As of February 4, 2008, the IRS began a website to act as an “EPostcard” for nonprofit organizations. The site was created to enable organizations to file a Form 990-N online, as part of an effort to keep IRS database records up-to-date.
Mandatory Filing of Form 990-N
Filing Form 990-N has been made a mandatory requirement by Congress. This law was enacted because corporations that are not required to file Form 990s have not always kept their organization’s information up to date. The IRS database requires current information for internal purposes, as well as to serve as information resources for donors looking for information about a nonprofit organization.
If you do not file the Form 990-N three years in a row, your organization’s tax exempt status will be rescinded. If this happens, you will have to reapply, submitting a new Form 1023 all over again. You will also have to pay any user fees for application processing, and risk having your new application rejected.
How to File Form 990-N
To file online you need to first create an account using your employer identification number (EIN), as well as entering basic information about your corporation. The site asks for:
- Any other names under which the corporation does business (DBA name)
- Website address (if any)
- Name and Address of Principal Officer
You will also be asked if you are still in business, and if your gross receipts average $25,000 or less.
Filing Deadline for Form 990-N
You must complete the Form 990-N by the 15th day of the 5th month after the end of the organization’s tax year. For example, if your fiscal year is January through December, you must file by May 15 for the previous tax year.
If you are required to file Form 990 or Form 990-EZ, the same filing deadlines as for the Form 990-N apply.
Sources:
U.S. Department of the Treasury; Internal Rvenue Service. “Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Exempt Organizations — Form 990-N (e-Postcard).” April 5, 2008.
