The Form 990 is your organization's annual report to the IRS. Filing it on time, every year, is one of the most basic compliance requirements for a 501(c)(3), and one of the most consequential to miss.
Here is everything a small nonprofit needs to know about the 990 deadline.
Which form do you file?
There are three versions of the Form 990, determined by your organization's size:
Form 990-N (e-Postcard). For organizations with gross receipts of $50,000 or less. Filed electronically. Takes about five minutes. No financial detail required. You are confirming that your organization is still active and your basic information is current.
Form 990-EZ. For organizations with gross receipts under $200,000 and total assets under $500,000. A shorter version of the full return. Covers income, expenses, assets, liabilities, and basic program descriptions.
Form 990. For all organizations above the EZ thresholds. The full return, with schedules covering compensation, foreign activities, hospitals, and other topics depending on your situation.
Form 990-PF. For private foundations, regardless of size.
If you are not sure which form applies to your organization, use your previous year's filing as a guide. If your financial situation changed significantly, reassess.
When is it due?
The 990 is due on the 15th day of the fifth month after the close of your fiscal year.
- Fiscal year ending December 31: due May 15
- Fiscal year ending June 30: due November 15
- Fiscal year ending September 30: due February 15
Can you get an extension?
Yes. You can request a six-month extension by filing Form 8868 before the original deadline. The extension must be requested before the due date, it cannot be filed after the deadline has passed.
An extension gives you more time to file, but not more time to pay any tax owed. For most 501(c)(3)s, no tax is owed on the 990, so this distinction rarely matters. But note it.
What happens if you miss it?
For the 990-N: no penalty for late filing, but you must still file. Not filing three years in a row triggers automatic revocation of your tax-exempt status regardless of which form you are required to file.
For the 990-EZ and 990: the IRS can impose a penalty of $20 per day for late filing, up to the lesser of $10,000 or 5% of your gross receipts for the year. Larger organizations face higher per-day penalties.
The automatic revocation rule applies to all versions. If your organization fails to file a 990 (or 990-N) for three consecutive years, the IRS automatically revokes your federal tax-exempt status. This revocation is public, it appears on the IRS website. Reinstatement is possible but requires filing a new application, paying fees, and can take months.
Practical steps
Know your fiscal year end. Many small nonprofits are unclear on this. Check your IRS determination letter or your previous 990 if you are not certain.
Calendar the due date and the extension request deadline. Add both to your compliance calendar at the start of each fiscal year.
Identify who prepares the return. The 990 requires input from your finance function, your program team, and your executive leadership. If a CPA prepares it, they need your financial data well before the due date. Build your timeline backward from the filing deadline.
Have the board review it before filing. The Form 990 asks whether the board reviewed the return before it was filed. It should have. Include 990 review in your board calendar.