Why E-file with ExpressTaxExempt

The May 15 filing deadline for exempt organizations and private foundations is inching ever closer. E-filing 990 forms and extension is quickly becoming the best way for organizations and paid preparers to submit tax returns to the IRS.

If your organization still needs to file and you’re looking for an IRS-authorized, e-file provider, ExpressTaxExempt has you covered! With value-based pricing, nonprofit industry knowledge, and exclusive features, you’ll e-file confidently and securely this tax season.

Annual Tax Returns Made Simple
ExpressTaxExempt provides a user-friendly interface that guides you through the interview-style filing process with helpful tips. Information such as donation lists can be uploaded in bulk saving you a substantial amount of filing time. Schedules for Form 990, 990-EZ, and 990-PF are automatically generated based on your form interview answers. Our internal audit check ensures that every question has a response and amounts are balanced. Any mistakes we identify can be corrected before you transmit to the IRS.

Unique Filing Features
Transmit returns for multiple organizations from a single account or grant limited access to additional users for account management. Invite principal officers via a secure web portal to review completed tax form, add comments, make changes, or approve the return with an e-verify signature. Once you transmit your 990 form to the IRS, you’ll receive access to a printable copy of your return along with real-time email notification of your filing status.

Submit amended returns for approved 990 forms from previous tax years, or re-transmit rejected forms at no extra costs. Any tax return transmitted with ExpressTaxExempt is conveniently and securely stored within your account for easy access or reference later on.

Mobility & Accessibility
Small tax-exempt organizations can quickly and easily e-file using the free ExpressTaxExempt - Form 990 mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Large and mid-size exempt groups can also use the free Form 8868 mobile app to transmit extension forms and get approved for a 6-month extension of time almost instantly. You can use any desktop computer with internet access to sign in and manage your account which also includes continuing from where you last left off with the e-file process.

Support & Security
ExpressTaxExempt offers 100% US-based customer support for any questions about e-filing or your filing status. You also have the option to set up a session for in-depth, step-by-step filing assistance directly from your account with our Premium Support feature. Rest assured that your account is safe and secure with intensive, up-to-date web securities guaranteed to safeguard your private information. ExpressTaxExempt ensures that returns are sent directly to the IRS and nowhere else.

With all these benefits and features, why go through all the stress and time it takes to paper file? E-file your 2016 form 990 before the May 15 due date with IRS-authorized ExpressTaxExempt. 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.

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What to Do For the May 15 Deadline

There’s about a month left before the May 15 filing deadline for tax-exempt organizations. The due date only applies to groups who operate on a calendar tax year which is from January 1 to December 31.

If this is your first time filing for a nonprofit or charity, or you just can’t remember exactly how to file a 990 form, here are a few tips to get you prepared.

Get Proper Documents Together
Before you even begin with the first page, you need to have the right information readily available or else you’ll waste time looking for papers rather than completing your return. Depending on which 990 form you need 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.

Some sections of a 990 tax return require additional information from a Schedule which you attach to your form. Schedules allow you to submit extra details about certain activities conducted by your organization - some schedules may apply to you such as Schedule B for contributions while others may not. For instance, Schedule H is only for hospitals and Schedule N is for terminated tax-exempt groups.

Types of 990 Forms
The IRS offers four main types of 990 forms - certain kinds serve as simpler options to the original 990 long form. Choosing the most appropriate return will save you precious amounts of filing time:

• 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

Extension Form 8868
For any reason, if you are not ready for the May 15 deadline, you can extend your filing due date by submitting IRS Form 8868. The 8868 form allows you to increase the time you have to file a 2016 990 form by six months. You are responsible for submitting an extension request before your original due date - any later and the IRS will automatically reject it. There is no explanation required for filing an extension; however, if your organization owes any tax liabilities, it still must be paid by the original filing deadline.

Paper Filing vs. E-filing
Electronic filing is becoming the most preferred method for tax-exempt organizations and tax professionals to send 990 forms to the IRS. With paper filing, you’re sacrificing a significant amount of time to physically prepare financial statements, search and complete schedules, and mail the tax return without any confirmation from the IRS.

E-filing a 2016 Form 990 requires less time to process and is much easier to prepare. Transmitting a 990 tax return with an IRS-authorized, e-file provider - such as ExpressTaxExempt.com - offers more security than postal mailing, and you can receive instant confirmation of your filing status. The IRS also recommends exempt organizations to e-file rather than paper filing.

If you have any intensive tax questions regarding your organization’s revenue, expenses, or activities, you should contact your local tax professional or the IRS Tax-Exempt Hotline at 877.829.5500. For concerns or assistance with e-filing, you can reach out to ExpressTaxExempt at 704.839.2321 or with support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.

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Report Entire Contribution Lists in Minutes!

One of the most tedious tasks when filing Form 990 or a 990-EZ is entering list after list of donor information and their contribution amounts.

Many tax-exempt organizations receive hundreds of donations from individuals and groups each year and reporting them one by one consumes too much time.

IRS-authorized ExpressTaxExempt offers features which streamline your filing experience so you can e-file Form 990 as quickly and smoothly as possible. One of those features is our Bulk Upload option designed for exempt organizations who take in many donations throughout the tax year.

Upload Every Contribution at Once
Mid-size and large organizations have the option to upload their received donations by using the “Bulk Upload” button from the “Contributions, Gifts, Grants, and Similar Amounts Received” section.

By bulk uploading your organization’s contributions, you can continue filling out the rest of your tax return while ExpressTaxExempt loads all the donor information into your account.

Simple Steps to Upload
Uploading your contribution lists is quick and easy with these steps:

1. 1. Download pre-made excel template
2. 2. Enter your donation entries in the template and save
3. 3. Upload your saved excel file from your computer

You can also upload your own contribution spreadsheet if you have one already completed. Make sure your column headings match the required information that our application asks.

Schedule B Filings
ExpressTaxExempt automatically generates your Schedule B and pre-loads your contributions onto it. Remember, the IRS General Rule states to only list singular donations that are at least $5,000. And while you can enter or upload every contribution, our service will only place the entries that are $5,000 or greater as per IRS rule.

Contact our live US-based team of e-file professionals for any questions or need assistance with reporting contributions for your 2016 Form 990. We’re available at 704.839.2321, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST or send an email 24/7 to support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.

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