Feel Stressed with the 990 Deadline?

If your nonprofit’s Form 990 deadline is approaching and your organization is scrambling a bit… you are not alone.

Every year at this time nonprofit leaders face similar stressors:

- the bookkeeping is behind

- receipts are missing

- board minutes are incomplete

...and the filing deadline is here.

Here’s the important thing:

Do not panic! And, equally important, PLEASE do not avoid filing altogether.

An imperfect but good-faith filing is far better than failing to file entirely.(Remember! Failing to file for 3 consecutive years can result in automatic revocation of tax-exempt status.)

If you’re behind, focus on the essentials first:

✔ Revenue and expenses

✔ Board and governance information

✔ Program accomplishments

✔ Contractor and compensation records

And if needed, consider filing an extension to create breathing room and reduce unnecessary errors.

Nonprofits struggling with Form 990 preparation can sometimes start down the path of negative self-talk and feel immense overwhelm with faced with IRS compliance forms. Have a little grace with yourself and remember your mission. This is actually a good time to pull out your OG Organizing Docs and remind yourself of the problem your organization is solving. Often, this 990 overwhelm, is evidence that your mission simply outgrew the administrative systems supporting it.

The goal now is not perfection overnight.

The goal is:

→ stabilize compliance

→ file responsibly

→ and build stronger systems moving forward

Strong, sustainable governance for mission-driven orgs is built over time, not in a single filing season. Have grace! And, once you make it through today, please reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation about best practices to support your compliance needs for the year ahead.

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