Nonprofit Resources Regarding the Oct. 15 Deadline

Time is running out for small nonprofits facing loss of tax-exempt status because they have not filed Form 990-N or Form 990-EZ for three consecutive years. The deadline for the IRS's one-time filing relief program is October 15, 2010. After that, nonprofits that are required to file a 990 and whose filings are at least three years in arrears will automatically lose their exemptions. To regain tax-exempt status, they will have to apply to the IRS all over again, a process that can take several months and requires payment of fees. To help you make sense of the rules and regulations surrounding this program, GuideStar is offering you a few resources:

• GuideStar Resource Center: includes articles and links to keep you updated in this ongoing process.
• IRS Communications Toolkit: includes facts outlining the situation, a list of organizations IRS records show are at risk, a YouTube video, and a widget for posting on Web sites.
• Guide Star Charity Check: includes information on exemption status of organizations and is updated as more information from the IRS becomes available.