SECTION 5. GENERAL

Employers who have difficulty in furnishing the information specified in this revenue procedure may call the Employee Plans Customer Assistance Service at 1–877–829–5500 (a toll–free number), or write for guidance to the following address:

Internal Revenue Service Commissioner, TE/GE Attention: SE:T:EP:RA:T:A 1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20224

In appropriate instances, pre-submission conferences may be afforded in addition to conferences available under Rev. Proc. 2004–4.

(e) Projections of (i) funding standard account credit balance/accumulated funding deficiencies, (ii) actuarial value of assets and market value of assets, (iii) current liabilities, and (iv) funding ratios, for the length of the extension of the amortization period requested and for the period ten (10) years afterwards. For example, if the applicant requests an extension of ten (10) years, the projections should be for a 20-year period. These projections must be prepared by an enrolled actuary.

(f) The plan year for which the extension is requested, i.e., the first plan year for which the extension of the amortization period will be reflected in the determination of the minimum funding standard for the plan ( e.g., 1/1/2004—12/31/2004).

The Service may request additional information as needed.

(4) Facts concerning the pension plan. For each pension plan for which an extension is requested, the following information should be supplied.

(a) The name of the plan, the plan’s identification number, and file folder number (if any).

(b) The date the plan was adopted. (c) The effective date of the plan. (d) The classes of employees covered.

(e) The number of employees covered.

(f) A copy of the current plan document and the most recent summary plan description.

(g) A copy of the most recent determination letter issued to the plan.

(h) A brief description of all plan amendments adopted during the year for which the extension is requested and the previous four years which affect plan costs, including the approximate effect of each amendment on such costs.

(i) The most recent actuarial report plus any available actuarial reports for the preceding two plan years. Also, if not shown in that report, the present value of accrued benefits, present value of vested benefits, and fair market value of assets (excluding contributions not yet paid).

(j) A description of how the plan is funded ( i.e., trust fund, individual insurance policies, etc.).

(k) A list of the contributions actually paid in each month, from the twentyfourth month prior to the beginning of the

plan year for which the extension is requested through the date of the request and the plan year to which the contributions were applied, with the employee contributions and the employer contributions listed separately.

(l) The approximate contribution required to meet the minimum funding standard. For defined benefit plans, this amount should be determined by the plan’s enrolled actuary.

(m) A copy of the most recently completed Annual Return/Report of Em- ployee Benefit Plan (Form 5500 series, as applicable) and in the case of a defined benefit plan, a copy of the corresponding Actuarial Information schedule (Schedule B of Form 5500).

(n) A copy of each ruling letter that waived the minimum funding standard during the last 15 plan years, a statement of the amount waived for each plan year, and a statement of the outstanding balance of the amortization base for each waived funding deficiency. The outstanding balance of the amortization base for each waiver is to be calculated as of the first day of the plan year for which an extension is being requested.

(o) A copy of each ruling letter that granted, under § 412(e) of the Code and section 304(a) of ERISA, an extension of time to amortize any unfunded liability which became applicable at any time during the last 15 plan years.

(5) Other pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plans. If the employer maintains more than one plan, an outline of the essential facts for each such plan should be submitted. This should include:

(a) A brief description of the plan, including the name of the plan and its plan year.

(b) The number of employees covered.

(c) The classes of employees covered.

(d) The approximate annual contribution required.

(e) The amount of contributions that have been made, or are intended to be made, for any plan year of such other plan commencing in, or ending in, the plan year for which the extension is requested.

(f) A statement as to whether a request for a waiver of the minimum funding

2004–31 I.R.B. 136 August 2, 2004

cumstances, with an estimated average burden of 100 hours. The estimated number of respondents/recordkeepers is 25.

The estimated annual frequency of responses is one.

Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. section 6103.

DRAFTING INFORMATION

The principal author of this revenue procedure is John C. Heil of the Employee Plans, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. For further information regarding how this revenue procedure applies to employee plans matters, contact the Employee Plans Customer Assistance Service at 1–877–829–5500 (a toll-free call). Mr. Heil’s telephone number is (202) 283–9694 (not a toll-free call).