Nonprofit Tax Preparation
Filing requirement guidance
Clear guidance on your organization's annual filing obligations, reporting requirements, and deadlines.
- Required annual filingsDetermine which Form 990-series filing applies based on your organization's classification, gross receipts, and assets.
- Due dates and extensionsUnderstand your filing deadlines and whether an extension is available.
- Maintaining tax-exempt statusAddress annual filing obligations to help prevent automatic revocation and understand the next steps if your organization's status has been revoked.
- Churches and other filing exceptionsDetermine whether your organization qualifies for an exception to annual filing requirements.
- Compensation and program reportingUnderstand reporting requirements for officer and employee compensation, program activities, and related disclosures.
- Contribution documentationUnderstand the records and donor acknowledgments needed to document charitable contributions.
- North Carolina income tax returnsPreparation of Form CD-405 for tax-exempt organizations with unrelated business income filing requirements.
Nonprofit tax preparation & filing
Annual information return preparation for charities, ministries, booster clubs, youth sports leagues, and other nonprofit organizations with filing obligations.
- Form 990-NSubmission of the electronic filing, known as the e-Postcard, for eligible small organizations.
- Form 990-EZPreparation of the short-form annual information return and applicable schedules for eligible organizations.
- Form 990Preparation of the full annual information return and applicable schedules.
- Private foundation returns, Form 990-PFPreparation and filing of annual private foundation returns, including required schedules and applicable excise tax calculations.
- Tax-exempt status applicationsPreparation and submission assistance for Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ to apply for federal recognition of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
- Filing extensionsPreparation of Form 8868 extension requests for Forms 990 and 990-EZ. Extensions are not available for Form 990-N.
- Late and prior-year returnsPreparation of outstanding annual returns to address overdue filing obligations and support continued compliance.
What to bring to your consultation
Bring what you have. We'll help you identify anything else you need.
For consultation
- Your organization's IRS determination letter, if available
- The prior year's Form 990-series filing
- Questions or concerns you would like to discuss
- Any notices received from the IRS or state agencies
For tax preparation
- Year-end financial statements or access to your bookkeeping records
- Bank and investment account statements
- A list of officers, directors, and key employees, including compensation paid to each
- A summary of the year's programs and activities
- Records of contributions and grants received, along with fundraising event income and expenses
- Payroll reports and copies of any Forms 1099 issued
For filing guidance
- Gross receipts and total assets for each of the past three years
- Your organization's fiscal year-end date
- Articles of incorporation and bylaws, if clarification of filing requirements or tax-exempt status is needed
- Any notice revoking your organization's tax-exempt status
Plain answers
Which form does an organization file?
It depends on your gross receipts and total assets. An organization with gross receipts normally $50,000 or less can file Form 990-N. With gross receipts under $200,000 and total assets under $500,000, it's Form 990-EZ. Above either of those, the full Form 990. Private foundations file Form 990-PF.
"Normally" has a specific meaning. For an organization at least three years old, it's the average of the last three tax years, including the current one. One strong year doesn't automatically move you to a bigger form.
When is it due?
The 15th day of the fifth month after your tax year ends. For an organization on a calendar year, that's May 15. Form 990 and Form 990-EZ can be extended by six months. Form 990-N can't be extended.
What happens if the deadline is missed?
A late Form 990 or 990-EZ can bring penalties, so file even if you're late.
The bigger risk is missing three years in a row. An organization that doesn't file for three consecutive years loses its tax-exempt status automatically, effective on the due date of the third return. Getting it back means applying for reinstatement, even if you never had to apply for exemption in the first place. Having someone keep track of the date each year avoids it.
Does a church have to file?
Not an annual 990-series return. Churches, conventions or associations of churches, and their integrated auxiliaries are exempt from that federal filing requirement. Other obligations can still apply, so it's worth a call to confirm what yours has.
Start with a phone call
Let's connect
Have a question or ready to get started? Give Ryan Cornell, CPA a call. We'd be happy to hear from you and find a time to meet.