Publication 4531 (Rev. 8-2021) Catalog Number 48552T Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov

401(k) PLAN CHECKLIST

Has your plan document been updated within the past few years?

If your plan hasn’t been updated to reflect recent law changes, the plan needs to be revised. More 

Are the plan operations based on the plan document terms?

Failure to follow the terms of the plan is a common problem found on examination. More 

Is the plan’s definition of compensation for all deferrals and allocations used correctly?

Your plan may use different definitions of compensation for different purposes. It’s important that you apply the proper 

definition found in your plan document. More 

Were employer matching contributions made to appropriate employees under the plan terms?

The plan terms must be followed when allocating employer matching contributions. More 

Has the plan satisfied the 401(k) ADP and ACP nondiscrimination tests?

Most 401(k) plans must satisfy yearly ADP/ACP nondiscrimination tests. More 

Were all eligible employees identified and given the opportunity to make an elective deferral?

By supplying your tax advisor with information on all employees who receive a Form W-2, you may reduce the risk of 

omitting eligible employees. More 

Are elective deferrals limited to the IRC Section 402(g) limits for the calendar year?

Failure to distribute deferrals in excess of the 402(g) limit may result in additional taxes and penalties to the participant 

and employer. More 

Have you timely deposited employee elective deferrals?

You should deposit deferrals as soon as they can be segregated from the employer’s assets. More 

Do participant loans meet the plan document and IRC Section 72(p) requirements?

Defaulted loans or loans in violation of Section 72(p) may be treated as a taxable distribution to the participant. More 

Were hardship distributions made properly?

If a plan allows hardship distributions, the plan terms must be followed. More 

Were top-heavy minimum contributions made?

If the plan is top-heavy, minimum contributions for non-key employees are required. More 

Was Form 5500 filed?

Most 401(k) plans must file an annual return with the federal government. More 

Every year it’s important that you review the requirements for operating your 401(k) retirement plan. Use this checklist to 

help you keep your plan in compliance with many of the important rules. Check the box if you can answer “yes” to the 

question. For additional information (including examples) on how to find, fix and avoid each mistake, click on “More .” 

If you didn’t check all boxes, you may have a mistake in the operation of your plan. This list is only a guide to a more compliant plan, so 

checking all boxes may not mean your plan is 100% compliant. This list doesn’t contain all plan requirements and shouldn’t be used

as a substitute for a complete plan review. Learn how to correct mistakes without penalty and without notifying the IRS at 

www.irs.gov/fixmyplan. Don’t send this checklist to the IRS.

See www.irs.gov/retirement and click “Types of Retirement Plans” for Fix-It Guides and other resources for 401(k) and other plan types.

Contact your tax advisor www.irs.gov/retirement Call the IRS at 877-829-5500