To keep your nonprofit’s tax-exempt status, filing a 990 is one of the most crucial reasons to do so. If a nonprofit fails to submit a 990 for three years in a row, they risk losing their tax-exempt status. This implies that your charity would lose its ability to accept tax-deductible contributions, and your contributors would lose the ability to deduct their contributions from their taxes.
Not filing a 990 can lead to serious financial penalties in addition to losing tax-exempt status. Up to $10,000 or 5% of your organization’s gross receipts, whichever is smaller, the IRS may impose fines of $20 each day. This can be a big financial burden for smaller NGOs.
Although launching a nonprofit can seem like a difficult endeavor, it is doable with the correct tools and assistance. Starting a charity entails a number of processes, such as incorporation, acquiring tax-exempt status, and registration with your state. Several variables, including the state you are in, the services you require, and the size of your organization, might affect the cost of launching a nonprofit.
Typically, you must file articles of incorporation with your state and pay a fee in order to legally establish your nonprofit. Depending on the state, the cost of incorporation might range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. It is necessary to submit Form 1023 or 1023-EZ to the IRS and pay a fee in order to be granted tax-exempt status. Depending on the size of your business, applying for tax-exempt status can cost anywhere between $275 and $600.
Starting a nonprofit could also involve other charges including legal fees, accounting fees, and fundraising costs in addition to these. Pro bono legal services and discounted software and services are only two of the alternatives that are available to assist NGOs in cutting costs.
Finally, failure to submit a 990 could result in severe repercussions for your nonprofit organization, such as losing its tax-exempt status and paying fines. Even though starting a nonprofit can be expensive, it is possible to build a profitable and long-lasting business with the correct tools and assistance. You can secure the long-term success of your nonprofit by being aware of your legal responsibilities and making use of the tools that are available.