2025 joint release by the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC, which states that informational copies are online and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions will be published after Jan. 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The agencies have released informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series online (including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions) as of Dec 15, 2025, per the DOL release. This confirms substantial progress toward 2025 reporting obligations, with the caveat that the paper copies remain to be published by the IRS after 2026.
Current status of completion: Paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions have not yet been released as of 2025-12-31. The completion condition is pending with a stated post–Jan 1, 2026 release window from the IRS.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 – joint release notes online informational copies for 2025 forms; after January 1, 2026 – IRS to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions (per the same release).
Reliability of sources: The primary references are official government communications (DOL News Release, 2025-12-15) and IRS form resources. The DOL statement accurately reflects IRS actions, but the explicit paper-copy release date is anchored to the DOL notice. These are credible, government-sourced materials with minimal risk of bias.
Update · Dec 31, 2025, 12:02 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
The December 15, 2025 DOL news release confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions are posted online, and explicitly notes that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026.
As of 2025-12-31, no separate paper copies release date beyond the stated plan has occurred, so the event is not yet completed. The announcement also indicates filers should monitor eFAST2 for official electronic versions and use approved vendors or the EFAST2 site for filing.
The sources are official government communications (DOL EBSA and the IRS information in DOL’s release), which are generally reliable for policy and filing guidance, though the specific paper-copy timing rests with the IRS.
Reliability note: The primary sources are government agencies; however, the statement about a future paper release is contingent on IRS publication timelines and is not independently corroborated by non-government outlets at this time.
Update · Dec 31, 2025, 10:04 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release notes that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. The release directs filers to monitor the EFAST2 system for official electronic versions and filing updates.
Current status: As of December 30, 2025, the paper copies themselves have not yet been released; the statement indicates a plan to publish them after the 2026 date, placing this action in the progress stage and contingent on IRS publication timing.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the post–January 1, 2026 release of paper copies and instructions for 2025 on the IRS website. The DOL announcement confirms informational copies are online and directs users to monitor for the paper versions, but provides no exact publication date beyond the stated trigger date.
Source reliability: The primary source is the official
U.S. government release from the Department of Labor (EBSA), which is reliable for regulatory and filing guidance. The statement references the IRS publication trigger but does not itself provide an exact release date for the paper copies.
Update · Dec 31, 2025, 07:30 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence supporting progress: A DOL EBSA release (2025-12-15) states the IRS will release paper copies after January 1, 2026. Completion status: No evidence of release as of 2025-12-30; the action is pending and planned for after the specified date. Milestones: December 15, 2025—informational copies published;
post-January 1, 2026—paper copies and 2025 instructions to be released on IRS site. Reliability: The primary source is an official government release (DOL EBSA), with corroboration from industry outlets reporting the same plan; while media outlets vary in detail, official communication is the authoritative basis for the claim.
Update · Dec 31, 2025, 03:53 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The article asserts that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The claim reflects a separation between online informational copies and printed paper forms to be posted later. It notes the specific condition that paper copies would appear after the start of 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, a U.S. Department of Labor press release (EBSA) stated that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558, and related instructions were released online. It also confirms that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Status of the completion condition: As of December 30, 2025, the evidence shows that online informational copies have been released, but the paper copies have not yet appeared. The source explicitly places the paper version release on the IRS website after January 1, 2026, indicating the task remains pending.
Dates and milestones: Key date 1) December 15, 2025 — DOL press release noting online availability of informational copies; 2) January 1, 2026 — planned date after which the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions. No final date for the paper release is provided beyond “after Jan. 1, 2026.”
Source reliability: The primary substantiation comes from a December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release, a reputable government agency, which cites IRS actions and official forms/filings guidance. Cross-referencing IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ and related publications corroborates the ongoing availability of online materials. Overall, sources are high-quality and appropriate for official regulatory updates.
Update · Dec 31, 2025, 01:49 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence that progress is being made: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor EBSA release confirms the plan to post paper copies after January 1, 2026. Industry reporting in mid-December 2025 notes that informational copies for the 2025
Form 5500 series were released, indicating related activity around the same timeframe.
Evidence of completion status: No IRS posting of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ paper copies or 2025 instructions has been identified as of 2025-12-30; the completion condition remains unmet.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 – DOL EBSA release reiterates the post–January 1, 2026 posting plan; mid-December 2025 – reports of 2025 informational copies suggest a staged process toward the official paper copies.
Reliability of sources: The principal claim derives from a government agency (DOL EBSA) and is corroborated by industry outlets reporting on IRS actions. While industry sources are credible for regulatory timelines, formal IRS confirmation is still pending as of the date analyzed.
Follow-up note: Monitor the IRS Form 5500-Corner and DOL EBSA updates after January 2026 for official posting of the paper copies.
Update · Dec 31, 2025, 12:02 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: The Dec 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release notes that informational copies are online and that paper copies will be released by the IRS after Jan. 1, 2026. Status assessment: As of 2025-12-30, no IRS posting confirms the actual paper release, so the completion condition is not yet met. Dates and milestones: The key date is January 1, 2026 for the post‑date paper release; electronic informational copies for 2025 are already available online. Source reliability: The primary sources are official federal government outlets (DOL EBSA news release and IRS form/instructions pages), which are appropriate for regulatory timelines, though the IRS release for the paper copies remains pending. Ambiguity: The claim hinges on an IRS notice; until confirmed, status remains in_progress.
Update · Dec 30, 2025, 10:04 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release confirms online informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series and related materials, and states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan. 1, 2026. Completion status: As of 2025-12-30, a firm paper release had not yet occurred; the release is contingent on
post-January 1, 2026 timing noted by the agency, indicating ongoing fulfillment rather than completed delivery.
Notes on dates/milestones: Key milestone is the stated
post-2026-01-01 paper release by the IRS; the EBSA release also notes the 2025 informational copies online and monitoring for official electronic availability via EFAST2. Source reliability: The primary source is a U.S. Department of Labor EBSA press release (official government source), supplemented by IRS/Form 5500 information pages referenced in related materials; these are credible for policy and filing-system updates, though the exact paper release timing rests with the IRS.
Update · Dec 30, 2025, 07:50 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, a joint Department of Labor press release announced that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after Jan. 1, 2026.
Current status: The paper distribution for Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions has not occurred as of 2025-12-30 and remains pending, with a stated
post-January 1, 2026 release window.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — joint release of informational copies online; post-January 1, 2026 — IRS paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions expected.
Source reliability: The principal source is an official U.S. Department of Labor press release (government source) reporting the joint action with the IRS; corroborating industry coverage exists but relies on the same official statement. Overall reliability is high for regulatory status, with attention to the exact post-date of paper copies.
Update · Dec 30, 2025, 06:10 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
The Department of Labor, in a joint EBSA release with the IRS and PBGC, confirmed this plan as part of the 2025 Form 5500 informational copies package, noting the specific timing for paper copies of Form 5500-EZ.
As of the current date, there is no evidence that the paper copies have been released. The EBSA release from December 15, 2025, positions the paper copies as a separate release anticipated after January 1, 2026, with guidance to monitor official channels for availability.
There is no information indicating that the promise was completed by the end of 2025; the stated milestone remains the January 2026 window. The official language directs filers to monitor eFAST/DOL communications for when electronic versions become available for filing, while the paper copies are described as a separate post-2025 release by the IRS.
Key dates cited include December 15, 2025 (informational copies release) and the post-January 1, 2026 timeline for paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions. No concrete completion date beyond the stated post-2025 window is provided in the cited sources. The reliability of these sources is high for official government statements (DOL/EBSA release) and IRS notices referenced by industry planning outlets.
Source reliability: the primary governing information comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s EBSA press release (official; December 15, 2025) and IRS-related Form 5500 resources referenced in agency materials. Industry coverage corroborates the timeline but relies on the same official statements. Overall, the reporting is aligned with official messaging, with no evidence of deviation or reversal.
Update · Dec 30, 2025, 03:46 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article claimed that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, and states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This shows online information copies are available and the paper release is planned for after the date in question. Reliability note: The EBSA release is a government source compiling information from the IRS; the IRS forms page remains the authoritative location for official forms and instructions.
Update · Dec 30, 2025, 01:50 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor press release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms that informational online copies of the Form 5500 series were released, and explicitly states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions will be released on the IRS website after Jan 1, 2026. There is no evidence as of 2025-12-30 that the paper copies have been released; completion would require the IRS to publish physical copies after the stated date. The press release also notes the official channels for filing and that the paper copies are not for filing purposes, signaling an informational-to-paper release sequence rather than an immediate filing update. Reliability: the DOL release is a government source reporting on the IRS’s planned publication; it is reasonably reliable for policy timelines, though the exact timing may depend on IRS publishing schedules (official IRS pages should be consulted for any changes).
Update · Dec 30, 2025, 11:54 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC released online informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series, and noted that the IRS would publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Current status: Paper copies have not yet been released as of 2025-12-30; the stated plan is to publish them after January 1, 2026, indicating the task is not yet completed.
Milestones: December 15, 2025 — online informational copies released; January 1, 2026 — anticipated date for paper copies on the IRS website; filers advised to monitor eFAST2 for official electronic versions.
Source reliability: The primary citation is an official government release (DOL News Release 25-1517-NAT, 2025-12-15), which is a high-reliability source for regulatory updates; the information aligns with standard practice for Form 5500 informational copies and subsequent paper publication.
Overall assessment: The claim is currently in_progress, with confirmed online informational copies available and a planned
post-January 1, 2026 publication of paper copies.
Update · Dec 30, 2025, 10:07 AMin_progress
What the claim stated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms online informational copies for 2025 and notes the IRS plan to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026. It also directs readers to monitor official channels for implementation details.
Current status: Paper copies have not yet been released as of the latest official communications. The completion condition remains contingent on IRS action after January 1, 2026.
Key dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 – EBSA announces online informational copies; after January 1, 2026 – IRS to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its site. Filers should watch for official EFAST2 guidance for official forms and filing.
Source reliability: The primary source is a U.S. Department of Labor EBSA news release, a high-reliability government source. IRS forms pages corroborate the form context, though the specific paper-copy timeline is anchored to the EBSA release and IRS actions.
Overall assessment: The claim remains in_progress, with a clear scheduled action after January 1, 2026 and no evidence of completion to date.
Update · Dec 30, 2025, 07:39 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: Public IRS pages confirm current availability of Form 5500-EZ in digital form and provide guidance on filing and publications, while the DOL article cites the claim without an IRS confirmation. The IRS forms hub and instruction PDFs show ongoing digital materials rather than a new
post-2026 paper-release notice.
Status assessment: There is no documented completion of the claimed paper-copy release. The IRS has emphasized electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ and related forms, and while paper forms exist, official signaling of a separate 2025-paper-release post-2026 is not evident.
Dates and milestones: No explicit IRS milestone or completion date for a post-2026 paper-release is publicly published. Current materials focus on electronic filing and digital instructions, with print copies available on request or through traditional channels, but not a dated paper-release schedule.
Source reliability note: Information primarily comes from IRS official pages on Form 5500-EZ and filing guidance, supplemented by the DOL press release referencing the claim. IRS material is the authoritative source for filing requirements; the lack of an IRS notice about a post-2026 paper release limits verifiable progress.
Update · Dec 30, 2025, 03:50 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. What evidence exists of progress: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor published a joint release stating that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This source confirms the timing of the plan but not any actual release as of today. Additional contemporaneous coverage from industry outlets reiterates the promise but likewise does not indicate that the paper copies have been posted yet.
Update · Dec 30, 2025, 02:18 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The report states that IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A joint December 15, 2025 Department of Labor news release (EBSA) confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series and related materials are released online, and explicitly notes that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Current status and completion: As of the current date (Dec 29, 2025), there is no documented evidence that the paper copies have been released; the press release indicates the action will occur after Jan 1, 2026, meaning the completion condition (paper copies available on IRS site) has not yet been met.
Dates and milestones: Key milestone cited is the post–Jan 1, 2026 release of paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions by the IRS, as stated in the DOL EBSA release (Dec 15, 2025).
Source reliability: The primary cited source is a U.S. Department of Labor EBSA news release, which cites interagency coordination with the IRS. This is a high-reliability government source for administrative filings, though the timing is contingent on IRS action.
Update · Dec 30, 2025, 01:48 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The DOL EBSA article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 DOL release explicitly announces that informational copies of 2025
Form 5500 series and related materials were released online, with a specific note that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions will be released on the IRS website after Jan 1, 2026.
Current status: As of 2025-12-29, there is no public IRS notice or IRS.gov page confirming that paper copies have been released; the IRS page discusses electronic filing and online availability but does not confirm a post-Jan 1, 2026 paper release.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the stated post-Jan 1, 2026 release of paper copies by the IRS, per the DOL release. No independent, verifiable IRS confirmation of the concrete paper release date is found in the sources consulted.
Reliability note: The primary source confirming the promise is the DOL EBSA news release (government agency), which cites collaboration with the IRS and PBGC. The IRS page provides current information on Form 5500-EZ but does not independently confirm the specific paper copy release timeline cited by the DOL release. The combination suggests the promise exists, but official IRS confirmation of the concrete paper release date is not verifiable in the material reviewed.
Update · Dec 30, 2025, 12:02 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor’s EBSA release confirms the availability of informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series online and notes that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions will be released on the IRS site after Jan. 1, 2026.
Current status and milestones: Informational copies for 2025 forms are online; the definitive completion condition—release of paper copies on the IRS website after 2026-01-01—has not yet occurred as of 2025-12-29.
Reliability note: Primary sourcing is an official government press release from DOL EBSA, which references IRS actions; corroboration is limited to trade press reiterating the same timeline. The official IRS posting date should be verified when the IRS releases the paper copies.
Update · Dec 29, 2025, 10:13 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: The Department of Labor's December 15, 2025 news release states that informational online copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions are available online, with the IRS planning to release paper copies after January 1, 2026. The IRS Form 5500-EZ overview page confirms current-year information and confirms electronic filing is available via EFAST2. Milestones and status: Informational copies are publicly accessible online as of December 2025; the paper copies are not yet released and are slated for after 2026-01-01. Reliability: Sources are official government agencies (DOL EBSA, IRS) and industry summaries, which consistently reflect the stated timeline and process. Completion assessment: No evidence of actual paper-copy release; progress is ongoing toward the stated
post-2026-01-01 release date.
Update · Dec 29, 2025, 10:10 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A joint Department of Labor release (December 15, 2025) announces that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions online, and that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 after Jan. 1, 2026. This documents the planned sequencing and timing but does not indicate that the paper copies have been posted yet.
Current status: As of the publication date, the paper copies were not yet released; the release confirms the scheduled
post-January 1, 2026 posting by the IRS. No subsequent public confirmation of completion is found in readily accessible sources.
Dates and milestones: The key date cited is January 1, 2026 as the threshold after which IRS paper copies are to be posted. The DOL release is dated December 15, 2025. No further milestones are documented within the provided sources.
Source reliability: The primary source is a U.S. Department of Labor news release, a government primary source. It reflects coordination with the Internal Revenue Service and PBGC and provides official timelines. IRS-specific confirmations or postings would be the corroborating source for the actual posting date once available.
Update · Dec 29, 2025, 09:33 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article states that IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor (EBSA) and co-signatories released informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series online, with the IRS noting that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released after January 1, 2026.
Current status: The completion condition (paper copies released on the IRS website) has not yet occurred as of 2025-12-29; only informational copies are publicly available now. The IRS paper release is anticipated after 2026 per the announcement.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025 – DOL/EBSA release of informational copies; post‑Jan 1, 2026 – planned IRS paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions.
Reliability of sources: The principal source is an official DOL news release (25-1517-NAT) dated Dec 15, 2025, which is a highly reliable government document. Coverage from trade press corroborates the timing. Overall, sources are credible and consistent.
Follow-up: 2026-01-01
Update · Dec 29, 2025, 08:16 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint news release from the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA) confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, and explicitly states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. The release notes that digital copies are available while paper versions are forthcoming, with a milestone set for posting after 2026-01-01. Reliability: The claim relies on official government sources (DOL/EBSA) and corroborating industry reporting; exact posting date for the paper copies depends on IRS publishing schedules.
Update · Dec 29, 2025, 01:53 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for use after January 1, 2026, with online informational copies released beforehand. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558, and related instructions were released online, with the IRS planning to issue paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026 (DOL News Release 25-1517-NAT). No completion of the stated paper-copy release has occurred as of 2025-12-29; the release is planned for after 2026-01-01, per the DOL notice. Reliability of sources: The primary source is an official DOL news release citing coordination with the IRS; the IRS form pages provide current information about Form 5500-EZ but do not indicate a pre-January 2026 paper release. This combination yields a credible, but time-bound status indicating a forthcoming paper distribution rather than a completed action.
Progress details: The DOL release confirms that informational copies are available online now, and that the IRS will separately publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. The specified milestone is the post-2026-01-01 paper release; no earlier paper release is indicated. The current date (2025-12-29) places the target in the near future, so the claim remains in_progress pending the IRS publication of physical forms.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025 – DOL announces online availability of informational copies and the plan for post-January 1, 2026 paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions. January 1, 2026 – baseline date referenced for the anticipated IRS paper release. As of 2025-12-29, no paper copies have been released; the completion condition remains unmet. Sources: DOL News Release 25-1517-NAT (DOL.gov) and IRS/Form 5500-EZ information pages.
Source reliability note: The principal source is an official
U.S. government press release (DOL) describing actions by DOL, the IRS, and PBGC; this is considered high-reliability for policy implementation status. Supplemental reference to IRS form information pages helps corroborate form details but does not contradict the stated schedule. Overall, the informational copies are available online, while the paper copies are planned for after 2026-01-01.
Update · Dec 29, 2025, 12:34 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A joint December 15, 2025 release from the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC states that informational copies of the 2025 forms (including Form 5500-EZ) will be posted online, with paper copies provided separately after January 1, 2026. This confirms a two-step process and the
post-1/1/2026 plan for paper copies.
Status against completion: As of 2025-12-29, paper copies have not yet been released; the completion condition remains contingent on the post-1/1/2026 release. No precise date beyond the January 1, 2026 threshold is given in the notices cited.
Reliability of sources: The primary source is the government EBSA/DOL release (12/15/2025), which is reliable for regulatory scheduling. Trade press and plans sponsor outlets corroborate the timing but are secondary sources; all reflect the same post-1/1/2026 plan.
Update · Dec 29, 2025, 10:50 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. Public notices indicate that online informational copies for 2025 Form 5500-EZ were released in mid-December 2025, with related forms also made available online. As of 2025-12-29, there is no evidence that the paper copies have been posted on the IRS website; the plan appears to be to publish them after January 1, 2026. This suggests progress toward dissemination of the 2025 forms, but the paper version remains unpublished at this time.
Update · Dec 29, 2025, 08:25 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The Dec. 15, 2025 EBSA news release (DOL) confirms the IRS plan to publish paper copies after Jan. 1, 2026, alongside electronic copies and related 2025 form changes.
Current status and milestones: As of 2025-12-28 there is no record of the paper copies being released; the action is described as forthcoming after the specified date. The release note identifies a
post-2026 publication as the completion condition.
Reliability note: The primary sourcing is an official
U.S. government press release from EBSA (DOL), which is a credible source for regulatory publication plans; no conflicting reports have been identified in publicly available government materials.
Update · Dec 29, 2025, 04:20 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions for separate download after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release confirms this promise: informational copies of the 2025 forms and related instructions will be published online, and the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This establishes a two-track release: online informational copies immediately and physical paper copies post-January 2026.
Update · Dec 29, 2025, 01:42 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The Department of Labor’s EBSA release (December 15, 2025) confirms that informational copies for 2025 were released online by the three agencies, and explicitly states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. Related coverage and agency pages corroborate that online informational copies are available now.
Status assessment: As of 2025-12-28, the paper copies have not been released; the stated milestone is a post–January 1, 2026 release on the IRS website. The completion condition (paper copies released on the IRS site) has not yet been met.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — EBSA/DOL release noting online informational copies are available and that paper copies will follow after January 1, 2026. January 1, 2026 — cited trigger for paper-copy release. No later completion date has been announced.
Source reliability: The primary sourcing is a formal DOL/EBSA press release referencing IRS actions, supplemented by IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ. These are official government sources; however, the overall claim hinges on a future scheduled action by the IRS, which remains uncompleted as of the current date.
Overall assessment: Based on available public records, the claim remains in_progress with a projected post–January 1, 2026 release date for paper copies; no evidence indicates completion or cancellation to date.
Update · Dec 28, 2025, 11:50 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This was reported in a December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release and echoed by multiple industry outlets. The wording indicates a
post-2026 release timeline for the paper copies and accompanying instructions.
Evidence of progress: The strongest public signal as of December 28, 2025 is the stated plan from the agencies that the IRS will publish the paper copies and instructions after January 1, 2026 on its website. There is no IRS page or notice dated before 2026 confirming actual publication of the paper copies.
Evidence of completion, ongoing status, or failure: No public evidence shows the paper copies or 2025 instructions released by late December 2025. The completion condition remains unmet if assessed strictly against the date, but the requirement could be fulfilled once the IRS posts the materials after the stated date.
Dates and milestones: The central milestone is January 1, 2026 as the point after which the IRS would post the paper copies and instructions. The December 15, 2025 notices are the only dated references available, with no IRS publication date confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Source reliability note: The core claim originates from a DOL EBSA release and is corroborated by multiple industry outlets. The DOL source is official, but it reports on IRS actions rather than providing the IRS text itself. Industry outlets are secondary; no IRS primary document confirming publication was identified in the reviewed material.
Update · Dec 28, 2025, 09:46 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint Department of Labor/EBSA release confirms the IRS intends to post paper copies and 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Related IRS materials discuss Form 5500-EZ and filing requirements, but do not contradict the timing.
Current status: As of December 28, 2025 there is no posted IRS paper copy release documented in public IRS pages. The completion condition (posting on the IRS site) has not yet been fulfilled.
Key dates and milestones: The pivotal milestone is January 1, 2026 for the IRS to post the paper forms and instructions online, per the DOL/EBSA notice. No exact IRS posting date beyond that trigger is provided in the cited materials.
Source reliability: The principal claim comes from a government press release (DOL/EBSA, 2025-12-15), supported by IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ and electronic filing rules. Government sources are generally reliable for policy statements, though the specific post–Jan 1, 2026 posting remains unverified until IRS publishes.
Follow-up note: Recheck the IRS site after 2026-01-01 for the publication of paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions.
Update · Dec 28, 2025, 07:41 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026, as noted in the source material.
Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release confirms that informational copies for the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online, and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions will be released on the IRS website after Jan. 1, 2026.
Completion status: As of 2025-12-28, the paper copies have not yet been released; the action is contingent on the after-Jan-1-2026 timeline provided by the DOL release.
Notes on sourcing: The primary, official reference is the DOL EBSA release (Dec 15, 2025). Secondary industry summaries echo the same timeline, but the authoritative statement about the paper copies rests with the IRS timeline referenced by DOL.
Update · Dec 28, 2025, 06:06 PMin_progress
The claim stated that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The source quoted the plan and, as of 2025-12-28, official documentation confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online. It also states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions will be published separately on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. There is no evidence yet that the paper copies have been published, so the completion condition has not been met.
Update · Dec 28, 2025, 03:48 PMin_progress
The claim asserts that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release notes the IRS intends to release these paper copies separately after the start of 2026. As of the current date, there is no verifiable evidence that the paper copies have been released; the action remains contingent on IRS follow-through in early 2026. The cited source is an official government release reporting intended actions rather than a completed milestone.
Update · Dec 28, 2025, 01:47 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The Department of Labor/EBSA press release dated December 15, 2025 explicitly notes the plan for the IRS to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Secondary coverage (e.g., industry outlets) repeated this framing, reflecting the same timeline. No IRS page as of December 28, 2025 confirms the actual release.
Current status and completion assessment: As of the current date, there is no public confirmation that the paper copies have been released on the IRS website. The completion condition (paper copies available on IRS site) has not been demonstrably met yet according to available sources. The IRS forms pages show 2024/2025 instructions and PDFs, but do not document a separate post–Jan 1, 2026 paper release.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is the post–January 1, 2026 release date referenced by DOL/EBSA (Dec 15, 2025). No subsequent update with a concrete release date or link is found in IRS materials within the provided window. If released, it would mark fulfillment of the stated completion condition; until then, progress is unconfirmed.
Source reliability note: Primary citation comes from a U.S. Department of Labor press release (high reliability) which references IRS actions. IRS official form pages are also used, but there is no explicit IRS confirmation of a separate paper release timing as of late December 2025. Coverage from industry outlets corroborates the planned timeline but should be weighed against the lack of IRS confirmation.
Update · Dec 28, 2025, 11:53 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The DOL EBSA news release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series were released online and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions will be published by the IRS after Jan 1, 2026.
Current status: As of 2025-12-28, paper copies have not yet been released; the completion condition (paper copies available on IRS site) remains pending.
Key dates and milestones: The critical milestone is January 1, 2026, when the IRS is expected to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website. Filers are advised to monitor eFAST and the IRS for official electronic versions and filing options (DOL release 2025-12-15).
Reliability note: The principal source is the U.S. Department of Labor’s EBSA press release (primary government source). Industry outlets citing the same statement corroborate the timeline but are secondary; cross-verification with IRS notices would further strengthen reliability.
Overall assessment: The claim remains in_progress until the IRS publishes the paper copies after January 1, 2026.
Update · Dec 28, 2025, 10:00 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 EBSA release notes that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series are available online, and states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026. This confirms the online availability of informational copies and the planned post-January-1 publication of paper copies.
Completion status: As of 2025-12-27, there is no record of the paper copies being published; the completion condition (paper copies on the IRS website) has not yet been met. The milestone is contingent on the IRS posting after January 1, 2026.
Dates and milestones: The key milestone is January 1, 2026 and the subsequent posting of paper copies on the IRS site. The EBSA notice also directs filers to monitor official channels for when official electronic versions are available for filing via EFAST2.
Source reliability: The primary sourcing is an official U.S. Department of Labor EBSA press release, which aggregates guidance from the IRS. As government sources, they are reliable for policy statements, though timing can shift; corroboration from IRS announcements would improve certainty.
Overall assessment: The claim remains in_progress, with a clear
post-January 1, 2026 milestone for paper copy publication.
Update · Dec 28, 2025, 07:41 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA news release states the IRS will publish paper copies after January 1, 2026 and advises monitoring the EFAST2 system for official versions. Current status: Paper copies had not been released by December 27, 2025; the plan was to publish after January 1, 2026. Dates/milestones: Key date is January 1, 2026 for the planned release; the DOL release establishes this schedule and notes ongoing electronic filing requirements. Source reliability: The primary source is an official DOL EBSA release (25-1517-NAT) with references to IRS actions, supported by IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ and electronic filing guidance. Overall assessment: In light of official statements, the claim remains in_progress pending post–January 1, 2026 verification of paper copy release.
Update · Dec 28, 2025, 03:46 AMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: A December 15, 2025 joint press release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) states that informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series and related instructions were released online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions would be released on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Current status vs. completion: The promise to issue paper copies remains unfulfilled as of December 27, 2025. Online informational copies exist, but the paper version release is slated for after January 1, 2026 and has not yet occurred.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 – informational copies released online; January 1, 2026 – scheduled date for IRS to post paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website.
Reliability note: Primary source is a
U.S. federal government press release from the Department of Labor, with corroboration from industry reporting; the materials are reliable for the claimed timeline, though the paper release has not yet happened.
Update · Dec 28, 2025, 01:41 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The investigation centers on the assertion that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The Department of Labor’s EBSA press release dated December 15, 2025 explicitly states the IRS will release paper copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026, indicating a planned separation in release timing rather than simultaneous publication.
Completion status: As of the current date (December 27, 2025), no public notice or IRS posting has demonstrated that the paper copies have been released; the referenced document indicates a future release after January 1, 2026, so the completion condition has not yet occurred.
Dates and milestones: Key milestone is January 1, 2026, after which the IRS will publish the paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions online. This is a forecasted milestone rather than a completed event.
Source reliability: The primary cited source is the EBSA press release from the U.S. Department of Labor (Dol.gov), a federal agency collaboration, which is a reliable government source for this information. Supplementary references from industry outlets align with the stated release timeline without contradicting it.
Update · Dec 27, 2025, 11:52 PMin_progress
What the claim states: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The related DOL/IRS joint release notes that informational copies for the 2025 forms were made available online, with paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions to be released after Jan. 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the agencies released informational copies of the 2025
Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions online, indicating the forms are accessible in electronic form ahead of any paper distribution. The notice explicitly states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions will be provided separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Current status relative to the promise: The paper copies have not yet been released as of the current date (Dec 27, 2025). The completion condition—paper copies available on the IRS website—remains pending and is contingent on the date after Jan 1, 2026. No firm completion date beyond the January 1, 2026 threshold is provided.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025—informational online copies of Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions released. January 1, 2026—earliest date by which paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions are planned to be released on the IRS site.
Reliability note: The primary source is a DOL News Release describing a joint IRS/EBSA action, with the specific line about pending paper copies after Jan 1, 2026. Coverage from secondary outlets corroborates the same timeline. As with all government communications, the information is authoritative for policy/publishing plans, but readers should monitor the IRS site for the exact posting dates of paper copies.
Update · Dec 27, 2025, 09:45 PMin_progress
What the claim stated: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. What progress evidence exists: The December 15, 2025 EBSA/DOL press release confirms online informational copies of 2025 Form 5500 series and states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. The IRS Form 5500 Corner page provides general guidance on Form 5500-EZ and related materials but does not show the paper copies as available before the stated date. When and what milestones: As of December 27, 2025, the paper copies had not yet been released; the milestone is the IRS site release after 2026-01-01. Reliability of sources: The primary sources are official U.S. federal government outlets (DOL EBSA press release and IRS guidance), which are authoritative for retirement plan reporting, though the specific timing is reiterated rather than independently verified by a secondary source. Overall status: The claim aligns with the documented plan to post paper copies after the stated date, with no evidence of reversal or cancellation; the completion condition remains contingent on the IRS publication after the date.
Update · Dec 27, 2025, 07:40 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were posted online, and states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately after Jan. 1, 2026. Additional industry reporting in mid-December 2025 confirms the same timeline. Status and milestones: As of December 27, 2025, there is no evidence that the IRS paper copies have been released; the timeline indicates publication after January 1, 2026. Reliability of sources: The primary source is an official DOL EBSA release, supported by multiple industry outlets; these sources are high-quality for regulatory document releases and timelines. Overall assessment: The claim remains in_progress with a defined post–January 1, 2026 release plan and no indication of completion to date.
Update · Dec 27, 2025, 06:03 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 EBSA release notes the IRS intends to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after the start of 2026. Industry outlets (Ascensus, 401k Specialist) reported the same timeline, citing the EBSA/IRS announcement as the basis for the claim.
Status of completion: There is no public evidence as of December 27, 2025 that the IRS has posted the paper copies or the 2025 instructions. The action remains a planned milestone rather than a completed event.
Key dates and milestones: The explicit completion date is after January 1, 2026; the EBSA release is dated 2025-12-15, indicating intended timing but not execution. Verification will require confirmation of an IRS posting after the milestone.
Update · Dec 27, 2025, 03:42 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint Department of Labor release confirms the plan to publish paper copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and related instructions on the IRS site after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of completion status: There is no record that the paper copies have been published as of the current date; IRS materials emphasize electronic filing for Form 5500-EZ in most cases, with paper submissions limited to certain filers, making the separate paper publication an anticipated step rather than a completed one.
Dates and milestones: The trigger date is January 1, 2026, after which the IRS would publish the paper copies and instructions.
Reliability note: The claim is grounded in a government press release (DOL/EBSA) and corroborating IRS information on Form 5500-EZ, both considered authoritative for administrative or regulatory details, though the IRS statement about the exact publication timing is not independently echoed beyond the joint release.
Overall: Status remains in_progress, pending the actual posting of the paper copies on the IRS site after the stated date.
Update · Dec 27, 2025, 01:46 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The DOL press release (Dec 15, 2025) confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions are online. It states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after Jan 1, 2026.
Status: There is no public record showing the IRS has released the paper copies as of 2025-12-27; the completion condition remains contingent on post–Jan 1, 2026 release.
Dates and milestones: Dec 15, 2025—DOL release notes the paper copies will appear after Jan 1, 2026; the target completion depends on the IRS posting date after that.
Update · Dec 27, 2025, 11:51 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: A December 15, 2025 joint news release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) states that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ, were released online, and that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This confirms online availability of informational copies and the stated timing for hard copies remains post-January 1, 2026.
Completion status: Informational copies are already available online as of December 15, 2025, but the paper copies have not yet been released and are contingent on the IRS posting after January 1, 2026. No evidence indicates completion of the paper-release milestone by December 2025.
Key dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — EBSA/DOL press release notes online informational copies are available; paper copies for Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions to be released after January 1, 2026. The current article date is December 15, 2025, and the current date for this report is December 27, 2025. Industry outlets echoed the same timeline.
Source reliability: The primary source is an official U.S. Department of Labor EBSA news release, which is highly reliable for this topic. Additional outlets (e.g., PSCA, Ascensus, 401k Specialist) corroborate the stated timeline but are secondary sources. In all cases, the reporting is consistent with the official statement regarding post-2025 hard-copy release timing.
Update · Dec 27, 2025, 09:52 AMin_progress
Claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: A DOL EBSA press release dated December 15, 2025 states that informational copies of the Form 5500 series were released online and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions will be posted on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. Current status: The IRS has digital versions available now (e.g., Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions) via its forms/publications pages, including large-print instructions with 2025 revision posted in September 2025, indicating online availability but not paper copies. Milestones/dates: December 15, 2025 EBSA release; September 12, 2025 posting of 2025 large‑print instructions; paper copies expected after 2026-01-01. Source reliability: Primary government sources (DOL EBSA, IRS pages) are credible; they show online availability and planned future paper releases rather than completed paper distribution.
Update · Dec 27, 2025, 07:27 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: The EBSA press release dated December 15, 2025 confirms that informational copies are online and states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions will be released after January 1, 2026.
Completion status: There is no evidence that the paper copies have been released as of 2025-12-26; the timeline hinges on a post‑January 1, 2026 release, so the item remains incomplete.
Dates and milestones: The key date is January 1, 2026 for the post‑2025 paper copy release. The December 15, 2025 EBSA release provides the stated schedule; no earlier completion date is given.
Source reliability: The EBSA press release is an official government document, providing high reliability for the claim; the IRS Form 5500-EZ page corroborates the form's existence and filing context, but does not by itself specify the paper-copy timeline.
Update · Dec 27, 2025, 03:48 AMin_progress
The claim states that after January 1, 2026, the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions.
This was stated in the December 15, 2025 U.S. Department of Labor EBSA press release, which notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series are available online and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions will be released separately on the IRS website after Jan 1, 2026.
As of 2025-12-26, the paper copies have not yet been released; the event remains pending.
Milestones: post-January 1, 2026 is the target date for paper copies; electronic availability is already posted via EFAST2 if needed.
Reliability: The primary sourcing is a government press release (DOL EBSA); the IRS Form 5500-EZ information page corroborates the form's existence and electronic filing paths.
Conclusion: The status remains in_progress; a follow-up check after 2026-01-01 is recommended.
Update · Dec 27, 2025, 01:42 AMin_progress
Claim under review: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This timing is stated in the source material. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 joint release from the Department of Labor's EBSA notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions are being released online. It also states that paper copies will be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Status of completion: Paper copies have not yet been released; the completion condition remains unmet. The notice confirms a future paper release after January 1, 2026, while informational copies are already available online. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025—the joint DOL/IRS/PBGC release of informational copies. The paper-copy release is targeted for after January 1, 2026, with industry reporting following in mid-December 2025. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; Ascensus article, 2025-12-16)
Reliability of sources: The primary source is the official Department of Labor EBSA press release. Industry outlets (Ascensus, PlanSponsor, 401(k) Specialist) corroborate the same notice and date window. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; Ascensus, 2025-12-16; PlanSponsor, 2025-12-15)
Verdict and follow-up: in_progress. Follow-up date: 2026-01-15.
Update · Dec 26, 2025, 11:58 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. This is described in the December 15, 2025 joint EBSA news release (DOL EBSA 12/15/2025).
Evidence of progress: The EBSA release confirms that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions are already released online. It specifies that the paper copies will be posted separately on the IRS website after Jan 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA 12/15/2025).
Progress status: There is no indication that paper copies have been released yet; the completion condition remains unmet as of 2025-12-26. The release of informational copies satisfies a related step, but not the paper-form release asserted in the claim (DOL EBSA 12/15/2025).
Dates and milestones: The notable milestone cited is Jan 1, 2026, after which the IRS intends to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions. Informational copies are already available online as of December 15, 2025.
Source reliability: The primary source is a U.S. Department of Labor News Release jointly issued with the IRS and PBGC, a definitive government authority. This makes the stated timeline credible for official actions; multiple media outlets have echoed the same information (e.g., Plan Adviser, 401k Specialist) but rely on the EBSA release for the core facts.
Conclusion: The current status is in_progress; no paper copies have been released by the stated date, and the projected paper release is set for after January 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA 12/15/2025).
Update · Dec 26, 2025, 09:53 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, EBSA in coordination with the IRS and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online. The release notes state that the IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of 2025-12-26 there is no public evidence that the paper copies have been released. Only online informational copies exist.
Milestones: December 15, 2025 posting online; January 1, 2026 target for paper copies to be posted on the IRS site.
Reliability: The primary source is the official DOL EBSA press release, and it is corroborated by trade outlets such as PlanAdviser, Ascensus, and 401k Specialist.
Conclusion: The claim remains in_progress. Completion will occur when the IRS posts the paper copies after January 1, 2026.
Update · Dec 26, 2025, 07:45 PMin_progress
Claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This was stated in the U.S. Department of Labor EBSA news release dated 2025-12-15.
Evidence of progress: EBSA notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions are available online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions will be posted separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Current status: as of 2025-12-26, there is no observed release of the paper copies; completion remains contingent on the IRS posting them, with no indication of cancellation.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 – Department of Labor EBSA release; January 1, 2026 – target date for posting paper copies on the IRS site. No further milestones are provided.
Reliability of sources: the primary sources are U.S. government agencies (EBSA and IRS). These sources are official and publicly verifiable; IRS Form 5500 corner pages and the 2025 instructions PDF corroborate filing pathways and updates.
Update · Dec 26, 2025, 06:09 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 Form 5500-EZ instructions after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence shows informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online on December 15, 2025, and the release notes that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions will be posted after January 1, 2026 (EBSA 2025-12-15).
As of 2025-12-26, there is no public indication that the paper copies have been released; the completion condition remains unmet.
Milestones for 2025 include new plan characteristic codes 1J, 1K, and 1L, a new code 1G, and a modified 1H, with filings still slated for electronic submission via EFAST2; these updates are described in the EBSA/DOL release (2025-12-15) and corroborated by industry coverage (Ascensus 2025-12-16; 401k Specialist 2025-12-15).
Update · Dec 26, 2025, 03:46 PMin_progress
Claim under review: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026. This statement comes from the December 15, 2025 EBSA news release from the U.S. Department of Labor. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Progress evidence exists that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online by EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC. The EBSA release explicitly states this online release and identifies the forms involved, including Form 5500-EZ and its related instructions. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15) Industry reporting also echoed the same notice. (401k Specialist, 2025-12-15; Ascensus, 2025-12-16)
Completion status remains in_progress. The paper-copy release is described as taking place after January 1, 2026, and there is no evidence as of 2025-12-26 that the paper copies have been released.
Milestones and dates to monitor: December 15, 2025 — informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were posted online. After January 1, 2026 — the IRS website is expected to host paper copies of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; 401k Specialist, 2025-12-15; Ascensus, 2025-12-16)
Reliability of sources: The primary claim rests on an official government release from EBSA. It is corroborated by industry outlets (401k Specialist and Ascensus) that republish the same notice. The IRS Form 5500-EZ page provides general background on the form, though not the specific paper-copy schedule. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; 401k Specialist, 2025-12-15; Ascensus, 2025-12-16; IRS.gov)
Update · Dec 26, 2025, 01:50 PMin_progress
The claim restates that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. The evidence supporting progress comes from a December 15, 2025 EBSA press release that references the online informational copies and notes the paper copies would be released after January 1, 2026. Industry coverage (PSCA, Ascensus) echoes the same timeline, indicating anticipation of a post-2026 publication.
As of 2025-12-26 there is no record of the paper copies having been released, so completion has not occurred. Source reliability is high for the EBSA press release and corroborating industry reporting, though official IRS posting of the paper-copy release remains to be seen.
Update · Dec 26, 2025, 11:56 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026.
Evidence progress: The EBSA press release confirms that informational copies of 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions are available online now, with paper copies to follow after Jan 1, 2026.
Status: No indication that the paper copies have been released as of 2025-12-26; the scheduled delivery is after Jan 1, 2026.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025, informational copies released online; after Jan 1, 2026, paper copies expected on the IRS website; filers advised to monitor eFAST for official electronic versions.
Reliability: The information comes from a joint DOL EBSA release (a primary source) and has been echoed by industry outlets; these sources are generally reliable for regulatory updates.
Conclusion: The claim remains in_progress; completion depends on the IRS posting of paper copies after the specified date.
Update · Dec 26, 2025, 09:54 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Evidence: The U.S. Department of Labor EBSA press release dated December 15, 2025 notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were released online. It also states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Current status as of 2025-12-25: Paper copies have not been released; the status is in_progress.
Milestones: December 15, 2025, informational copies were released online. January 1, 2026, the IRS' plan to release paper copies on its website is stated.
Reliability: The primary source is an official EBSA press release, with corroboration from industry outlets (Ascensus, PSCA, and 401k Specialist).
Conclusion: The release remains pending; status is in_progress.
Update · Dec 26, 2025, 07:28 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, EBSA announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions are now online. The notice also states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions will be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of 2025-12-25, paper copies have not yet been released; only informational online copies are available. The completion condition (paper copies released on the IRS site) remains pending.
Milestones and dates: December 15, 2025, informational copies posted online; the IRS plans to release paper copies of 2025 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026. The release also notes 2025 changes, including new plan characteristic codes.
Reliability note: Primary source is a U.S. government agency (DOL/EBSA) press release, corroborated by IRS form pages and industry coverage.
Verdict: in_progress. A follow-up will be checked on 2026-01-15 to confirm whether the paper copies have been released.
Update · Dec 26, 2025, 03:42 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This status check evaluates whether that commitment has progressed as of 2025-12-25.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor (EBSA) announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions online. The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Status of completion: Paper copies have not yet been released; the current action is the online posting of informational copies for reference. The note from the EBSA release cautions that informational copies are not for filing and that official electronic versions will be made available through EFAST2 when ready (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 – informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series are released online. January 1, 2026 – the IRS plans to publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Source reliability: The central statements come from a U.S. federal government agency (DOL EBSA) press release, corroborated by industry outlets reporting the same guidance (e.g., Dec 2025 coverage on 5500 news). The DOL release is the most authoritative primary source for the stated timeline (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Update · Dec 26, 2025, 01:47 AMin_progress
Claim: The IRS planned to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence progress: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series were posted online, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions. It stated the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. Filers were urged to monitor eFAST2 for official electronic versions when available.
Progress status: As of 2025-12-25 there is no evidence that the paper copies have been released; the timeline specifies a paper release after 2026-01-01 while 2025 informational copies are available online.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — release of informational copies online; January 1, 2026 — target for paper copies release. Source reliability: the primary source is the official DOL EBSA press release, which is high reliability; IRS pages corroborate Form 5500-EZ, but do not confirm the paper release date.
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 05:37 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the EBSA, IRS, and PBGC released online informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions. The release notes also indicate that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions will be published separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Completion status: The paper copies have not been published as of 2025-12-25; the online informational copies are available, but the stated paper publication remains planned rather than completed.
Dates and reliability: The key date for the anticipated paper release is January 1, 2026. Information comes from official government sources (DOL press release and IRS form resources), which supports credibility but shows the status as pending.
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 04:46 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Public progress: The December 15, 2025 EBSA press release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ, and related instructions are posted online.
Completion status: The release does not indicate that the paper copies are available yet; it specifies they will be released on the IRS website after Jan. 1, 2026. Therefore, completion has not been achieved as of 2025-12-25.
Milestones and reliability: December 15, 2025 posting of informational copies; post–January 1, 2026 release of paper copies on the IRS site. Primary sources are a federal EBSA press release and IRS information pages; third-party outlets corroborate the timing.
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 03:38 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 Instructions for Form 5500-EZ after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence includes the December 15, 2025 release of online informational copies for the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions.
The joint release notes that paper copies will be published separately after Jan. 1, 2026, and instruct filers to monitor official electronic versions via EFAST2 when available.
As of 2025-12-25, the paper copies have not been published, so the completion condition has not yet been met.
Milestones include the online informational copies released on December 15, 2025 and the promised post–January 1, 2026 paper copies; no firm date beyond that is provided.
Reliability: the sources are U.S. government agencies (DOL EBSA press release, IRS Form 5500-EZ page) and a trade-press recap; these are authoritative for form administration.
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 02:41 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This requirement was stated in a Department of Labor/EBSA release published December 15, 2025, which references the IRS plan.
Evidence of progress exists: on December 15–16, 2025, agencies posted informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, including Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, and Form 5500-EZ; a 2025 Instructions PDF was also made available on the DOL EBSA site.
However, there is no public confirmation that paper copies have been released. The December 2025 release frames the paper copies as to be released after January 1, 2026.
Concrete milestones include the online posting of 2025 informational copies (Dec 15–16, 2025) and the availability of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ instructions on the DOL site; the stated completion is the IRS paper-copy release after Jan 1, 2026.
Source reliability: primary sources are government agencies (DOL/EBSA), which are highly reliable; industry outlets corroborate the timing of online informational copies but do not alter the post-2026 paper-copy release expectation.
The status remains in_progress as of 2025-12-25.
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 01:49 PMin_progress
The claim states that after January 1, 2026, the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions separately on its website (DOL EBSA News Release, 2025-12-15).
Progress was made on December 15, 2025, when the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related instructions online, which are for review and cannot be used to file the forms; filers should monitor efast.dol.gov for official electronic versions later (DOL EBSA News Release, 2025-12-15).
As of 2025-12-25, no paper copies have been released; the stated completion condition remains unmet (DOL EBSA News Release, 2025-12-15).
Milestones include the December 15, 2025 informational-copy release and the anticipated paper copies after January 1, 2026, with no firm date beyond that provided (DOL EBSA News Release, 2025-12-15).
Reliability rests on the official federal source, the DOL EBSA press release, with corroboration from trade press such as ASPPA and 401k Specialist, which note the same development and timing (DOL EBSA News Release, 2025-12-15; ASPPA, 2025-12-16; 401k Specialist, 2025-12-16).
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 01:26 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress includes a December 15, 2025 joint release by the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), which notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions are available online, and that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 will be released separately after January 1, 2026.
As of December 25, 2025, there is no indication that the paper copies have been released. The statement predicts a paper release after Jan 1, 2026, while online informational copies are already published. This suggests the completion condition (paper copies on IRS site) has not yet been satisfied.
Milestones include the Jan 1, 2026 date for the paper release; the December 15, 2025 EBSA release; ongoing availability of online materials. Sources include the EBSA press release and IRS pages confirming availability of Form 5500-EZ materials; industry coverage corroborates the timeline. The general reliability is high given official government sources; however, the exact date of paper copy availability remains unconfirmed until after Jan 1, 2026.
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 11:35 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
The December 15, 2025 EBSA news release notes that informational copies of Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions are available online, and that the paper copies will be posted on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
As of 2025-12-25, no paper copies have appeared on the IRS site; the status remains pending a post‑January 1, 2026 release.
Key milestones include the 2025 form changes noted in the release and the ongoing availability of electronic filing through EFAST2; the paper release is contingent on IRS posting after 1/1/2026.
Reliability: The primary sources are an official DOL EBSA news release and the IRS Form 5500 Corner page; together they provide authoritative context for the claimed timeline.
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 10:45 AMin_progress
Claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026. The Department of Labor's EBSA press release confirms this timeline, noting that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related instructions will be released online while paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions are to be posted after January 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA, 12/15/2025).
Evidence of progress: The EBSA release (12/15/2025) and multiple industry outlets report the same sequencing, including PlanSponsor (12/15/2025), Ascensus (12/16/2025), and 401k Specialist (12/15/2025), which summarize that informational copies are online and the paper copies will appear after the 2025 date. These reports corroborate the intended distribution plan but do not indicate a completed release as of 2025-12-25.
Status and reliability: There is no evidence of actual paper-copy release by 2025-12-25, so the claim should be considered in_progress. The primary, verifiable source is the government EBSA release, which is supplemented by industry press that echoes the timeline; these secondary sources are less authoritative but still consistent on the sequencing.
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 09:42 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the EBSA, IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, including IRS Form 5500-EZ and related instructions. Current status: Paper copies have not yet been released as of 2025-12-25; the release is slated for after January 1, 2026. Milestones and dates: The December 15, 2025 informational copy release marks the progress; the January 1, 2026 date is the point from which the IRS expects to publish paper copies. Reliability: The primary source is the DOL EBSA press release; industry outlets and IRS pages corroborate the timing and nature of the informational copies.
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 08:49 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, EBSA, in coordination with the Internal Revenue Service and PBGC, released online informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ, and related instructions.
Completion status: The release notes that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026; as of December 25, 2025, those paper copies have not yet been released.
Milestones: December 15, 2025 release of informational copies; the paper copies remain pending after January 1, 2026.
Reliability: The primary source is a U.S. Department of Labor News Release; the information reflects official government agencies and is credible.
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 07:39 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026.
The December 15, 2025 joint press release from the Department of Labor (EBSA) with the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation announced release of informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions online. It also states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 will be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Industry coverage confirms this plan. Ascensus reported the same, citing the agencies' joint release and noting the IRS will publish paper copies after January 1, 2026. PSCA also referenced the detail in its December 17, 2025 post.
As of December 25, 2025, the paper copies have not yet been released, and the action remains in progress.
Key milestones include the December 15, 2025 release of informational copies online and the post‑January 1, 2026 target date for paper copies.
The primary source is the official DOL EBSA press release; additional coverage from Ascensus and PSCA corroborates the detail.
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 06:53 AMin_progress
The claim states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. (DoL EBSA 2025-12-15)
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 02:39 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, EBSA announced informational online copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) were released; the note on paper copies remains for after Jan 1, 2026. Current status: The completion condition (paper copies released on the IRS site) has not been met as of 2025-12-24. Milestones and reliability: December 15, 2025 official EBSA release; paper copies expected after January 1, 2026. The primary source is the DOL EBSA press release; industry outlets such as Ascensus (Dec 16, 2025) and PSCA (Dec 17, 2025) corroborate the plan.
Update · Dec 25, 2025, 01:46 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related instructions online, and the release states that paper copies will be posted separately after Jan. 1, 2026.
Current status: There is no public evidence as of 2025-12-24 that the paper copies have appeared on the IRS website; the timeline remains to post after January 1, 2026.
Milestones and dates: The December 2025 informational release marks the major milestone, and January 1, 2026 is the target date for posting the paper copies on the IRS site.
Source reliability: The primary source is the official DOL EBSA release, with corroboration from industry outlets such as Ascensus and 401k Specialist; IRS pages discuss Form 5500-EZ but do not contradict the posted timeline.
Conclusion: The claim remains in_progress pending the actual posting of paper copies after January 1, 2026.
Update · Dec 24, 2025, 06:57 AMin_progress
The claim: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, were posted online. The notice also states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Status: Paper copies have not yet been released as of 2025-12-24; the official guidance specifies a post‑January 1, 2026 release.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 is when informational copies were posted online; earliest paper release date is after January 1, 2026. Filers are advised to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions when available.
Reliability: The core facts come from the DOL EBSA press release and the IRS Form 5500-EZ information page; trade outlets such as PSCA and Ascensus corroborate the timeline.
Verdict: in_progress. Follow-up date: 2026-01-15
Update · Dec 24, 2025, 06:57 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions were released online, with the IRS slated to release the paper copies after January 1, 2026.
Completion status: Paper copies have not yet been published as of 2025-12-24; the plan is to post them after Jan 1, 2026, so the completion condition remains unmet.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 – informational copies were released online; after Jan 1, 2026, the IRS paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions are expected to be posted.
Reliability of sources: The claim and timeline come from official government sources—the EBSA press release (DOL) and IRS Form 5500 resources—supported by industry outlets that echoed the same timeline.
Overall assessment: The status is in_progress, with online informational copies available and the paper copies pending a January 2026 milestone. Follow-up is advised after 2026-01-15 to confirm publication.
Update · Dec 24, 2025, 04:55 AMin_progress
Claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This is stated in the December 15, 2025 Department of Labor press release on 2025 Form 5500 informational copies (DOL EBSA).
Evidence of progress: Informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions are posted online. The release also notes that the IRS will publish the paper copies after January 1, 2026.
Completion status: The paper copies have not yet been released; the completion condition remains pending. As of 2025-12-23, there is no public evidence of the paper copies' availability.
Dates and milestones: Online informational copies were released in December 2025; paper copies are expected after January 1, 2026. Source reliability: the claim originates from an official DOL press release (primary source) and is echoed by industry outlets reporting the same language.
Update · Dec 24, 2025, 04:11 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions. Completion status: Paper copies have not yet been released as of December 23–24, 2025; the agencies indicate paper copies will be posted after January 1, 2026. Concrete milestones: December 15, 2025 (informational copies released); January 1, 2026 (target date for paper copies). Source reliability: The primary source is a federal government press release (DOL EBSA), with corroborating reporting from trade outlets; IRS pages likewise publish information about Form 5500-EZ, though they do not specify a paper-copy date. Follow-up: 2026-01-15.
Update · Dec 24, 2025, 02:27 AMin_progress
The claim is that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. This promise is stated in a U.S. Department of Labor press release from the Employee Benefits Security Administration dated December 15, 2025. The release notes that the paper copies will be made available separately on the IRS website after the cited date (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15).
Evidence of progress shows that the EBSA press release confirms informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558, and related instructions were released online. It also reiterates that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions will be released separately after January 1, 2026, and directs filers to monitor eFAST2 for official electronic versions (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15).
As of 2025-12-23, no paper copies have been released; the scheduled action remains after January 1, 2026, with only online informational copies currently available (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15). This status is consistent with the published timeline and has not been contradicted by IRS notices available to date (IRS.gov About Form 5500-EZ, last updated 2025-11-12).
Key dates and milestones include the December 15, 2025 EBSA release confirming online informational copies and the IRS commitment to post paper copies after January 1, 2026. The EBSA notice also emphasizes that official electronic filing will proceed through the EFAST2 system when available (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15).
Source reliability is high for the core claim since the Department of Labor’s EBSA release is an official government document, and it is corroborated by IRS materials and industry coverage. IRS pages discuss Form 5500-EZ generally and were last updated in November 2025, but do not override the December 2025 timeline published by DOL; trade press (401k Specialist and Ascensus) also report the same post‑Jan 1, 2026 paper copy plan (IRS.gov About Form 5500-EZ; 401k Specialist, 2025-12-15; Ascensus, 2025-12-16).
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 11:41 PMin_progress
Claim: IRS to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 after Jan 1, 2026. This promise was stated in the U.S. Department of Labor EBSA press release dated 2025-12-15.
Progress evidence: EBSA notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including IRS Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, are released online. The release specifies that the IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after Jan 1, 2026.
Completion status: Paper copies have not yet been released; the completion condition remains unmet. The available progress is the online availability of informational copies through EBSA/IRS channels.
Milestones and dates: The stated trigger is after Jan 1, 2026 for the paper-copy release. The EBSA release (Dec 15, 2025) and the 2025 Form 5500-EZ PDF on the DOL site corroborate the official process and timing.
Source reliability: The sources are official U.S. federal government agencies (Department of Labor EBSA; IRS guidance via DOL links), lending strong credibility to the information.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 10:46 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 U.S. Department of Labor press release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions were published online. It also states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Current status: As of 2025-12-23, no IRS paper copies have appeared on the IRS site; only online informational copies have been released. The paper release remains conditional on the date after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; IRS Forms and Publications by U.S. Mail, 2025-11-26)
Milestones and dates: The claim centers on a paper release occurring after January 1, 2026. The IRS page notes that most products should be available by the end of January 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; IRS Forms and Publications by U.S. Mail, 2025-11-26)
Source reliability: The statements come from official U.S. government sources—the Department of Labor (EBSA) and the Internal Revenue Service. These primary sources are complemented by IRS notices and third-party industry coverage that reiterate the same timeline. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; IRS Forms and Publications by U.S. Mail, 2025-11-26)
Verdict: in_progress. Follow-up date: 2026-02-15
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 09:41 PMin_progress
The claim states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence shows that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions) were posted online on December 15, 2025 by the EBSA/IRS/PBGC collaboration.
As of 2025-12-23 there is no public evidence that the paper copies have been released; the status remains in progress and no completion has been announced. Filers are advised to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions as available.
Concrete milestones include the December 15, 2025 posting of informational copies and the stated January 1, 2026 threshold for paper copies. The primary source is a U.S. Department of Labor press release; IRS pages and industry coverage corroborate the timeline but do not indicate an earlier release of paper copies.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 08:44 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor, in coordination with the IRS and PBGC, released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions online, and stated that the IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA press release). Industry outlets corroborated this timing and noted the informational copies are available online while paper copies are slated for later release (PlanSponsor, ASCensus, 401(k) Specialist, Dec 2025).
Status of completion: As of December 23, 2025, there is no evidence that the paper copies have been released. The completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions available on the IRS website—remains unmet; only informational copies are publicly available online.
Dates and milestones: The target for the paper copies is after January 1, 2026, per the December 15, 2025 release. The same release notes 2025 updates (including new plan characteristic codes) to the Form 5500 series and confirms that official electronic filing versions will be available later via EFAST2.
Reliability of sources: The primary source is a U.S. Department of Labor press release (EBSA), an official government communication. Additional confirmation comes from trade and industry outlets (PLANSPONSOR, ASCENSUS, 401(k) Specialist) which reproduce the same statements regarding the paper-copy timeline and the online availability of informational copies.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 07:41 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, EBSA released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions. The EBSA release notes that the IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026.
Current status: As of December 23, 2025, no paper copies have appeared on the IRS site. The plan remains in_progress.
Milestones and reliability: The December 15, 2025 online release constitutes the primary milestone. The paper copy promise remains contingent on IRS action after January 1, 2026. The primary source is a U.S. government press release from EBSA (dol.gov), which is credible; industry outlets corroborate the notice.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 06:53 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including 5500, 5500-SF, 5500-EZ, 5558) and related instructions online. Status of completion: Paper copies have not yet been released as of 2025-12-23; the completion condition remains unmet, with a release planned after January 1, 2026. Dates and milestones: Informational copies were published online December 15, 2025; the earliest date for paper copies is after January 1, 2026. Source reliability: The primary source is an official government cross-agency press release from the DOL; the IRS Form 5500-EZ page corroborates the ongoing paper-copy policy and related filing options. Follow-up: Check on 2026-02-01 to confirm whether the IRS has posted paper copies to its site.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 05:42 PMin_progress
The claim states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, EBSA joined the IRS and PBGC in releasing informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions online. (EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
The completion condition remains paper copies on the IRS site after January 1, 2026; as of 2025-12-23 none have been published.
Concrete milestones include the 12/15/2025 informational copies release; the paper copies are expected after 2026-01-01.
Source reliability: EBSA is a primary source; PlanSponsor, 401k Specialist, and Ascensus report the same timeline.
Verdict remains in_progress; the process is ongoing.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 04:55 PMin_progress
Claim restated: After January 1, 2026, the IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ for 2025 and its accompanying instructions on its website. This statement appears in the December 15, 2025 U.S. Department of Labor EBSA news release (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Evidence of progress exists: The EBSA release notes that online informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ and related instructions, are already available online. It also states that paper copies will be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. The IRS forms-and-publications-by-us-mail page indicates most print products will be available by the end of January 2026 (IRS page, 2025-11-26; DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Current status: As of 2025-12-23, there is no public evidence that the paper copies have been released. The stated plan remains to publish them after January 1, 2026, so the completion condition has not yet been met (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Dates and milestones: Key milestones include January 1, 2026 as the threshold for the paper release, and by the end of January 2026 for print availability, per IRS guidance (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15; IRS page, 2025-11-26).
Reliability of sources: The information comes from official U.S. government agencies—the Department of Labor's EBSA and the IRS. The EBSA release provides explicit language about the paper-release timing; the IRS page confirms a print-availability window (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15; IRS page, 2025-11-26).
Verdict: in_progress.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 03:47 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the EBSA press release stated that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series and related instructions were released online. It also notes that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2026.
Status assessment: As of 2025-12-23, paper copies have not yet been released. The completion condition remains contingent on the post-2026 release.
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — informational copies released online; January 1, 2026 — paper copies promised on the IRS website.
Source reliability: The primary sources are official federal agencies (EBSA/DOL and IRS). EBSA’s press release and the IRS Form 5500-EZ page are authoritative; industry outlets echoed the same claim, but are secondary sources.
Verdict summary: In_progress. The paper copies are promised after January 1, 2026 and have not been released as of the current date.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 03:41 PMin_progress
Claim under review: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Source: The claim appears in the U.S. Department of Labor EBSA news release dated December 15, 2025, which states that ‘The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026.’ (DOL EBSA 2025-12-15).
Progress evidence: There is no publicly posted IRS release as of December 23, 2025; the December 15, 2025 EBSA release describes future action, not completed publication.
Context: In 2023, EBSA reported that the IRS would release paper copies of the 2023 Form 5500-EZ and its instructions after January 1, 2024, indicating a pattern of issuing paper copies after the new year (DOL EBSA 2023-11-17).
Milestones: The target date remains after January 1, 2026, with the release contingent on IRS posting on its site; no exact date is given in the EBSA notice.
Reliability: The information comes from official government sources (EBSA and DOL; IRS is referenced but not itself quoted) and follows documented precedent; timing could still change.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 02:49 PMin_progress
Restated claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The claim is reported by the U.S. Department of Labor's EBSA release.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 01:52 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This is based on the December 15, 2025 Department of Labor EBSA press release. (DOL EBSA 2025-12-15)
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, EBSA, in coordination with the IRS and PBGC, released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions online. This demonstrates forward movement in making the 2025 forms available in digital form. It does not indicate that the paper copies have been released. (DOL EBSA 2025-12-15)
Current status and milestones: As of 2025-12-23, there is no indication that the IRS paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions have been posted; the notice specifies that paper copies will be released on the IRS site after January 1, 2026. The ticketed completion condition (paper copies on IRS.gov) remains pending. (DOL EBSA 2025-12-15)
Reliability and sources: The primary, official source is the EBSA press release from the Department of Labor (DOL EBSA 2025-12-15), which explicitly states the post‑January 1, 2026 release plan. Secondary trade and industry outlets (PlanAdviser 2025-12-15; Ascensus 2025-12-16) corroborate the same notice and note the online informational copies. Overall source reliability is high for the stated plan; however, completion is still pending. (PlanAdviser 2025-12-15; Ascensus 2025-12-16)
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 01:09 PMin_progress
Claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: The December 15, 2025 EBSA press release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500 and Form 5500-SF) are available online. It states that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions will be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
Current status: As of 2025-12-23, there is no indication that the paper copies have been posted yet. The release date remains contingent on IRS action after Jan. 1, 2026.
Milestones: The stated milestone is the date after Jan. 1, 2026 when the IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website.
Source reliability: The primary source is an official U.S. Department of Labor EBSA press release (Dec 15, 2025), which reports on the IRS plan and is cross-quoted by industry outlets (PlanSponsor, 401k Specialist, Ascensus). These sources are generally credible for regulatory information.
Verdict: The claim remains in progress; there is no public evidence of completion as of 2025-12-23, and the paper release is slated for after Jan. 1, 2026.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 11:35 AMin_progress
Claim under review: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This intention is stated in the Department of Labor EBSA press release dated December 15, 2025 (DOL EBSA, 2025-12-15).
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 press release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions were released online. This demonstrates progress on disseminating electronic versions separate from any planned paper copies (DOL EBSA, 2025-12-15).
Completion status: As of 2025-12-23, paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions had not been released; the plan explicitly states they will be issued after January 1, 2026.
Dates and milestones: Dec 15, 2025 – official EBSA/DOL notice of online informational copies; Jan 1, 2026 – target date after which the paper copies are to be released on the IRS site.
Source reliability: The primary statements come from official government agencies (DOL EBSA press release and IRS Form 5500-EZ information page). These sources are typically reliable for regulatory and filing-process information; trade press coverage supports the same timeline.
Conclusion: Verdict is in_progress. Follow-up planned for 2026-02-01 to confirm whether the paper copies have been released.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 10:46 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The article claimed the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor EBSA released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, including Form 5500-EZ, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions. This confirms online availability ahead of any paper copies. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15,
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ebsa/ebsa20251215)
Specific paper-copy commitment: The EBSA release explicitly states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan. 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15,
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ebsa/ebsa20251215)
Milestones and dates: The online informational copies were released on December 15, 2025, and the earliest date for the associated paper copies is after January 1, 2026. Filers are advised to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions when they become available. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15,
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ebsa/ebsa20251215)
Source reliability: The core claim comes from a U.S. federal government press release (DOL EBSA), a highly credible primary source. IRS materials on Form 5500-EZ provide additional official context, and industry outlets have reported the same plan. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15,
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ebsa/ebsa20251215)
Verdict note: in_progress—the completion condition (paper copies posted to the IRS site) has not occurred as of 2025-12-23.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 09:44 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserted that the IRS would release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.\n\nProgress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor’s EBSA press release stated that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including 5500-EZ) and related instructions are available online, and that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026.\n\nCurrent status relative to completion: There is no evidence that the paper copies have been released yet; the completion condition (paper copies on the IRS site) has not been met as of now. The official notice indicates a release date after January 1, 2026.\n\nDates and milestones: December 15, 2025 marks the release of informational copies online, with the scheduled paper copies for Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions to follow after January 1, 2026.\n\nSource reliability: The claim is grounded in official communications from federal agencies (DOL/EBSA press release, December 15, 2025) and IRS guidance pages; these sources are authoritative for retirement-plan filings. Cross-checks with trade outlets corroborate the same timeline.\n\nConclusion: Status is in_progress; paper copies are expected after January 1, 2026, with online informational copies already available.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 08:50 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This was stated in a December 15, 2025 press release by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), which notes the IRS plan.
Evidence of progress exists in the same release, which notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions were posted online on December 15, 2025. The release also emphasizes that these informational copies are not filings and that official electronic filing remains through EFAST2.
As of December 23, 2025, there is no indication that the paper copies have been released; the forecast remains to publish them after January 1, 2026. No official posting on paper copies has occurred by that date in the cited materials.
Dates and milestones include December 15, 2025, when informational copies were posted online, and the post-January 1, 2026 window for the IRS to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions. The stated timeline comes directly from the EBSA release and is echoed by trade coverage.
Source reliability: The primary source is a federal government press release (EBSA, DOL). Trade outlets such as PSCA and 401(k) Specialist report the same chronology, providing corroboration but not replacing the official source.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 07:41 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article asserts that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The source quotes: "The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after Jan. 1, 2026." (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15).
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor's EBSA, in coordination with the IRS and PBGC, announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions are available online. The release also reiterates that the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions will be posted separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA release, 25-1517-NAT).
Current status: As of December 23, 2025, paper copies have not yet been released; the completion condition remains the post-2026-01-01 release. Progress is therefore ongoing but not complete.
Dates and milestones: The explicit milestone is the post-January 1, 2026 release of the paper copies on the IRS site. Filers were advised to monitor official channels (eFAST2) for when official electronic versions become available for filing via EFAST2-approved vendors or the EFAST2 site. The online informational copies are already available, helping awareness ahead of the paper release.
Reliability of sources: The core claim originates from an official joint release by the Department of Labor's EBSA and the IRS; that makes it a highly reliable regulatory source. Coverage from industry outlets mirrors the same statement, reinforcing the reported plan without introducing conflicting detail.
Verdict: in_progress. Follow-up date: 2026-01-15
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 06:54 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, including Form 5500-EZ and its related instructions (DOL press release). The same release notes that the IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions separately after January 1, 2026. IRS.gov pages discussing Form 5500-EZ also reflect the 2025 revision and online availability of informational copies (IRS About Form 5500-EZ, updated November 2025).
Current status: As of 2025-12-23, the paper copies have not yet been released; the policy is to release them after January 1, 2026 (per the DOL EBSA release).
Dates and milestones: 2025-12-15 – informational copies for Form 5500-EZ and related forms posted online; subsequent plan to issue paper copies after 2026-01-01. Milestones corroborated by DOL EBSA press release and IRS form page; trade outlets reiterate the same timeline (e.g., Ascensus and PSCA reporting in December 2025).
Source reliability: Primary government sources (DOL EBSA press release, IRS Form 5500-EZ page) provide authoritative confirmation of the online informational copies and the post-2026 paper-copy plan. Trade publications (Ascensus, PSCA) relay the same policy and timeline, but with secondary sourcing.
Conclusion: The claim is not yet completed; progress is in the form of online informational copies released in December 2025, with paper copies expected after January 1, 2026.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 05:46 AMin_progress
The claim is that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
These paper copies would be published separately on the IRS website following that date.
Evidence of progress concerns related materials: on December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor’s EBSA announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ), Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5558, and related instructions were released online. The same release states that the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions will be released on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
As of 2025-12-23, there is no evidence of the paper copies being released; the progress is limited to online informational copies. Thus, the completion condition has not yet been met.
Concrete milestones: December 15, 2025 — EBSA news release publicized online informational copies; January 1, 2026 — threshold after which the IRS plans to publish paper copies. Filers should monitor official channels for availability; the EBSA release also notes that informational copies are not intended for filing.
Source reliability: The principal source is a U.S. federal government agency (DOL EBSA), which is highly reliable for benefits-related materials. Industry outlets have echoed the information based on the EBSA release, indicating broad acceptance but not independent verification of the paper-copy date.
Verdict: in_progress. No confirmed release of paper copies of Form 5500-EZ or 2025 instructions as of the current date.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 05:24 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS promised to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This release would occur separately from online informational copies.
Evidence of progress: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (through EBSA) announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions were posted online. The same release says that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions will be posted on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15) (ASCensus, 2025-12-16)
Current status: As of 2025-12-23, there is no evidence that the paper copies have been released; official guidance ties the release to after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — EBSA/IRS PBGC joint release of online informational copies; December 16, 2025 — industry reporting corroborates the planned paper-copy release after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15) (ASCensus, 2025-12-16)
Reliability of sources: The key source is the official DOL EBSA news release describing the dual-track release (online informational copies now, paper copies later). A corroborating summary from ASCensus reinforces the timeline. These are credible for the stated timeline, though the actual IRS posting of paper copies has not yet occurred.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 04:54 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, including Form 5500-EZ and its related instructions (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15).
Status of completion: Paper copies have not yet been released; the agencies indicate paper copies will be released after January 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Dates/milestones: Informational copies released December 15, 2025; paper copies expected to be released sometime after January 1, 2026; no fixed date announced (DOL EBSA release).
Source reliability: The primary statements come from official government sources (DOL EBSA press release; IRS About Form 5500-EZ page). Trade press (PSCA) echoed the DOL notice and is a moderate secondary source (PSCA, 2025-12-17).
Conclusion and follow-up: Status remains in_progress as of 2025-12-22; monitor for the paper copies release after Jan 1, 2026. Follow-up date: 2026-01-15.
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 04:12 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This report evaluates current progress toward that promise.
Progress evidence: Evidence of progress shows the informational copies are available online. On December 15, 2025, EBSA (with the IRS and PBGC) released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions online (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15). The release explicitly notes that paper copies will be released separately after January 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15).
Completion status: The paper copies have not been released as of December 22, 2025; the stated completion condition is to publish paper versions after January 1, 2026. Therefore, the claim remains in_progress.
Dates and milestones: Key milestone is the December 15, 2025 online informational copies release, followed by the January 1, 2026 threshold after which the IRS will publish the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; Ascensus coverage, 2025-12-16).
Reliability note: The primary, official source is the DOL EBSA press release, a government publication. Coverage from industry outlets like Ascensus corroborates the same information and helps confirm the timeline (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; Ascensus, 2025-12-16).
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 02:28 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026 (as described in the source article). The December 15, 2025 joint agency release explicitly frames this as a future release rather than an immediate publication on paper. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor, IRS, and PBGC published informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions online, with a note that paper copies will be posted after January 1, 2026. This indicates preparation and public access to unofficial copies before the paper versions arrive. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Current status: There is no indication that paper copies have been released as of December 21, 2025. The press release makes clear that the paper versions are to be released on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. Informational copies are available now, but the formal paper format remains pending. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Milestones and dates: The key milestone to watch is the January 1, 2026 date when the IRS intends to publish the paper Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions. The December 15, 2025 notice also notes updates to Form 5500/5500-SF and Form 5558, and directs filers to monitor EFAST2 for official filings. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Source reliability: The information comes from a joint government release (Department of Labor, EBSA) with involvement from the IRS and PBGC, making it a high-reliability official source. The IRS forms page corroborates that Form 5500-EZ is filed electronically via EFAST2, underscoring the distinction between online informational copies and the planned paper copies. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; IRS About Form 5500-EZ)
Update · Dec 23, 2025, 01:00 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: As of December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor EBSA announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ and IRS Form 5500-EZ-related instructions, are available online. The release also notes that the IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026.
Status: The completion condition—paper copies released on the IRS website—has not been met as of 2025-12-22. The press release confirms the paper copies are planned for after January 1, 2026.
Dates and milestones: Online informational copies for the 2025 forms were released on December 15, 2025. The paper copies are slated to be released after January 1, 2026, per the DOL announcement.
Reliability: The primary source is the U.S. Department of Labor EBSA press release (dol.gov, December 15, 2025), which is echoed by industry coverage citing the same timeline.
Verdict and follow-up: Verdict — in_progress. Follow-up date: 2026-02-15
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 11:36 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15).
Progress evidence: Informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series have been released online, with updates including new plan characteristic codes; the DOL release notes that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions after Jan. 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; PlanSponsor, 2025-12-15).
Status of completion: No paper copies have been released yet; the completion condition—paper copies on the IRS site—remains pending.
Key dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — DOL press release announcing informational copies online and the future paper-copy plan; earliest paper-copy release date is after January 1, 2026.
Reliability of sources: The core claim is supported by an official government release (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15). Industry trades such as PlanSponsor and 401(k) Specialist corroborate the same timing and the online availability of informational copies. IRS.gov forms pages were consulted for context on Form 5500-EZ, but the specific paper-copy timeline is stated by DOL (official source) and mirrored by trade press.
Verdict summary: In_progress. The promised paper copies are anticipated after January 1, 2026, while informational copies for 2025 are already available online.
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 10:42 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026, as stated in the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release.
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 09:36 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Evidence of progress: The December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA press release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series are already available online, while the paper copies will be published separately on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Current status: As of 2025-12-21, no paper copies have been released; the action is clearly scheduled for after Jan 1, 2026, so the claim remains in_progress.
Dates and milestones: The earliest milestone is the post–January 1, 2026 release date; the DOL release also confirms that 2025 informational copies are online now. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Reliability note: The core claim comes from an official government joint release (DOL/IRS/PBGC), corroborated by industry outlets PlanAdviser and 401k Specialist; these sources are credible for regulatory updates.
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 08:41 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 Instructions on its website after January 1, 2026.
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, EBSA, the IRS, and PBGC jointly released online informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions. This confirms that searchable online versions are available while the paper copies remain forthcoming. citeturn0search0
Status of completion: The published completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions—has not yet occurred as of today; the agencies indicate the paper versions will be released separately after January 1, 2026. The current milestone is the online release, with the paper release planned for a future date. citeturn0search0
Dates and milestones: The key dates cited are December 15, 2025 (informational online copies released) and January 1, 2026 (start of the window for paper copies release). Filers are advised to monitor the EFAST2 system for electronic submissions, with paper copies to follow later. citeturn0search0turn0search1
Reliability of sources: The primary information comes from a joint government press release (DOL EBSA) detailing the 2025 informational copies and the planned paper release date, corroborated by IRS/EBSA guidance and industry coverage. These sources are credible and directly describe the official process. citeturn0search0turn1search4turn1search5
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 08:30 PMcomplete
{"verdict":"in_progress","text":"The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor’s EBSA press release confirms this wording (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).\n\nSeparately, EBSA reported that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions were posted online on December 15, 2025. Filers are warned not to use informational copies to file a 2025 Form 5500 series (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).\n\nAs of 2025-12-22, the completion condition—paper copies released on the IRS website—has not been fulfilled, as the official guidance states paper copies will be released after January 1, 2026 (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).\n\nMilestones to track include the online posting of informational copies on 2025-12-15 and the planned release of paper copies after 2026-01-01 (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).\n\nReliability: the primary, authoritative source is a U.S. government agency (DOL EBSA) with IRS coordination; PlanSponsor’s summary also confirms the same timeline and adds industry context (PlanSponsor, 2025-12-15)."","sources":["
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ebsa/ebsa20251215","https://www.plansponsor.com/federal-agencies-release-2025-benefits-plan-reporting-forms-with-key-updates/"],"follow_up_date":"2026-01-02"}
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 07:34 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This promise was reported by the Department of Labor’s EBSA in a December 15, 2025 release. citeturn0view0
Progress evidence: The same EBSA release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions were released online. This shows progress on digital availability but not on the requested paper copies. citeturn0view0
Current status: As of 2025-12-21 there is no publicly available evidence that the paper copies have been released yet. The agency reiterates that the paper copies are to be released after January 1, 2026. citeturn0view0
Dates and milestones: The December 15, 2025 release also clarifies that official electronic versions will be available later through EFAST2, while the specific paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions are slated for release after 2026-01-01. The completion condition remains the paper-copy release. citeturn0view0
Reliability note: The sources are official U.S. government agencies (DOL EBSA and IRS pages), which are appropriate primary sources for filing guidance. Based on those sources, the status is correctly characterized as in_progress rather than complete or failed. citeturn1search3turn1search8
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 06:51 PMin_progress
The claim is that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions after January 1, 2026. This is stated in the U.S. Department of Labor EBSA news release summarizing the agencies' plan. citeturn0view0
Progress evidence: Informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions have been released online. The release notes that these copies are for information purposes only and cannot be used to file. citeturn0view0
Status of paper copies: The IRS paper copies and the 2025 instructions are expected to be released on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. citeturn0view0
Filing and timing notes: Filers should monitor eFAST2 for official electronic versions; informational copies cannot be used to file. citeturn0view0
Source reliability: The information comes from federal agencies. The EBSA press release (December 15, 2025) is the primary source, with IRS corroboration via its Form 5500-EZ page. citeturn0view0turn2search2
Verdict: in_progress. There is progress in releasing informational copies online, but the paper copies have not yet been released as of now. citeturn0view0
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 05:38 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The claim was reported in the EBSA/DOL news release and echoed by related agency materials. (EBSA/DOL release, 2025-12-15) citeturn1search0
Progress evidence: In parallel with the anticipated paper release, the agencies have already published informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions online. This confirms online availability of 2025 forms while the paper version remains pending. (EBSA/DOL news release, 2025-12-15) citeturn1search0
Current status: As of December 22, 2025, paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions have not been released; the timeline specifies that these paper copies will be released after January 1, 2026. This supports the conclusion that the completion condition (paper copies available) is not yet met. (EBSA/DOL news release, 2025-12-15) citeturn1search0
Key dates and milestones: December 15, 2025 — informational online copies for 2025 forms were released; January 1, 2026 — the IRS plans to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website. Filers should monitor IRS and EFAST/DOL channels for the exact release timing. (EBSA/DOL release, 2025-12-15; IRS guidance) citeturn1search0turn0search5
Reliability of sources: The information comes from official government sources (U.S. Department of Labor’s EBSA and Internal Revenue Service pages), which are the primary authorities for Form 5500-series filings. Cross-checks between the EBSA press release and IRS pages corroborate the online availability and the stated paper-copy timeline. (EBSA press release, IRS pages) citeturn1search0turn0search0turn1search5
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 04:48 PMin_progress
Claim restatement: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. This is stated in the December 15, 2025 joint news release about 2025 Form 5500 series filings by the Department of Labor, the IRS, and PBGC. (DOL EBSA, 2025-12-15)
Progress evidence: The release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, Form 5558 and related instructions are already available online. It also clarifies that paper copies for Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions will appear separately on the IRS site after Jan 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA, 2025-12-15)
Status: The completion condition (paper copies posted) has not occurred yet. As of the current date, agencies indicate the paper copies will be released after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA, 2025-12-15)
Dates/milestones: Dec 15, 2025 – informational copies posted online; after Jan 1, 2026 – paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions posted on the IRS site. Filers should monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions to file. No firm post–Jan 1, 2026 completion date is provided beyond that milestone. (DOL EBSA, 2025-12-15; IRS, 2021 onward)
Reliability of sources: The primary statement comes from a U.S. Department of Labor EBSA news release, a high-reliability government source. Supporting context from the IRS pages on Form 5500-EZ and electronic filing confirms the ongoing paper-vs-electronic filing framework. (DOL EBSA, 2025-12-15; IRS official pages turn0search1, turn0search6)
Follow-up: To confirm the actual posting, check the IRS.gov site after Jan 1, 2026 and plan a follow-up on 2026-01-15 to verify whether the paper copies have appeared. (DOL EBSA, 2025-12-15)
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 03:41 PMin_progress
The claim is that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This understanding comes from a December 15, 2025 U.S. Department of Labor EBSA release about 2025 Form 5500 information. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Progress evidence: The EBSA release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, and IRS Form 5500-EZ were posted online. It also states that the IRS paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions will be released on its website after Jan 1, 2026. The release advises filers not to use informational copies to file, and to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Current status: As of December 21, 2025, there is no public notice that the paper copies have been released. Thus, the completion condition remains unfulfilled, pending the January 2026 timeframe. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Milestones and reliability: The explicit milestone is the January 1, 2026 date; the earliest possible release would be after that. These statements come from official government sources (DOL EBSA and IRS), which are credible for policy timelines, though they do not provide independent verification. (IRS About Form 5500-EZ; DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 02:43 PMin_progress
Claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15).
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, EBSA, in coordination with the IRS and PBGC, announced that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, Form 5558 and related instructions would be posted online. It also stated that the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions would be released separately on the IRS website after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15).
Current status: As of December 22, 2025, the paper copies have not yet been released; the announcement makes the post-January 1, 2026 date the relevant milestone. Official electronic versions are expected to become available via EFAST2 when ready. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15).
Dates/milestones: The EBSA release is dated December 15, 2025, with the milestone that paper copies will be available after January 1, 2026. Filers are advised to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15).
Reliability note: The primary source is an official U.S. government press release from EBSA (co-signed with IRS/PBGC). IRS pages corroborate general Form 5500-EZ filing methods (including electronic filing), but do not themselves specify a firm post-2026 paper-release date. (DOL EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; IRS form information, 2025).
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 01:51 PMin_progress
Claim restated: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. citeturn1view0
Progress evidence: On December 15, 2025, the Department of Labor's EBSA released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series online, including Form 5500-EZ and its related instructions, and noted that the paper copies will follow after January 1, 2026. citeturn1view0
Status: As of December 21, 2025, the paper copies have not yet been released; the plan is to publish them after January 1, 2026. citeturn1view0
Dates/milestones: December 15, 2025 saw online informational copies released; no exact date for the paper copies is provided other than "after Jan 1, 2026." citeturn1view0
Reliability: These statements come from official government sources (DOL/EBSA and IRS), lending credibility to the status update. citeturn1view0turn0search2
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 01:07 PMin_progress
The claim states that after January 1, 2026 the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions. This follows a December 15, 2025 Department of Labor release describing the 2025 Form 5500 series and noting that paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions will be posted after that date. (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Evidence of progress shows that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, Form 5500-EZ, and related instructions were released online. The same DOL release states that the IRS will release the paper copies separately on its website after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
As of December 22, 2025, the paper copies have not yet been released, so the completion condition described in the claim has not been met. The status aligns with the published plan that paper versions will follow the online informational copies and be made available after 2026-01-01. (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Concrete milestones include the online informational copies release on December 15, 2025 and the January 1, 2026 threshold for paper copies. Filers are advised to monitor the EFAST2 system for official electronic versions and to watch IRS postings for the formal paper versions. (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Reliability note: The statements come from U.S. government agencies (DOL EBSA and IRS) providing their publication schedule for Form 5500 series in 2025, making these sources highly authoritative for this topic. (DOL EBSA release, 2025-12-15).
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 11:34 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The article states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. The December 15, 2025 EBSA press release confirms this timing. citeturn2search1
Evidence of progress: The release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, Form 5500-EZ, Form 5558 and related instructions have been posted online. It does not state when the paper copies will be posted, only that they will appear after Jan 1, 2026. citeturn2search1
Current status: As of December 21, 2025, the paper copies have not been released; the stated plan is to publish them after January 1, 2026. citeturn2search1
Dates and milestones: The information was released on December 15, 2025; the critical date is January 1, 2026 when paper copies are slated to be released. Filers are directed to monitor EFAST2 for official electronic versions. citeturn2search1turn0search5
Reliability of sources: The primary statements come from official government agencies (DOL/EBSA and IRS). These sources are authoritative for Form 5500-series filing guidance. citeturn2search1turn1search5
Verdict: in_progress. Follow-up date: 2026-01-15
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 10:44 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The article asserts that the IRS will publish paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This is based on the December 15, 2025 Department of Labor/EBSA release which carries that specific note. (Dol ebsa 2025-12-15)
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 09:47 AMin_progress
Claim restatement: The article states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions separately on its website after January 1, 2026. (EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Evidence of progress: The agencies released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558 and related instructions online, signaling active dissemination of materials for the 2025 cycle. (EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Status of completion: The stated completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions—has not occurred as of December 22, 2025; the plan remains to post them after January 1, 2026. (EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Milestones/dates: Key dates cited are December 15, 2025 (announcement of online informational copies) and the post-January 1, 2026 window for paper copies; filers are advised to monitor efast.dol.gov for official electronic versions. (EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Reliability of sources: The information comes from official government agencies (U.S. Department of Labor/EBSA and the Internal Revenue Service) and is consistent with the EFAST2 filing guidance. (EBSA press release, 2025-12-15; IRS Form 5500-EZ page)
Follow-up note: No specific follow-up date is set here; the next update should be when the IRS/DOL announce the actual posting of the paper Form 5500-EZ and 2025 instructions. (EBSA press release, 2025-12-15)
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 08:50 AMin_progress
Claim restated: The article states the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 Instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA 2025-12-15)
Progress evidence: The agencies released informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series (including Form 5500-EZ) and related instructions online on December 15, 2025. (DOL EBSA 2025-12-15)
Current status: The release of paper copies is not yet occurred as of December 22, 2025; the paper copies are planned to be released after January 1, 2026. (DOL EBSA 2025-12-15)
Key milestones: The stated trigger date for the paper copies is January 1, 2026; the December 15, 2025 notice confirms that online informational copies are already available. (DOL EBSA 2025-12-15)
Reliability note: The primary source is a U.S. government joint press release (DOL EBSA/IRS/PBGC), which is highly credible; the IRS Form 5500-EZ page provides additional regulatory context about electronic filing. (DOL EBSA 2025-12-15; turn2view0)
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 07:41 AMin_progress
Claim: The IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This is stated in the U.S. Department of Labor EBSA press release dated December 15, 2025. (EBSA 2025-12-15)
Progress evidence: The same release notes that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, Form 5558 and related instructions are already available online. (EBSA 2025-12-15)
Status: The completion condition—paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions—has not been met as of December 2025; the plan is to issue them after January 1, 2026. (EBSA 2025-12-15)
Dates/milestones: Key dates include December 15, 2025 (online copies released) and January 1, 2026 (start date for potential paper copies). The schedule for a firm publication date beyond that has not been announced. (EBSA 2025-12-15)
Reliability: The information comes from official government sources (DOL EBSA and the IRS); this lends credibility but status remains contingent on agency actions. (EBSA 2025-12-15)
Conclusion and next steps: Status remains in_progress pending the release of paper copies after January 1, 2026. Filers should monitor EBSA and IRS notices for the official publication. (EBSA 2025-12-15)
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 06:55 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This report evaluates the current status based on publicly available sources. citeturn1search0
Public progress shows that informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, Form 5500-EZ, Form 5558 and related instructions are now available online. The release notes that the paper copies will be released separately after Jan 1, 2026. citeturn1search0
Regarding the specific paper-copy portion, there is no evidence that the Form 5500-EZ paper copies have been released before the January 1, 2026 date; the policy indicates they will be distributed after that date. The release explicitly states that paper copies will follow the online informational copies after the specified date. citeturn1search0
Key dates: the December 15, 2025 DOL EBSA release; the paper copies are slated for release after January 1, 2026. This context confirms that the online informational copies are available now, while the paper versions remain pending. citeturn1search0
Reliability: these statements come from official U.S. government agencies (DOL EBSA and IRS), which lends credibility. The EBSA joint release and the IRS Forms pages provide the authoritative framing for Form 5500-EZ handling and electronic filing requirements. citeturn1search0turn0search6
Follow-up: to confirm whether the paper copies have been released, check the IRS and EBSA websites in January 2026. Proposed follow-up date: 2026-01-15.
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 05:43 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. This indicates that taxpayers and plan administrators will be able to access essential documentation for their reporting needs once the deadline passes.
As of December 21, 2025, no evidence has been presented confirming that the forms or instructions have been released. Since the release is scheduled for after January 1, 2026, it is reasonable to conclude that progress on the claim is ongoing rather than completed.
Relevant dates indicate that the IRS has confirmed the release will occur after the specified date, allowing for processing and availability on their website. Any anticipated updates regarding the forms will likely appear in early January, marking a significant milestone for observers waiting on this documentation.
The reliability of the source article from the Department of Labor indicates a credible announcement from a governmental entity, but formal completion can only be evaluated once the forms are actually made available on their website. Until that time, the status remains uncertain but anticipatory.
In conclusion, the promise of releasing paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions is officially acknowledged by the IRS, but concrete evidence of completion will only arise in the coming weeks. Thus, the claim's current status can best be described as in progress.
For follow-up, monitoring the IRS website after January 1, 2026, will be crucial to confirm the release of the documents and the fulfillment of this claim.
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 04:55 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026.
As of December 20, 2025, the IRS has not yet released the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025. The Department of Labor's announcement indicates that these documents will be available on the IRS website after January 1, 2026.
The release of the paper copies is scheduled to occur after January 1, 2026, as per the Department of Labor's announcement.
The Department of Labor's announcement was made on December 15, 2025, indicating that the release is planned for after January 1, 2026.
The Department of Labor's announcement is a reliable source, as it is an official government publication.
Given that the release is scheduled for after January 1, 2026, and the current date is December 20, 2025, the claim is in progress.
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 04:14 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026.
As of December 20, 2025, the IRS has not yet released these paper copies. The Department of Labor's announcement indicates that the IRS plans to make them available separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
The release of the paper copies is scheduled to occur after January 1, 2026. No specific date within that period has been provided.
The Department of Labor's announcement is a reliable source, as it is an official government release.
Given the current date of December 20, 2025, and the scheduled release after January 1, 2026, the claim is in progress.
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 03:07 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for the 2025 plan year on its website after January 1, 2026. (
irs.gov)
As of December 22, 2025, the IRS has not yet released these paper copies. The most recent version available is the 2024 Form 5500-EZ, published on February 10, 2025. (
irs.gov)
The IRS has a history of releasing these forms annually, typically in early February. For example, the 2024 Form 5500-EZ was released on February 10, 2025. (
irs.gov)
Given the IRS's established pattern, it is reasonable to expect the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and instructions to be released in early 2026, likely after January 1, 2026.
The sources used are official IRS publications and websites, which are reliable for information regarding IRS forms and releases.
Therefore, the claim is in progress, with the expected release of the 2025 Form 5500-EZ and instructions anticipated in early 2026.
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 02:43 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the corresponding instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. This suggests that individuals and organizations needing these forms can expect them to be available for download or printing in the near future.
As of December 21, 2025, little evidence suggests that progress has been made regarding the release of these documents, given that the promised date for availability is still in the future. The IRS has communicated aspects of this plan through its official channels, affirming intentions to provide these forms post January 1, 2026.
Since the forms are not scheduled for release until after January 1, 2026, it cannot be confirmed that the promise has been completed. Consequently, the claim status remains unresolved at this point.
Relevant dates indicate that the release is forthcoming, and the timeframe for expected delivery is explicitly stated as after the new year. Thus, a follow-up evaluation would be most effective in early January 2026 to check on the release status.
Source reliability is high, as the announcement came from the official Department of Labor's press release, which is credible and authoritative concerning IRS-related matters. However, since the release is still pending, further verification will be essential once the date arrives.
Due to the timeline and the current date being well before the promised release, it is prudent to assess progress as "in_progress" until further details emerge following January 1, 2026.
Update · Dec 22, 2025, 02:37 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. This is a standard procedure for IRS documents, aiming to provide accessible resources for tax filings related to retirement plans.
As of December 21, 2025, no evidence indicates that the release has occurred since it is still before the specified date of January 1, 2026. The IRS has confirmed that the release will happen separately from the online versions of these forms.
Given the timeline, it is clear that the claim remains in progress, as the release date has not yet arrived. Expectations are set for the authority to provide the forms as promised, provided they adhere to their standard operational timelines.
Relevant milestones include the announcement made by the IRS, affirming the expected timeline. However, since the completion condition is tied to an event not yet reached, follow-up on this matter may be more instructive after January 2026.
The sources utilized to gather this information, particularly the IRS announcement (
http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ebsa/ebsa20251215), are credible as they come directly from the official IRS communications.
Further confirmation of the completion will hinge on whether the IRS publishes the materials as announced. A follow-up on this claim is recommended for January 2026, soon after the expected release date.
Update · Dec 21, 2025, 08:44 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the corresponding instructions for the year 2025 after January 1, 2026. This is relevant for entities required to report information regarding their employee benefit plans to the IRS using this form.
As of December 20, 2025, there has been no release of the paper copies yet since the specified date for the release is in the future. The IRS has confirmed through their official channels that these forms will be made available after the stated date, but they have not yet provided further details about the exact timing.
The completion condition hinges on the actual posting of these forms and instructions on the IRS website, which has not occurred yet. Therefore, the status of this claim remains in progress, with no updates on specific milestones leading up to the release.
A key date to note is January 1, 2026, which marks the beginning of the timeframe in which release of the forms is anticipated. Following this date, it will be critical to monitor the IRS website for the publication of these documents.
Sources for this information include the official IRS announcement as well as other government-related publications, which are considered reliable due to their authoritative nature. Overall, the reliability of the information is high, but the timeline is contingent on future actions by the IRS.
In summary, while the claim has been made and is officially acknowledged, the actual progress is not yet visible as the expected release date is still ahead in the calendar.
Update · Dec 21, 2025, 07:33 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for the 2025 plan year on its website after January 1, 2026. (
irs.gov)
As of December 20, 2025, the IRS has not yet released these documents. The most recent available versions are for the 2024 plan year. (
irs.gov)
The IRS has a history of releasing these forms annually, typically in the first quarter of the year. For example, the 2024 Form 5500-EZ was released on February 10, 2025. (
irs.gov)
Given this pattern, it is reasonable to expect the 2025 forms to be released in early 2026. However, no specific release date has been announced yet.
The sources used are official IRS publications and websites, which are reliable for information regarding IRS forms and procedures.
In summary, the claim is accurate, but the release of the 2025 forms is pending, with no confirmed release date as of now.
Update · Dec 21, 2025, 06:48 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. This suggests that taxpayers and professionals will have access to these essential forms for the 2025 tax year in a physical format to ensure compliance and completion of necessary filings.
As of now, the IRS has not yet released these paper copies, as they are scheduled to become available only after the specified date of January 1, 2026. Hence, any tangible evidence of progress remains unavailable at the current moment.
The claim emphasizes that the release will occur post-2025, meaning there are no specific milestones at this time. Since the current date is December 20, 2025, it is too early to ascertain if internal preparations for the release are underway.
There are no indications from the IRS or other official sources regarding any delays or cancellations concerning this release. Given the nature of IRS operations, it's likely that the preparations will be made closer to the release date.
The sources used in this analysis derive from IRS publications and official announcements, which are generally considered reliable for tax-related information. Further confirmation will be possible once the forms become publicly accessible.
In summary, the status of the claim remains in progress, with a definitive release expected only after January 1, 2026. Follow-up should be conducted after the release date to verify the claim's completion.
Update · Dec 21, 2025, 05:40 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. This indicates a commitment to provide these documents, which are essential for filing a variety of retirement plan-related reports.
As of now, the IRS has confirmed this plan through an official announcement. However, since the release date is specified as post-January 1, 2026, no physical documents or instructions are available yet.
The completion condition for this claim hinges on the actual release of the paper forms on the IRS website. Given that today's date is December 20, 2025, the release remains in the future, as it is explicitly slated for after the New Year.
No specific milestones have been established that denote the progress toward the release, aside from the announcement itself. Therefore, the status can only be interpreted as pending until the specified date arrives.
The sources referenced are the IRS's official press release which is a reliable indicator of governmental plans and timelines. However, the claim status is dependent on future actions yet to unfold.
Given the timeline and current information, monitoring the situation closely around early January 2026 would be prudent to confirm if the forms are published as stated.
Update · Dec 21, 2025, 04:52 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its accompanying instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. This information was confirmed in an official announcement from the IRS on December 15, 2025, indicating their intention to provide these materials separately on their website.
As of the current date, December 20, 2025, there are no paper copies available for release, as the announcement specifies they will only be accessible after the New Year. Therefore, the expected availability date is still in the future.
Given that the promise has not yet been fulfilled, the progress can only be categorized as 'in progress'. The release is dependent on future actions on the part of the IRS, which is expected to commence shortly after the indicated date.
No specific timeline for the exact release of the documents post-January 1 has been provided; therefore, further updates may emerge as that date approaches. The claim adheres to a concrete milestone since the documents are scheduled for release shortly, but confirmation of their availability remains pending.
The sources used include the official IRS press release, deemed reliable for this type of information given its authoritative nature. The use of direct IRS communications is critical to maintaining the integrity of the information.
There is no immediate follow-up date necessary, as the projected release is imminent; however, monitoring around mid-January could provide insights into the actual release status of the documents.
Update · Dec 21, 2025, 04:10 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. This promise indicates that taxpayers and plan administrators will have access to essential documentation regarding employee benefits plans.
As of the current date, December 20, 2025, the IRS has not yet released these forms since they are scheduled to be available only after the specified date. This development aligns with the IRS's usual practice of issuing forms and instructions at the beginning of the tax year.
There is currently no evidence indicating that the release has been completed, as it is still before the activation date in January 2026. Therefore, progress remains pending, and we have yet to see the actual publication of the Form 5500-EZ and its instructions.
Dates to note include the initial claim made in the article (December 15, 2025) and the future release date post-January 1, 2026. These timelines suggest that forward movement is expected, although actual completion will only be ascertainable after the release.
The sources for this information primarily include the official announcement from the IRS, a reliable governmental body. This source is trustworthy since it directly provides information about regulatory changes and official releases.
Update · Dec 21, 2025, 02:40 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the associated instructions for the year 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. This release is significant as it pertains to regulatory compliance for retirement plans and employee benefits reporting.
As of now, the IRS has confirmed that the release will occur, aligning with their communication dated December 15, 2025. However, no paper forms or instructions have been made available yet since the stated release date is still in the future.
Given that today's date is December 20, 2025, any evidence or expectation of release cannot fully materialize until after January 1, 2026. As such, the fulfillment of the claim remains pending based on the IRS's timeline.
The completion of this claim will depend on whether the IRS follows through with its stated timeline and successfully posts the necessary documents online after the specified date. Observers will need to monitor the IRS website for updates.
The sources used for this report include the official IRS announcement and the Department of Labor's website, both of which are reliable and authorized channels for information concerning tax and regulatory matters.
Given the current circumstances, it is reasonable to classify the claim as "in progress" since it is awaiting an upcoming release date set by the IRS.
Update · Dec 20, 2025, 11:33 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its accompanying instructions for the year 2025 after January 1, 2026. This announcement was made in a press release dated December 15, 2025, indicating the IRS's intention to provide these documents separately on their website.
As of December 19, 2025, the IRS has not yet made the paper copies available, since the stated release date is still in the future. Therefore, there is currently no online access to these forms or their instructions, which is consistent with the timeline provided.
The claim's completion will depend entirely on the IRS fulfilling their promise to release these documents on their website post the January 1, 2026 date. Since the expected release date is yet to arrive, progress remains in a preparatory phase.
Relevant milestones include the announcement date of December 15, 2025, which has been met, as well as the critical future date of January 1, 2026, when the actual release is supposed to occur. No prior milestones related to the release of Form 5500-EZ for the year 2025 are available since no previous announcements on this specific timeline were made.
It is important to note that the information is sourced directly from the official IRS announcement, which is a reliable reference. However, the confirmation of the document's availability will only be possible after the specified release date.
Given these factors, the situation can be categorized as in progress since we haven't yet reached the date for which the claim specifies the release.
Update · Dec 20, 2025, 10:37 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026.
As of December 20, 2025, the IRS has not yet released these paper copies. The Department of Labor's announcement indicates that the IRS plans to make them available separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
The release of the paper copies is scheduled to occur after January 1, 2026. No specific date has been provided for their availability on the IRS website.
The Department of Labor's announcement serves as the primary source for this information. No additional sources have been identified to confirm the release date or provide further details.
Given the current date and the scheduled release after January 1, 2026, the claim is in progress. The IRS has not yet fulfilled the promise to release the paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025.
The reliability of the source is high, as it comes directly from the U.S. Department of Labor's official website.
Update · Dec 20, 2025, 10:36 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and the corresponding instructions for 2025 separately on its website after January 1, 2026. This indicates a planned action that is expected to benefit users of the form, particularly those filing for retirement plans and other employee benefit plans.
As of the current date, December 19, 2025, there is no evidence that the paper copies or instructions have been released. The IRS has communicated that these materials will be made available but only after the specified date, which is still in the future.
Given that the claim hinges on a future action set for after January 1, 2026, it cannot be marked as complete at this time. Although the IRS's announcement has been made, actual progress on the release won't occur until the mentioned date passes.
The time frame mentioned indicates that the release is a scheduled event, but it remains in the planning stages until the effective date arrives. Therefore, stakeholders should monitor the IRS website for updates closer to January 2026 for the actual availability of the forms.
The sources I reviewed, including the official IRS press release from December 15, 2025, provide credible information regarding the actions the IRS is planning. This announcement is a formal statement intended for the public.
Due to the scheduled nature of the claim, it is marked as "in_progress" since the planned release date is still forthcoming. A follow-up on this topic would be advisable after January 1, 2026, to check for the actual availability of the documents.
Update · Dec 20, 2025, 09:32 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its corresponding instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. This release is significant as Form 5500-EZ is essential for certain retirement plans to report information about their financial condition, investments, and operations.
As of December 19, 2025, the claim is still pending, since the release date specified is after January 1, 2026. Therefore, any progress regarding the availability of these documents cannot yet be confirmed.
No evidence suggests that the IRS has completed this promise, as the actual release of these forms is set to occur in the future. Given the timeline, we remain in a state of uncertainty until the specified release date passes.
Relevant milestones include the announced release date, which is January 1, 2026. This date is crucial as it marks the point when individuals and entities can expect access to the necessary documentation.
The sources utilized, including the official IRS news release, are considered reliable, as they come directly from a government agency focused on taxation and reporting. However, since implementations align with future dates, the analysis remains reliant on projections rather than confirmed actions.
In summary, the status of this claim is currently in progress, awaiting the future release of the specified forms following the stated timeline. A follow-up can be scheduled for January 2, 2026, to assess the outcome after the expected release date.
Update · Dec 20, 2025, 08:36 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 after January 1, 2026. This means that stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the physical documents necessary for filing retirement plan reports.
As of December 19, 2025, the IRS has not yet released the forms, as they are scheduled to be available separately on its website post January 1, 2026. Hence, there has been no physical release of the documentation yet, but stakeholders are expected to find updates on the IRS's website beginning in January.
Currently, we are still awaiting completion of the promise. The article specifically states the release will happen after the new year, marking that the promise is still pending.
No specific dates define milestones after January 1, 2026, though that is a key date for the claim’s fulfillment. It is reasonable to expect that additional updates or notifications from the IRS may follow shortly after this date.
The sources used for this report are reliable, including the official IRS press release dated December 15, 2025, which thoroughly details the announcement. These are credible documents from a governmental agency known for its authoritative information.
Given these factors, the claim remains in progress, and further monitoring is advisable starting January 2026 to confirm when the forms become accessible.
Update · Dec 20, 2025, 07:29 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. This announcement emphasizes the IRS's commitment to providing necessary documentation for compliance with retirement plan reporting requirements.
As of now, it is confirmed that the IRS has announced that the release will occur post-January 1, 2026, aligning with traditional practices of issuing tax forms after the year has concluded. However, no specific release date for these documents has been provided, leaving the timeline somewhat ambiguous.
Since we are only a few days past the announcement date and before the effective date, there’s currently no evidence of any progress towards the completion of the claim. The situation remains inactive until the IRS posts the materials on their website.
Further developments can be expected in the coming weeks as the IRS typically prepares its annual documentation around this time. Stakeholders looking for the paper copies must wait until the release occurs post-January 1, 2026 to see any tangible progress.
The sources cited in the initial claims appear reliable, being derived from the official IRS press release. The IRS is a credible entity when it comes to tax-related announcements, providing assurance about the information's validity.
Given the timeframe outlined in the claim, it is prudent to follow up after January 1, 2026, to assess whether the IRS has fulfilled its promise to issue the requested documents.
Update · Dec 20, 2025, 07:15 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and corresponding instructions for the year 2025 after January 1, 2026. This implies that the information will be made available online in a specific manner, indicating a future action.
As of now, no paper copies have been released, and the expected release date is still in the future, following the January 1, 2026, timeline provided by the IRS announcement made on December 15, 2025. Therefore, there is currently no evidence of any tangible progress towards the completion of this claim.
Given that we are in December 2025, it is important to note that the release will only occur after the specified date in 2026. This indicates that the progress is simply awaiting the forthcoming dates, thus leaving the status somewhat open-ended as per the claim requirements.
The IRS has communicated this timeline directly through an official press release, which enhances the reliability of the information. However, it remains contingent on future actions, so one cannot confirm completion at this moment.
Concrete milestones are tied to the scheduled release date, but no further specific actions or updates have been provided by the IRS since the announcement. Thus, we must wait for the new year to see if the IRS follows through with their stated plan.
Due to the nature of the announcement and expected future actions, it is most appropriate to classify this claim as in progress. Monitoring will be necessary around January 2026 to assess the fulfillment of this claim or lack thereof.
Update · Dec 20, 2025, 08:31 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for the year 2025 after January 1, 2026. This announcement is part of a broader communication made by the IRS, emphasizing its commitment to providing essential tax forms to taxpayers in a timely manner.
As of December 19, 2025, no paper copies or official instructions for Form 5500-EZ have been made available on the IRS website. The release is still pending and is expected to occur only after the specified date of January 1, 2026, as outlined in the original press release.
Evidence from the IRS communication confirms that the release is planned, yet it remains unfulfilled at this moment. Updates and further announcements are likely to accompany the actual release, keeping taxpayers informed about the availability of these forms.
The projected timeline indicates that the IRS has a clear expectation for when these materials will be made available online. However, until January 1, 2026, taxpayers will need to rely on existing forms and instructions for their filings.
All sources relied upon are official IRS communications and government press releases, which are generally considered reliable for factual information regarding tax-related matters. However, as the information pertains to future availability, it should be approached with the understanding that timelines can be subject to change.
Given the current status and the specific timeline outlined, this claim can be deemed as in progress until the release is executed after the specified date.
Update · Dec 19, 2025, 07:21 AMin_progress
The IRS has announced plans to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for the 2025 plan year on its website after January 1, 2026. (
dol.gov)
As of December 18, 2025, these paper copies have not yet been made available. The IRS has not provided a specific release date beyond the general timeframe mentioned. (
dol.gov)
The release of these forms is a routine procedure, as the IRS typically publishes paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and related instructions for each plan year after January 1 of the following year. (
dol.gov)
The informational copies of the 2025 Form 5500 series, including Form 5500-EZ, were released online on December 15, 2025. These copies are intended for informational purposes only and cannot be used for actual filing. (
dol.gov)
The IRS has not specified a projected completion date for the release of the paper copies. Therefore, the current status of the claim is 'in progress.'
The sources used in this report include official IRS and Department of Labor publications, which are considered reliable for information on federal forms and filing procedures.
Update · Dec 18, 2025, 09:48 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS plans to release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its accompanying instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. This announcement came from a news release issued by the Department of Labor, indicating future actions by the IRS regarding these forms.
As of December 18, 2025, no documentation has been released by the IRS, aligning with the timeline indicated in the original claim. The current date is merely three days past the claim's specified date for the anticipated release, leaving room for development.
While the IRS has not yet made these documents available, their commitment to do so after January 1, 2026 demonstrates proactive steps towards fulfilling the claim. However, actual publication is still pending.
There are no concrete milestones other than the projected release date since the materials are expected to be available in early 2026. Further updates will presumably occur as the specified date approaches.
The sources for this information are official press releases from the Department of Labor and the IRS, which are typically reliable for government announcements. However, given that the promise extends into the future, one can only assess its completion after the release date arrives.
A follow-up date could be set for January 2, 2026, to check on the progress of this claim and confirm if the documents have been made available as promised.
Update · Dec 18, 2025, 09:44 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026.
As of December 18, 2025, the IRS has not yet released these documents. The Department of Labor's announcement indicates that the IRS plans to make them available separately on its website after January 1, 2026.
The projected release date is January 1, 2026. No earlier release has been reported.
The Department of Labor's announcement is the primary source for this information.
Given the current date and the projected release date, the claim is in progress.
No follow-up date is necessary, as the projected release date is specified.
Update · Dec 18, 2025, 07:20 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. This follows a standard procedure where annual forms and instructions are made available to taxpayers and plan administrators.
As of now, there is no direct evidence that the paper copies have been released, as the claim specifies that the availability will start after January 1, 2026. Given the current date of December 17, 2025, this release is still in the future.
No milestones or updates have been reported indicating any preparation or preliminary steps towards this release. Since the specified date is not yet reached, it remains unclear when the exact publication date will occur.
Monitoring the IRS website and related announcements after January 1, 2026, will be essential to determine if the claim results in the promised release of these documents. Typically, such releases adhere to a regular schedule, so one might expect timely availability once the new year begins.
Sources used for verification include the official IRS press release outlining the claim. As it is a government announcement, it is deemed reliable, albeit the actual execution of the plan is contingent upon future events.
In conclusion, the claim is currently considered "in progress" as the release is yet to occur, with a follow-up date suggested for shortly after January 1, 2026, to confirm the status.
Update · Dec 18, 2025, 07:31 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. This announcement highlights the IRS's intention to make these documents available, which is significant for those managing retirement plans and tax compliance.
As of now, there is no evidence that these documents have been released, as the deadline for availability is still in the future. The IRS has confirmed its plans but has not provided a specific date for when the documents will be posted online.
While the promise has been made, it remains in progress since it is contingent on the completion of future actions by the IRS. Since today's date is December 17, 2025, and the release is slated to begin after January 1, 2026, there is a clear path forward but no completed step yet.
Relevant dates indicate that the release is expected soon, but no concrete milestones have been reached as of the current date. Stakeholders are waiting for more official announcements from the IRS as its commitment approaches fulfillment.
The sources used for this analysis mainly consist of official IRS announcements, which are considered highly reliable given their authoritative nature. Other information was corroborated through government websites that track tax-related updates.
In conclusion, the status of this claim is still in progress, with the potential for fulfillment approaching quickly in the new year.
Update · Dec 17, 2025, 03:02 PMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its 2025 instructions on its website after January 1, 2026. This information suggests that stakeholders are anticipating these materials to be available for reporting purposes, especially for employee benefit plans.
As of now, there hasn't been any evidence indicating that the IRS has begun to release these forms. The announcement was made recently, and given the timeline, the actual release is still in the future, slated for after the new year.
Currently, since the release is expected after January 1, 2026, it cannot yet be categorized as complete or failed; it remains in progress. There is no existing release or draft available that could suggest preparation is underway or that a timeline has been set.
The projected completion date for this claim aligns with the announced release window, which means stakeholders should check back after the stated date for availability updates. Setting a follow-up date for early January 2026 seems practical to assess any developments in this regard.
Sources used include the official IRS announcement and their website, which are reliable and authoritative when it comes to tax documents and guidelines. The claim is founded on a recent official communication, ensuring a level of credibility in the information provided.
Given the details provided and the issuance of the statement, it would be reasonable to conclude that this claim is currently in progress and will need monitoring until the actual document release occurs.
Update · Dec 17, 2025, 08:44 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026. This action is significant for filers needing to submit retirement plan information, as Form 5500-EZ is critical for compliance purposes.
As of the current date, December 16, 2025, the IRS has not yet released the paper copies or instructions since they are scheduled for release after January 1, 2026. The claim's timeline suggests that this will occur in the future, and no specific date has been provided for the actual release.
There are no indications that the claim has failed or been canceled; it simply remains pending. Documentation from the IRS confirms that the release is planned for 2026, aligning with the claim's requirements.
Given that the claim is based on a statement directly from the IRS, the reliability of this source is high. The information is official and comes from a governmental press release, ensuring credibility.
Monitoring will be essential as the January release approaches to confirm when the forms are available. A follow-up check on this claim could be beneficial to establish its status post-January 1, 2026.
Therefore, based on the current information, the status remains in progress as the IRS has committed to releasing the forms, but they are not yet available.
Update · Dec 17, 2025, 03:16 AMin_progress
The claim states that the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and its instructions for 2025 on its website after January 1, 2026.
As of December 15, 2025, the IRS has not yet released these paper copies. The Department of Labor's announcement indicates that the IRS plans to make them available on its website after January 1, 2026.
The release of the paper copies is scheduled to occur after January 1, 2026. No specific date within that period has been provided.
The Department of Labor's announcement is a reliable source, as it is an official government publication.
Given that the release is planned for after January 1, 2026, and no specific date has been provided, the claim is currently in progress.
Original article · Dec 15, 2025