On August 12, 2026, the Treasury Department and the IRS announced in IR-2026-91 that they had published optional sample forms and proposed procedures intended to simplify direct rollovers involving an employer retirement plan.
The guidance in Notice 2026-49 responds to Section 324 of the SECURE 2.0 Act. It applies to rollovers between retirement plans and to rollovers between a retirement plan and an individual retirement account (IRA). The forms are not intended for IRA-to-IRA rollovers or transfers.
What the IRS Announced
The notice includes four sample forms and a proposed five-step process for coordinating a rollover among the participant, the plan or IRA sending the funds, and the plan or IRA receiving them.
The proposed process would use a unique rollover identification number (RIN) for communications about each request. It also emphasizes secure transmission of personal information, standardized data, verification by both sides, and electronic transfers when possible.
Use of the forms and procedures is optional. The IRS does not currently provide a safe harbor based on using them, and plans may modify the forms as needed to comply with applicable law.
How the Proposed Process Works
Notice 2026-49 describes five steps:
- The participant sends a rollover request, including an executed Participant’s Rollover Request Authorization, to the receiving plan using Form 1.
- The receiving plan assigns a RIN and sends Form 2, along with the participant’s authorization, to the distributing plan.
- The distributing plan verifies the request and sends account and transfer information using Form 3.
- The receiving plan confirms that it can accept the rollover and selects a transfer method using Form 4.
- The distributing plan transfers the requested rollover to the receiving plan.
The sample forms contemplate electronic transfers when both sides can support them. If a check is the only available method, the proposed procedure directs that it include the RIN in the check memo, be payable to the receiving plan for the participant’s benefit, and be sent directly to the receiving plan.
What the Guidance Does Not Change
The sample process does not replace other rules that may apply to a retirement distribution. Notice 2026-49 specifically notes that distributing plans still need to address requirements such as spousal consent and required minimum distributions when applicable.
The forms also do not determine that every requested distribution is eligible for rollover treatment. The distributing and receiving plans must verify the request and whether they can complete and accept the rollover.
Additional Guidance Under Consideration
Treasury and the IRS are considering further guidance that could encourage or require more direct electronic transfers, restrict burdensome rollover procedures, and create safe harbors tied to standardized forms.
Comments on the notice are due by October 23, 2026. The notice provides submission instructions and asks stakeholders for input on technology standards, automated solutions, implementation time frames, and ways to reduce participant burden.
Why It Matters for Self-Employed Workers
Self-employed people may hold retirement savings in arrangements such as SEP or SIMPLE IRAs as well as retirement accounts from prior employment. Notice 2026-49 could eventually make some rollovers involving an employer plan more consistent, but its sample forms are optional and do not apply to IRA-to-IRA transfers.
Before moving retirement funds, confirm that the transaction is eligible, that the receiving account will accept it, and what tax reporting or plan requirements apply. A plan administrator, IRA trustee, or qualified tax professional can help review the specific transaction.
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This article provides general information, not tax, legal, or retirement-planning advice. Rollover rules depend on the accounts and transaction involved. Confirm current requirements with the relevant plan or IRA provider and on IRS.gov.