Nonprofit Accounting Basics

Form 990 N e-postcard Must Use New IRS.gov Portal

Author: 

Kari Bedell

Greater Washington Society of CPAs
Size of Organization: 
Small

Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations Not Required to File Form 990 or Form 990EZ, is used by smaller, tax-exempt organizations for annual reporting and can only be submitted electronically. While these small organizations may opt to file a Form 990 or a 990-EZ, most do not. The Form 990-N is significantly shorter, containing only eight questions.

Most small tax-exempt organizations whose gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less must file Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations Not Required To File Form 990 or 990-EZ. Exceptions can be found here

The 990-N must be filed by organizations whose annual gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less. Gross receipts are considered to be $50,000 or less if it:

  • Has been in existence for 1 year or less and received, or donors have pledged to give, $75,000 or less during its first taxable year;
  • Has been in existence between 1 and 3 years and averaged $60,000 or less in gross receipts during each of its first two tax years; and
  • Is at least 3 years old and averaged $50,000 or less in gross receipts for the immediately preceding 3 tax years (including the year for which calculations are being made).

Organizations filing the Form 990-N must do so by the 15th day of the 5th month after the close of your tax year. For example, if your Fiscal Year ends on Dec. 31, 2020, your 990-N is due on May 15, 2021. 

Find Form 990-N FAQs here.