Which Form 990 Do We File? Thresholds, Due Dates and Penalties
Almost every tax-exempt organization files a yearly information return with the IRS, even when it owes no tax. Which return depends mainly on gross receipts and total assets. This page covers the four returns, who is excused, due dates, penalties and the rule that ends exemption after three missed years. Figures come from the IRS Form 990 series page and the 2025 Form 990 instructions.
The four returns
| Return | Who files it |
|---|---|
| Form 990-N (e-postcard) | Organizations whose gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less. It is filed electronically, and an eligible organization may file a full return instead. |
| Form 990-EZ | Gross receipts under $200,000 and total assets under $500,000. |
| Form 990 | Gross receipts of $200,000 or more, or total assets of $500,000 or more. |
| Form 990-PF | Private foundations, whatever their size. |
Not sure which applies? Use the Form 990 self-check.
Who is not required to file Form 990 or 990-EZ
Section B of the instructions lists organizations that do not file, including:
- Certain religious organizations: churches, conventions or associations of churches, integrated auxiliaries of churches, and some church-affiliated organizations and schools.
- Certain governmental organizations and instrumentalities.
- Certain political organizations, such as some state and local party committees and committees reporting under federal campaign finance law.
- Organizations with gross receipts normally $50,000 or less, which file the Form 990-N e-postcard instead (if they are required to file anything).
Excused from the Form 990 does not mean excused from everything: the organization may still owe the e-postcard, a Form 990-T for unrelated business income, payroll returns and state reports.
When it is due
- The 15th day of the 5th month after the end of the fiscal year. If the day falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the due date moves to the next business day.
- Extension: Form 8868 extends the due date by six months automatically, without a reason, if you file it before the original due date. You get one six-month extension per tax year.
| Fiscal year ends | Return due | Extended due date |
|---|---|---|
| December 31 | May 15 | November 15 |
| September 30 | February 15 | August 15 |
| June 30 | November 15 | May 15 |
| March 31 | August 15 | February 15 |
E-filing
The 2025 instructions say that if you are filing a 2025 Form 990, you are required to e-file. The e-postcard is also filed electronically. Ask your preparer to confirm the method for the other returns each year.
What is on the Form 990
| Part | Topic |
|---|---|
| I | Summary |
| II | Signature block |
| III | Statement of program service accomplishments |
| IV | Checklist of required schedules |
| V | Statements regarding other IRS filings and tax compliance |
| VI | Governance, management and disclosure |
| VII | Compensation of officers, directors, trustees, key employees, highest compensated employees and independent contractors |
| VIII | Statement of revenue |
| IX | Statement of functional expenses |
| X | Balance sheet |
| XI | Reconciliation of net assets |
| XII | Financial statements and reporting |
Part IV decides which of Schedules A through O and Schedule R apply. Schedule A covers public charity status and public support, and Schedule B is the schedule of contributors. The return is public, so what you write about your programs, governance and pay is read by donors, grantmakers and the press.
Penalties
For the 2025 Form 990 the instructions list these late-filing penalties:
- $25 a day the return is late, up to the lesser of $13,000 or 5% of gross receipts for the year.
- For organizations with gross receipts over $1,309,500: $130 a day, up to $65,000 per return.
Example (made up): an organization with $400,000 of gross receipts files five months (150 days) late. The daily penalty is 150 × $25 = $3,750, below the $13,000 cap. The IRS may also penalize responsible persons if they do not supply missing information after a deadline the IRS sets. These amounts are adjusted from time to time; check the instructions for the year you file. Penalties can be abated for reasonable cause.
Three missed years end the exemption
An organization required to file an annual return or electronic notice (Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-N) that does not file for three consecutive years automatically loses its federal tax exemption. Getting it back means applying again or asking for reinstatement, and the lost period can mean tax and lost deductions for donors. File every year, even late, and ask us about the options if some years are missing.
General educational information. Filing rules, thresholds, penalties and state requirements depend on individual facts and change over time. Confirm them on irs.gov and with your state regulators, and consult a qualified professional before filing a return or an application. This site is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the IRS.