Nonprofit tax preparation in North Carolina
I prepare Form 990, Form 990-EZ, and Form 990-N for North Carolina nonprofits, along with the state filings that go with them. If you're the volunteer treasurer of a booster club or a youth league and nobody left you instructions, this page is written for you.
Who this is for
Charities, churches and ministries, youth sports organizations, booster clubs, foundations, and other nonprofits. A booster club run by volunteers gets the same attention as a foundation with a board.
Most treasurers want to know which form to file and when it’s due. Both answers are below.
TODO: confirm scope with Ryan. Not in his service description:
- Whether he helps organizations apply for tax-exempt status (Form 1023 or 1023-EZ).
- Whether he prepares Form 990-PF for private foundations.
- Which North Carolina filings he handles.
Nothing on this page is advice about your organization in particular. Call before relying on it.
Which form you file
- Form 990-N
- Gross receipts normally $50,000 or less. A short online notice rather than a full return. There is no paper version.
- Form 990-EZ
- Gross receipts under $200,000 and total assets under $500,000. An organization in this range may file the full Form 990 instead.
- Form 990
- Gross receipts of $200,000 or more, or total assets of $500,000 or more.
- Form 990-PF
- Private foundations file this form, whatever their size.
Plain answers
Which form does our organization file?
It depends on your gross receipts and total assets. An organization with gross receipts normally $50,000 or less can file Form 990-N. With gross receipts under $200,000 and total assets under $500,000, it's Form 990-EZ. Above either of those, the full Form 990. Private foundations file Form 990-PF.
"Normally" has a specific meaning. For an organization at least three years old, it's the average of the last three tax years, including the current one. One strong year doesn't automatically move you to a bigger form.
When is it due?
The 15th day of the fifth month after your tax year ends. For an organization on a calendar year, that's May 15. Form 990 and Form 990-EZ can be extended by six months. Form 990-N can't be extended.
What happens if we miss it?
A late Form 990 or 990-EZ can bring penalties, so file even if you're late.
The bigger risk is missing three years in a row. An organization that doesn't file for three consecutive years loses its tax-exempt status automatically, effective on the due date of the third return. Getting it back means applying for reinstatement, even if you never had to apply for exemption in the first place. Having someone keep track of the date each year avoids it.
Does a church have to file?
Not an annual 990-series return. Churches, conventions or associations of churches, and their integrated auxiliaries are exempt from that federal filing requirement. Other obligations can still apply, so it's worth a call to confirm what yours has.
What does North Carolina require?
TODO: confirm with Ryan which North Carolina filings he handles for nonprofits, then write the plain answer here. Verify against NCDOR and the NC Secretary of State before publishing.
Start with a phone call
Tell me what needs to be filed and I'll tell you what to gather. Meetings are in person at the Midland office or by video.