Yes! You can use AI to fill out Vanguard Rollover Contribution Request

People often miss the specific payee instructions in the fine print and make the check payable to just 'Vanguard' or their own name. This happens because the correct payee format is long and detailed. A check with the wrong payee will be rejected, causing significant delays in the rollover process and potentially creating tax issues if a deadline is missed. To avoid this, carefully follow the note under Section III and make the check payable to: 'Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company FBO [Your Name], last 4 digits of Social Security Number'.

The form requires documentation from the prior recordkeeper to verify the cost basis and start date for any Roth or after-tax money being rolled over. This requirement is in a note and is easily overlooked. Without this separate statement, Vanguard cannot process the Roth or after-tax portions of the rollover, which will halt the transaction until the correct paperwork is provided. Before submitting, contact your prior plan's administrator to request a statement showing the required Roth and/or after-tax basis information.

In Section II, participants often struggle to correctly separate their rollover funds into pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax amounts. They may guess, or simply enter the entire sum on the 'Total rollover' line without breaking it down. This is a critical error, as miscategorizing funds can lead to incorrect tax treatment and future tax liabilities. To prevent this, consult a recent statement from your old plan or call the administrator to get the exact breakdown before filling out the form.

In Section IV, users create ambiguity by both checking the box to 'use my current fund allocations' and filling out the table for new fund choices. Another common error is listing new fund allocations that do not total exactly 100%. These mistakes force the processing agent to contact the participant for clarification, delaying the investment of funds. If left blank or incomplete, the money defaults to a Target Retirement Trust, which may not be the desired investment. Carefully choose only one option and ensure any new allocations are in whole numbers that sum to 100%.

Forgetting to sign and date the form in Section V is one of the most common reasons for rejection. Participants are often focused on the complex financial figures and simply overlook this final step. An unsigned form is legally invalid and will be returned immediately, requiring the entire package to be resubmitted and delaying the rollover. Always perform a final check for the signature and date before mailing. AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can help by highlighting required fields like signatures to ensure they aren't missed.

In Section III, many people are unsure of the technical difference between a 'Qualified Plan' (like a 401(k)), a '403(b)', or a 'Governmental 457' and may select the wrong one. This is a significant error because the legal certifications in Section V are dependent on the plan type. An incorrect selection can cause compliance issues and processing delays. To avoid this, confirm the exact plan type by reviewing your old plan's documents or contacting its administrator.

When specifying new investment allocations in Section IV, users may accidentally write down an incorrect fund code, misspell a fund name, or list a fund not available in the plan. This happens due to simple transcription errors when copying from the fund list. As a result, the portion of money allocated to the invalid fund cannot be invested and will be held in a default account, delaying your investment strategy until you are contacted for a correction. To prevent this, carefully double-check each fund name and code against the provided list on the form.

The form explicitly states that 'Personal checks are not accepted' and requires an employer/institutional check, cashier's check, or money order. This instruction is located in a note and is frequently missed by individuals handling an indirect rollover. Submitting a personal check will cause the entire rollover package to be rejected and returned. This wastes time and could jeopardize the rollover if it's subject to the 60-day deadline. Always obtain a cashier's check or money order from your bank for the correct amount.

For an indirect rollover (where you receive the check yourself), the certifications in Section V are critical. People often sign without fully understanding the rules, especially the requirement to deposit the funds into the new plan within 60 days. Failing to meet this deadline causes the entire amount to be treated as a taxable distribution, which may also be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty. To avoid severe tax consequences, ensure you can meet the 60-day deadline or opt for a direct rollover where the funds move between institutions without you handling them.

In Section I, the form specifies a 'mm/dd/yyyy' format for the Date of Birth and Date of Hire. Users, particularly from outside the U.S., may default to a 'dd/mm/yyyy' format, or use a two-digit year. This data entry error can cause processing delays as the system may reject the date or require manual verification. To avoid this, pay close attention to the specified format. Smart form-filling tools like Instafill.ai can automatically format dates correctly, preventing these simple but common errors. Since this form is a non-fillable PDF, Instafill.ai can also make it fillable to streamline the process.