--- title: "Correcting Plan Errors: SCP vs. VCP" description: "Correcting Plan Errors: SCP vs. VCP" image: https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hubfs/Retirement%201.png --- [![Sweeney Conrad](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SweeneyConrad_August2022/images/Sweeney-Conrad-logo.jpg?width=542&height=48&name=Sweeney-Conrad-logo.jpg "Sweeney Conrad")](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/preview/) ![navigation menu](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SweeneyConrad_August2022/images/hamburger-bars.png) - [What We Do](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do) - [Tax Services](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do/tax-services) - [Client Accounting Services](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do/client-accounting-services) - [Advisory Services](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do/advisory-services) - [How We Do It](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it) - [Our Process](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/our-process) - [Industries we serve](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/industries) - [Culture & Community](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/culture-community) - [Giving Back](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/giving-back) - [Partnership Network](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/partnership) - [Who We Are](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are) - [Our People](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/our-team) - [Mission & Values](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/mission-values) - [Our Passion](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/our-passion) - [40+ Year History](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/history) - [Careers](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers) - [Benefits & Perks](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/benefits-perks) - [Experienced Professionals](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/experienced-professionals) - [SC Young Professionals](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/sc-young-professionals) - [SC Summer Summit](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/summer-summit) - [Job Opportunities](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/job-opportunities) - [Get in Touch](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/get-in-touch) - [Contact Us](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/get-in-touch/contact-us/) - [Pay Online](https://www.quickfee.com/qsop?company=quickfeeus&creditor=SWEENEY) - [Client Login](https://sweeneyconrad.sharefile.com/) - [Our Insights](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/) - [Newsletter](https://share.hsforms.com/189SwWa83QWmQ98wj4A6liQ2bure) ![navigation menu](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SweeneyConrad_August2022/images/hamburger-bars.png) ![navigation menu close](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SweeneyConrad_August2022/images/close.png) [![SweeneyConrad](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SweeneyConrad_August2022/images/logo-icon.png?width=33&height=48&name=logo-icon.png "SweeneyConrad")](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/preview/) [![SweeneyConrad](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SweeneyConrad_August2022/images/logo-icon.png?width=33&height=48&name=logo-icon.png "SweeneyConrad")](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/preview/) - [What We Do](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do) - [Tax Services](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do/tax-services) - [Client Accounting Services](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do/client-accounting-services) - [Advisory Services](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do/advisory-services) - [How We Do It](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it) - [Our Process](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/our-process) - [Industries we serve](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/industries) - [Culture & Community](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/culture-community) - [Giving Back](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/giving-back) - [Partnership Network](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/partnership) - [Who We Are](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are) - [Our People](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/our-team) - [Mission & Values](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/mission-values) - [Our Passion](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/our-passion) - [40+ Year History](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/history) - [Careers at SC](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers) - [Benefits & Perks](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/benefits-perks) - [Experienced Professionals](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/experienced-professionals) - [SC Young Professionals](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/sc-young-professionals) - [SC Summer Summit](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/summer-summit) - [Job Opportunities](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/job-opportunities) - [Get in Touch](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/get-in-touch) - [Contact Us](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/get-in-touch/contact-us/) - [Pay Online](https://www.quickfee.com/qsop?company=quickfeeus&creditor=SWEENEY) - [Client Login](https://sweeneyconrad.sharefile.com/) - [Our Insights](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/) - [Newsletter](https://share.hsforms.com/189SwWa83QWmQ98wj4A6liQ2bure) # Correcting Plan Errors: SCP vs. VCP By Wende Wadsworth, CPA | Jul 14, 2020 [![white arrow](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SweeneyConrad_August2022/images/arrow-left-white.png)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com) INSIGHTS/BLOG ![Retirement 1](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Retirement%201.png?width=300&name=Retirement%201.png) Despite your best efforts to remain compliant, operational errors are sometimes made in the administration of employee retirement plans. When errors occur, you generally have two main options for correcting them: **The Self-Correction Program (SCP):** You can use this program to self-correct operational errors without contacting the IRS, submitting an application or paying a fee. SCP can correct any type of insignificant operational error that occurs with 401(k), 403(b), profit-sharing and other qualified plans, but not with SIMPLE IRAs or SEPs. In certain circumstances, SCP can also be used to correct significant operational errors, such as to correct mistakes or failure of reasonable procedures that result in: - Failure to follow the plan document, - Exclusion of eligible participants, - Errors in calculating or remitting contributions - Loan failures SCP can also correct significant errors if corrected before the end of the second plan year after the failure occurred or if you substantially correct the error. **The Voluntary Correction Program (VCP):** This program can correct mistakes in plan document language or how a plan is being run. It requires you to mail a written submission to the IRS and pay a user fee. The IRS then reviews and approves your proposed correction methods. Using VCP to correct plan errors preserves the plan’s qualification and tax-favored status by bringing it back into compliance with federal tax law. VCP might be preferable to SCP if you prefer to receive a written IRS compliance statement. Also, VCP provides certain federal income and excise tax relief that’s not available under SCP. If an error occurs with a SIMPLE IRA or SEP, you’ll need to use VCP because SCP is not an option for these plans. ### RECENT POSTS ### POSTS BY TAG - [Tax (121)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/tax) - [Audit & Assurance (73)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/audit-and-assurance) - [Estate Planning (60)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/estate-planning) - [News (29)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/news) - [COVID-19 (26)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/covid-19) - [Sweeney Conrad News (20)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/sweeney-conrad-news) - [Retirement Reporter (17)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/retirement-reporter) - [Sweeney Conrad Passion (16)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/sweeney-conrad-passion) - [Sweeney Conrad People (15)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/people) - [Employee Benefit Plans (14)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/employee-benefit-plans) - [State and Local Tax (11)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/state-and-local-tax) - [Sweeney Conrad Community (10)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/sweeney-conrad-community) - [Advisory (5)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/advisory) - [High Net Worth (5)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/high-net-worth) - [Nonprofit Organizations & Private Foundations (5)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/nonprofit-organizations-private-foundations) - [Business (4)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/business) - [Sweeney Conrad People (4)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/sweeney-conrad-people) - [CAAS (3)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/caas) - [Insider (2)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/insider) - [Real Estate & Construction (2)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/real-estate-construction) - [Recruiting (2)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/recruiting) - [Loca (1)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/loca) - [Locally Owned (1)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/locally-owned) - [Scams (1)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/scams) - [Test (1)](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/tag/test) See all ## Contact Us Feel free to [email](mailto:information@sweeneyconrad.com) us or call [425.629.1990](tel:425-629-1990) [Get in touch](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/preview/get-in-touch/contact-us/) - [What We Do](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do) - [Tax Services](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do/tax-services) - [Client Accounting Services](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do/client-accounting-services) - [Advisory Services](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/what-we-do/advisory-services) - [How We Do It](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it) - [Our Process](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/our-process) - [Industries we serve](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/industries) - [Culture & Community](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/culture-community) - [Giving Back](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/giving-back) - [Partnership Network](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/how-we-do-it/partnership) - [Who We Are](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are) - [Our People](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/our-team) - [Mission & Values](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/mission-values) - [Our Passion](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/our-passion) - [40+ Year History](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/who-we-are/history) - [Careers at SC](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers) - [Benefits & Perks](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/benefits-perks) - [Experienced Professionals](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/experienced-professionals) - [SC Young Professionals](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/sc-young-professionals) - [SC Summer Summit](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/summer-summit) - [Job Opportunities](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/careers/job-opportunities) - [Get in Touch](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/get-in-touch) - [Contact Us](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/get-in-touch/contact-us/) - [Pay Online](https://www.quickfee.com/qsop?company=quickfeeus&creditor=SWEENEY) - [Client Login](https://sweeneyconrad.sharefile.com/) - [Our Insights](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/) - [Newsletter](https://share.hsforms.com/189SwWa83QWmQ98wj4A6liQ2bure) ![Sweeney Conrad](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SweeneyConrad_August2022/images/logo.png?width=358&name=logo.png "Sweeney Conrad") 10210 NE Points Dr. Suite 300 Kirkland WA 98033 [425.629.1990](tel:425-629-1990) [information@sweeneyconrad.com](mailto:information@sweeneyconrad.com) Proud to be a Member [![Allinial Global](https://blog.sweeneyconrad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SweeneyConrad_August2022/images/MemberOfAllinial-Logo_CMYK-globe.png?width=75&height=48&name=MemberOfAllinial-Logo_CMYK-globe.png "Allinial Global")](https://www.allinialglobal.com) Sweeney Conrad is the brand name under which Sweeney Conrad CPA LLP and Sweeney Conrad Advisors LLC provide professional services. Sweeney Conrad CPA LLP and Sweeney Conrad Advisors LLC practice as an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable law, regulations and professional standards. Sweeney Conrad CPA LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients. Sweeney Conrad Advisors LLC and its subsidiary entities, which are not licensed CPA firms, provide tax, advisory, and other non-attest services to its clients. The entities falling under the Sweeney Conrad brand are independently owned and are not liable for the services provided by any other entity providing the services under the Sweeney Conrad brand. Our use of the terms "our firm" and "we" and "us" and terms of similar import, denote the alternative practice structure conducted by Sweeney Conrad CPA LLP and Sweeney Conrad Advisors LLC [Privacy Policy](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/preview/privacy-policy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.sweeneyconrad.com/preview/terms-of-use)