May 16 is filing deadline for many tax-exempt organizations
Mandatory electronic filing
Electronic filing provides fast acknowledgement that the IRS has received the return and reduces processing time, making compliance with reporting requirements easier.
Organizations filing a Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF or 990-T for CY2021 must file their returns electronically. Private foundations filing a Form 4720 for CY 2021 must file the form electronically. Charities and other tax-exempt organizations can file these forms electronically through an IRS Authorized e-File Provider.
Organizations eligible to submit Form 990-N must do so electronically and can submit it through Form 990-N (e-Postcard) on IRS.gov.
"To help exempt organizations comply with their filing requirements, the IRS provides a series of pre-recorded online workshops," said Robert Malone, Exempt Organizations and Government Entities Director. "These workshops are designed to assist officers, board members and volunteers with the steps they need to take to maintain their tax-exempt status, including filing annual information returns."
Common errors
The IRS also reminds organizations to submit complete and accurate returns. If an organization's return is incomplete or the wrong return for the organization, the return will be rejected. Common errors include missing or incomplete schedules.
Extension of time to file
Tax-exempt organizations that need additional time to file beyond the May 16 deadline can request a 6-month automatic extension by filing Form 8868, Application for Extension of Time To File an Exempt Organization ReturnPDF. In situations where tax is due, extending the time for filing a return does not extend the time for paying tax. The IRS encourages organizations requesting an extension to electronically file Form 8868.