Reduced Filing Prices Now Available with ExpressTaxExempt

Christmas really does come in July! ExpressTaxExempt is excited to announce that it is now offering new, reduced rates for nonprofit and exempt organizations to easily prepare and e-file their annual tax forms. A premiere product of SPAN Enterprises, ExpressTaxExempt serves as the #1 tax e-filing solution for tax exempt organizations worldwide. 

Users, both current and new, can now e-file for some of the best prices on the market and have access to stellar customer service that is only available through ExpressTaxExempt. 

Pricing

New pricing for Form 990 Series & Form 1120-POL is as follows:

• *Form 990-N (e-Postcard) ~ $9.90
• *Form 990-EZ (Short Form) ~ $59.90 [previously $129.95]
• *Form 990 (Long Form) ~ $69.90 [previously $299.95]
• *Form 990-PF (Private Foundation) ~ $99.90 [previously $499.95]
• *Form 1120-POL (Political Organization) ~ $49.90 [new form] 
• *Form 8868 (Extension) ~ $14.90 [previously $14.95] 

Almost unbelievable right?! Well it gets even better than that. ExpressTaxExempt new e-filing prices are also paired with exclusive features for each user. Users will have the ability to file and transmit with the #1 IRS-authorized e-filing solution, complete the filing process in an interview-style format, file for previous tax years (2015 and 2014), receive immediate email notifications regarding the acceptance or rejection of their return, free information return amendments, assistance from our U.S. based support team via phone, live chat, and email, along with many other great features. 

One may ask, “Why should I file with ExpressTaxExempt instead of another provider?” At ExpressTaxExempt, we provide security, ease, and peace of mind to exempt organizations and its leaders. We respect the services that nonprofit and exempt organizations provide to communities and are motivated to help with e-filing so you can get back to proudly making a difference in your community. With newly reduced pricing, organizations can now save funds annually when e-filing to maintain its tax exempt status. Pay us a visit at www.expresstaxexempt.com today and begin your e-filing process. 

If you have any questions about the e-filing process or need assistance while filing, 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. 

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5 Challenges Faced by Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit organizations serve a great purpose and make a difference in the community daily. In order to stay both active and effective, nonprofits have to attract supporters to their cause and then convert those supporters to become donors or members that will support their work.  

Although nonprofits serve a great purpose, they are faced with various challenges along the way. Thankfully, there is always a way to turn those challenges into opportunities. We’ve listed some of these challenges and provided you with some tips on how to turn them around and make it work for your organization:

Nonprofit Challenges

1) Retaining/Engaging Donors

Without donors, nonprofits cannot survive. The organization-to-supporter relationship is very important. Today’s donors do not want to think that all you want from them is their money. Rather than asking for money right away, find ways to engage conversations with supporters and give them an opportunity to get to know your organization and build an emotional attachment to your work and mission. These are some good ways to keep donors invested: 

• -Keep them engaged and let them know that they are part of the team. Let them know that they are an integral part to the organization. 
• -Let donors know where their money is going and what it is supporting. Give monthly or quarterly updates via email or newsletter. 

2) Lack of Resources

When finances are limited and resources are scarce, it is beneficial to form partnerships with other organizations that have the similar mission and goals. By forming and fostering these relationships, you can achieve more on a larger scale. Remember, there is strength in numbers. 

3) Adequate Funding

Acquiring the necessary funds to adequately operate your organization in its full potential may be a bit of a challenge for some groups. Organizations can solicit funding from foundations, corporations, grants, and philanthropic individuals. Reaching out to local businesses in the community along with community leaders for sponsorships or donations. 

4) Public Awareness

New non-profit groups or organizations that may not be well known in their community yet should put focus on increasing awareness about who they are and what they do. Implementing an online marketing campaign/strategy will allow for your organization to be promoted to a larger audience and can also draw the attention of potential funding sources. Utilizing social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and more, will also be very beneficial in reaching larger audiences. 

5) Printed Communication

The days of paper-based marketing and sales are slowly, but surely fading away. For many years, organizations depended heavily on direct mail serving as their main point of contact with current and potential donors. Although direct mail still brings in some money, it mainly targets just one age bracket, which is age 55 and over and makes it quite difficult to track who opened and read the mailer that was mailed. 

The best way to solve this problem is to move online. Instead of sending letters, send emails with an intriguing subject line and include the information that you’re trying to disseminate. Also, if your organization has a website, you can add a “Donate Now” button to your home page which will allow donors to give online. Having the capability to receive donations online can also encourage donors to set up automatic payments and donations towards your organization each month. Plus, millennials are more prone to make donations via text or online if they are contacted through that medium. 

How To Maintain Tax-Exempt Status

In order to remain as a tax-exempt organization or to receive tax deductible donations to sustain the operation of your organization, you must in good standing with the IRS. This status can be maintained by e-filing with ExpressTaxExempt. Within minutes you will be able to successfully e-file one of the forms including in our Form 990 Series or our latest release for political organizations, Form 1120-POL.

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

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Politics and Charitable Nonprofits

Amidst our nation’s current political climate, the National Council of Nonprofits reports that nonpartisanship, an essential principle of charitable nonprofits, has fallen under scrutiny with our country’s leaders in Washington, D.C.

The organization is asking for all those concerned with the prosperity and efficiency of the nonprofit community to express support for increased protection by signing the Community Letter in Support of Nonpartisanship.

Nonpartisanship defines as being free from any party affiliation or designation. And though the IRS allows political participation from exempt organizations, there are strict regulations regarding lobbying and its expenditures. According to the National Council of Nonprofits, Congress is introducing bills that could repeal or substantially weaken current protections making charitable organizations more susceptible to endorse or oppose candidates running for an elected office.

The detrimental issue the Council points out is that being more impressionable towards political activities will redirect funding from an organization’s charitable mission to supporting election campaigns. Such legislation could also expose nonprofits and foundations to demands from candidates for political endorsements and contributions which will take funds from charitable work and eventually afflict the public trust of exempt organizations.

Ultimately, the Council states that the proposed changes are entirely unnecessary. They assure that there are already many legal ways for a nonprofit’s staff, board members, and volunteers to express their individual views on public policy issues. If you or any other nonprofit, charity, private foundation, or religious groups are interested in showing support or signing the Support of Nonpartisanship letter, you can visit GiveVoice.org or the Protecting Nonprofit Nonpartisanship website.

For any other questions or concerns about how lobbying and political activities can affect your organization, contact a local tax professional or reach out to the IRS Tax-Exempt Hotline at 877.829.5500.

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