What organizations are required to file Form 990?
- Most federally tax-exempt organizations, with the exception of churches and state institutions.
- All 501 (c) (3) private foundations, regardless of income.
Which organizations are not required to file Form 990?
- Nonprofits that have not received tax-exempt status from the IRS.
- Most faith-based organizations.
- State institutions.
- Subsidary organizations covered under a group return filed by the parent organization.
What is the difference between Form 990-PF, Form 990-N, Form 992-EZ, and Form 990?
- Form 990-PF is filed by all 501(c)(3) private foundations and 4947(a)(1) non-exempt charitable trusts. Only those types of exempt organizations use Form 990-PF.
- Form 990-N (e-Postcard) is an eight-question, electronic return that other nonprofits may file if their incomes were less than $25,000 for the 2009 tax year and less than $50,000 for the 2010 tax year and thereafter.
- Form 990-EZ is a two-page return that other nonprofits may file if their incomes were less than $500,000 and their assets less than $1.25 million for the 2009 tax year. Beginning with the 2010 tax year, the thresholds are incomes less than $200,000 and assets less than $500, 000.
- Form 990 is a long form that all other 990 filers must file if their incomes are equal to or greater than $500,000 or assets equal to or greater than $1.25 million for the 2009 tax year. Beginning with the 2010 tax year, the thresholds are incomes equal to or greater than $200,000 or equal to or greater than $500,000.
What is the deadline for filing a 990?
There is no one date on which all Form 990s must be submitted to the IRS. Instead, a nonprofit’s filing date is determined by the end of its fiscal year. Each filing organization is required to file by the 15th day of the 5th month after its fiscal year ends.
Organizations that file Form 990-EZ, 990, or 990-PF can also receive up to two 90-day extensions of time to file. No extensions are available for Form 990-N filers.
When I looked at a 990, the donors’ names were blacked out.
For most exempt organizations, donors’ names and address of donors listed on Form 990 or form 990-EZ are not public information. The IRS redacts (masks) this information before sending the 990 image to GuideStar. The organizations themselves must also redact information that can identify a donor before making copies for their 990s publicly available.
Only donors to private foundations and Section 527 political organizations that file Form 990 or 990-EZ are public information.
I’m a novice at reading 990s. Where else can I find information?
Here are some other suggestions:
