I do not know too much about VEBAs. I have a client that set up a VEBA to fund certain health benefits for employees. I know the VEBA has to file a form 990 each year. Does the VEBA simply file a form 990 and then the welfare benefit (i. e. health) file its own 5500 covering the health benefits?

short answer, yes, the health plan also has to file a 5500 if there are more than 100 participants.

Since the VEBA is funded remember that the 5500 will be the "long form" and and audit.

Even if there are less than 100 participants?

no 5500 when there are less than 100 participants.

To get out of the 5500 uner the less than 100 rule you generally have to be insured or benefits must be paid from the general assets of the employer. A VEBA does not meet either of these conditions.

That is what I am being told by another source. Because a VEBA is a funded welfare benefit plan then a 5500 must be filed.

KJohnson and that other person are correct. And if multiple welfare benefit plans are in the one VEBA, there may now be multiple Form 5500s -- one for each separate plan....