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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Mystery Solved: Exempt Organization Employment & Form 941

When you first think of a nonprofit organization or charity, you initially think that everyone participating is volunteering their time and not on payroll. However, in order to effectively carry out of the work of your organization, it is necessary (at times) to employ individuals to serve as yearly staff. 

Although these employed individuals work for a tax exempt organization, they are not excluded from having taxes withheld from their earnings. Employment taxes are reported to the IRS through Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return.

Organizations, charities, and small business owners who prepare payroll checks for the employment of staff are expected to file this form quarterly (four times a year); even if the business does not have employees during select quarters. 

The next quarterly deadline for filing this form is Tuesday, October 31. 

However, exceptions are made for seasonal employees, whose taxes are not required to be filed each quarter.

NOTE: If you have decided to close your business/organization or stop paying wages that would subject you to payroll taxes, your obligation to file quarterly returns can end. This can be done by designating the return for the last quarter that you pay taxable wages as a “final” return at the top of the return.

Information Needed to File

In order to file Form 941, you must report three major things:

1. Number of Employees
2. Total Wages Paid
3. Amount Withheld [to calculate the tax payments owed] 

Payroll records along with any documents supplied by employees with taxable tips will be needed as well. For more information on Social security and Medicare tax, click here.

Filing Form 941

To complete the Form 941 filing process, you must have details about your business readily available, such as your company’s EIN and online signature PIN (preferred). 

To obtain a PIN for your business or organization for FREE, click here. Once you have received your PIN, you can easily complete the simplified filing process. 

HINT: Form 941 can be e-signed through Form 8453-EMP.

We're Here To Help

Calculating and filing your payroll tax information can be stressful and confusing. For that reason, our sister product, ExpressTaxFilings, was created to assist small business owners and exempt organizations with an easy-to-use filing process for annual and quarterly payroll tax needs. ExpressTaxFilings takes pride in providing an accurate, efficient, and secure e-filing process that will save you both time and money. 

If you need any assistance during this straightforward and easy filing process, have no fear! We’re here to help. If you need any assistance give the dedicated, US-based ExpressTaxFilings support team a call anytime, just like you would with ExpressTaxExempt. Both teams are available Monday - Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM EST at 704.684.4751. They’re also available via live chat and offer 24/7 email support at support@ExpressTaxfilings.com.

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Upcoming Filing Deadline for Exempt Organization Employers

Has your organization employed individuals to help carry out the mission of the group?

Do you or someone you know own and operate a business with employees?

If so, as an employer, it is required that you file Form 941 with the IRS quarterly.

Employers are responsible for withholding federal income tax, social security tax, and Medicare tax from each of their employee’s salary. Form 941, also known as the Employer’s Quarterly Tax Return, is used to report these employment taxes quarterly and assists with calculating the employer’s portion of Social Security and Medicare tax.

Quarterly Filing Deadlines:

Form 941 has a total of four filing deadlines each year. These deadlines are split into first, second, third, and fourth quarters with the following due dates:

With only two days left in the month of September, the Third Quarter deadline is right around the corner. Be sure to file your Form 941 no later than October 31 with TaxBandits.

Filing Process:

Most people think that filing taxes can be a headache and an extremely time consuming process...not with our sister product, TaxBandits! You will only need two major pieces of information to get started--Employer and Employment Details.

GIF via GIPHY

Employer details include the employer’s name, EIN, and address; while employment details include the following:

• Employee Count
• Medicare Tax & Social Security
• Deposit Made to the IRS
• Tax Liability (Monthly/Semiweekly)
• Signing Authority Information
• Online Signature PIN or Form 8453-EMP

Once that is entered all you will need to do is review the completed form, pay a small, affordable price per form, and transmit directly to the IRS. And just like that, you’ve avoided IRS penalties and compliance issues.

Well, since we said the word ‘penalties’ let’s just go ahead and discuss it briefly so you know what you’re avoiding when filing with us.

Form 941 IRS Penalties:

Failure to file by the Form 941 deadline will result in a 5% penalty on the tax return for each month that the return is late. Although this penalty cpas at 25%, the IRS will penalize you heavily for late payment or not paying the full amount owed. Your organization will be charged 2-15% of the unpaid tax determined by the number of days it remains unpaid.

NOTE: Late deposit penalty amounts are determined using calendar days, starting from the due date of the liability.

Next Steps:

Out of the many components to running your organization, one of the most important is staying in compliance with the IRS. TaxBandits, sister product to ExpressTaxExempt, is an industry leader for online tax preparation and tax filings which offers accurate and efficient e-filing at prices that can’t be beaten! Visit their website today to find out more information about Form 941 and the other services that TaxBandits offer.

As always, we at ExpressTaxExempt aim to help all exempt organizations and hope that your organization can benefit from both of our services. If you need any assistance with filing, just know that we’re available to assist you 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.

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February 16th Deadline: President's Day

Whether you’re on a calendar year or a fiscal tax year, the 15th day of the 5th month after your financial year ends is deadline day! For those organizations whose tax years ended in September, February 15th is the deadline for your nonprofit organization. But since it is a Federal holiday, the deadline is now February 16th.

Wait, it’s a holiday? Well, yeah, it’s George Washington’s birthday! Since it is recognized as a Federal holiday, the IRS will be closed that day. Of course, some people refer to this holiday as President’s day, but it’s technically known as Washington’s Birthday. Since President Lincoln’s birthday is also close, some groups have expanded the holiday to recognize both presidents. Regardless, your deadline has moved!

While we have no desire to get political over here, we can take a look at how these Commander-in-Chiefs gave back to their communities. What are some of the philanthropic efforts of our former presidents? Most presidents go on to serve their fellow Americans after their terms end. Even in office, some Presidents donated their salaries to charity, including Presidents John F. Kennedy and Herbert Hoover.

The March of Dimes

Franklin D. Roosevelt founded the March of Dimes, originally as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The annual campaign sought to raise funds to fight polio, which Roosevelt himself had, and became synonymous with the President during his term.

The Carter Center

After leaving the White House, President Jimmy Carter started this charity with his wife. This organization helps to improve the living conditions of people in more than 70 countries. Carter has also supported Declare Yourself, Heifer International, and Habitat for Humanity.

Points of Light

Founded in 1990 as the Points of Light Foundation by President George H. W. Bush, Points of Light aims to inspire, equip, and mobilize citizens and promote the spirit of volunteerism. Points of Light aims to pair volunteers with nonprofits throughout many cities, allowing for a network of giving to operate.

The Clinton Foundation

With his two terms completed, President Clinton set out to still contribute to the world and started the Clinton Foundation. With a mission of decreasing poverty, improving health, and protecting the environment, the Clinton Foundation does this by pairing with governments, businesses, and NGOs. In addition, President Clinton teamed up with President George W. Bush to start the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

Can you take a page from the Presidential handbook and help your fellow Americans? We think you can -- go for it and start your own nonprofit! And when you need to e-file your Form 990, accept the best and file with ExpressTaxExempt! If you have any questions about e-filing, reach us by live chat, phone, or email.

What’s your favorite bit of presidential trivia? Let us know in the comments!

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