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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Last Filing Deadline of 2017 is Here!

Attention! Attention! The final Form 990 filing deadline is official here. Nonprofit groups and charity organizations who operate on a fiscal tax year ending in July must file their appropriate 990 Form by midnight tonight in order to stay in compliance with the IRS and avoid expensive penalties during the holiday season. 

Luckily, ExpressTaxExempt supports all 990 Forms and even provides the option for users to file an extension to receive more time to file. 

Filing with ExpressTaxExempt is the most hassle-free way to instantly file your Form 990 and transmit it directly to the IRS. Plus, it gets even better than that!

ExpressTaxExempt & GuideStar Collaboration

ExpressTaxExempt and GuideStar have recently joined forces to enable nonprofits to send their tax returns seamlessly to GuideStar as part of the e-filing process. This partnership will reduce the amount of time it takes GuideStar to obtain this information and make it available to the public, furthering the professional impression a nonprofit makes in terms of trust and transparency.

How To E-file Form 990

Before you start the e-filing process, it’s best to know exactly which form from the 990 series you need to file. There are a few forms to choose from: 

Form 990: The form filed by organizations with gross receipts that are equal to or more than $200k or with total assets equal to or more than $500k. 

Form 990-EZ: This is the Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. It’s used by organizations with that have less than $200k in gross receipts or less than $500k in total assets. 

Form 990-N: This is the e-postcard for Electronic Notice of Tax Exempt Organizations that aren’t required to file Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. Organizations with gross receipts that are normally less than or equal to $50k are required to electronically file this form. It can’t be paper filed. 

Form 990-PF: This is the Return of Private Foundation and it’s filed by private organizations in the United States. You must include a fiscal list of information and a total list of your grants to complete this form. 

Get Extra Time to File

With Christmas being just a week and some days away, we understand how hectic things may be right now. If you need more time to file, you can quickly e-file extension Form 8868 and receive an automatic 30-day extension. 

We're Always Here To Help

Our U.S.-based customer support team is standing by ready to assist you with any questions that you may have about e-filing Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-N or Form 8868. Feel free to contact one of our experts at 704.839.2321. We’re available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. You can also reach us 24/7 via email with support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.

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Time is Winding Up: Get 6 Extra Months to File

Both Form 990 & 990-EZ are due by the fifteenth day of the fifth month following the organization’s tax year end date. Depending on the type of tax year that an organization operates on, the due date will vary. For example, if the organization operates on a fiscal tax year of April 1 to March 31 then its due date annually to file is August 15, while standard calendar tax year organizations (January 1 to December 31) would file on May 15 of each year.

Failing to file your Form 990/990-EZ can be very detrimental to your beloved tax-exempt organization. If an organization fails to file their annual information return with the IRS, a penalty of $20 is charged each day the return is late. Although this penalty increases daily, it cannot exceed 5% of the organization’s gross receipts or $10,000, whichever is less. For larger groups, if the organization’s annual receipts exceed $1,020,000, the per diem penalty increases to $100, with a maximum penalty of $51,000 per return.

Before you know it, it will be time for you to file with the IRS. We understand how hectic things can become when running an effective organization, so ExpressTaxExempt offers a quick and affordable extension for organizations to file their Form 990/990-EZ. Filing extension Form 8868 by the original filing deadline will grant an organization an additional six months to file, upon approval of the extension.

Filing Form 8868 with ExpressTaxExempt can be done within minutes. Simply register or sign in with ExpressTaxExempt to get started, enter basic information about your organization (name, EIN, address, and contact number) and submit your extension form in no time! You will be notified instantly by email with the status of your submitted form once we hear back from the IRS.

Are you on the go and not near your computer? No problem! Conveniently e-file with our downloadable mobile app. With our ExpressTaxExempt - Form 8868 Mobile App, you can quickly apply for an automatic extension on the go using your iPad or Android tablet. Just download, sign in, and choose the appropriate IRS form to apply for an extension.

As always, feel free to contact our support team of e-file experts at 704.839.2321 for any questions or help with your e-filing experience. We’re here to assist you Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST or feel free to reach us 24/7 via email at support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.

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How to Get Premium Support to File Your 990 Form

E-filing for the first time?

Do you find yourself having multiple questions while filing?

Do you consider yourself to be non “tech-savvy?”

As the premier hub for everything tax exempt, ExpressTaxExempt continues to provide you with easy-to-use e-filing for 990 Forms and extensions for your organization to submit its tax return to the IRS. Although we’ve designed our program to be completed smoothly, we still realize that reporting to the IRS can be rather intimidating, to say the least, which is why we offer all users the option to take advantage of our exclusive ExpressTaxExempt Premium Support service.

Headquartered in beautiful Rock Hill, South Carolina, our premium support team will provide you with the following incentives during your session:

• Assistance from a live professional
• Help you fill out & complete your tax return from start to finish
• Fix any filing errors
• Provide step-by-step instructions

Make life and the e-filing process much easier by taking advantage of our Premium Support feature and scheduling a session today at ExpressTaxExempt. Upon logging into your account,  simply click “Premium Support” under the “My Account” tab in the top-right corner, select an appointment date using the calendar, and choose an available appointment time.

Contact our support team of e-file experts at 704.839.2321 for any questions or help with your e-filing experience. We’re here to assist you Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST or feel free to reach us 24/7 via email at support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.

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Last Minute Form 990 Filing Tips

The deadline for organizations to file 990 Forms is quickly approaching! If you’re filing for an organization that operates on a calendar year tax year, we want to make sure you have everything you need to be fully prepared for the deadline. And since we’ve already established e-filing is the best route at this point, here are a few tips for last minute Form 990 e-filing!

Know Which Form You Need to File
Before we even get started, you’ll need to know which form in the 990 series your organization’s required to file. Typically, you can go determine this based on the form you’ve filed for previous years. However, if this is your first year filing or you’re just not sure which form to file, here’s a simple guide:

• -Form 990-N, the e-Postcard, is filed by organizations with gross receipts (income) of $50,000 or less during the tax year.
• -Form 990-EZ is filed by organizations with gross receipts less than $200,000 or total assets less than $500,000.
• -Form 990, the long form, is filed by organizations with gross receipts greater than $200,000 during the tax year or with total assets greater than or equal to $500,000.
• -Form 990-PF is filed by all tax-exempt organizations considered to be Private Foundations, regardless of total gross receipts.

E-file the e-Postcard Faster than Ever
Not to brag, but we’ve made e-filing the e-Postcard an easier and faster process than ever before! You can use our new website, epostcard.expresstaxexempt.com, to e-file your 990-N in just THREE steps. Or, if you’re constantly on the go, working and non-profiting, you can download our free Form 990-N app for iPhones, Androids, and tablets, which can also have your 990-N filed in just a few minutes. Oh, and psst: we’ve also got a free extension Form 8868 mobile app you can download as well, which may be good to know because…

You Can Extend Your Deadline and Get More Time to File
If it really gets down to the wire and you know you’re not going to make the deadline, just extend it. This year, it’s easier than ever since the IRS condensed the once 2-part 8868 Form into one automatic extension form. Now, all you have to do is complete one form - you don’t even need a reason why you need more time to file - and send it off and you’ll automatically receive a 6-month extension to file.

Give Us a Call If It Gets to Be Too Much
Like your organization is there for others, we’re here for you. If you need any help at all in your 990 filing process, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We’re available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, at (704) 839-2321 and through live chat on our site. We also offer 24/7 email assistance at support@ExpressTaxExempt.com!

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Scare-Free Tax Season

They say it’s the most frightful time of year. No matter how hard you try, it’s impossible to avoid. And if things don’t go through as expected, you’re hit with probably the worst fear ever conceived by the human mind. No, we’re not talking about Halloween, but something most would consider even more sinister - Tax Season!! *cue lighting and thunderclap*

The thought of having to file tax forms could send a cold shiver down the spines of even the mightiest of men, or women. However, there’s no need for you to hold your breath like when walking past a cemetery at the stroke of midnight. As scary as filing taxes may be, you can conquer your tax filing fears with ExpressTaxExempt.

ExpressTaxExempt offers the quickest and simplest way to e-file your exempt organization tax return. We offer support for the following exempt tax forms:

• Form 990-N (e-Postcard) - For exempt organizations with less than $50,000 in gross receipts.
• Form 990-EZ - For exempt organizations with gross receipts over $50,000, but less than $200,000 and total assets less than $500,000.
• Form 990 (Long) - For exempt organizations with gross receipts equal to or greater than $200,000, and total assets equal to or greater than $500,000.
• Extension Form 8868 - An extension of time for exempt organizations; support is available for Part I and Part II.

And our newest service is so awesome, it’s like walking through a traditional, slasher horror film and coming out unscathed. With ExpressTaxExempt, you can now completely fill out a Form 1023 for tax-exempt recognition using the same highly-rated features including interview-style questioning, built-in error checking, accessibility with cloud computing, and, of course, our live, US-based technical support.

In a scary world full of ghouls, monsters, and taxes, let ExpressTaxExempt be that warm, comforting light that dispels the darkness. And while a scare-free Halloween may not be as welcoming as a scare-free tax season, the goal is to be well protected in both situations.

And just as there are many tips available on how to be safe on Halloween night, ExpressTaxExempt also offers a number of security protocols to keep your tax information secure. Our site is encrypted, McAfee secure certified, and protected by SSL (Secure Sockets Layer); your information goes strictly to the IRS and no one else.

Even the most enthusiastic Halloween fans go out with a group, and never alone; so don’t ever think that you have to face down these IRS tax-exempt forms by yourself. We have our live, US-based support teams located in Rock Hill, South Carolina that are more than happy to assist you. Give us a “howl” Monday through Friday at (704) 839-2321 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. We’re also available through email (support@expressextension.com) and live chat (www.expresstaxexempt.com).

ExpressTaxExempt wishes you all a safe and happy Halloween weekend!

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There's a 990 Deadline Coming Up!

*Ahem* Attention! Calling all procrasti-- uh… deadline extenders!

We know this may fall on some deaf ears as we just called on the attention of those of you who filed for not one, but two 3-month extensions of time to file your tax return, but here’s a heads up: the LAST day for organizations with their fiscal year as the calendar year to file their 990 form is in exactly one month, November 15.

Okay, it’s not exactly one month away; November 15 is on a Sunday this year so your last day to file is technically the 16th. Either way this is your month warning that you’ve got a deadline coming up. And if you’re supposed to be doing that 990 long form, you might really want to pay attention to that.

So here are some things to keep in mind as you go into your last month to prepare your tax-exempt organization’s return:

• Form 8868 cannot be used to extend the due date of Form 990-N (ePostcard). But, don’t fret: you can e-file this form at any time during the year without penalty (just don’t go three years without doing so - you’ll lose your tax-exempt status). And with Express990, you can still file your 2014 Form 990-N ePostcard for free!
• The last extended filing deadline is in ONE month, on November 16.
• Only Part I of Form 8868 automatically extended your deadline for filing, and it did so for 3 months. If you didn’t file Part II or if your Form 8868 Part II was rejected for the non-automatic 3-month extension of time, you might have only had one 3-month extension. You can contact the IRS Tax Exempt Hotline about penalties and instructions for filing late, (877) 829-5500.
• The last extended filing deadline, November 16, is in ONE month!
• If you have any questions or run into any bumps in your e-filing process while you’re filing your 990 form, the Express990 support team is here for you. You can reach us by phone, Monday - Friday, from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. EST at (803) 514-5155 or by email 24/7 at support@expresstaxexempt.com.
• November 16, the last extended filing deadline, is in ONE month!!

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Five Common Form 990 Errors

Paying taxes is unavoidable; paying even more money to the IRS because their long, complex forms caused you to make an error and incur penalties is not. 

Form 990 is a long and eye-blurring form (and the IRS-provided instructions for filling out the form is 100 pages long). But if you’re directing an organization exempt from income tax under section 501(a), you probably hardly have time for such “light” reading. So here are five common, avoidable errors made on Form 990 that could subject you to steep penalties or even an IRS inquiry:

• Using the wrong form. There are different types of Form 990 that apply to different tax exempt organizations. Using one form when you should use another can incur penalties.

• Form 990-N (“ePostcard”) is filed when your gross receipts are less than $50,000
• Form 990-EZ is filed when your gross receipts are less than $200,000 and your assets are less than $500,000
• Form 990 (“long form”) is filed when your gross receipts are greater than $200,000 or your assets are greater than $500,000.

• Using the calendar year instead of a fiscal year. The deadline to file Form 990 is the 15th day of the 5th month after the end of your organization’s fiscal year. Typically, this deadline is May 15 as many fiscal years do coincide with the calendar year. However, if your fiscal year ends on a day other than December 31, you could be at risk for filing late or even filing for the wrong year. Your filing year is dictated by the first month of the fiscal year. For example, an organization whose fiscal year runs from December 1, 2013-November 30, 2014 should file a 2013 Form 990 by April 15, 2015.

• Failing to prepare and include Schedules. ALL section 501(c)(3) organizations MUST prepare and attach Schedule A to Form 990. If this form is missing or incorrect, the IRS can penalize you. Based on organization type, gross receipts, and other stipulations, you may also be required to fill out and submit other schedules, without which your filing is incomplete.

• Submitting Form 990 with missing or inaccurate information. This could be anything from failing to mark an applicable box, to failing to list officers and key employees (including volunteers), to an imbalance between your ending net assets sections. Any discrepancies could flag your Form 990 as incomplete or incorrect, resulting in penalties or an IRS inquiry.

• Failing to file an extension. An extension can allow you to postpone your deadline for 3-6 months, depending on your type of organization and whether you plan to file a Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. However, an extension cannot be filed after your organization’s original deadline. If you are late filing your Form 990 and have not filed an extension, you’re at risk of accruing late penalties.

Avoiding these common mistakes and staying informed can make taking on Form 990 seem like less daunting of a task. And to make it seem even LESS daunting, here’s a bonus avoidable error, just for you:

• Not using Express990 to file! Sure, you could try to keep in mind these and all of the other errors you might make while filing, but why would you when we can do it for you? Express990 is easy to understand; it turns Form 990 into a conversation. Answer “yes” or “no” questions, fill in your financial specifics, and we’ll make sure everything matches up and everything required is included. We’ll then run an error check before submitting so that any obvious errors can be fixed and you avoid filing an incorrect or incomplete form. And if you see where you might need more time to file, you can e-file extension Form 8868 right from our website.

But if you still feel like pulling your hair out over Form 990, you can contact the Express990 team Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm EST by phone (704-839-2321) or by live chat (www.expresstaxexempt.com), or 24/7 by e-mail at support@expresstaxexempt.com.

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E-File Form 990-N (e-Postcard) for Tax Exempt Organization return with Express990

Filing Form 990 is a long and difficult process, so the IRS developed a form to make it a little easier for smaller tax-exempt organizations. Enter the e-Postcard: a form specially made for tax-exempt organizations grossing less than $50,000 a year in gross receipts. So what makes this form more convenient than a regular 990 or 990-EZ? The key to the form’s simplicity is the fact that it only contains eight parts:

• - An Employer or Entity Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Tax ID Number, or TIN.
• - The tax year for which the organization is filling.
• - The legal name and address of the organization.
• - All of the different names the organization operates under.
• - The name and address of a principal officer of the organization, such as a president, vice president, etc.
• - The website of the organization, if one is available.
• - A confirmation that the organization had gross receipts of $50,000 or less during the year.
• - A statement if the organization is going out of business.

If that doesn’t seem easy enough, Express990 has made it even easier. We offer a step by step walk through that seems more like a conversation than a tax filing. Once you create an account, you will have immediate access to filing Form 990-N and with a couple clicks of the mouse, you’ll be done and back to doing the things that are most important to you. 

Did we mention that filing your 990-N with us is FREE?
That’s right, filing for your current year with us is not only easy, but it’s free as well. Need to file for your prior year? We’ve got you covered there, too. It’s only $9.90 to file for a past year and we even offer discounted pricing for CPAs.

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E-Filing of Exempt Organization Form, 990-N with Express990 is FREE for the 2013 Tax Year

What exactly is a Form 990-N (e-Postcard)?
Form 990-N is an annual IRS E-filing requirement for small exempt organizations and charites that typically gross in receipts of $50,000 or less in a year. It is an electronic notice for the IRS. An organization that fails to e-file the form 990-N for 3 consecutive years will lose their privilege of being an Exempt Organization. If the filing is not done on time, the IRS will send out a reminder notice through the mail.

What organizations would need to file a 990-N?
You may only file an e-Postcard if you have an organization that makes $50,000 or less a year in gross receipts.

When is the 990-N due?
The deadline is on the 15th day of the 5th month after the last day of your tax year. For example; If your tax year ended on December 31st, the e-Postcard is due by May 15th of the following year.

Once you know that you need to file a 990-N and have all the needed information, it’s time to file. With Express990 all you will need to do is create an account, enter the required information, and transmit to the IRS. It’s that easy, and it is completely FREE to file for the 2013 tax year.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our US-based support team located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, were always happy to assist.

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Introducing Express990

It is with great fanfare and excitement that we announce our newest addition to the ExpressTaxZone family: Express990. With Express990, tax-exempt organizations can easily and quickly file their Forms 990, 990-EZ, 990-N, or 990-PF. We are currently offering free filing for current tax year, Form 990-N (the e-Postcard) - it’s easy and will only take you less than 5 minutes from start to finish.

More about the form(s) provided by Express990:

• Form 990-N (e-Postcard) is an annual IRS E-filing requirement for small non-profit organizations and charities that make $50,000 or less a year in gross receipts.

Coming Soon to Express990:

• Form 990 - (Long form of 990) is the form that tax-exempt organizations use to report income, expenses, and other company information to the IRS. It is typically used by organizations with gross receipts in total of $200,000 and $500,000 of assets.

• Form 990-EZ - (short form of 990) is the form that tax-exempt organizations use to report income, expenses, and other company information to the IRS. It is used by organizations with gross receipts totaling less than $200,000 or total assets of less than $500,000.

If you’re always on the go, you can easily access our mobile site, m.expresstaxexempt.com from your mobile device and start filing IRS Form 990-N anywhere at any time. Or if time just isn’t on your side you can file an automatic extension of up to 6 months with our sister product, ExpressExtension.com. The entire process is simple and the easy-to-follow prompts will guide you through the entire process.

Need a little help?
 Our US-based support team located in Rock Hill, South Carolina is always available to help make your filing process as simple and easy as possible. You can reach us by phone at 803.514.5155 or by email at support@expresstaxexempt.com with any questions you might have.

So the biggest question is: what are you waiting for? File with Express990 and get back to doing what you love.

Express990 - filing your taxes has never felt so good.

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