Filing 990 at The Last Minute? Learn These Tips!

We believe that filing tax returns for your exempt organization should be as hassle-free as possible.

That’s why we offer an easy, intuitive tax-filing software that works with you to help keep that all-important compliant status with the IRS for your organization.

We’ve taken the complication out of filing Form 990 and reduced it to a form that is as tamed as a kitten!

Read on below to find out which 990 Form you should use when filing, what filing information you should have available, and how to make filing a breeze!  That’s as easy as 1-2-3!

Just to be sure...

When approaching the task of filing a 990 for your organization, take a few moments to read over this chart to get an overview of the various forms, as well as a heads up about what you’ll need.

You may have noticed...

There’s a big difference between Form 990-N and the rest of the IRS Form 990 forms. Either way, you will be filing based on the financial status of your organization, determined based on your gross receipts and assets.

IRS Form 990 and IRS Form 990-N (e-Postcard) are the most confused forms. If you are responsible for filing your nonprofit’s tax return, knowing which form to use is essential.

So, let’s dig a little deeper into the differences in filing IRS Form 990 versus filing Form 990-N.

Filing Form 990-N:

IRS Form 990-N (e-Postcard) is for nonprofit organizations with gross receipts that do NOT exceed $50,000. This form is typically filed by smaller nonprofit organizations and is the quickest 990 tax form to complete.

990-N sounds pretty great, right?  Be careful! There are certain organizations that aren’t allowed to file the e-Postcard version of 990.  Check this list and be sure you’re not on it before you try filing Form 990-N.

990-N is a no-go for:

• Political organizations required to file an exempt organization return annually
• Private foundations (File Form 990-PF)
• Supporting organizations such as:
• Organizations with gross receipts $5,000 or less and classified as a section 501(c)(3) religious organization.
• Auxiliaries of Churches
• Exclusive religious activities (by religious orders)

Filing Form 990:

If you’ve figured out that you can’t file a 990-N, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook! If you want to remain tax-exempt and avoid hefty IRS penalties, you’ll still be filing, but you’ll use one of the other 990 forms available.  It will be either the 990 EZ, Form 990, or the IRS Form 990 PF.

Regardless, ExpressTaxExempt is here to get you through it. Regardless of the form, we have a simple process in place to help guide you through filing. We really walk you through it, so you can have the confidence that you’re completing the right form, and completing it correctly.  We’ve pulled out all the stops, including checks that keep all your information accurate.

Ready to file?

The uniqueness of Form 990 is that it has a deadline on the 15th of every month.

Depending on the calendar or fiscal tax year of your organization, you may have a 990 Form due soon!

Click below and start your simple process for filing Form 990 at the last minute.

Don’t let procrastination get in the way! File today!

File 990 today!

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How To Help With Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts

Widespread attention has been on Hurricane Dorian, its path, effects, and destruction.

After causing mass destruction within 48 hours of landfall in the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm, the hurricane has been reduced to a Category 2 but is now making its way towards Florida’s northeastern coast and possibly, the Carolinas.

According to CBS News, seven people have died, thousands of homes are believed to be damaged or destroyed, and thousands do not have drinking water.

The Bahamas and other areas that will be affected by this storm need your help! Here are a few ways on how to help with Hurricane Dorian relief efforts.

How To Help With Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts

“The most urgent needs at this time are shelter, food, water, and communications…” said Stephen McAndrew, Deputy Director for the Americas of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Relief Efforts in the Bahamas

Know that making a donation will help victims directly by donating to a charity or hurricane relief effort near the area of devastation. These are a few location-based relief efforts that could use your support: 

Bahamas Red Cross

The Red Cross of Bahamas currently has 200 volunteers on-site in the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama. Online donations can conveniently be made, here.

GlobalGiving

This initiative has set up a disaster relief fund that supports people impacted by the hurricane. With a total goal of $2 million dollars, GlobalGiving will use donations to provide emergency supplies.

Note: All donations to this fund will exclusively support relief and recovery efforts. 

Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation

Created by the Grand Bahama Port Authority, this foundation gives necessary insight on how to help with relief efforts as well as providing a list of locations where donations can be dropped off in the United States. 

HeadKnowles

Based in the Bahamas, this organization facilitated relief operations during Hurricane Matthew & Hurricane Joaquin. Online donations can be made here.

The Salvation Army

Always there providing emergency assistance to survivors and first responders, The Salvation Army can always utilize donations as they stay on the frontlines of the crisis. 

You can easily make a donation towards relief efforts in the Bahamas or the United States, here. 

World Central Kitchen

Led by Chef José Andrés, the World Central Kitchen relief team has arrived in Nassau and will provide food to those affected by the natural disaster. Mobile kitchens will be set up on the affected islands. Click here to donate.

About ExpressTaxExempt

We do more than just help you help others; ExpressTaxExempt is dedicated to providing the best and most efficient e-filing experience for tax-exempt organizations.

We help you remain tax-exempt and free from IRS penalties. Create an account or sign in today to handle your nonprofit organization’s tax filing needs.

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Exempt Organizations Need To File IRS 990 With ExpressTaxExempt

We think it’s pretty safe to say that there’s no place like home.

If you filed IRS Form 990 within the past year, you became familiar with our sister product TaxBandits, which helps exempt organizations tackle the world of compliance beyond IRS 990 forms.

After much consideration and feedback from awesome clients like yourself, we have decided to relaunch ExpressTaxExempt as the reigning hub for “all things 990!”

No need to worry–if you enjoyed all of the bells and whistles of TaxBandits, you can still e-file your nonprofit tax reports in the same place as you can your W-2, 1099, and even your quarterly Form 941.

Our mission at ExpressTaxExempt will always be to keep your organization compliant and exempt from taxes with simplified e-filing.

Instead of navigating through several websites for the tax-exempt forms you need, we’ve consolidated all our resources under one name and brand. Our service is dedicated to providing the best and most efficient e-filing experience for tax-exempt organizations, no matter how big or small.

Your account information will remain the same for both ExpressTaxExempt and TaxBandits, so there’s no need to worry about creating a new account and remember yet another complicated password.

Best of all, we now offer special bundled pricing which allows you to save 5% when you bundle your Form 990 filing with your 8868 Extension Form. Check out the new pricing, here.

Now that ExpressTaxExempt is back up and running like never before, come on back home and visit our website to get an early start on your IRS Form 990.

Welcome Home!

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Reminder: Today is THE Day for Nonprofits to File 990s

If you’re thinking you’re going to keep putting off filing Form 990 for your nonprofit organization, we have one thing to say to you:

















Maybe that was a little harsh, but you really needed a wake-up call! You have SO MUCH to lose! If you fail to file a 990 Form for your nonprofit, not only could you face penalties and fines from the IRS, you could actually lose your compliance status! That means that the IRS will no longer recognize your organization as a nonprofit.

We really don’t want that to happen, and if that means bringing a red-headed Cher in to handle things, well look, we’ll do it. That’s how much we want you to get started, NOW on filing your Form 990.

But hey, we’re not all spice. We’re also nice. We’ve set up an intuitive, simple, easy-to-use process, and we have it waiting for you. Yes! We’ve been waiting for you to file your 990! We’re ready, and we’ll have your Form 990 ready to file quickly! Don’t believe us?

Okay, Cher, let ‘em have it:

Look, we’ll prove it!  Here’s the exact, step-by-step process you’ll take to file your Form 990 with us!

Step 1: Sign in or create your free account.
Step 2: Add your organization’s details.
Step 3: Answer questions - interview style!
Step 4: Review your information and audit report
Step 5: Pay and transmit directly to the IRS

Okay, that’s it!  No excuses! Let’s get started! We’re behind you. Cher...is in front of you because she’s never behind anyone.  But we’re here! And we know you can do it! Just click below!

File 990 Now!

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Secret's Out: Form 990 Filing Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated

Amid popular belief, filing tax returns for your exempt organization doesn’t have to be a headache or time-consuming.

Utilizing a comprehensive e-filing software such as TaxBandits will help you maintain compliance with the IRS for your organization.

Well, the secret’s out. Form 990 filing doesn’t need to be complicated at all!

Here’s some info you should have readily available to make the process easy and simple.

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How IRS Form 8868 Helps Tax-Exempt Organizations File At The Last Minute

This is a guest post by Ariel Black, Content Marketing Manager for SPAN Enterprises.

If your organization is required to file by the July Form 990 deadline and needs more time to file 990 online, your best bet for avoiding IRS penalties is to file a tax extension. You may have recently asked yourself, “When is Form 990 due?” With today being the last day to e-file IRS Form 8868, here is how to file the Form 990 extension before it is too late.

How IRS Form 8868 Helps Tax-Exempt Organizations File At The Last Minute

Despite the reason for needing additional time, the IRS will automatically grant you a six-month

extension of time to file IRS Form 990, your nonprofit tax return. Also, the application process is quick, easy, and you will likely receive approval within the hour.

IRS Form 8868 Nonprofit Tax Return Extension

If you need more time to file IRS Form 990, ExpressExtension has your back. You can use our quick and easy e-filing guide to instantly file an IRS Form 990 extension, the Exempt Organization Tax Extension Form! Zero hassle involved, simply follow our step-by-step instructions to transmit this form directly to the IRS.

The Form 990 extension due date for tax-exempt organizations with a fiscal tax year that starts in March, is July 15th. Since the 15th of this month fell on a Sunday, you have until midnight of July 16 to file a Form 990 or IRS Form 8868 extension.

What Happens If I Fail To File?

So, what happens if you don’t file your IRS Form 990? If you fail to file or submit your form late, there is a $20 penalty per-day up to $10,000 or five percent of your organization total gross receipts.

Sounds like a big mess, right?... Moral of the story --- you need to e-file a Form 990 extension using IRS Form 8868 by midnight. That’s all I am going to say.

E-file IRS Form 8868 Online

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How To File By the July Form 990 Deadline

We are almost halfway through another month which means a new Form 990 deadline is right around the corner.

Exempt organizations with a fiscal tax year starting in March must file IRS Form 990 by the July 15 deadline.

However, with July 15 falling on a Sunday this year, you technically have until Monday, July 16 to file your IRS Form 990. Woot woot! \o.o/

Let’s review how to file by the July Form 990 deadline to keep your organization in good standing with the IRS.

How To File By the July Form 990 Deadline

Select The Correct Form 990

There are four types of 990 Forms that exempt-organizations can file. Here’s a super-quick guide on the IRS Form 990 Series to help you determine which 990 Form to file:

Form 990:

If your tax-exempt organization’s gross receipts are greater than $200,000 and your total assets (art, historical pieces, etc.) are greater than $500,000 then this is the form you are searching for.

Form 990-EZ:

If your charitable organization’s gross receipts were less than $200,000, and your total assets are less than $500,000 you will need to file Form 990-EZ.

Form 990-N:

If your organization’s gross receipts for the previous fiscal year were less than $50,000, then this form is for you. This one is actually very different from the other types and is referred to as an e-Postcard.

Form 990-PF:

Form 990-PF is filed by Exempt & Taxable Private Foundations as well as Non-exempt Charitable Trusts which the IRS treats as private foundations.

IRS Form 990 E-filing Checklist

Before completing your organization’s Form 990, take a moment to locate and organize all your necessary tax-related information to make the filing process easier and less time-consuming.
Depending on which Form 990 you must file, a variety of information will need to be provided:

Information Needed To File Form 990-N
Employer Identification Number Legal Name Fiscal year period	Principal Officer Current Address Gross Receipts under $50,000

Information Needed To File Form 990/990-EZ/990-PF
EIN Legal Name Fiscal year period Current Address Contact number Exemption type List of Officers and Key Employees Prior year return Contributions for the past 5 years Other Revenue details Expenses Investment Income details Numbers of Employees, Contractors & Volunteers	Organization’s Mission Accomplishments for the year (Grants Paid, Projects finished, etc.) Donor Advised Fund Information Endowment Funds Information Assets              (Art, Historical treasures, etc.) Policies Details of Activities (Political, lobbying, foreign transactions, etc.) Related organization

How To File Form 990

Now that you know how to file by the July Form 990 deadline, file online using ExpressTaxExempt’s self-guided filing process. We assist tax-exempt and nonprofit organizations by providing automatic schedules and worksheets, 100% US-based customer support, prior year filings, and more! Register today and let us help you stay in good standing with the IRS.

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Tips You Need to Know About Fundraising For Nonprofits

Fundraising for your nonprofit can be exciting and rewarding, especially if you have an inside scoop on how to take your fundraising efforts to the next level. We have gathered some simple tips you need to know about fundraising for nonprofits. 

Tips You Need to Know About Fundraising For Nonprofits

Set Goals & Deadlines

The first step you should take when planning a fundraiser is to set your goals and deadlines to reach them more quickly. Before reaching out to potential donors for their support, be sure to determine the amount you are attempting to raise, and when you need it by. Give donors just enough time to donate, but not too much time. Typically, a sense of urgency helps raise more money in a quicker amount of time.

Know Your Audience

Knowing your audience plays a significant part in the success of any fundraising effort. Nonprofits who understand their audience tend to raise more money than those who do not.

Engage With Donors

Forming a good relationship with a donor can benefit your nonprofit organization significantly and allow you to help even more people in your community by engaging with donors. To learn about how to engage with donors, click here.

Host a Fundraiser

Fundraising events are a great opportunity to network with current and potential donors as well as the community face-to-face. With many unique ways to fundraise for your nonprofit, you can easily find the perfect fundraiser that your audience would enjoy.

Provide Convenient Donation Methods

As a nonprofit organization, it is critical to invest in convenient donation methods for your donors. Transitioning from traditional to online fundraising is more straightforward than you might think. It will increase your donor base from just the local community to national.

Thank Your Donors

“Thank You” goes a long way! Be sure to thank your donors for their contribution briefly and compellingly. This can be done via email or letter and should be sent soon after their contribution has been received.

Show The Impact Made

Once you have completed your fundraiser, don’t just move on to the next project. Donors like to see the positive effects of their contributions. Show the impact your nonprofit organization made with the proceeds of the fundraiser and also increase your chances of future donations.

A Helping Hand

Be sure to save those receipts when planning a fundraising event and know that ExpressTaxExempt is always here to be a consistent resource to you and your organization for all things tax exempt!

Visit our website for any tax forms that your tax-exempt organization may need throughout this year and save even more when you e-file with our recently reduced filing rates!

Register For My Free Account!

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How To Communicate Fundraising for Nonprofits

The summer is in full force which means it is prime time to start fundraising for nonprofits that will support the financial needs for the year. The support of your nonprofit fundraising depends heavily on how well you communicate your efforts through written, verbal, or visual communication methods. Today we will cover how to communicate fundraising for nonprofits to help your organization reach its goal.

How To Communicate Fundraising for Nonprofits

The message you send to donors can easily affect the decision-making process. Here are some tips that help with communicating fundraising for nonprofits:

1) Know Your Audience

Before you send anything to your potential donors, make sure you have a strong understanding of your audience so you can send the right message. Determine the demographic that you want to reach and find out what your audience responds to best.

Once you learn about your audience, compelling them is much easier. Remember to keep tone, language, jargon, etc. in mind as you start crafting your message(s).

2) Know Your Goal

It’s almost impossible to reach any goal when you don’t know what it is. Set your goal early on in the planning process so you can effectively incorporate it in your communications and strategy.

3) Keep Text Brief

Effective communication does not equate to extensive text. When writing your message, be sure to share enough information to inform the reader, grab their attention, and compel them to support your fundraising efforts. If your message is too long, you could lose the reader’s interest or even their support.

4) Personalize the Message

Always keep your target audience in mind when writing and make a personal connection. Readers that feel connected tend to give more easily! You would never write the same message for a millennial as you would your elderly audience.

5) Be Consistent

Once you have established a tone for your messaging, stick with it! Readers like consistency and will get the message you are trying send. This will not only cut down on the time you spend preparing additional messages but will also save your marketing budget major moola.

6) Avoid using Jargon

Nonprofit organizations and professionals tend to have industry-specific jargon that isn't used in our daily vocabulary. Avoid using this jargon when communicating with your audience, because nine times out of ten they won’t have a clue what you are trying to imply. When your audience doesn’t understand they are more likely to skip the call to action and move on. As much as you wish they would simply ask, this is likely not the case.

7) Prompt Communication  

Give your readers an adequate amount of time to donate towards your fundraising efforts. If you wait until the last-minute to correspond with them, they will be more inclined not to give or simply “catch you next time,” which usually never comes around.

Set deadlines for when you want to send correspondence and stick to them. The more time you give the reader, the more support you may receive!

Next Steps

Once you have communicated your charity fundraising and collected donations to support the mission of your organization, be sure to keep a record of all donations for your annual IRS Form 990 filing.

ExpressTaxExempt is here for your nonprofit with all of its tax filing needs. You are in the business of helping others, now let us help you! Create a free account today and get back to making a difference in the lives of others.

Start My Charity Fundraising Today

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How To Appeal To Millennials And Get The Best Results

Millennials seem to be the “hot topic” for many of today’s conversations. Society is constantly trying to figure us out and come up with a way to connect with us. As a millennial who is involved in the nonprofit sector, I have noticed that many organizations struggle to attract and maintain millennials on a long-term basis for donating their time and/or money.

Since we aim to help organizations like yours, today we will learn how to appeal to millennials and get the best results.

How To Appeal To Millennials And Get The Best Results

Build Trust...Then Make The Impact

Trust is a MAJOR thing when it comes to millennials! If we don’t trust you, forget about us donating to your cause.

We don’t care for fake news. 👀 It is best, to be honest with us and state the facts because we tend to do our research. Before we donate to an organization, we will run it by our family and friends, see what others have to say about it, and then give our support. Focus your marketing efforts on building trust and use conversational language so we can connect with you.

Tip: Show examples of the awesome work your organization does for the community and/or around the world, so we know where and what the money we donate go towards.

Maintain a Relationship Through Social Media

The social media trend is still alive and well. Millions of millennials stay connected and become aware of organizations through social media outlets. Once you’ve gained our trust, maintain a relationship with us (outside of the typical monthly newsletter or annual report). Make it possible for us to stay up to date with your organization’s social media pages or through your weekly blog(s).

Tip: Focus on only one or two social channels and two to four blog posts per month. It’s better to do less and do it well than to spread yourself too thin.

Update Your Website

Let’s admit it; there is nothing worse than clicking on a website that takes forever to load or looks like it hasn’t been touched since millennials were born. *laughing emoji* Invest in a modern and reliable website and update it frequently with news about to your organization. Also, include an online giving tab that allows potential donors to donate to your cause conveniently.

Tip:  Check out The Best Way To Encourage Online Giving to learn more about attracting more online givers.

Take advantage of simple, yet impactful tips and receive a fresh wind of new volunteers and donors that will help support the great cause your organization makes each day/week/year. As you make a difference in the lives of those you touch, don’t forget to file your annual Form 990 with ExpressTaxExempt and stay compliant with the IRS.

Get Started Today!

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