The four versions of Form 990
Nearly every 501(c)(3) has to file an annual information return with the IRS. It is not a tax bill, it is a public report of your finances and activities. There are four versions, and your size decides which one you use.
Form 990-N (e-Postcard) is for the smallest organizations, with gross receipts normally $50,000 or less. It is a short online form with eight questions and no financial detail.
Form 990-EZ is the middle option, for organizations under $200,000 in gross receipts and under $500,000 in total assets. It is a four-page return.
Form 990 is the full return, required once you reach $200,000 in gross receipts or $500,000 in assets.
Form 990-PF is filed by every private foundation, regardless of size.
Your deadline, and why it matters
Whichever form you file, it is due the 15th day of the 5th month after your fiscal year ends. Miss it three years running and the IRS automatically revokes your tax-exempt status, so put the date on a compliance calendar and file every year, even a year you raised almost nothing.
Common questions
Which 990 does a small nonprofit file?
It depends on size. A nonprofit with gross receipts normally $50,000 or less files the Form 990-N (e-Postcard). Under $200,000 in gross receipts and under $500,000 in total assets, you can file the 990-EZ. At or above either of those, you file the full Form 990. Private foundations always file the 990-PF, regardless of size.
When is Form 990 due?
It is due the 15th day of the 5th month after your fiscal year ends. For a calendar-year nonprofit (fiscal year ending December 31), that is May 15. If your year ends June 30, it is November 15. You can request one automatic six-month extension with Form 8868.
What happens if you do not file?
If a nonprofit fails to file the required 990 for three years in a row, the IRS automatically revokes its tax-exempt status, and getting it back means reapplying. The 990-N cannot be filed late for a penalty, but the three-year revocation rule still applies, so file every year even if you owe nothing.
Can a small nonprofit choose to file a longer form?
Yes. An organization eligible for the 990-N or 990-EZ may always file a longer form instead. Some do it because a grantmaker or state asks for the fuller financial picture the 990 or 990-EZ provides.
Are any nonprofits exempt from filing?
Yes. Churches and certain church-affiliated organizations generally do not have to file a 990, and some government-affiliated and political organizations follow different rules. If you are unsure whether an exception applies to you, check with the IRS or a professional. This tool covers the common 501(c)(3) case.