Fill out Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax) online
Form 990 is the annual information return filed by tax-exempt organizations to report their finances, governance, and activities to the IRS and the public. It provides transparency about how the organization uses its resources and whether it continues to qualify for tax-exempt status.
How to fill out Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax)
Complete the summary and organizational information
Enter the organization name, EIN, address, tax-exempt status type, and website. Complete the summary of activities, governance, revenue, and expenses on page 1.
Report revenue, expenses, and changes in net assets
Complete Part VIII (Revenue), Part IX (Functional Expenses), and Part X (Balance Sheet). Revenue includes contributions, program service revenue, investment income, and other sources. Expenses are allocated among program services, management, and fundraising.
Disclose governance and compensation
Complete Part VI (Governance, Management, and Disclosure) and Part VII (Compensation of Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees). List all individuals receiving compensation over $100,000.
Complete required schedules
Based on your answers in the core form, attach required schedules (Schedule A for public charity status, Schedule B for contributors, Schedule D for supplemental financial statements, Schedule O for supplemental information, and others as applicable).
Sign and file
Have an authorized officer sign and date the return. File electronically (required for larger organizations) or by mail. The filed Form 990 becomes publicly available.
About Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax)
Who needs this form
Most tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(a) with gross receipts of $200,000 or more, or total assets of $500,000 or more. Smaller organizations may file Form 990-EZ or 990-N instead. Private foundations file Form 990-PF regardless of financial size.
Where to submit
File with the IRS by the 15th day of the 5th month after the end of the organization's accounting period. Extensions are available using Form 8868. Electronic filing is required for organizations with assets of $10 million or more.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-24
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing late or not filing at all (three consecutive years of non-filing results in automatic revocation of tax-exempt status)
- Not reconciling financial statements with the amounts reported on Form 990
- Failing to disclose all compensation paid to officers, directors, and key employees
- Not completing the governance and management sections (Part VI) thoroughly
Frequently asked questions
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Is Form 990 available to the public?
Yes. Form 990 is a public document. Tax-exempt organizations must make their three most recent Form 990 filings available for public inspection upon request. The IRS also makes filed Form 990s publicly available, and organizations like GuideStar and ProPublica publish them online. Only Schedule B (the list of donors) is redacted from public disclosure for most organizations.
What happens if a tax-exempt organization does not file Form 990?
If a tax-exempt organization fails to file Form 990 (or Form 990-EZ or 990-N) for three consecutive years, its tax-exempt status is automatically revoked by law. The organization must then reapply for exemption and may owe taxes on income earned during the period of revocation.
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