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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Everything You Need To Meet the June 15th Deadline 🙌🏾

This is a guest post from TaxBandits, an Authorized IRS e-file solution designed to handle the needs of tax-exempt organizations and small businesses.

Can you believe it has almost been a month since the big nonprofit tax return Form 990 deadline on May 15! This was the nonprofit tax return deadline for those nonprofits who operate on a typical calendar tax year.  However, if your organization operates on a fiscal tax year starting in February your IRS Form 990 is due June 15th! Hint hint; nudge nudge; that is THIS Friday. 😧  

So to help those of you still needing to file, we wanted to share everything you need to meet the June 15th deadline. 

Everything You Need To Meet The June 15th Deadline 

What is Form 990?

IRS Form 990 is the annual financial and informational return filed by all tax-exempt nonprofit and charitable organizations. Your organization's type and financial situation will decide which nonprofit tax return Form 990 you will file.

There are four types of 990 Forms in the Form 990 Series. Select and e-file the appropriate nonprofit tax return Form 990 based on the following requirements:

Form 990-N (e-Postcard) - For organizations reporting gross receipts less than $50,000

Form 990-EZ (Short Form) - For organizations reporting gross receipts less than $200,000 and total assets less than $500,000

Form 990 (Long Form) - For organizations reporting gross receipts equal to or greater than $200,000 and total assets equal to or greater than $500,000

Form 990-PF - For organizations identifying as an exempt private foundation, taxable private foundation, or a nonexempt charitable trust treated as a private foundation.

Preparing For The June 15 Deadline

Have Necessary Documents on Hand

Before filing your organization’s 990 Form, make sure you have located and organized all your required information. Trust me, being organized will make this process so much easier and less time-consuming.

Depending on which Form 990 you are required to file, you may have to report various details such as revenue and expense amounts, program services, a list of employees, financial statements, governance and more.

Know What Information You Need

Well since we’re on the topic of required information let’s go ahead to get to it. Here’s what you will need when you file your 990 Form with TaxBandits:

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 organizations

The Comprehensive Guide To Filing Form 990

Now that you know how to prepare your IRS Form 990 you can easily file with the help of TaxBandits. We support your organization by providing a simplified, interview style filing process, automatic schedules and worksheets, retransmit rejected returns for free, support prior year filing and more!

Be sure to check out The Comprehensive Guide To Filing A 990 Tax Form For Your Nonprofit; a great resource which gives you everything you need to know about IRS Form 990 and how to file it!

File IRS Form 990 Online

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Time Is Running Out: File A Tax Extension Form 8868 Today

The due date for Form 990 is here! Nonprofit or charitable organizations worldwide have completed or are in the process of completing an IRS Form 990 to maintain tax-exempt status for their organization.

With only hours left to e-file Form 990 before the midnight deadline, here is how to beat the 990 extension due date 2017 by quickly filing tax extension Form 8868. Let’s be honest; you can rush through filing your 990 tax form today and possibly make major mistakes, or you can apply for a Form 990 extension. Time is running out: file a tax extension Form 8868 today!

Time Is Running Out: File A Tax Extension Form 8868 Today

If you need more time to e-file Form 990 you can file an extension for Form 990 and receive six additional months to file.

Not that we’re saying filling out a tax-exempt return is a brisk, afternoon activity (trust us, we know). But six months is a fairly long time… Until the time is up.

Unfortunately, today is the 990 extension due date for 2017 tax returns for nonprofit organizations operating on a calendar year.

Tax-exempt returns that are due today must be transmitted by midnight (local time), so head on over to our homepage where all your exempt organization e-filing needs can be easily met.

Even consider using our sister product TaxBandits, the new #1 home for everything tax exempt,
where you can transmit your Form 990 or apply for IRS Form 8868 using one account, and still enjoy the same e-filing features you’ve come to trust with ExpressTaxExempt.

Our live support team in Rock Hill, South Carolina is at the edge of their seats waiting to speak with you about any questions or concerns you may have about e-filing IRS Form 990 or an IRS Form 990 extension.

Give us a call at (704) 684-4751, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., EST. Since it’s “deadline day” we are even going to stick around a few extra hours to be of assistance.

We can also be reached 24/7 through support@taxbandits.com, or chat with us live.

File Your IRS Form 990 Extension Now!

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How To Never Mistake IRS Form 990 and Form 990-N Again

Tomorrow is your Form 990 due date! But before you file it is important to know which 990 tax form is required by the IRS. File Form 990 based on the financial status of your organization before tomorrow’s deadline!

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, you need to know that which form is required by your tax-exempt organization.  Today we will dig deeper into how never to mistake IRS Form 990 and Form 990-N again.

How To Never Mistake IRS Form 990 and Form 990-N Again

To make a long story short, 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. 

The following type of nonprofit organizations are not permitted to file an IRS Form 990-N:

• 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) 

Although these types of organizations are not permitted to file Form 990-N (e-Postcard), they must still file a Form 990 tax form to remain tax-exempt and avoid hefty IRS penalties. The appropriate form for your organization is based on your gross receipts and assets. One of the following forms must be filed by May 15th.

Form 990 Series 

Form 990-N (e-Postcard) - For organizations reporting gross receipts less than $50,000

Form 990-EZ (Short Form) - For organizations reporting gross receipts less than $200,000 and total assets less than $500,000

Form 990 (Long Form) - For organizations reporting gross receipts equal to or greater than $200,000 and total assets equal to or greater than $500,000

Form 990-PF - For organizations identifying as an exempt private foundation, taxable private foundation, or a nonexempt charitable trust treated as a private foundation.

For more information about which 990 tax form your organization should file and where to file Form 990, click here. If you are ready to file, ExpressTaxExempt has everything you need to remain compliant with the IRS by e-filing Form 990.

If you need more time apply for an extension for Form 990 using tax extension Form 8868.

File 990-EZ Online                                       File 990 Online

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How To E-file Your Form 990 On The Go

Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations worldwide are required to file an annual information return each year to report the financial status and actions of the organization to the IRS. E-filing a 990 Form on your own can be difficult and time consuming if you’re paper filing, but luckily for you, ExpressTaxExempt makes the process as easy as possible.

ExpressTaxExempt offers an easy and secure way to transmit 990 forms quicker than ever. And here’s the fun part, you can get your filing done within minutes, especially Form 990-N, without being near a desk or computer!

Organizations with a fiscal tax year that ended on November 30, 2017 are required to file a 990 Form by April 17th.

Here are two ways you can e-file your Form 990 from your smartphone by the upcoming April 17th deadline: 

Form 990-N Mobile App

Did your organization have less than $50,000 in gross receipts for the 2017 tax year? The FREE ExpressTaxExempt - Form 990-N app allows small tax-exempt organizations to e-file their 990-N (e-Postcard) Form directly from an iOS or Android mobile device.

The entire filing process can be completed anywhere at any time; the only information needed is basic organization details, tax year period, and confirmation of total revenue less than $50,000.

Prior to transmitting to the IRS, your e-Postcard is automatically checked to ensure each question was answered correctly. Once the IRS approves your filing, you will receive a confirmation directly to your email. If your return is rejected for any reason, the 990-N mobile app will inform you of what information needs to be corrected and allows you to resend your form without any extra cost.

Form 8868 Mobile App

If your nonprofit or charity has gross receipts over $50,000, and you need extra time to file your 2017 Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF, you can download the FREE ExpressTaxExempt - Form 8868 and conveniently file a tax extension using your iOS or Android handset.

E-filing only takes minutes to complete, and all you need is your organization’s basic details, tax year period, and select the annual tax return you typically file with the IRS. You can also enter any estimated tax liabilities if necessary. Your tax-exempt extension form gets checked for any mistakes before transmitting, and you’ll receive a PDF copy of the extension after sending it.

Let ExpressTaxExempt Help You Meet The April 17th Deadline

Forget about missing the April 17th Tax Day deadline when you file with ExpressTaxExempt. 

Whether it’s transmitting your form to IRS by the deadline or quickly applying for a tax extension, ExpressTaxExempt has you covered! 

You Help Others, Let Us Help You!

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Filing Just In Time For The March 15 Deadline

The go-to word for this season of life seems to be “deadline!” It seems like every time you turn around there’s a new deadline on the horizon. Well this time around it is the March 15 deadline for applicable exempt organizations who file Form 990.

Tax exempt organizations with a fiscal tax year that ended on October 31, 2017 are required to file a 990 Form by Thursday, March 15th. Yes, that’s this this Thursday!

Before you have a panic attack, ExpressTaxExempt is here to provide you with some last minute filing tips that will help you file just in time for the March 15 deadline.

Filing Just In Time For The March 15 Deadline

Before we go into the useful tips, the first thing you’ll need to do in order to file on time is to create a free ExpressTaxExempt account.

This account will give you access to our easy-to-use e-filing guide where you can instantly complete your Form 990 and transmit it directly to the IRS.

1) Know Your Deadline

If there’s nothing you take away from this blog [besides the fact that you should file with ExpressTaxExempt - Lol!], it’s knowing when your 990 Form is due and how to file it.

An organization that has a calendar tax year operates for 12 consecutive months and ends in December; meaning that their Form 990 is due annually on May 15.

Organizations with a fiscal tax year, meaning it operates for 12 consecutive months but ends in any month besides December, have their Form 990 due five months and 15 days after their tax year ends.

If your fiscal tax year ended in October then your Form 990 is due by March 15th. 

2) Request More Time to File

If you’re in a time crunch just file Form 8868 for an automatic 6-month extension!

Form 8868 is used by nonprofit groups, charities, and other tax-exempt organizations to get an extension of their return. By simply filing this form with us by your original Form 990 deadline you will get an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your Form 990. 

3) Organize Your Information

Although it doesn’t take long to file Form 990 with ExpressTaxExempt, the process is even quicker when you have your information prepared ahead of time.

In order to file you will need your organization details, program services, revenue, expenses, supplemental financial statements, net assets balance sheets, a list of employees, and tax compliance with governance, management, and disclosures.

4) File With ExpressTaxExempt

Forget about spending hours trying to figure out complicated tax forms or paying for an expensive accountant to handle it for you. Just create your free ExpressTaxExempt account and follow our step-by-step e-filing instructions to complete your Form 990 in a matter of minutes.

We’ve taken the time to design a quick and easy e-filing method that eliminates the time-consuming process of having to deal with extra steps. Plus, we provide helpful text along the way to answer all of your questions!

We also offer exclusive e-filing features to simplify the entire process. For example, you can use the bulk upload feature to upload all of your information at once.

Also, our internal audit check will catch any basic mistakes before your Form 990 is transmitted to the IRS. 

Filing just in time for the March 15 deadline is easy when you do it with ExpressTaxExempt. Let us help you this tax season!

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Maintain Your Exempt Status with the January 15 Deadline

The New Year has come and many nonprofit organizations have kicked off 2018 with a great start. 

As you begin to carry out the work of your organization to make a difference in the communities you serve, we want to ensure that you’re aware of an upcoming filing deadline that may greatly affect the tax exempt status of your organization. 

Form 990 Deadline

Tax exempt organizations are required to file a 990 Form annually to maintain their tax exempt status with the IRS. 

The deadline to e-file Form 990 Series varies and is dependent upon the calendar or fiscal tax year in which the organization operates. 

Organizations that operate on a calendar tax year (January - December) have an annual filing deadline of May 15. Fiscal tax year organizations whose tax year consists of 12 consecutive months and ends any month besides December, have a deadline on a different month. 

Is My Form Due on the January 15th?

There are two types of organizations that must file by the January 15 deadline:

• Organizations whose tax year ENDED on August 31, or 

• Organizations that had a tax year which ended on February 28/29 with an original filing of July 15 but filed a 6 month extension. 

Due to January 15 being a legal holiday (MLK Day), 990 Forms for organizations can be filed up until Tuesday, January 16. 

Which Form Do I File?

There's nothing worse than being stressed out while filing and not knowing exactly which form to file for your organization. 

ExpressTaxExempt eliminates the worry about missing your Form 990 filing deadline or filing the incorrect form by providing you with all of the tools and forms that you’ll need to file properly. 

Form 990 Series

Form 990 is filed by organizations with gross receipts more than or equal to $200,000 or total assets equal to or greater than $500,000.

Form 990-EZ is the Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax and is filed by organizations with gross receipts less than $200,000 and $500,000 in total assets.

Form 990-N is for organizations with gross receipts that are less than or equal to $50,000. This form can only be filed electronically.

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

Easy Filing with ExpressTaxExempt

ExpressTaxExempt offers easy e-filing for Form 990 Series returns (Form 990, Form 990-N (e-Postcard), Form 990-EZ, and Form 990-PF) so you can quickly file the correct 990 Form for your organization. 

Follow the simple step-by-step guide to create your free account, enter basic information about your organization, complete the form interview, review your information and audit report, pay for your form, and transmit it directly to the IRS. The entire process is completed in 5 simple steps! 

Let Us Help You File

If you have any questions, 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 available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. You can also reach us 24/7 via email at support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.

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Form 990 December Deadline is Approaching Quickly

Snowflakes are falling, Christmas gift shopping is at an all time high, and holiday parties make the weekends even more enjoyable. It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 

While you’re embracing the many facets of the Holidays, don’t forget about the upcoming Form 990 Series filing deadline on this Friday, December 15. We’d hate for your Christmas to be ruined by costly penalties from the IRS. 

Tax exempt organizations that operate on a fiscal tax year of August 1 to July 31 are required to file one of the following tax returns of the Form 990 Series by December 15th: 

Form 990 - filed by organizations with gross receipts more than or equal to $200,000 or total assets equal to or greater than $500,000.

Form 990-EZ - the Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax and is filed by organizations with gross receipts less than $200,000 and $500,000 in total assets.

Form 990-N - for organizations with gross receipts that are less than or equal to $50,000. This form can only be filed electronically.

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

For more information on what details you will need in order to e-file, click here.

Filing Form 990

Handling tax filings, whether personal or business, can be intimidating and stressful; but not with ExpressTaxExempt. ExpressTaxExempt eliminates the worry about missing your Form 990 filing deadline! With our simple, interview style e-filing process, you can complete your form and instantly transmit it directly to the IRS.

We offer easy e-filing for Form 990 Series returns (Form 990, Form 990-N (e-Postcard), Form 990-EZ, and Form 990-PF) so you can quickly file the correct 990 Form for your organization.

Simply follow the quick step-by-step guide to create your free account, enter basic information about your organization, complete the form interview, review your information and audit report, pay for your form, and transmit it directly to the IRS. The entire process is completed in 5 simple steps!

Let Us Help You File

If you have any questions, 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 available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, and even offer extended customer support hours tonight for the November 15 deadline. You can also reach us 24/7 via email with support@ExpressTaxExempt.com. 

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Upcoming Form 990 & Form 990-EZ Deadline: Is It My Time to File?

If your organization operates on a fiscal tax year and files Form 990 or Form 990-EZ, you may have a tax return deadline coming up soon. Organizations that function fiscally from April 1 to March 31 should e-file their Form 990/990-EZ by the upcoming August 15th due date. Additionally, any organization that filed an extension in February 2017 (fiscal year of October 1 - September 30) must file by August 15th as well.

Not sure what the difference is between Form 990 and 990-EZ or if your organization should file either one? Here’s some information on both forms that might be beneficial to you:

Most organizations exempt from income tax must file an annual information return, which is commonly known as a Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. Form 990 is typically filed by organizations with gross receipts that are more than or equal to $200,000 in gross receipts or total assets more than or equal to $500,000. Form 990-EZ is for very similar but for organizations that have less than $200,000 in gross receipts and $500,000 in total assets.

NOTE: Gross receipts are the total amounts the organization received from all sources during its annual accounting period.

Groups and organizations that usually file Form 990 or 990-EZ include: hospitals, schools, churches, charities, sports clubs, parent teachers associations, public libraries and facilities, cultural organizations and associations, employee associations, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and more.

Organizations that fail to file either form by its due date will incur a penalty against the organization. A penalty of $20 a day, not to exceed the lesser of $10,000 or 5% of the gross receipts of the organization for the year can be charged unless it can be shown the organization filed late due to a reasonable cause. Organizations with annual gross receipts exceeding $1,000,000 are subject to a penalty of $100 for each day with a maximum of $51,000 for any one return.

Organizations worldwide can easily stay in compliance and good standing with the IRS by filing online annually with ExpressTaxExempt. As the #1 authorized IRS e-file provider, we provide all users with our recently reduced filing rates, 100% US-based customer support service, and simplistic e-filing process which allow each organization to e-file IRS Form 990 & 990-EZ securely with the IRS.

We encourage you to contact us via phone at 704.839.2321 on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST or reach out to us 24/7 via email at support@ExpressTaxExempt.com if you have any questions about the e-filing process.

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An IRS E-Services Blackout is Coming Up

From the IRS Quick Alerts: Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 15 through Monday, June 19!

Beginning at 6:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, June 15, and running through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 19, the IRS will be shutting down all e-Services while it moves them to a different platform as part of a technology upgrade. This means all e-Service applications, including e-filing and ACA applications, as well as Transcript Delivery System and TIN Matching, will be offline and unavailable during this time.

So how does that affect you?

Well, if your organization has a fiscal tax year that runs from February 1 to January 31, this mini e-Service blackout could affect your Form 990 return filing. Since your Form 990 deadline is June 15, if you plan to e-file, you’ll need to make sure to do so before 6:00 p.m. EST this coming Thursday.

Now, if you don’t believe you’ll be able to get your Form 990 e-filed by then, you’ve got a couple of options: you can e-file Form 8868 instead for an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your 990 return. It’s super short and takes no time to fill out so it’s a great option if you’ve found yourself down to the wire with your 990 reporting.

Your other option, if you think you’ll have your Form 990 complete by June 15, just not by 6:00 p.m. EST on June 15, is to e-file with us, ExpressTaxExempt, an IRS-authorized e-file provider. Since we’ve got all the technical stuff covered with the IRS, you don’t have to have the extras that are required to e-file directly with the IRS’s system. That also means when you submit a Form 990 through our program, it’s timestamped when you hit the “Transmit to the IRS” button. So if you e-file after 6:00 p.m. Thursday, and the IRS doesn’t see your return til the system is back up next Monday, they’ll still see that you submitted your return on the due date and won’t count it as late.

Of course, either way, we recommend e-filing with us! ExpressTaxExempt has Form 8868 available as well as a series of 990 Forms, including 990-N, 990-EZ, 990-PF, and the original 990 Long Form. And we do our best to make e-filing as simple and efficient as possible for you! So if you have any questions along the way, we’re here to help; just give us a call or send us an email or live chat.



Need to file the e-Postcard? Check out our new site exclusively for Form 990-N, guaranteed to have you e-filing your nonprofit’s return faster than ever before!

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Miss the 990 Deadline? Here's What to Do

In case you missed it, the 990 Form deadline for calendar tax year filers was May 15!

And if you did miss it, you may be wondering, “What now?” Because, while we all know the IRS isn’t really a fan of people missing their deadlines, they are pretty adamant about making sure tax forms are filed anyway. Well we’re here to tell ya:




First, Make Sure This Was Your Deadline
Remember: the Form 990 deadline works a little differently than other IRS information returns. Rather than one set deadline for all tax-exempt organizations each year, your deadline is determined by your organization’s tax year end date. The May 15th deadline is the 990 Form due date for organizations that operate on a calendar tax year, which starts on January 1 and ends December 31 each year.

If your organization does operate on a calendar year tax year, move on to the next section for what to do next. If your organization has a tax year with a different start and end date, your deadline is the fifteenth day of the fifth month following your tax year end date.

If It Was, Complete and File Your Return ASAP
Don’t even think about potential penalties: your mission is to accurately complete your return and file it as soon as you can. Of course, if you’re e-filing the e-Postcard, you don’t need to worry about penalties; there are no immediate monetary penalties for filing Form 990-N late, but if you miss filing it for your organization for 3 years, tax-exempt status is automatically revoked.

Now, for you 990, 990-EZ, and 990-PF filers, the IRS penalty for late filing illustrates why it’s important to file as soon as possible after missing the deadline. For tax-exempt organizations with gross receipts less than $1,000,000, the IRS imposes a penalty of $20 per day for each day the return is late. In other words, the penalty for filing a few days late isn’t nearly as steep as it is for filing a few months late.

And Heads Up: You May Still Be In a Perfection Period
Now we’re going to throw out a slightly different late-filing scenario that may apply to your organization. Let’s say you did file your 990 Form a few days before or on the actual deadline, but it was rejected by the IRS for containing errors.

Luckily, even if you end up filing your corrected return after the deadline, your return may still be considered filed on time if you’ve filed within the IRS’s Perfection Period. You see, when you file a return and it’s rejected for errors, you have a Perfection Period of 10 days (5 days for Form 8868) to correct and re-transmit your return. If everything is correctly filed during that Perfection Period and your return is accepted by the IRS, they’ll consider it having been filed correctly on the date you initially filed. So if your form was rejected Friday before the deadline, you’re still within the 10-day Perfection Period and can file without receiving a late-filing penalty.

Whatever the Case, We’re Here For You
Just remember in the hustle and bustle of it all that, if things get a little too hectic, ExpressTaxExempt is here for you! We’ve got tons of information all around our site for tax-exempt organizations, and our support team is always ready to answer any questions you may have about tax-exempt e-filing or your 990 Form. So if you need us, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us a live chat or email!

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Calendar Year Filers: Today's Your Last Day to Submit Form 990!

Today’s the big day: May 15 is finally here!

If you’re filing the 990 Form for your organization that operates on a calendar tax year, there’s a chance you’ve been preparing for this day all year! Well, maybe not if you’re e-filing Form 990-N, but it’s just as important to make sure you file that one on time as well.

To clarify: calendar year filers are those organizations that operate on a fiscal year that follows the calendar year, January 1 to December 31. So if your yearly financial obligations are grouped starting on January 1 and ending on December 31 each year, this means you.

Now, those of you paper filing a 990 Form, make sure to have that bad boy complete, stamped, and mailed TODAY to the following address:

Internal Revenue Service Center

Ogden, UT 84201-0027

Or this address if you’re using a private delivery service:

201 West Rivercenter Blvd.

Attn: Extracting Stop 312

Covington, KY 41011

But those of you who have jumped on the e-filing wagon, you’re in for a real treat: you have until 11:59 p.m. (your time) to securely transmit your 990 Form with an IRS-authorized e-filing option. Luckily, you’ve got one right here with ExpressTaxExempt!

990-N (e-Postcard) filers, you can use our new site, epostcard.expresstaxexempt.com to complete your return in just three steps! And for those of you filing longer 990 Forms, like the 990-EZ, 990-PF, or the actual 990 Long Form, you can get your return done just as easily - but, of course, in a few more steps - with your ExpressTaxExempt account. We’ve broken down the forms into an interview-style, Q & A format so completing your 990 Form is easier than ever. We’ve also got built-in error checks to make sure no box is left incomplete and no “t” is left uncrossed.

Not to mention, we’ve got the 990 extension form, Form 8868, on hand that you can e-file right from your ETE account if you think you’re going to need more time to complete your form. And if you have any questions at all during the process, we’re here to help! Our customer support team is available via phone, live chat, and email to help make sure your form gets e-filed, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

So what are you waiting for? Time’s running out to file your Form 990!

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Final Reminder for May 15 Filing Deadline

Alright, guys, here it is. Big breath. Your final reminder that the May 15th deadline is literally right around the corner and, if your tax-exempt organization operates on a calendar tax year, that means you need to file a Form 990 by then!

Got it? Good. Because now you’re on your own!

Okay, don’t worry: we wouldn’t really leave you all on your own.

While it is up to you to make sure that 990 Form gets filed on time, ExpressTaxExempt is here to help you every step of the way, from “Start New Form” to “Transmit My Return”! Whether you need to file Form 990, 990-EZ, the 990-N, or 990-PF, you can complete your return just by signing up for an account, answering a few questions about your tax-exempt organization, and securely transmitting it to the IRS.

This year, we even have a fancy-pants new site just for the 990-N filers! It’s epostcard.expresstaxexempt.com, and you can use it to check the tax-exempt status of your organization, your organization’s filing history, and, yes, securely e-file that e-Postcard. There’s no need to sign up again; if you already have an ExpressTaxExempt account, you can use it to e-file on ePostcard!

And if you get in there and get started on your 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF and realize that you’re still going to need more time to complete your return, you can take a break and e-file the 8868 Extension Form right from your account. You’ll get an automatic six-month extension of time to file and can come back to your account to complete your return sometime before your new November deadline.

As always, if you need any questions while you’re filing or need help getting started, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Just give us a call at (704) 839-2321, live chat with us, or send us an email to support@ExpressTaxExempt.com and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Happy filing everyone!

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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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Missing the May 15th Deadline

Brace yourselves: for this post, we’re going into (dun, dun, duuunnn) Nightmare Mode!

Mwa ha ha ha!

Our story begins early on the morning of May 16, 2017. Outside it’s still dark and somewhere in America, in a bedroom, a fan lazily blows cool air while an alarm clock in the corner blinks a red 5:55. 5:55. 5:55.

You awake with a start, cold sweat dripping down your face. There’s something you’ve forgotten, something important.

Your tax-exempt organization’s 990 Form! It was due yesterday!

You jump out of bed and speed to the IRS office. This being Nightmare Mode, you arrive just as the office is filling with other tax filers and just in time to realize you’ve forgotten your pants. But you’ve got a mission. Grabbing a folder and using it as a shield, you make your way to the desk of one of the agents and tell him that you need to file a 990 for your tax-exempt organization as soon as possible because you’re running late.

Hearing you’re late, he gives you a stern look and quietly says, “Come with me.”

Moments later, you’re in the IRS dungeons. Your organization’s tax-exempt status has been revoked and the guards are demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties from you before you can go anywhere. When they’ve finally gotten all they can, they drop you back on your doorstep, defeated and penniless.

---

For the record, this is a completely fabricated exaggeration of what happens if you miss the May 15th deadline* for filing Form 990 (or whichever day your 990 deadline falls on). Just as you never failed a final you took naked, this nightmare scenario is but a dream.

If you do miss the May 15th deadline, your main goal is to file your completed 990 Form - whether it’s the 990 Long Form, the 990-EZ, 990-PF, or 990-N - as soon as possible. Of course, any IRS office will have agents to help accommodate you as best they can (without the dungeons), but your best bet is with ExpressTaxExempt.

We’ve been around for a few years now, and we’re leading the pack among the IRS-authorized e-file providers for the 990 Forms. We break down each form into a simplified, Q & A style interview and run error checks to ensure you’ve completed every part of the form needed. And we don’t mind if you file late. The IRS may still charge you a late-filing penalty, but the sooner you submit your 990 Form, the lesser these penalties will be.

You’ve still got a couple more weeks to submit your 990 Form, so there’s still a pretty good chance you can make the deadline. If, however, you start thinking you’ll need more time, you can always get an automatic 6-month extension by e-filing Form 8868 from your ETE account. Then you won’t even have to worry about May 15!

And if you have any questions about e-filing your 990 Form or need help getting started, please don’t hesitate to give us a ring!



*The May 15th deadline is for tax-exempt organizations that follow a calendar year tax year, which runs from January 1 to December 31. The official deadline for 990 Forms is the 15th day of the fifth month after your tax year ends so you may not be required to file May 15.

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The May 15th Deadline Approaches

May day! May day!

The May 15th deadline is almost upon us!

For those of you new to the tax-exempt game, May 15 is a major deadline for 990 Forms because it’s the 15th day of the fifth month following the end of the calendar tax year. You may remember in all that paperwork to become a tax-exempt organization, it told you that you’d need to file a 990 Form by the 15th day of the fifth month after your tax year ends. And since the calendar tax year, which runs from January 1 to December 31, is used by a lot of tax-exempt organizations (“a lot” as in “most of them”), May 15 is the official unofficial 990 Form deadline!

Now, if you have a tax year that runs from, say, July 1 to June 30 (deadline: November 15) or September 1 to August 31 (deadline: January 15) or any other set of 365 consecutive days, you can disregard this deadline. But make sure you know when your tax year end date is so you can determine your actual due date for Form 990.

What Happens If I File Form 990 Late?
Ah, a good question, to be sure! If you’re required to e-file Form 990-N (the e-Postcard), there aren’t really any immediate penalties for filing late. Just be sure to get it in as soon as you can if you realize a little too late that you’ve missed the deadline. Keep in mind, though, that if you go more than three consecutive years without e-filing a 990-N (or any 990 form), your tax-exempt status will be automatically revoked by the IRS and you’ll need to apply again for it.

However, if you have to file the 990 Long Form, Form 990-EZ, or Form 990-PF, the IRS does impose penalties for filing your form late. You may be able to get out of these penalties if the organization can provide reasonable cause for why the 990 Form was filed late. If not though, the IRS will charge you $20 for each day the return is late, with the maximum penalty being $10,000 or 5% of your organization’s gross receipts, whichever is less.

And that’s just if your organization earned fewer than $1,000,000 in gross receipts for the tax year you’re reporting. If your organization had gross receipts of more than $1 million, the penalty increases to $100 per day late, with a maximum penalty of $50,000.

Can I Extend the May 15 Deadline?
If you file Form 990-N, no. But that’s just because it’s so easy: all you do is confirm your organization’s identifying information (name, EIN, address), confirm you made fewer than $50,000 in gross receipts by checking a box, and e-file.

If you file Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF, yes! You can use Form 8868 to get an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your 990 Form.

What’s the Best Way to File Form 990 On Time?
Why, with ExpressTaxExempt, of course! This year, we’ve launched a simplified, streamlined version of ETE for the 990-N Form. Just go to epostcard.expresstaxexempt.com and use the information from your ETE account to e-file Form 990-N in three steps!

If you need to file one of the longer forms, it’s still easiest to e-file with ExpressTaxExempt! We’ve broken down the 990 Form into a question and answer style interview to help you more accurately and easily complete your form. And if at any point you think you’ll need more time, you can e-file Form 8868 right from your account before getting back to work.

We also offer top-notch customer support right here from our headquarters in Rock Hill, South Carolina. You can call us at (704) 839-2321, send us a live chat through our website, or email us at support@ExpressTaxExempt.com and we’ll help however we can!

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Deadline Day: Tax Exempt Extensions & Late Filing Penalties

Hope you’re having a great deadline day! Are you ready to e-file your Form 990 to the IRS?

No? Well, it’s pretty clear what you have to do.

You need to get a tax exempt extension with Form 8868!

How Do I Get an Extension?

You can use Form 8868 to apply for an additional, non-automatic 3-month extension if the original 3-month extension was not enough time.

To obtain this additional extension of time to file, the organization must show reasonable cause for the additional time requested.

What Are the Penalties for Late Filing?

If an organization whose gross receipts are less than $1,000,000 for its tax year files its Form 990 after the due date (including any extensions), and the organization doesn't provide reasonable cause for filing late, the IRS will impose a penalty of $20 per day for each day the return is late.

The maximum penalty is $10,000, or 5% of the organization's gross receipts, whichever is less.

The penalty increases to $100 per day, up to a maximum of $50,000, for an organization whose gross receipts exceed $1,000,000.

What Happens If I File the E-Postcard After the Deadline?

There is not a penalty associated with late filing the e-Postcard.

However, should you fail to file a return for 3 consecutive years, the IRS will revoke your tax-exempt status.

Automatic Revocation of Tax Exempt Status

So what exactly happens when you haven’t filed for 3 consecutive years?

When an organization loses tax exempt status, they must begin filing as a taxable organization with the IRS.

Any taxes owed by the organization from that period on may be subject to fees and penalties.

In the event you believe that your tax exempt status has been revoked, you should contact the IRS immediately for confirmation and to determine how you will need to reapply for tax exempt status.

So how do you find out if your tax exempt status was revoked? The IRS publishes a list of organizations that have had their federal tax exempt status revoked after failing to file their Form 990 for 3 consecutive years.

Our suggestion? If you’re not ready to file, go with Form 8868. Spend the next 3 to 6 months getting things ready, and then you can make sure you have everything right when you e-file Form 990.

Regardless, we’re here to help! If you have any questions about e-filing Form 990 or extension Form 8868, call the ExpressTaxExempt experts at 704.839.2321.

Happy e-filing, everybody!

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Warning: The Tax Exempt Deadline Approaches!

It’s that time of year again! The time when rain showers lead to blooming flowers, when kids anticipate summer vacation, and when nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations scramble to find CPAs to file their taxes.

That’s right, it’s May! Which means there’s a tax exempt deadline right around the corner!

More specifically, on the fifteenth day of the fifth month, tax exempt organizations must file Form 990, the Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax.

When’s that Deadline?

Since the deadline should be the fifteenth day, but that is a Sunday, the actual deadline falls on May 16th.

That is, there’s a deadline for any tax exempt organization that runs on a calendar year (January 1st through December 31st).

If you’re on your own fiscal year, your deadline is still the fifteenth day of the fifth month after your tax period ends.

Types of 990 Forms

Form 990-N (e-Postcard): You may only file an e-Postcard if you have an organization that makes $50,000 or less a year in gross receipts. Exceptions to this requirement include:

• Organizations that are included in a group return.
• Churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches.
• Organizations required to file a different return.

Form 990-EZ: You can use this form if your gross receipts are less than $200,000 or total assets are less than $500,000. Schedules are a vital part of Form 990-EZ, allowing the filer to go into further detail on its reason for being tax-exempt. Each schedule is designed to provide specific information on certain activities.

Form 990: This form must be filed by an organization exempt from income tax under section 501(a) (including an organization that has not applied for recognition of exemption) if it has either gross receipts greater than or equal to $200,000 or total assets greater than or equal to $500,000 at the end of the tax year. Form 990 also uses schedules.

Why You Should E-file

Want to save time? Want to reduce errors? Want to avoid paper cuts? If you answered yes to these questions, you should e-file your Form 990 tax exempt returns.

Instead of going through piles of paper forms, ExpressTaxExempt walks you through an interview-style form that simplifies and streamlines your filing.

Also, we offer the 990, the 990-EZ, and the 990-N, so you can bet that we provide a tax filing option for your nonprofit.

We also provide tax-exempt return extensions and error checks (on our end), as well as bulk file uploading, and multi-user access. Basically, we’re trying to make the whole process easier.

Best of all, smaller nonprofits and exempt organizations can file the 990-N (the e-Postcard) FREE for the current year!

So when you’re gathering your records and getting ready to file your Form 990, head over to ExpressTaxExempt and create a free account. We won’t charge you until you’re ready to e-file!

If you have any questions about your 990 form, your friendly and dedicated customer support staff will be here to answer by email 24/7 at Support@ExpressTaxExempt.com, or by phone at 704.839.2321.

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Not Ready for Form 990? Here’s What You Do

Alright, exempt and nonprofit organizations — it’s that time of year!

We’re only a few weeks away from the deadline to file your tax exempt information return as a 501(c)(3) organization!

That’s right, your deadline is May 16th! Not ready yet? Here’s what you need to do.

E-file with ExpressTaxExempt

The most important thing you can do is to take a deep breath! While the idea of taxes can be daunting to many, you don’t have to suffer through it this year.

Why is that? Well, because you’re e-filing with ExpressTaxExempt.

With ExpressTaxExempt, you are not only e-filing with the premier tax exempt filing service out there, you’re saving time that can be dedicated to whatever cause you champion.

Plus, we make e-filing your taxes as easy as turning on a computer, logging into the website, and answering the interview style prompts.

File Form 8868 for More Time

Still not ready? Don’t freak out! Just e-file Form 8868 and receive an automatic 3-month extension of time to file your tax exempt tax returns.

If you need more time to file your Form 990 returns, just know that the deadline is also the same, May 16th!

And just in case you need more time after the first 3 months, you can e-file for another 3 months after that. These will be non-automatic, though, so there needs to be a legitimate reason.

Ready for Form 990? Here's What You Do Instead!

Alright, for the few of you out there who have already finished e-filing (or you run on a fiscal year different than the calendar year), what should you do?

Maybe it’s time to plan and implement a fundraiser. PTA groups can start now to coincide with the end of the school year!

With all the free time, you can start an email, social media, or video marketing plan.

And if you have all your bases covered, maybe you can plan a personal vacation! The possibilities are endless.

So sign up for ExpressTaxExempt today and start your 990 return now! I mean, that way you have all your bases covered come May 16th.

If you have any questions, our team of e-filing experts can help! Give us a call at 704.839.2321 or an email at Support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.

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