The freely available Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required to view, print, and search the guidance listed below. January 2024 – Present No announcements have been issued in 2024. January 2023 – December 2023 Announcement 2023-6, 2023-9 I.R.B. 501 Notifies the public that the IRS intends to issue opinion letters on February 28, 2023, or, in some cases, as soon as possible thereafter, for pre-approved defined benefit plans that were updated for changes in plan qualification requirements listed in Notice 2020-14 and that were filed with the IRS during the third six-year remedial amendment cycle for pre-approved defined benefit plans. This announcement also notifies the public of the date by which an adopting employer intending to maintain a pre-approved defined benefit plan for the third six-year cycle must adopt a newly approved plan, and announces the beginning and ending dates of the period during which an adopting employer may file for an individual determination letter. January 2022 – Present Announcement 2022-6, 2022-13 I.R.B. 934 Effective March 14, 2022, and until further notice, the IRS will not accept applications for opinion letters on prototype IRAs (traditional, Roth and SIMPLE IRAs), SEPs (including salary reduction SEPs (SARSEPs)), and SIMPLE IRA plans. This announcement also provides that, pending issuance of future guidance (1) adopters of prototype IRAs, SEPs, and SIMPLE IRA plans may rely on a previously received favorable opinion letter, and (2) taxpayers may use existing model forms to maintain current plans and accounts or establish new plans and accounts. January 2021 – December 2021 There are no announcements for 2021. January 2020 – December 2020 Announcement 2020-7, 2020-25 I.R.B. 959 The IRS intends to issue opinion letters for pre-approved defined contribution plans that were restated for changes in plan qualification requirements listed in Notice 2017-37, 2017-29 I.R.B. 89 (the 2017 Cumulative List) and that were filed with the IRS during the submission period for the third six-year remedial amendment cycle under Rev. Proc. 2016-37, 2016-29 I.R.B. 136 (newly approved plans). The IRS expects to issue the letters on June 30, 2020, or, in some cases, as soon as possible thereafter. An employer adopting a newly approved plan will be required to adopt the plan document by July 31, 2022. Starting August 1, 2020, and ending July 31, 2022, the IRS will accept from any employer eligible to submit a determination letter request an application for an individual determination letter under the third six-year remedial amendment cycle for pre-approved defined contribution plans. Announcement 2020-14, 2020-36 I.R.B. 549 Provides that user fees relating to certain requests for letter rulings and determination letters submitted to Employee Plans Rulings and Agreements will increase in four categories, effective January 4, 2021. January 2019 – December 2019 No announcements were issued in 2019. January 2018 - December 2018 Announcement 2018–05, 2018-13 I.R.B. 461 Provides that the IRS intends to issue opinion and advisory letters for master and prototype and volume submitter defined benefit plans (pre-approved) that were restated for changes in plan qualification requirements listed in Notice 2012–76 and that were filed with the IRS during the submission period for the second remedial amendment cycle. The IRS intends to issue the letters on March 30, 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter. January 2017 - December 2017 Announcement 2017-4, 2017-16 I.R.B. 1106 Provides relief from certain excise taxes under IRC Section 4975 and any related reporting requirements to conform to the temporary enforcement policy described by DOL in Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) 2017–01 with respect to the final fiduciary duty rule. Announcement 2017–11, 2017-39 I.R.B. 255 Provides relief to victims of Hurricane Harvey, which caused damage to Texas. It permits easier access to victims’ funds held in workplace retirement plans and in IRAs, for the period beginning August 23, 2017, and ending January 31, 2018. The relief provided in the announcement is in addition to the relief already provided by the IRS pursuant to News Release IR–2017–135. Announcement 2017–13, 2017-40 I.R.B. 271 Provides relief to victims of Hurricane Irma, which caused damage to Florida and other areas. It permits easier access to victims’ funds held in workplace retirement plans and in IRAs, for the period beginning September 4, 2017, (for Florida) and ending January 31, 2018. The relief provided in the announcement is in addition to the relief already provided by the IRS pursuant to News Release IR–2017–150. Announcement 2017–15, 2017-47 I.R.B. 534 Provides relief to victims of Hurricane Maria and the recent California wildfires. It permits easier access to funds held in workplace retirement plans and in IRAs, for periods beginning in September and October 2017 and ending March 15, 2018. The relief provided in the announcement is in addition to the relief already provided by the IRS pursuant to several recent news releases. January 2016 - December 2016 Announcement 2016-16, 2016-18 I.R.B. 697 The Dept. of the Treasury and IRS will withdraw certain parts of proposed regulations published on January 29, 2016 (81 FR 4976) on nondiscrimination requirements that apply to qualified retirement plans under IRC Section 401(a)(4):the provisions that would modify Sections 1.401(a)(4)–2(c) and 1.401(a)(4)–3(c). Announcement 2016-30, 2016-37 I.R.B. 355 Gives relief to taxpayers adversely affected by the recent storms and flooding in Louisiana that began August 11, 2016, (Louisiana Storms) and who have retirement assets in qualified employer plans they’d like to use to alleviate hardships caused by the Louisiana Storms. Also offers relief from certain retirement plan required verification procedures for loans and hardship distributions. This relief is additional relief to that offered in News Release IR–2016–105 under IRC Section 7508A for victims of the Louisiana Storms. Announcement 2016-32, 2016-40 I.R.B. 434 Requests comments on ways in which the Dept. of the Treasury and IRS can improve compliance with plan qualification requirements by making it easier for plan sponsors to satisfy plan document requirements, considering the changes to the determination letter program in Rev. Proc. 2016–37. Announcement 2016–39, 2016-45 I.R.B. 720 Provides relief to victims of Hurricane Matthew, which caused damage to parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. It permits easier access to victims’ funds held in workplace retirement plans and in IRAs, for the period beginning October 4, 2016, (October 3, 2016, for Florida) and ending March 15, 2017. The relief provided in the announcement is in addition to the relief already provided by the IRS pursuant to News Release IR-2016–135. January 2015 - December 2015 Announcement 2015-1, 2015-11 I.R.B. 758 Describes changes to the processing of employee plans determination letters that will take effect in 2015. These changes are being adopted as a result of a process improvement strategy designed to promote case processing efficiency. Announcement 2015-3, 2015-3 I.R.B. 328 Provides automatic approval of a change in funding method for a single-employer defined benefit plan under certain circumstances in which the change in method results from a change in the plan’s enrolled actuary. The automatic approval applies for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Announcement 2015-19, 2015-32 I.R.B. 157 Describes future changes to the determination letter program for qualified individually designed plans and sets forth an intended transition period for certain plans. This announcement requests comments on specific issues relating to the implementation of these changes. This announcement also provides that effective July 21, 2015, the IRS will no longer accept determination letter applications that are submitted off-cycle (except as otherwise described in the announcement). January 2014 - December 2014 Announcement 2014-4, 2014-7 I.R.B. 523 Extends to February 2, 2015, the deadline to submit on-cycle applications for opinion and advisory letters for pre-approved defined benefit plans for the plans’ second six-year remedial amendment cycle. Announcement 2014-15, 2014-16 I.R.B. 973 Addresses the application to IRAs of the one-rollover-per-year limitation and provides transition relief for owners of IRAs. Announcement 2014-16, 2014-17 I.R.B. 983 The IRS will soon issue opinion and advisory letters for pre-approved defined contribution plans that were submitted during their second remedial amendment cycle under Rev. Proc. 2007–44, 2007–2 C.B. 54. Announcement 2014-32, 2014-48 I.R.B. 907 A follow-up to Announcement 2014–15, 2014–16 I.R.B. 973, addressing the one-rollover-per-year limit of IRC Section 408(d)(3)(B) to IRAs. Announcement 2014-34, 2014-51 I.R.B. 949 Addresses the transfer of certain technical responsibility for issues involving exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans and individual retirement annuities and accounts (IRAs) to the Office of Chief Counsel that will occur with Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division (TE/GE’s) realignment. Announcement 2014-37, 2014-51 I.R.B. 951 Notice 2014–70 as published on November 24, 2014 (2014–48 I.R.B. 905) contains a typographical error in the header before the second paragraph. The header is amended to delete “2014” and replace it with “2015.” Announcement 2014-41, 2014-52 I.R.B. 979 Extends to June 30, 2015, the deadline to submit on-cycle applications for opinion and advisory letters for pre-approved defined benefit plans for their second six-year remedial amendment cycle. Also provides a two day extension (from Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, to Monday, Feb. 2, 2015) to submit on-cycle Cycle D (primarily individually designed plans including multiemployer plans). January 2013 - January 2013 Announcement 2013-37, 2013-34 I.R.B. 155 PDF Extends to January 31, 2014, the deadline to submit on-cycle applications for opinion and advisory letters for sponsors and practitioners maintaining defined benefit mass submitter lead plans for the plans’ second six-year remedial amendment cycle. January 2012 - December 2012 Announcement 2012-3, 2012-4 I.R.B. 335 PDF Deadline to submit on-cycle applications for opinion and advisory letters for pre-approved defined contribution plans for the plans' second six-year remedial amendment cycle is extended to April 2, 2012. Announcement 2012-7, 2012-6 I.R.B. 367 PDF Correction to a typographical error in section 6.07(5) of Rev. Proc. 2012-8. Announcement 2012-44, 2012-49 I.R.B. 663 Streamlined rules for loans and hardship distributions to Hurricane Sandy victims. 2012-49 I.R.B. 663. January 2011 - December 2011 Announcement 2011-8, 2011-5 IRB 446 PDF This announcement corrects an error in Rev. Proc. 2011-8 in the user fee schedule that applies to a non-mass submitter of a master or prototype (M&P) plan. Announcement 2011-16, 2011-7 IRB 500 PDF This announcement corrects a typographical error in Rev. Rul. 2011-3. Announcement 2011-21, 2011-12 I.R.B. 567 PDF This announcement designates Form 8955-SSA, Annual Registration Statement Identifying Separated Participants With Deferred Vested Benefits, as the form to be used to satisfy the reporting requirements of §6057(a) of the Code for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2009, and sets forth the due dates for filing the form for the 2009 plan year and subsequent plan years. Announcement 2011-59, 2011-37 I.R.B. 335 PDF This announcement contains a list of entities approved to act as nonbank trustees and nonbank custodians within the meaning of §1.408–2(e) of the regulations. In addition, the announcement contains instructions on how errors in the list may be corrected. Announcement 2007-47 updated and superseded. Announcement 2011-81, 2011-52 I.R.B. 1052 PDF Temporary relief for IRA owners who have signed certain indemnification agreements or granted certain security interests in their accounts. Announcement 2011-82, 2011-52 I.R.B. 1052 Describes several important changes to the Employee Plans determination letter program that will take effect in 2012. January 2010 - December 2010 Announcement 2010-3, 2010-4 I.R.B. 333 PDF This announcement provides, for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2009, automatic approval for certain changes in funding method with respect to single-employer defined benefit plans that result either from a change in the valuation software used to determine the liabilities for such plans or from a change in the enrolled actuary and the business organization providing actuarial services to the plan. Announcement 2010-20, 2010-15 I.R.B. 551 Announces that the IRS will soon issue opinion and advisory letters for pre-approved defined benefit plans. Employers using these pre-approved plan documents to restate a plan for EGTRRA and the 2006 Cumulative List will be required to adopt the EGTRRA-approved plan document by April 30, 2012. January 2009 - December 2009 Announcement 2009-34, 2009-18 I.R.B. 916 PDF The Service intends to establish a program for the pre-approval of prototype plans under §403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). This announcement includes a draft revenue procedure that contains the Service’s proposed procedures for issuing opinion letters as to the acceptability under §403(b) of the form of prototype plans. The Service posted draft sample plan language on the irs.gov website for use in drafting §403(b) prototype plans. The Service seeks public input before finalizing these procedures and sample plan language, and invites interested persons to submit comments. Announcement 2009-82, 2009-48 I.R.B. 720 PDF Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are announcing relief for sponsors of statutory hybrid plans that must amend the interest crediting rate in those plans. Plan sponsors may rely on this announcement pending publication of the anticipated additional guidance described in the announcement. Announcement 2009-85, 2009-51 I.R.B. PDF The Service announces that it will temporarily stop accepting determination letter applications for defined benefit plans filed on Form 5307, beginning February 22, 2010. This announcement does not affect the ability of adopting employers to apply for determination letters on Form 5307 for pre-approved defined contribution plans. Announcement 2009-89, 2009-52 I.R.B. 1009 PDF This announcement provides for a remedial amendment period and reliance for employers that, pursuant to the upcoming revenue procedures, either adopt a pre-approved plan with a favorable opinion letter or apply for an individual determination letter when available. Employers should not request ruling or determination letters on the form of their §403(b) plans at this time, pending publication of the revenue procedure for pre-approved §403(b) plans and additional procedures on applying for individual determination letters for §403(b) plans. January 2008 - December 2008 Announcement 2008-2, 2008-3, I.R.B. 307 PDF This announcement provides a procedure and form that certain commercial passenger airlines may use to make an alternative funding schedule election under section 402(a)(2) of PPA'06 as amended by section 6615 of SWOTA'07. Announcement 2008-23, 2008-14 I.R.B. 731 PDF This announcement provides guidance on the opening of the pre-approved defined contribution program for Cycle A plans. Announcement 2008-44, 2008-20 I.R.B. 982 PDF This announcement provides that individuals who have payments made by direct deposit under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to their IRAs or certain other tax-favored accounts may remove the payments without incurring adverse tax consequences. Announcement 2008-56, 2008-26 I.R.B. 1192 PDF This announcement provides for a change in the reporting of dividends on employer securities that are distributed from an employee stock ownership plan under section 404(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. January 2007 - December 2007 Announcement 2007-47, 2007-20 I.R.B. 1260 PDF This announcement is a list of nonbank trustees and custodians approved by the EP function through December 31, 2006. Announcement 2007-55, 2007-23 I.R.B. 1384 PDF This announcement reminds sponsors of prototype Roth IRAs of the requirement to amend their prototypes by December 31, 2007, if they want their prototypes to be able to accept rollovers of designated Roth contributions from other plans. Announcement 2007-59, 2007-25 I.R.B. 1448 PDF This announcement provides that a plan will not fail to satisfy the requirements of a section 401(k) safe harbor plan because of a mid-year change to implement a designated Roth contribution program or the financial hardship withdrawals described in part III of Notice 2007-7. Announcement 2007-61, 2007-28 I.R.B. 84 PDF This announcement formally closes the defined benefit program for GUST pre-approved plans. Announcement 2007-63, 2007-30 I.R.B. 236 PDF This announcement states that as a result of the elimination of the Schedule P, the Service will treat the filing of a complete Form 5500 return as the commencement of the running of the 3-year or 6-year statute of limitations. Announcement 2007-90, 2007-42 I.R.B. 856 PDF This announcement temporarily closes the determination letter program for pre-approved defined contribution plans. January 2006 - December 2006 Announcement 2006-45, 2006-31 I.R.B. 121 PDF This announcement contains a list of approved non-bank trustees and non-bank custodians as of 12/31/2005. Announcement 2006-70, 2006-40 I.R.B. 629 PDF This announcement describes an alternative funding schedule and provides a form to make an election under section 402(a)(1) of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. January 2005 - December 2005 Announcement 2005-36, 2005-21 I.R.B. 1095 PDF This announcement pertains to the formal closing of the GUST program for pre-approved defined contribution plans. Announcement 2005-37, 2005-21 I.R.B. 1096 PDF This announcement provides a sample implementing amendment that Volume Submitter practitioners may use with their volume submitter plans. Announcement 2005-59, 2005-37 I.R.B. 524 PDF This announcement contains a list of approved non-bank trustees as of 12/31/2004. Announcement 2005-70, 2005-40 I.R.B. 682 PDF This announcement provides broad-based relief as a result of Hurricane Katrina. January 2004 - December 2004 Announcement 2004-32, 2004-18 I.R.B. 860 PDF This announcement describes decisions made following public comments on the future of the EP determination letter program. Announcement 2004-33, 2004-18 I.R.B. 862 PDF This announcement requests public comment regarding programs regarding pre-approved plans and contains a draft revenue procedure. Announcement 2004-38, 2004-18 I.R.B. 878 PDF This announcement provides an election form for an Alternative Deficit Reduction Contribution. Announcement 2004-43, 2004-21 I.R.B. 955 PDF This announcement provides additional guidance including time and manner of an ADRC and the related notices. Please note that this announcement was corrected in Announcement 2004-51, 2004-23 I.R.B. 1041 PDF. Announcement 2004-52, 2004-24 I.R.B. 1071 PDF This announcement provides guidance on the treatment of a plan described in Rev. Rul 2004-57 PDF that was established before June 14, 2004. Announcement 2004-57, 2004-27 I.R.B. 15 PDF This announcement states that the Service will withdraw proposed regulations under sections 411(b)(1)(H) and 411(b)(2) of the code. Announcement 2004-58, 2004-29 I.R.B. 66 PDF This announcement states that, in certain instances, the Service is delaying the effective date of the relative value regulations. Announcement 2004-71, 2004-40 I.R.B. 60 PDF This announcement requests comments with respect to the draft revenue procedure containing staggered remedial amendment periods. Announcement 2004-72, 2004-41 I.R.B. 650 PDF This announcement contains a list of approved non-bank trustees as of 12/31/2003. Announcement 2004-80, 2004-41 I.R.B. 663 PDF This announcement clarifies the 2003 instructions for line 8c of Schedule B of Form 5500. January 2003 - December 2003 Announcement 2003-1, 2003-2 I.R.B. 281 PDF This announcement pertains to the processing of technical advice cases that involve the conversion to cash balance type formulas. Announcement 2003-13, 2003-11 I.R.B. 603 PDF This announcement describes the revised Form 5310 for requesting determination letters for terminating plans. Announcement 2003-22, 2003-17 I.R.B. 846 PDF This announcement states that the Service will withdraw certain new comparability proposed regulations. Announcement 2003-32, 2003-20 I.R.B. 933 PDF This announcement discusses the second white paper on the future of the EP determination letter program. Announcement 2003-54, 2003-40 I.R.B. 761 PDF This announcement contains a list of approved non-bank trustees as of 12/31/2002. January 2002 - December 2002 Announcement 2002-1, 2002-2 I.R.B. 304 PDF This announcement allows for the temporary use of a draft Form 8717 that may be used to implement section 620 of EGTRRA. Announcement 2002-12, 2002-8 I.R.B. 553 PDF This announcement contains a list of approved nonbank trustees and nonbank custodians. Announcement 2002-31, 2002-15 I.R.B. 747 PDF This announcement sets forth the Service's non-enforcement policy in conjunction with a DOL proposed class exemption. Announcement 2002-36, 2002-13 I.R.B. 703 PDF This announcement extends to July 1, 2002, the comment period described in Announcement 2001-83. Announcement 2002-46, 2002-18 I.R.B. 834 PDF This announcement repeats in Spanish the safe harbor explanations set forth in Notice 2002-3. Announcement 2002-49, 2002-19 I.R.B. 919 PDF This announcement extends the June 1, 2002, date in sections 4.01 and 4.05 of Rev. Proc. 2002-10. January 2001 - December 2001 Announcement 2001-12, 2001-6 I.R.B. 526 PDF Additional guidance on master and prototype plans. Announcement 2001-18, 2001-10 I.R.B. 791 PDF Correction to model amendment in proposed minimum distribution regulations. Announcement 2001-23, 2001-10 I.R.B. 791 PDF Description of supplements to Publications 575 and 590 necessitated by proposed minimum distribution regulations. Announcement 2001-63, 2001-25 I.R.B. 1344 PDF Expansion of M&P and volume submitter programs to consider alternatives in Q&A-14 of Rev. Rul. 98-14 and changes to §417(e)(3). Announcement 2001-77, 2001-30 I.R.B. 83 PDF Description of changes in the determination letter program for GUST plan amendments. Announcement 2001-82, 2001-32 I.R.B. 123 PDF Alternative model amendment for simplified required minimum distributions. Announcement 2001-83, 2001-35 I.R.B. 205 PDF Public announcement regarding the availability of a white paper pertaining to the future of the EP determination letter program. Announcement 2001-103, 2001-43 I.R.B. 375 PDF This announcement provides limited relief from penalties imposed by IRS, PWBA and PBGC. Announcement 2001-104, 2001-43 I.R.B. 376 PDF This announcement notifies employers that the Service has begun to issue GUST opinion letters and that employers must timely amend their master and prototype plans and volume submitter plans. Announcement 2001-106, 2001-44 I.R.B. 416 PDF This announcement sets forth frequently asked questions and the related answers about the Saver's Credit described in §25B of the Code. Announcement 2001-109, 2001-45 I.R.B. 485 PDF This announcement reminds employers of availability of 2001 revisions to certain forms. Announcement 2001-120, 2001-50 I.R.B. 583 PDF This announcement repeats in Spanish the notice to employees portion of Announcement 2001-106, which pertains to the Saver's Credit described in §25B of the Code and the eligibility for this new nonrefundable credit. Announcement 2001-122, 2001-51 I.R.B. 604 PDF This announcement extends the cut-off date for use of the prior revision of the employee plans determination letter application forms. October 2000 - December 2000 Announcement 2000-71, 2000-44 I.R.B. 456 PDF Effect of section 411(d)(6) regulations on determination letter requests. Announcement 2000-99, 2000-51 I.R.B. 591 PDF Reminds sponsors of master and prototype plans and volume submitter plans of the December 31, 2000, due date for the timely submission for GUST amendments.
