Form 990, 990-EZ or 990-N: Which One Does Your Nonprofit File?
Quick answer: File Form 990-N if your gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less, Form 990-EZ if gross receipts are under $200,000 and total assets are under $500,000, and the full Form 990 if you exceed either limit. Returns are due on the 15th day of the fifth month after year-end (May 15 for a calendar year), and missing three years in a row automatically revokes tax-exempt status.
Most US tax-exempt organizations must file an annual information return with the IRS. Which version you file depends mainly on your size, and getting it wrong can mean penalties or, in the worst case, losing your exemption.
Which form fits your organization?
| Form | Who generally files it |
|---|---|
| 990-N (e-Postcard) | Gross receipts normally $50,000 or less |
| 990-EZ | Gross receipts under $200,000 and total assets under $500,000 |
| 990 | Gross receipts of $200,000 or more, or total assets of $500,000 or more |
| 990-PF | Private foundations, regardless of size |
Note the “or” in the last line: an organization with modest revenue but significant assets, such as an endowment or a building, still files the full Form 990. Smaller organizations can always choose to file a longer form voluntarily. Churches and certain church-affiliated organizations are generally not required to file.
When is it due?
All three forms are due on the 15th day of the fifth month after your fiscal year ends: May 15 for a December 31 year-end, November 15 for a June 30 year-end. Form 990 and 990-EZ filers can request an automatic six-month extension by filing Form 8868 before the original due date. The 990-N cannot be extended.
What the full Form 990 asks for
- Financial statements: revenue, functional expenses (program, management and general, fundraising), and the balance sheet.
- Governance: board size and independence, conflict-of-interest and whistleblower policies, and how the return is reviewed by the board.
- Compensation of officers, directors, key employees and the highest-paid staff.
- Schedules such as Schedule A (public charity status and public support) and Schedule B (major contributors).
It’s a public document
Form 990 returns are public. Donors, foundations and watchdog sites read them, and many grantmakers check them before funding you. Contributor names and addresses on Schedule B are generally not disclosed for public charities, but almost everything else is. Treat the 990 as a public report on your organization, not just a tax form.
What happens if you don’t file?
Late Form 990 and 990-EZ filings can attract daily penalties, capped based on the organization’s size. More seriously, an organization that fails to file any required 990-series return for three consecutive years automatically loses its tax-exempt status. Reinstatement requires a new application, and in the meantime donations may not be deductible for donors.
Common mistakes
- Filing the 990-EZ when total assets exceed $500,000.
- Functional expense allocations that don’t match how the organization actually works.
- Governance questions answered “no” because policies exist only informally.
- Figures that don’t reconcile to audited or reviewed financial statements.
- Forgetting state filings: many states have their own annual reports and audit or review requirements.
Organizations with operations in both Canada and the US often have a T3010 and a Form 990 to keep consistent. Our T3010 and Form 990 filing support prepares the numbers behind both from the same set of books.
Frequently asked questions
Can Form 990-N be extended?
No. The 990-N e-Postcard cannot be extended, but it is short and filed online. Form 990 and 990-EZ filers can get an automatic six-month extension with Form 8868.
What happens if a nonprofit misses three years of Form 990 filings?
The IRS automatically revokes the organization’s tax-exempt status. It must then apply for reinstatement, and donations made during the revoked period may not be tax-deductible.
Are Form 990 returns public?
Yes. Form 990 returns are public and widely available online. For most public charities, the names and addresses of major donors on Schedule B are not made public, but financial, governance and compensation details are.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and reflects the rules and guidance available when it was published on October 14, 2026. Tax, charity and accounting rules change over time, and every organization’s situation is different. Please consult a qualified lawyer or accountant before relying on this information. Linked CFO is not a public accounting firm, and this article is not legal, tax or accounting advice.
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