All nonprofits need to file a 990N every year (or else!)

I’ve read your books and really appreciate the information.

When you say you have 27 months from when you file with your state for incorporation as non-profit to file with the IRS, is that only if you want the IRS to grant 501c3 status retroactively to your date of incorporation?

My concern is that I would like to file as a nonprofit with my state so I can get the protection afforded by incorporation but I don’t anticipate seeking 501c3 within the next 27 months and I just need to be sure that is not a deadline to file after becoming a non-profit with the state.

Your clarification is much appreciated.

Tiffany

Tiffany,
If you do not file for tax exempt status with in 27 months of the date of your formation (nonprofit incorporation), then the IRS will only date your tax exemption to the date they receive your application, not back to when you were formed.

If you do not have tax exempt status, then you need to be filing a corporate income tax return (Form 1120) and pay corporate income tax on any surplus you have.

If you plan to file for tax exempt status then you should file an annual 990N (the IRS electronic postcard) every year until you tax exempt status is granted.

Lately I have helped several nonprofit clients that formed years ago and were not filing the 990N each year. Now the IRS is making them go back and file corporate income tax returns, even though they have always been nonprofits.

I am now telling ALL nonprofits (even one like yours that is delaying filing for tax exempt status), to PLEASE file the 990N EACH year or it will be unpleasant when you do apply for tax exempt status.

You can call the IRS Customer Account Services at 1-877-829-5500 and be added to their database so you can begin filing the Form 990Ns. It typically takes 6 weeks to be added to the IRS database.

Carol Topp, CPA