FAQs - Form 990-N
Here are some common questions you may have about Form 990-N
What is Form 990-N (e-Postcard)?
Form 990-N (e-Postcard) is a simplified electronic filing option for small tax-exempt organizations with gross receipts of up to $50,000 annually. It allows them to fulfill their annual reporting requirements with the IRS easily. This form requires basic information and must be filed annually to maintain their tax-exempt status.
What are Form 990-N (e-Postcard) requirements?
Organizations must adhere to the following criteria:
- The organization's gross receipts must be below or equal to $50,000 annually to be eligible for Form 990-N filing.
- As the name suggests, Form 990-N is an e-Postcard, and it must be filed electronically through the IRS website or an authorized tax software provider. Paper filings are not accepted.
E-File Form 990-N FREE for the current tax year with TaxZerone
We support tax years 2024, 2023, and 2022.
How to file Form 990-N (e-Postcard)?
Form 990-N (e-Postcard) can only be filed electronically. With TaxZerone, you can complete the filing in 3 simple steps:
- Enter your EIN to retrieve your organization's information stored in the IRS database.
- Review whether the information is correct and make changes if necessary.
- Choose the tax year and transmit your Form 990-N (e-Postcard) to the IRS.
When are gross receipts normally considered $50,000 or less for exempt organizations?
The IRS mentions that gross receipts are considered to be normally $50,000 or less if the organization meets the following criteria:
- If the organization has been in existence for 1 year or less, it must have received $75,000 or less (including both actual receipts and donors' pledged amounts) during its first tax year.
- If the organization has been in existence between 1 and 3 years, it must have averaged $60,000 or less in gross receipts during each of its first two tax years.
- If the organization is at least 3 years old, it must have averaged $50,000 or less in gross receipts for the immediately preceding 3 tax years, including the year for which the current calculations are being made.
Who needs to file Form 990-N (e-Postcard)?
Nonprofit organizations that have gross receipts of $50,000 or less can file Form 990-N (e-Postcard) with the IRS.
What is the late filing penalty for Form 990-N (e-Postcard)?
There is no penalty for late filing of Form 990-N (e-Postcard). However, if you don't file the form for three consecutive years, the IRS will revoke your organization's tax-exempt status.
When is the deadline for filing Form 990-N (e-Postcard)?
Form 990-N needs to be filed by the 15th day of the 5th month after the close of the tax year.
What information is required to file Form 990-N (e-Postcard)?
The below information is required to file a Form 990-N (e-Postcard): Your EIN
Yes. That's all you need. Enter your EIN and your organization details will be fetched from the IRS database.
Can I file the previous year's Form 990-N (e-Postcard) return?
Yes, you can file the previous year’s IRS Form 990-N (e-Postcard) return with TaxZerone. TaxZerone supports e-filing for multiple tax years, helping you efficiently manage both past and current returns.
Can I file Form 990 or 990-EZ instead of Form 990-N (e-Postcard)?
Yes. You can file Form 990 or 990-EZ instead of Form 990-N (e-Postcard). However, you will need to complete the form and applicable schedules manually. On the other hand, if your organization's gross receipts are less than $50,000, we recommend that you file Form 990-N (e-Postcard) to save time.
Which organizations cannot file Form 990-N (e-Postcard)?
Below are the organizations that cannot file Form 990-N (the e-Postcard):
- Organizations with gross receipts over $50,000
- Private foundations
- Section 509(a)(3) supporting organizations
- Section 527 (political) organizations
- Section 501(c)(1) – U.S. government instrumentalities
- Section 501(c)(20) – Group legal services plans
- Section 501(c)(23) – Pre-1880 Armed Forces organizations
- Section 501(c)(24) –ERISA sec. 4049 trusts
- Section 501(d) – Religious and apostolic organizations
- Section 529 – Qualified tuition programs
- Section 4947(a)(2) – Split-interest trusts
- Section 4947(a)(1) – Charitable trusts treated as private foundations
