Have You Updated Your Form 498?
November 4, 2019
Attached: Modifying a 498 – Guide 2019
In August, USAC began asking applicants with Form 498s on file to update the form with a new “business type” field (the Form 498 is the form that’s required to be on-file with USAC with your banking information so USAC can deposit the BEAR reimbursements – I call it the ‘498 Direct Deposit Form’.) USAC is being required to comply with the DATA Act of 2014 which requires the federal government to transform its spending information into easily searchable, open data, and in order to be in compliant, they need to collect this information.
Many of you updated your form at that time, but there are still many applicants that have not yet done so. How do you know if you are on USACs “non-updated 498” list? There is no publicly available list that I can find, but the easiest way to know is because USAC has been sending you regular e-mails that say, “UPDATE YOUR FORM 498 NOW.” Also, there are steps below and in the attached Guide that walk you through the steps so you can search to see if you have a Form 498 on file and if it’s been updated.
And it’s extremely simple to do, so take care of this now so USAC stops sending you messages. This is also a great time to make sure that the Remittance Contact listed on the form is up-to-date as this is the person who receives the BEAR reimbursement deposit notification e-mails.
Below are answers to what I expect are your questions, below that are the steps to updating your form, and attached is a Guide.
- Which entities must respond? Any entity that has a Form 498 already on file with USAC must update their form.
- What’s the deadline? ASAP, but by the end of December at the latest.
- What information is needed? You will be asked to select a “business type” from a pre-set list of dropdowns (clearly the list was not developed by USAC or with schools and libraries in mind). You will not be penalized in any way for choosing the wrong drop down; however, I suggest using the following:
- Public School Districts – Independent School District
- IUs, Library Systems, and most consortia – U.S. Regional Organization
- Private Schools, Charter Schools, AVTSs, and Independent Libraries – Nonprofit with 501C3 IRS Status (Other than an Institution of Higher Education), or “Other”
- If we don’t have a Form 498 on file with USAC, must we file one? No. But in the future, if you want to pay your vendors in full and then seek reimbursement using the Form 472 BEAR, then you will need to submit a Form 498 and go through the approval process before your first BEAR is filed.
- Do I need to resubmit my cancelled check? No. The only time you will be required to e-mail USAC a copy of your voided or cancelled check and go through the re-approval process is if you change your banking information.
- Who can update the Form 498 in EPC? Only a “school or library official” can certify and submit the Form 498. That status is given to an EPC User by their EPC Account Administrator (to change someone’s status, the AA should click on Manage Users). A consultant may update the form, but they must have the EPC system “Send for Certification” to the school or library official for certification because consultants cannot certify this form.
- Can I update other information on the Form 498? Absolutely. Please look at the Remittance Contact especially as this is the person who receives the electronic BEAR Remittance Statements via e-mail. Make sure this person is still the appropriate individual to receive these messages at your school or library.
- Do I have to submit the Form 498 each year? No, this form is one you just submit once with your banking information so USAC knows to what bank account they should remit your BEAR reimbursement funds.
Steps to Update Form 498:
1. Log in to EPC
2. Click the “Records” tab at the top of the page.
3. Choose “FCC Form 498” from the list of entries.
4. Click on the “Nickname” or “498 ID” of the form you want to modify. (If there is no 498 showing, it means one is not on file and you can disregard this message.)
5. Click “Modify FCC Form 498” in the top right corner of the page.
6. At the bottom of the 1st page, select the Business Type, then Save and Continue.
7. On the 3rd page, enter your DUNS number if this field is blank.
8. Update any other information that has changed.
9. Click Save and Continue until you’ve certified the form.
If you have any questions, please contact me!
Happy updating!
— Julie
Julie Tritt Schell
Pennsylvania E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 – o
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org