How to File Form 990-N Online: A Step-by-Step Guide

If your nonprofit has gross receipts of $50,000 or less, you’re required to file Form 990-N each year to maintain your tax-exempt status and stay in good standing with the IRS. The good news is that Form 990-N is one of the simplest tax filings that exists. 

Still, many volunteer-run nonprofits aren’t sure where to file, what information they need to have ready, and what the process involves. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to file Form 990-N online, from gathering your information to receiving your confirmation. 

What You Will Need Before You Start

Form 990-N can be completed in just a few minutes if you have the right information on hand. So before you sit down to file, take some time to gather the following:

• Your EIN (Employer Identification Number): This is the nine-digit number the IRS assigned to your organization when it was formed. It appears on your IRS determination letter and any prior tax filings.
• Your organization’s legal name: Use the exact name on file with the IRS, including any “doing business as” (DBA) names if applicable.
• Your mailing address: The address should match what the IRS has on file for your organization.
• Your fiscal year start and end dates: You will need to confirm the tax period covered by this filing.
• Your principal officer’s name and address: This is typically your president, treasurer, or the board member responsible for filings.
• Your website address: If you have one. 

Fortunately, Form 990-N has no financial requirements, so you don’t need to prepare any statements or attach any documents. During the filing process, you’ll simply be asked to confirm that your organization normally has gross receipts under $50,000.

Step-by-Step: How to File Form 990-N

Once you’ve gathered all of your information, you’re ready to file your 990-N online. There’s no paper option available. 

You have a couple of options in terms of where you file your 990N. You can either file directly through the IRS website, or you can use an authorized IRS e-file provider like 501c3 Center. Many volunteer-run nonprofits opt to file with 501c3 Center because the process is quick and simple, and there’s no need to setup an account with the IRS.

Here are the steps to follow if you opt to go that route.

Step 1: Navigate to the filing page 

If you use 501c3 Center to file, there’s no need to set up an IRS account and search around the website for the right forms. Instead, you can simply navigate directly to the filing page.

Step 2: Input your organization’s EIN

Type in your organization’s EIN number. If you gathered your information in advance, this should be easy to do. If you can’t find your EIN, check your organization’s records, contact your bank, look at previous tax filings, or call the IRS Business & Speciality Tax Line. 

Once you enter your EIN, click “next,” and your organization’s name and details should appear.

Step 3: Enter or update your information 

The 990-N has eight required fields. Some will be pre-populated based on your IRS records, and others you may have to fill in. Review each field carefully and update any information that has changed since your last filing:

• Tax year: Confirm the fiscal year start and end dates.
• Legal name and DBA: Verify the name matches your IRS records exactly.
• Mailing address: Update if your organization has moved.
• Website address: Optional, but include it if you have one.
• Principal officer: Name and address of the individual responsible for this filing.
• Gross receipts confirmation: Confirm that your gross receipts were $50,000 or less for the tax year.
• Organization status. Confirm your organization is still active. If it has dissolved or terminated, indicate that here.

Step 4: Review and submit

Review all the information on the screen to make sure everything is accurate. Errors or mismatches with IRS records can cause your filing to be rejected.

When everything looks correct, submit the form. You’ll get a notification from 501c3 Center as soon as your filing is successfully processed. Save your confirmation, and store it with your organization’s permanent records. 

Enter your credit card information to file your 990-N with the IRS. 501c3 Center is an Authorized IRS e-File provider. So you can rest assured your filing will be taken care of securely.

When to File Form 990-N

The 990-N is due by the 15th day of the 5th month after your fiscal year ends. For most nonprofits operating on a calendar year (January through December), that means the deadline is May 15.

Fiscal Year End	990-N Due Date
December 31	May 15
March 31	August 15
June 30	November 15
September 30	February 15

There’s no need to wait until the deadline to file your organization’s 990-N. You can do so as soon as the day after your fiscal year ends. 

It’s important to file on time. Don’t wait too long, as there’s no extension option available for Form 990-N. If you miss the deadline for three consecutive years, the IRS will automatically revoke your tax-exempt status. 

What Happens After You File

Once submitted, the IRS typically processes 990-N filings within a few business days. You’ll receive a confirmation once your filing has been accepted, which serves as your record that you’ve met the requirement for the year. 

If your filing is rejected, you’ll receive a notification explaining why. Common rejection reasons include a mismatch between your EIN and organization name, or a duplicate filing for the same tax period. In most cases, the issue can be resolved and the filing resubmitted quickly.

Choose an Easier Way to File

Filing your 990-N with the IRS can involve some setup time, particularly if you need to create or verify an ID.me account. For volunteer treasurers juggling countless responsibilities, that extra friction can lead to missed deadlines. And missed deadlines have major consequences.

501c3 Center lets eligible nonprofits file their 990-N in minutes, without creating an IRS account or navigating the government portal. If you are looking for a simpler, faster way to stay compliant, we can help.

Visit 501c3center.com to file your 990-N quickly and keep your nonprofit in good standing with the IRS.