After a number of setbacks and delays, on March 12, 2013, the SEC Division of Investment Management released a notice to EDGAR Form N-SAR Filers that it has suspended the project to modify the method of filing Form N-SAR to an XML-based application. N-SAR filers should continue to use the DOS-based application to create Form N-SAR submissions.
According to the SEC, this project is no longer being pursued as the Division examines possible enhancements to the forms used by registered investment companies to disclose information about fund operations and portfolio holdings. The purpose of this initiative is to improve the quality and usefulness of information that funds provide to investors and to the Commission, eliminate duplicative filings or disclosures, and modernize the method for submitting such filings. In particular, the Division intends to consider changes to the format and frequency of portfolio holdings disclosure, and explore ways to consolidate information that funds report on different forms, including Form N-SAR.
To view the SEC notice, please visit: http://www.sec.gov/divisions/investment/imannouncements/nsarmodernization-im.htm