#GivingTuesday - Making a Difference One Donation at a Time

Today, we recognize #GivingTuesday, a social movement which encourages others to give back by donating time, money or positive influence to a worthy cause that makes a difference. Generous efforts such as donating blood, providing financial support to a local organization, visiting a nursing home, or even helping out at a soup kitchen can touch the lives of many.

Even large organizations such as PayPal have “seized the season” and partnered with its users to celebrate the #GivingTuesday initiative, adding 1% of all donations made through their portal from now until the end of the year.

Since we’re talking about donating to charity, we’d love for you to share with us ways that you will donate! Are you a part of a charity or nonprofit organization who could use some donations to support the mission of the organization? If so, post the group name and information in the comments so other readers can donate!

For tax-exempt organizations, donations are a major component to its success and level of outreach. Thankfully, taxpayers have the ability to maximize their tax savings before the end of the year by giving to a charity and deducting it on their annual federal income tax return.

#GivingTuesday Tax Filing Reminders

With #GivingTuesday being an annual event, there are some reminders that taxpayers should be reminded of as they give money or good to an exempt charity or organization before December 31.

Donations to Eligible Organizations (Only) are Tax-Deductible

Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and government agencies are eligible to receive deductible donations. For a complete list of eligible organizations, click here.

Itemize to Claim Charitable Donations

Charitable deductions cannot be made if an individual chooses the standard deduction. Taxpayers must itemize their donations on Form 1040 Schedule A to claim deductions for charitable contributions.

Have Proof of Monetary Donations

Upon making a donation, be sure to receive a bank record or a written statement from the charity/organization to prove the amount and date given. Taxpayers using payroll deductions should retain a pay stub, a Form W-2 wage statement or other proof showing the total amount withheld for charity, along with the pledge card showing the name of the charity.

Donating Property

Donating items such as clothing and other household items come with a deduction amount that is normally limited to the fair market value of the item. These types of items must be in good or better condition to be considered tax-deductible.

Similar to monetary donations, those that donate property must get a written acknowledgment from the charity for all gifts that are worth $250 or more. This statement should include a description of the items contributed.

What Happens After You Donate?

Once you’ve donated and received the necessary paperwork for your deduction, all that’s left to do is simply file your annual tax return. However, tax-exempt organizations have a few more steps to take such as filing their required Form 990 each year.

Exempt organizations are required to file this return to ensure that their organization is not abusing its tax-exempt status. The IRS also utilizes the information reported on Form 990 and makes it available for public information.

Luckily, exempt organizations can handle all of their Form 990 filing needs right here at ExpressTaxExempt with our easy, simplified filing process, and can even instantly share their information with GuideStar, the world’s largest source of nonprofit organization information.

Give, Give, Give!

The ExpressTaxExempt team encourages you to take some time this holiday season and give back in some way in honor of #GivingTuesday. Once again, feel free to comment on ways that you or your organization are helping out today and days to come as well as providing your organization's information to gain support from fellow ExpressTaxExempt users.

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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).

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Tax Exempt Organizations and Nonprofits: Are They The Same Thing?

Nonprofit vs. Tax Exempt | They’re the same thing, right? Or are they different? Hmm...

Often times the terms “nonprofit” and “tax exempt” are used interchangeably in conversation. While tax exempt status is conferred and determined by the IRS.
Many organizations are both nonprofit and tax exempt, there is an important distinction between the two. For example, nonprofit status is designated by the state while

Here’s a more detailed explanation on nonprofits and tax exempt organizations:

What is required for an organization to be considered a nonprofit?

According to the IRS, nonprofit status is a state law concept; meaning that an organization must apply for and receive nonprofit recognition from the state in which it does business. 

Once an organization has become a nonprofit it receives benefits, determined by its state, which includes exemption from property taxes, state and local income taxes, franchise taxes, and sales taxes for that state specifically. 

Misconception of Nonprofit Organizations

One of the main misconceptions of nonprofit organizations is that these groups are NOT allowed to make any profits throughout their calendar year. In all actuality, nonprofits usually have to turn a regular profit in order to function and operate effectively. Things such as facility upkeep and equipment purchases or repairs, require additional funds that go far beyond their annual expenses. 

As a nonprofit organization, these groups are allowed to receive funds, but any surplus of profit cannot be distributed to an organization’s members, employees, officers, or shareholders, and must be used within the organization to further the mission and goals of the nonprofit. 

How does an organization receive Tax Exempt Status?

An organization who has been granted tax exempt status must have received this recognition from the federal government. Being tax exempt essentially boils down to these two things:

1) The organization does NOT have to pay corporate income taxes on any money generated from the organization 

2) Those who donate money to the [tax exempt] organization can use a tax deduction for their donations when filing their taxes. 

Although most believe that many nonprofits automatically have a tax exempt status, they must apply for tax exempt status separately. The requirements for acquiring tax exempt status can be found in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, the main requirement to have tax exempt status is that the organization must be organized and operated specifically for charitable, religious, educational, cultural, scientific or humanitarian purposes. 

What does it mean to be tax exempt?

Sounds like a self-explanatory question right? Unfortunately, most misconceive the tax exempt reality. Organizations that are tax exempt technically aren’t completely exempt from tax. 

Although exempt organizations are not required to pay federal income tax, they are still subject to state and local taxes unless there’s a nonprofit designation which exempts them from those payments. 

Additionally, most exempt groups have to pay the employer’s share of their workers’ Medicare & Social Security taxes along with federal unemployment taxes. 

Maintaining Your Tax Exempt Status

As a nonprofit organization, it is crucial that you maintain your tax-exempt status with the IRS. ExpressTaxExempt, the #1 IRS-authorized tax e-filing solution for tax-exempt organizations, allows you to do just that. Providing security, ease, and peace of mind to organizations and its leaders, we respect the services that nonprofit organizations give 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 rates, organizations can now save funds annually when e-filing Form 990 Series (Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-N, and Form 1120-POL). Pay us a visit at www.expresstaxexempt.com today and begin your e-filing process. 

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Is My 990 Information Return Due on September 15th?

Does your organization operate on a fiscal tax year instead of a calendar tax year? Are you unsure of what the difference is between the two? Well let’s find out right now!

If your organization operates from January 1 to December 31 it is considered to have a calendar tax year with a standard tax filing deadline each year. Organizations that function for 12 consecutive months but end on any month besides December are operated as a fiscal tax year. 

Tax exempt organizations that operate on a fiscal tax year and function from May 1 to April 30 have a tax filing deadline this Friday, September 15th to file their 990 Information Returns. 

Form 990 is considered to be the Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax form which many tax exempt organizations such as religious groups, educational groups, charities, and other nonprofit groups are required to file each year to provide the public with financial information about their organization. 

Forms included in the Form 990 Series are Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, and 990-N. Form 1120-POL, the newest ExpressTaxExempt tax form, is specifically designed for political organization tax filing. The appropriate form that your organization should file will be dependent upon the amount of gross receipts that it accumulates throughout its accounting period (tax year). 

To find out which tax form your organization should e-file, click here.

Is your nonprofit's tax return due tomorrow (September 15)?

 

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No need to worry or stress out! Our user-friendly tax filing software makes your e-filing experience very simple and easy to complete. Simply go to ExpressTaxExempt to begin filing or if you need some extra time to gather all of your information, quickly file a Form 8868 for a Form 990 Extension to avoid penalties and receive an additional 6 months of filing time for your tax exempt organization. 

Operating your nonprofit organization without tax-exempt status can be extremely challenging and quite difficult. Eliminate the worry and concern of losing your tax status or even regain tax-exempt status by filing your Form 990 series returns with us at ExpressTaxExempt. With affordable pricing and a safe, secure and easy-to-use e-filing system, organizations can quickly and accurately file their forms directly to the IRS. Need help during the filing process? No worries. We’re always here to help! Feel free to contact our support team of e-file experts at 704.839.2321 for any questions or help with the 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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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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Anytime Filing is Right Here with ExpressTaxExempt!

Form 990 is long, huh? And while Form 990-EZ is shorter, it’s not that much of a breeze either. And don’t even get us started on Form 990-PF. Plus the schedules! Basically, if you aren’t e-filing Form 990-N (the e-Postcard), you’re going to be putting in quite a bit of time completing the yearly IRS information return for your tax-exempt organization.

Of course, if you find you’re running out of time, there’s always Form 8868, the tax-exempt extension form which will get you 6 extra months to e-file your 990 Form. But why not start a little earlier than you normally would, do a little of your form at a time, then send it off knowing that it’s accurate and error-free? With ExpressTaxExempt, you can!

Cloud-Based E-filing
ExpressTaxExempt is a unique option for e-filing your 990 Form because it’s an entirely cloud-based program. Everything you do in your account is saved for the next time you log in. We know you’re busy, so if you need to go in, do a little 990-ing, then go do something else, you can!

Do a Little or Do a Lot!
We’ve streamlined the process of completing Form 990! That means you go straight through your form rather than jumping between parts and schedules to complete your return. This makes it even easier to do a little of your return - or a lot of it! - at a time. Once you complete a section and click “Continue,” that section is automatically saved in your account so if you need to log off for a bit, you can pick right back up where you left when you come back.

File Anytime, Anywhere…
We say “Anytime Filing” because we mean ANYTIME filing. And that cloud-based e-filing part means you can file anywhere too, so long as you have an internet connection. You can e-file at your computer or with a tablet using the ExpressTaxExempt mobile site, optimized for tablet use.

…And We’ll Be Here to Help!
Not only do we have error checks built into our program, but our US-based customer support is available anytime you need it too! If you have any questions while you’re working through your 990 Form, we’re available by phone, live chat, and email and are happy to help in any way we can!

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Does Your Charity Qualify for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exemption?

You’ve been busy putting a lot of work into your charity and your community is improving by the day as a result! Now, it’s time to take the next big step and establish your charity as a tax-exempt organization with the IRS.

What Makes a Charity?
A charity, you may know, is an organization set up to provide help or raise money for those in need. Charities that can apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status through the IRS are considered to be public charities. These charities typically include ones that

• -Are churches, hospitals, or are qualified medical research organizations associated with hospitals or schools
• -Have an active fundraising program and receive contributions from multiple sources
• -Receive income from activities related to or that further the organization’s exempt purpose(s)
• -Actively function in a supporting relationship to at least one existing public charity

How Do I Know If My Charity Qualifies for Tax-Exempt Status?
To qualify for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as a public charity, there are two key requirements:

1. 1. Your group must be organized as a corporation, trust, or unincorporated association. 
2. 2. Your group must permanently dedicate its assets to its exempt purposes while furthering one or more of those purposes, which must be stated in your organization document.

Basically, in order to qualify for tax-exempt status, your charity needs to be organized and operating solely for the exempt purposes outlined in your organization’s documentation. Nothing that the organization earns can go to a private shareholder or individual. Additionally, for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, your organization must not act for or as a political organization to influence legislation.

How Do I Apply for Tax-Exempt Status?
You can apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS by filing Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption. And all applicants, unless otherwise directed by the application or IRS, must complete Parts I through XI of Form 1023 and include an additional schedules or attachments required. Once you’ve applied for 501(c)(3) status and the IRS has assessed your application, they’ll send you a letter telling you whether your application was approved and what your next steps as a tax-exempt organization are!

What Form Do I Need to File When My Charity is Tax-Exempt?
You are still required to report to the IRS each year some financial details, even as a tax-exempt status, to ensure your funds are still being used to further your tax-exempt purpose(s). Depending on your total gross receipts for the year, as a public charity you’ll file one of the following 990 Forms:

• -990 Long Form, filed by organizations that receive at least $200,000 in gross receipts or have total assets equalling or exceeding $500,000
• -990-EZ Form, filed by organizations that receive between $50,000 and $200,000 in gross receipts or whose total assets are fewer than $500,000
• -990-N Form, or the e-Postcard, filed by organizations that receive less than $50,000 in gross receipts

And if you’re at the point in your tax-exempt journey where you need to file Form 990, we can help! ExpressTaxExempt has helped e-file more than 100,000 990 Forms easily and efficiently! Click here to get started creating your very own account or contact our all-star, US-based support team to answer any nonprofit questions you may have!

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