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

Read More »

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.

Read More »

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. 

Read More »

3 Major Tips For Last Minute Filing

Filing taxes under pressure can be stressful and a headache, to say the least. With the November 15 deadline quickly approaching for fiscal tax year organizations that operate from July 1 - June 30, the pressure is on to submit your appropriate 990 tax return by tomorrow. 

Here’s a few last minute tax filing tips that can be helpful when meeting the November 15 deadline:

Know Which Form To File

The quickest way to have your 990 return rejected is to file the incorrect form. This detailed list of the the Form 990 series will help you understand what specific form your organization needs to file. 

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.

• Information Needed: Program services, revenue, expenses, supplemental financial statements, net assets, balance sheets, list of employees, other IRS filings, and tax compliance along with the organization’s governance, management, and disclosures.

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.

• Information Needed: Organization’s EIN, gross receipts and assets must be provided. Also, all appropriate, required Schedules must be completed and attached when filing Form 990-EZ.

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.

• Information Needed: Organization’s EIN, tax year, legal name & address, different names used by the organization (if applicable), website (if applicable), name & address of a principal officer, confirmation of gross receipts of $50,000 or less, and a statement that the organization is going out of business (if applicable). 

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

• Information Needed: Organization’s name and EIN (as it appears on IRS records), organization’s revenue and expenses, net assets, capital gains and losses for tax on investment income, charitable activities, program-related investments, as well as information on its officers, directors, trustees, etc.

E-file with an Authorized E-File Provider

E-filing tax returns for your exempt organization makes life so much easier; especially with ExpressTaxExempt. With our 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 so you can quickly file the correct 990 Form for your organization. For more information on e-filing pricing, click here. 

Simply follow the 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!

Are you completely overwhelmed and need more time to file your 990 return? No worries! We even offer Extension Form 8868 which provides you with an additional 6 months to file. 

Meet The Deadline

Although the clock is ticking, you still have time to file and transmit your organization’s 990 return directly to the IRS by the November 15 deadline. As the #1 authorized e-file provider, ExpressTaxExempt will guide through the entire filing experience. 

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 or reach us 24/7 via email with support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.

Read More »

The Secret to Stress-Free Form 990 Filing

The month of November is rather nostalgic with the Fall season bringing about cooler temperatures and Thanksgiving kicking off holiday gatherings and celebrations. 

November is also a big month in the tax exempt industry. If your exempt organization operates on a fiscal year which ends on June 30, your IRS Form 990 return is due by November 15. If you operate on a calendar year (original due date of May 15) but filed a 6-month extension through Form 8868, your 990 return is due also. 

Deadlines are never fun and trying to meet them can become stressful. Thankfully, e-filing with ExpressTaxExempt eliminates the stress of tax filing while on a time-crunch. 

ExpressTaxExempt offers the entire Form 990 Series to be completed in the most simple and easiest method possible. You won’t have to worry about missing your Form 990 deadline because the interview style e-filing process will help you complete your form and instantly transmit it directly to the IRS. 

All that you will need to do is 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! 

Failing to file your Form 990 return can result in accumulating expensive penalties very quickly. If your organization fails to file on time and has less than $1,000,000 in gross receipts for the entire year and do not provide reasonable cause for missing the deadline, the IRS will charge you $20 per day for every day that your return is late. 

This penalty continuously accrues until you reach the maximum of $10,000 or 5% of your organization’s total gross receipts, depending on which amount is less. Filing with ExpressTaxExempt prevents this from happening. 

Stress-Free Filing

The best way to handle any type of situation, especially tax filing, is to be prepared. By being proactive and having a tax plan in place, the risk of last minute tax surprises can be avoided. Here are some other ways to have stress-free filing experience: 

1. Know your specific filing deadline 
2. Determine and Organize all of the information you will need when filing in advance. 
3. Strategize the amount of time needed to file your 990 while still conducting the daily tasks of your exempt organization, charity, etc. 
4. Maintain detailed records throughout the calendar or fiscal year. 
5. Utilize the ExpressTaxExempt website as an informative resource before, during, and after the e-filing process. 

Filing Process

Our service at ExpressTaxExempt is dedicated to providing the best and most efficient e-filing experience for tax exempt organizations, no matter how big or small. Because of this, all ExpressTaxExempt users can begin the filing process for free and easily enter their organization’s information individually. Payment is only required at the very end when it’s time to transmit your return directly to the IRS. Furthermore, our interview-style form completion includes internal audit checks to ensure that all information is entered properly with no areas left undone, auto-generated IRS form Schedules to accompany your 990 return, along with several other exclusive features.

We're Help To Help

E-filing your appropriate Form 990 Series return before the November 15 due date with the #1 authorized IRS e-file provider (ExpressTaxExempt) is a piece of cake. 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 or reach us 24/7 via email with support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.

Read More »

ExpressTaxExempt & GuideStar Join Forces to Benefit Nonprofits

Author John C. Maxwell once said that “teamwork makes the dream work.” ExpressTaxExempt can attest to this with the launch of our newest exclusive feature, Express990. 

It is with great excitement that ExpressTaxExempt launches Express990, in collaboration with GuideStar, to benefit thousands of nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits will now be able to seamlessly export their completed IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, and 990-PF returns directly to GuideStar with this new integration.

As the world’s largest source of nonprofit information, GuideStar collects pertinent information, including annual IRS filings, and distributes it through its website and more than 200 partner sites and applications. 

The collaboration between GuideStar and ExpressTaxExempt, the #1 e-file provider for thousands of nonprofit organizations, nonprofits now have the ability to send their tax returns directly to GuideStar as part of the e-filing process. 

Furthermore, this partnership will reduce the amount of time it takes GuideStar to obtain this information and makes it available to the public which will also greatly improve upon the professional impression a nonprofit makes in terms of trust and transparency. 

Donors and potential supporters will have almost immediate access to up-to-date information for the nonprofits that select this option. Normally, it takes months before GuideStar obtains 990s from the IRS because the IRS must process them first. Express990 eliminates this delay; each return is transmitted to GuideStar as soon as it is accepted by the IRS.  

Express990 sends GuideStar exactly the same data that was submitted to the IRS under penalty of perjury. This valuable information can be utilized when determining grant approvals, contributions, and more. Information regarding each organization's mission, income, expenses, finances, and leadership will be completely transparent. This transparency can greatly increase a nonprofit’s chances of donor recognition and receive funding in a more timely manner. 

Nonprofits will also have access to several exclusive ExpressTaxExempt features, including management of reviewers, approvers, and additional users, along with internal audit checks, multi-organizational filing, and multi-tax period support. Tax returns filed with ExpressTaxExempt are transmitted directly to the IRS and can be accepted within hours. Users also receive real-time email notifications with tax return updates. Best of all, ExpressTaxExempt offers a 100 percent, US-based customer support team for any and all inquiries an organization may have in regard to its e-filing.

The collaboration between ExpressTaxExempt and GuideStar, along with the launch of Express990, is a “win-win” situation for nonprofit organizations across the country. Nonprofits will be joining a platform of 1.8 million IRS-recognized nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations on the GuideStar website. Potential donors and funders will be able to quickly obtain the information that they need to evaluate your nonprofit. A process that would usually take months, can now be completed within a few days. 

We're Here To Help

As always, our aim at ExpressTaxExempt is to be of assistance to tax-exempt organizations as we dedicate our services to providing the best and most efficient e-filing experience. Make the best choice for your nonprofit and experience the great benefits of Express990 by visiting our website today at www.expresstaxexempt.com. 

For any assistance or questions about e-filing our available 990 forms, you can contact our live professionals by phone at 704-839-2321, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., EST), by email (support@expresstaxexempt.com), or by live chat (www.expresstaxexempt.com).

Read More »

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.

Read More »

Filing for the Wrong Tax Year: What Should You Do Next?

If you ever want to see someone raise their eyebrow or look stunned when checking their mailbox, let them receive a letter from the IRS. Although millions of letters and notices are mailed to taxpayers each year, there is still that worry and concern that immediately comes over you when you first see that sealed envelope from the IRS with your name on it. Fortunately, all letters from the IRS are not negative and many may be very easy to resolve.

Organizations that file a 990 Series or 1120-POL tax form must file each year by the due date that correlates with the selected form. If not, the IRS will contact you by mail, informing you that you have missed your filing deadline. When receiving letters like this, the first thing you need to do is BREATHE! There’s no need to panic. Read the letter thoroughly and follow the instructions that the IRS has listed in the correspondence. Any notice sent from the IRS usually covers a specific issue about your tax return or account, so be sure to handle that issue as soon as possible.

From various conversations with many of our awesome ExpressTaxExempt customers, we have noticed that we receive quite a bit of calls yearly inquiring about a letter received from the IRS stating that their organization did not file for a previous tax year ending on a specific date. For example, you may receive a letter stating that “XYZ Organization failed to file its 990-N return for the tax year ending on June 30, 2016…” Initially, the solution to this dilemma would be to e-file online within minutes at www.expresstaxexempt.com; but what tax year should you technically be filing for?

A “tax year” is an annual accounting period for keeping records and reporting income and expenses. There are two types of tax years that you can follow, those being a Calendar Year (12 consecutive months beginning January 1 and ending December 31) or a Fiscal Year (12 consecutive months ending the last day of any month except December).

So if you receive a letter that’s referring to a tax year ending in 2016, that means you need to submit a return for the 2015 tax year (which ended in 2016).

EXAMPLE: Tax Year of June 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017 | File for 2016 Tax Year

      Tax Year of February 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016 | File for 2015 Tax Year

        Tax Year of March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015 | File for 2014 Tax Year

As expected, it is very important for Form 990, 990-EZ or 990-N users to file the appropriate returns yearly. Although there is no penalty assessment for Filing Form 990-N late, all organizations that fail to file the required 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N forms for three consecutive years will automatically be revoked and lose their tax-exempt status, which can be detrimental to the long-term success of an organization. Avoid finding yourself in this predicament by quickly, safely, and easily e-filing your form with ExpressTaxExempt. Our newly reduced filing rates will help your organization save funds as well. So feel free 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.

Read More »

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.

Read More »

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!

Read More »

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!

Read More »

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!

Read More »

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!

Read More »

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!!

Read More »

Amending Form 990-N: Changing the Fiscal Year

No one likes to hear they’ve made a mistake. But, hey, it happens. Still, when the IRS is the one telling you that you’ve messed up, things can get unnecessarily stressful. You were so sure you did everything right, yet here’s your rejected Form 990-N (“ePostcard”) reporting that the fiscal year on your return doesn’t match the IRS’s records. If you’re like me, your brain’s probably flooding with questions: How could I get a year wrong? Don’t they all start in January? How can I fix this? How much will it cost me to fix this? Is the IRS mad at me? Did I leave the oven on?

First, inhale deeply. Remember that Express990 is here to help. Aaaand exhale.

Recording your fiscal year as the calendar year is a common mistake, and no, the IRS isn’t mad at you for it. Once you verify with your organization the actual start date of your fiscal year, correcting this error is easy and, with Express990, free! Just follow these simple steps to amend the fiscal year for your submitted Form 990-N:

Step 1. Begin by logging into your Express990 account.

Step 2. Once at your Dashboard, click the “Edit” button next to the tax period that’s currently listed. This will take you to the point in your return where you’ll select your actual fiscal year.

Step 3. Select the “Fiscal Tax Year” button. It will turn green to indicate it’s been selected.

Step 4. Click the blue calendar icon next to “Tax Year Begin Date.” Select the beginning month and year by accessing the drop down menus, then click the day your fiscal year began. (In this example, the fiscal year began May 1, 2014.)

Step 5. Once you click the day, the calendar will go away, the program will fill in your “Tax Year Begin Date” and “Tax Year End Date,” and your due date will update. Verify that all of this is correct, and click “Next.”

Step 6. After you click “Next,” your fiscal year will update on Express990, but you still need to resubmit your Form 990-N to the IRS. To do this, continue to click “Next” until you reach the Summary page of your 990-N, shown below. Confirm that it’s correct and click “Review.”

Express990 will then generate an Audit Report to check for any obvious errors; if no errors were found, click “Next” until you come to the option to “Authorize and Transmit to the IRS.” Until you select this, your amended return will not be sent to the IRS.

So there ya go - your mistake has been fixed! The birds are still chirping, the world is still turning, and you can go check that oven if you haven’t already.

And if you have any other questions or need further assistance, our live experts in Rock Hill, South Carolina can be reached Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST by phone (704-839-2321) and live chat (www.expresstaxexempt.com) or through our 24/7 email support service (support@expresstaxexempt.com).

Read More »

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.

Read More »

Public Disclosure

Your tax season was a breeze. You were able file and transmit your exempt tax return, and it was easily accepted by the IRS. Everything is going so well. And then, one day, you have someone at your place of business requesting information about your organization and its tax filings. No, this isn’t an audit, but just a local citizen asking about the dealings within your organization. Why would a person want to know that stuff? There could be a million and one reasons why, but the main issue here is that your organization has to comply with the request.

FACT: All organizations, except for private foundations, that are under Code Section 501(c) exemption, are required to disclose certain information to whomever is interested.

The IRS regulations require that nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations make the following available to be viewed by the general public:

Annual Information Returns
You have to provide the last three annual information returns filed by your exempt organization, which includes a Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-N (e-Postcard), 990-T, and all submitted schedules and supporting attachments.

Under these same regulations, you don’t have to provide your

• Form 1120-POL
• Schedule A of Form 990-BL
• Schedule K-1 of Form 1065
• Lists of received contributions, grants, and gifts

Application For Tax Exemption
You also need to provide your Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Tax Exemption, or a Form 1024, along with all the supporting documents and statements that were sent to the IRS.
However, you don’t have make public any applications the IRS haven’t approved or any section 501(c)(3) applications that were filed before July 15, 1987.

So if someone shows up to your organization’s main office, and they request your Form 1023 or your last three tax returns, you must allow that person to see them. This is called an On-Site Request, and the person can even photocopy the forms if the equipment is present. You can also have a representative be there for the copying.

If your organization receives a Written Request, you must satisfy the request within 30 days of receiving it. Here are some key things to keep in mind about written requests:

• Requests have to include an address in which the information can be sent
• You’re allowed to charge a reasonable fee for processing the request
• Fees cannot be higher than $1 for copying the first page and $.15 for each additional page
• You can request for advance payment of fees before processing the request
• The request is considered complete as of the date of the postmark or delivery 

If a person’s request is sent and fulfilled through email, the process is considered complete on the date the replied email was sent.

You’re exempt organization is covered under Exemption for Website Posted Documents if your documents are widely available on the Internet, and you don’t have to honor requests for copies. But you do have to provide

• The website address
• Steps on how to download the information
• A format that displays the information exactly how it looks when it was filed 

Penalties
The IRS may charge a fine for any exempt organization for not complying with regulations. Penalties can be $20 per day with a maximum penalty fee of $10,000 for each return that isn’t provided. There’s no maximum penalty for failing to provide your section 501(c)(3) application; you can expect a daily fee until you do.

Stay in compliance with these disclosures by already having your tax returns e-filed with Express990. We work closely with the IRS in order to provide you with a safe, secure, and accurate e-filing process that will save you time and money. And you receive direct confirmation when your form is transmitted, and whether it’s been accepted or rejected.

For assistance with e-filing any of our available 990 forms, contact our live support by phone Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm, Eastern Standard Time, at (704) 839-2321, by email at support@expresstaxexempt.com, or by live chat at the Express990 website.

Read More »