Nonprofit Tax Filing
Form 990 series returns, tax-exemption applications and compliance support for charities, foundations and associations.
How BATS handles nonprofit tax filing
Tax-exempt status comes with annual reporting, and organisations that miss three years of filings lose their exemption automatically. We prepare the right Form 990 for your size, help new organisations apply for exemption and keep your board informed about compliance.
We work with clients in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., so state-specific rules are covered whether you are in one state or several.
Who this is for
- 501(c)(3) charities and churches with filing obligations
- Private foundations
- Trade associations and social clubs
- New organisations applying for exemption
- Nonprofits that need to restore a revoked exemption
Everything covered in this service
Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-N or 990-PF
Exemption applications (Form 1023 or 1023-EZ)
Unrelated business income tax returns (Form 990-T)
Restricted fund and donor reporting support
State charitable registration renewals
Board-ready financial summaries
The paperwork behind nonprofit tax filing
| Form 990 | Full annual information return for larger organisations |
|---|---|
| Form 990-EZ | Short form for mid-sized organisations |
| Form 990-N | E-postcard for small organisations |
| Form 990-PF | Annual return for private foundations |
| Form 990-T | Unrelated business income tax return |
| Form 1023 / 1023-EZ | Application for recognition of 501(c)(3) exemption |
| Schedule A and Schedule B | Public charity status and contributor information |
| Form 8868 | Extension of time to file |
What we'll need from you
Have these ready and your first meeting goes much faster. Don't worry if something is missing; we'll help you find it.
- Financial statements and bank statements
- List of board members and officers, with any compensation
- Descriptions and costs of your main programs
- Grants received and grants made
- Donor records for large contributions
- Last year's Form 990
- Articles of incorporation and bylaws
How it works, step by step
Determine your form
We confirm which 990 your organisation must file based on revenue and assets.
Reconcile financials
We reconcile your books and program expenses.
Board review
We provide a draft for your board or finance committee.
File
We e-file and calendar next year's deadline.
Why clients choose BATS for nonprofit tax filing
Reviewed line by line
Every return is checked against your documents and last year's return before it's filed.
Every state covered
Federal, state and local returns prepared together so nothing is missed or taxed twice.
Planning built in
We flag next year's savings opportunities while we prepare this year's return.
Help after filing
If the IRS or a state sends a letter about a return we prepared, we help you answer it.
Nonprofit Tax Filing FAQs
11 answers to the questions clients ask us most. Don't see yours? Ask us directly.
Which Form 990 do we file?
It depends on gross receipts and total assets. Small organisations may file the 990-N e-postcard, mid-sized ones the 990-EZ and larger ones the full 990. Private foundations file the 990-PF.
When is it due?
The 15th day of the fifth month after your fiscal year ends, which is May 15 for calendar-year organisations, with a six-month extension available.
We missed some years. What happens?
Organisations that fail to file for three consecutive years lose exemption automatically. We can help you catch up and apply for reinstatement.
Is our Form 990 public?
Yes, Forms 990 are generally available to the public. For most organisations the names and addresses of contributors on Schedule B are not made public.
What is unrelated business income?
Income from a trade or business that is regularly carried on and not substantially related to your exempt purpose. If gross unrelated business income is $1,000 or more, you file Form 990-T.
Do churches have to file Form 990?
Churches and certain church-related organisations are generally exempt from filing Form 990, though they may still have other reporting obligations.
Do we need to register in each state where we fundraise?
Many states require charities to register before soliciting donations from residents. We help you identify and renew those registrations.
Are we a public charity or a private foundation?
It depends mainly on where your support comes from. Organisations broadly supported by the public generally qualify as public charities, which have fewer restrictions.
How much does tax preparation cost?
Fees depend on the forms involved, the number of states and how organised your records are. After a short consultation we give you a written quote before any work starts.
Is my information secure?
Yes. Documents are exchanged through an encrypted client portal, and we follow a written information security plan as the FTC Safeguards Rule requires of tax preparers.
Can you prepare returns for prior years?
Yes. We prepare current and past-year federal and state returns, which is useful if you are catching up or amending.
Often paired with this service
Bookkeeping Services
Monthly bookkeeping, bank reconciliations and financial reports so your numbers are always current and tax-ready.
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Form 1041 fiduciary returns, final personal returns and estate tax filings for executors, trustees and families.
Learn moreNonprofit Tax Filing in every state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Popular cities
- Birmingham, AL
- Anchorage, AK
- Phoenix, AZ
- Little Rock, AR
- Los Angeles, CA
- Denver, CO
- Bridgeport, CT
- Wilmington, DE
- Jacksonville, FL
- Atlanta, GA
- Honolulu, HI
- Boise, ID
- Chicago, IL
- Indianapolis, IN
- Des Moines, IA
- Wichita, KS
- Louisville, KY
- New Orleans, LA
- Portland, ME
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Detroit, MI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Jackson, MS
- Kansas City, MO
- Billings, MT
- Omaha, NE
- Las Vegas, NV
- Manchester, NH
- Newark, NJ
- Albuquerque, NM
- New York City, NY
- Charlotte, NC
- Fargo, ND
- Columbus, OH
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Portland, OR
- Philadelphia, PA
- Providence, RI
- Charleston, SC
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Nashville, TN
- Houston, TX
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Burlington, VT
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Seattle, WA
- Washington
- Charleston, WV
- Milwaukee, WI
- Cheyenne, WY
Get help with nonprofit tax filing
Book a consultation and get a clear plan for your taxes and books, wherever you are in the U.S.