The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) repealed some business deductions and made changes to others. In addition to some of the more commonly discussed changes, TCJA also repealed the deduction for domestic production activities (DPAD) and amended Section 162 to deny a deduction for any amount paid to or at the direction of a government entity in relation to the violation of a law unless an exception is met. See Notice 2018-23.
When Can I file my taxes for 2018
Tax filings can begin January 28, 2019 even with a partial government shutdown.
WASHINGTON ― Despite the government shutdown, the Internal Revenue Service today confirmed that it will process tax returns beginning January 28, 2019 and provide refunds to taxpayers as scheduled.
****2019 Important Tax Deadlines****
The New Tax Laws and YOU!
The recently passed overhaul of the U.S. tax code is already affecting the way many companies do business and how that relates to individual tax payers.
People who have studied the new law—which goes into effect starting with the 2018 tax year—say that most of us will pay less in taxes in the next few years, thanks to lower tax rates and higher standard deductions.
But the loss of some prized tax breaks and new caps on others like state and local taxes could result in higher tax bills in April 2019 for some older taxpayers, particularly those living in states with high tax rates. And over time, some of the benefits of the new tax bill will fade away; experts project that a majority of taxpayers will pay more within 10 years.
This is the IRS general tax calendar, which includes the 2019 deadlines that most taxpayers will need to know.
Note that if you file your taxes based on the fiscal year (instead of the calendar year), some of these dates will be different. For more information, see the section below titled, “Fiscal Year Taxpayers.”
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of December, you are supposed to report them to your employer. You can report your tips with IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
Individuals: If you did not pay your 2018 income tax through withholding (or you didn’t pay enough tax that way), you must make an estimated tax payment for 2018. You can use IRS Form 1040-ES (Estimated Tax for Individuals). This is the final installment date for 2018 estimated tax payments. Note that you don’t have to make this particular payment if you file your 2018 income tax return (Form 1040) and pay any tax due by January 31, 2019.
Farmers & Fishermen: Make your 2018 estimated tax payment with IRS Form 1040-ES (Estimated Tax for Individuals). You have until April 15, 2019 (or April 17, 2019 if you live in Maine or Massachusetts) to file your 2018 tax return (Form 1040). If you do not make your estimated tax payment by this date (January 15), you must file your 2018 tax return and pay any tax due by March 1, 2019 to avoid an estimated tax penalty.
Individuals Who Must Make Estimated Tax Payments: If you did not pay your final estimated tax installment by January 15, you may elect to file your 2018 income tax return (Form 1040) by January 31. Filing your return and paying any tax due by this date will prevent penalties for late payment of the last installment. However, if you cannot file and pay your taxes by January 31, you should file and pay your tax by April 15 (or April 17 if you live in Maine or Massachusetts).
All Businesses: Provide annual information statements to the recipients of certain payments that you made in 2018. You should use the appropriate version of Form 1099 or other information return. Form 1099 may be issued electronically with the recipient’s consent. This due date applies to these types of payments: cash payments for fish purchased from someone engaged in the trade/business of catching fish, compensation for workers who aren’t considered employees, dividends and other corporate distributions, interest, rent, royalties, payments of Indian gambling profits to tribal members, profit-sharing distributions, retirement plan distributions, original issue discount, prizes and awards, medical and health care payments, debt cancellation, and cash payments over $10,000.
Payers of Nonemployee Compensation: File IRS Form 1099-MISC (Miscellaneous Income) for nonemployee compensation that you paid in 2018.
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of January, you are supposed to report them to your employer. You can report your tips with IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
Individuals: If you claimed an exemption from federal income tax withholding last year on the IRS Form W-4 (Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate) you gave your employer, you will need to file a new Form W-4 by this date if you want to continue your exemption for another year.
All Businesses: Provide annual information statements to the recipients of certain payments that you made in 2018. You should use the appropriate version of Form 1099 or other information return. Form 1099 may be issued electronically with the recipient’s consent. This due date applies only to these types of payments: all payments reported on IRS Form 1099-B (Proceeds From Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions), all payments reported on IRS Form 1099-S (Proceeds From Real Estate Transactions), and substitute payments reported in Box 8 or gross proceeds paid to an attorney reported in Box 14 of IRS Form 1099-MISC (Miscellaneous Income).
All Businesses: File information returns (e.g., Forms 1099) for certain payments you made in 2018. These payments are described under the January 31 due date. Note that there are different forms for different types of payments. You should use a separate IRS Form 1096 (Annual Summary and Transmittal of U.S. Information Returns) to summarize and transmit the forms for each type of payment. For more information, see the General Instructions for Certain Information Returns. If you file Forms 1097, 1099 (except a Form 1099-MISC reporting nonemployee compensation), 3921, 3922, or W-2G electronically, your due date for submitting them to the IRS will be extended to April 1. However, the deadline for providing the recipient with these forms generally remains January 31.
Farmers & Fishermen: This is the due date to file your 2018 income tax return (Form 1040) and pay any tax due. But note that if you paid your 2018 estimated tax by January 15, 2019, you will have until April 15 (or April 17 if you live in Maine or Massachusetts) to file your return.
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of February, you are supposed to report them to your employer. You can report your tips with IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
Partnerships: This is the deadline to file your 2018 tax return (Form 1065). Provide each partner with a copy of their Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) (Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc.) or substitute Schedule K-1. If you need more time to file, you can request a tax extension using IRS Form 7004 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns). If you obtain an extension, you can file the return and provide each partner with a copy of their Schedule K-1 by September 16, 2019.
S Corporations: This is the deadline to file your 2018 tax return (Form 1120S) and pay any tax due. Provide each partner with a copy of their Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S) (Shareholder’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc.) or substitute Schedule K-1. If you need more time to file, you can request a tax extension and pay what you estimate you owe in tax. If you obtain an extension, you can file the return, pay any additional tax/penalties due, and provide each partner with a copy of their final Schedule K-1 by September 16, 2019.
S Corporation Election: File IRS Form 2553 (Election by a Small Business Corporation) to elect to be treated as an S corporation starting with calendar year 2019. Note that if you file Form 2553 late, your S corporation treatment will not begin until calendar year 2020.
Electronic Filings of Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, and W-2G: File these forms with the IRS by this date. Note that this deadline only applies if you file electronically. Otherwise, see February 28. The due date for providing the recipient with these forms generally remains January 31. For more information, see IRS Publication 1220.
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of March, you are supposed to report them to your employer. You can report your tips with IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
Individuals: File your 2018 income tax return and pay any tax due. (If you live in Maine or Massachusetts, your deadline is April 17, 2019.) If you need more time to file your return, you can request a tax extension with IRS Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return). Note that an extension only gives you extra time to file, so you should pay what you estimate you owe in tax by the original April deadline to avoid penalties. If you obtain a tax extension, you will have until October 15, 2019 to file your tax return.
Individuals: If you are not paying your 2019 income tax through withholding (or you will not pay enough tax during the year that way), you should make the first installment payment for your 2019 estimated tax. You can use IRS Form 1040-ES (Estimated Tax for Individuals). For more information, see IRS Publication 505 (Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax).
Household Employers: If you paid cash wages of $2,100 or more to a household employee during 2018, you must file IRS Schedule H (Form 1040)(Household Employment Taxes). If you are required to file an annual income tax return (IRS Form 1040), you should include Schedule H with your return and report any household employment taxes. If you paid total cash wages of $1,000 or more in any calendar quarter of 2017 or 2018 to household employees, you should report any federal unemployment (FUTA) on Schedule H. Additionally, make sure to report any income tax you withheld for your household employees. For more information, see IRS Publication 926 (Household Employer’s Tax Guide).
Corporations: File a 2019 income tax return, IRS Form 1120 (U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return), and pay any tax due. If you need more time to file, you can request a tax extension with IRS Form 7004. Make sure you file your extension and pay what you estimate you owe in taxes by this date to avoid penalties.
Corporations: Make the first installment payment for 2019 estimated income tax. You can use the worksheet, IRS Form 1120-W (Estimated Tax for Corporations), to help you calculate your estimated tax for the year.
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of April, you are supposed to report them to your employer. You can report your tips with IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of May, you are supposed to report them to your employer. You can report your tips with IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
Individuals: If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien living and working (or on military duty) outside the United States and Puerto Rico, your federal income tax return is due on this date. File IRS Form 1040 and pay any tax due. Otherwise, see April 15. If you need more time to file your tax return, you can use IRS Form 4868 to get a 4-month extension. However, you should still pay what you estimate you owe by this date to avoid penalties. If you obtain an extension, you will have until October 15, 2019 to file your tax return. Note that members of the military who are stationed in a combat zone may be allowed an additional filing extension. For more information, see IRS Publication 3 (Armed Forces’ Tax Guide).
Individuals: If you are not paying your 2019 income tax through withholding (or you will not pay enough tax during the year that way), pay the second installment of your 2019 estimated tax by this date. You can use IRS Form 1040-ES (Estimated Tax for Individuals). For more information, see IRS Publication 505 (Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax).
Corporations: Make the second installment payment for 2019 estimated income tax. You can use the worksheet, IRS Form 1120-W (Estimated Tax for Corporations), to help you calculate your estimated tax for the year.
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of June, you are supposed to report them to your employer. You can report your tips with IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of July, you are supposed to report them to your employer. You can report your tips with IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of August, you are supposed to report them to your employer. You can report your tips with IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
Individuals: If you are not paying your 2019 income tax through withholding (or you will not pay enough tax during the year that way), pay the third installment of your 2019 estimated tax by this date. You can use IRS Form 1040-ES (Estimated Tax for Individuals). For more information, see IRS Publication 505 (Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax).
Partnerships: If you obtained a 6-month tax extension, your 2018 tax return (IRS Form 1065) is due by this date. Otherwise, see March 15. You must also provide each partner with a copy of their final/amended Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) or substitute Schedule K-1.
S Corporations: If you obtained a 6-month tax extension, your 2018 tax return is due by this date. File IRS Form 1120S and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due. Otherwise, see March 15. You must also provide each shareholder with a copy of their final/amended Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S) or substitute Schedule K-1.
Corporations: Make the third installment payment for 2019 estimated income tax. You can use the worksheet, IRS Form 1120-W (Estimated Tax for Corporations), to help you calculate your estimated tax for the year.
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of September, you are supposed to report them to your employer. You can report your tips with IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
Individuals: If you obtained a 6-month tax extension, your 2018 tax return is due by this date. File IRS Form 1040 and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due.
Corporations: If you obtained a 6-month tax extension, your 2018 tax return is due by this date. File IRS Form 1120 and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due. Otherwise, see April 15.
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of October, you are supposed to report them to your employer. You can report your tips with IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of November, you are supposed to report them to your employer. You can report your tips with IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
Corporations: Make the fourth installment payment for 2019 estimated income tax. You can use the worksheet, IRS Form 1120-W (Estimated Tax for Corporations), to help you calculate your estimated tax for the year.
IRS Form 1040: This is the individual income tax return, which is due on the 15th day of the 4th month after the end of your tax year. (For example, if your tax year ends on December 31, 2018, your 1040 return is due by April 15, 2019.) If you need more time to file your return, you can request a tax extension by submitting IRS Form 4868 by your original filing deadline.
Estimated Tax Payments (IRS Form 1040-ES): There are four installment payments for estimated tax. The payments are due on the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, and 9th months of your tax year. The fourth/final payment is due on the 15th day of the 1st month after your tax year ends. (For example, if your tax year ends on December 31, 2018, your final installment payment is due by January 15, 2019.)
IRS Form 1065: This is the annual income tax return for Partnerships. It is due on the 15th day of the 3rd month after the end of the partnership’s tax year. (For example, if your tax year ends on December 31, 2018, your 1065 return is due by March 15, 2019.) You must also provide each partner with a copy of their Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) or substitute Schedule K-1 by the 15th day of the 3rd month after the end of the partnership’s tax year. If you need more time to file Form 1065, you can request a 6-month extension by submitting IRS Form 7004 by your original filing deadline.
IRS Form 1120: This is the annual income tax return for Corporations. It is due on the 15th day of the 4th month after the end of the corporation’s tax year. (For example, if your tax year ends on December 31, 2018, your 1120 return is due by April 15, 2019.) However, note that a corporation with a fiscal tax year ending on June 30 must file Form 1120 by the 15th day of the 3rd month after the end of its tax year. A corporation with a short tax year ending anytime in June will be treated as if the short year ended on June 30, and must file Form 1120 by the 15th day of the 3rd month after the end of its tax year.
IRS Form 1120S: This is the annual income tax return for S Corporations. It is due on the 15th day of the 3rd month after the end of the corporation’s tax year. (For example, if your tax year ends on December 31, 2018, your 1120S return is due by March 15, 2019.) You must also provide each shareholder with a copy of their Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S) or substitute Schedule K-1 by the 15th day of the 3rd month after the end of the corporation’s tax year.
IRS Form 7004: This form is used to request a 6-month tax extension for Form 1120 (Corporations) or Form 1120S (S Corporations). However, corporations with a fiscal year ending on June 30 (or a short tax year treated as if the short year ended on June 30) will use Form 7004 to request a 7-month extension of time to file Form 1120. Keep in mind that Form 7004 must be submitted by the original filing deadline in order to be approved by the IRS.
Estimated Tax Payments: There are four installment payments for estimated tax. The payments are due on the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th, and 12th months of the corporation’s tax year
IRS Form 2553: This form is used to choose S Corporation treatment. It is due no more than 2 months and 15 days after the beginning of the tax year that the election is to take effect, or at any time during the preceding year.
These are the legal holidays for 2019:
IRS Tax Tip: Taxpayers can now get tax tips and helpful news from the IRS on Instagram.
The agency just debuted it’s official Instagram account, IRSNews, which users can access at www.instagram.com/irsnews or on their smartphone using the Instagram app.
The IRS will use its new Instagram account it to:
The IRS will use Instagram along with several other social media tools to communicate with taxpayers:
The IRS also has their own app, IRS2Go. Taxpayers can use this free mobile app to check their refund status, pay taxes, find free tax help, watch IRS YouTube videos and get IRS Tax Tips by email. Like Instagram, the IRS2Go app is available from the Google Play Store for Android devices, or from the Apple App Store for Apple devices. IRS2Go is available in both English and Spanish.
This search provides access to available information for corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships of record with the California Secretary of State, including free PDF copies of imaged business entity documents, including the most recent imaged Statements of Information filed for corporations and limited liability companies. Please note: This search is not intended to serve as a name availability search. For information on checking or reserving a name, refer to Name Availability.
To conduct a search:
All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.
Disclaimer: This tool allows you to search the Secretary of State’s California Business Search database for abstracts of information for domestic stock, domestic nonprofit and qualified foreign corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships that have filed with this office. This search tool groups corporations separately from limited liability companies and limited partnerships and returns all entities for the search criteria in the respective groups regardless of the current status.
Although every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained in the database is accurate, the Secretary of State’s office is not responsible for any loss, consequence, or damage resulting directly or indirectly from reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of the information that is provided. All such information is provided “as is.” For information on ordering copies of the official business entity records for a particular entity, please refer to Information Requests.
Business owners can visit IRS.gov for resources to help understand tax reform
The IRS reminds business owners with questions about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that there are several resources to help answer their questions. The legislation passed in December 2017 changes many areas of the tax law, including some that affect businesses. Here are some of the resources on IRS.gov that can help:
The IRS will give more information about business-related tax law changes throughout the year. The agency will update IRS.gov/taxreform to reflect changes as they develop.
IRS reminder: Second estimated tax payment due June 15; form, publication can help people pay the right amount following law changes
With tax reform bringing major changes for the year ahead, the Internal Revenue Service today reminded self-employed individuals, retirees, investors and others who need to pay their taxes quarterly that the second estimated tax payment for 2018 is due on Friday, June 15, 2018.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted in December 2017, changed the way tax is calculated for most taxpayers, including those with substantial income not subject to withholding. Among other reforms, the new law changed the tax rates and brackets, revised business expense deductions, increased the standard deduction, removed personal exemptions, increased the child tax credit and limited or discontinued certain deductions. As a result, many taxpayers may need to raise or lower the amount of tax they pay each quarter through the estimated tax system.
Form 1040-ES, available on IRS.gov, is designed to help taxpayers figure these payments simply and accurately. The estimated tax package includes a quick rundown of key tax changes, income tax rate schedules for 2018 and a useful worksheet for figuring the right amount to pay. The IRS also mailed 1 million Form 1040-ES vouchers with instructions in late March to taxpayers who used this form last year.
A companion publication, Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, has additional details, including worksheets and examples, which can help taxpayers determine whether they should pay estimated tax, such as those who have dividend or capital gain income, owe alternative minimum tax or have other special situations.
Who needs to pay quarterly?
Most often, self-employed people, including individuals involved in the sharing economy, need to pay quarterly installments of estimated tax. Similarly, investors, retirees and others – a substantial portion of whose income is not subject to withholding – often need to make these payments as well. Other income generally not subject to withholding includes interest, dividends, capital gains, alimony and rental income.
Because the U.S. tax system operates on a pay-as-you-go basis, taxpayers are required, by law, to pay most of their tax liability during the year. For 2018, this means that an estimated tax penalty will normally apply to any party that pays too little tax, usually less than 90 percent, during the year through withholding, estimated tax payments or a combination of the two.
Exceptions to the penalty and special rules apply to some groups of taxpayers, such as farmers, fishermen, casualty and disaster victims, those who recently became disabled, recent retirees, and those who receive income unevenly during the year. In addition, there is an exception to the penalty for those who base their payments of estimated tax on last year’s tax. Generally, taxpayers will not have an estimated tax penalty if they make payments equal to the lesser of 90 percent of the tax to be shown on their 2018 return or 100 percent of the tax shown on their 2017 return (110 percent if their income was more than $150,000). See Form 2210 and its instructions for more information.
Employees have a choice
Many employees who also receive income from other sources may be able to forgo making estimated tax payments and instead increase the amount of income tax withheld from their pay. They can do this by claiming fewer withholding allowances on their Form W-4 by completing the Deductions, Adjustments, and Additional Income Worksheet in the instructions section. If that’s not sufficient, on the Form W-4 they can ask their employer to withhold an additional flat-dollar amount each pay period.
Perform a paycheck checkup
Because of the far-reaching tax changes taking effect this year, the IRS urges all employees, including those with other sources of income, to perform a paycheck checkup now. Doing so now will help avoid an unexpected year-end tax bill and possibly a penalty. The easiest way to do this is to use the Withholding Calculator available on IRS.gov.
To use the Withholding Calculator most effectively, users should have a copy of last year’s tax return and recent paystub. After filling out the Withholding Calculator, the tool will recommend the number of allowances the employee should claim on their Form W-4. Though primarily designed for employees who receive wages, the Withholding Calculator can also be helpful to some recipients of pension and annuity income.
If the Withholding Calculator suggests a change, the employee should fill out a new Form W-4 and submit it to their employer as soon as possible. Similarly, recipients of pensions and annuities can make a change by filling out Form W-4P and giving it to their payer.
Employees who expect to receive long term capital gains or qualified dividends, or employees who owe self-employment tax, alternative minimum tax, or tax on unearned income of minors should use the instructions in Publication 505 to check whether they should change their withholding or pay estimated tax.
How and when to pay
For tax-year 2018, estimated tax payment due dates are April 18, June 15, Sept. 17 and Jan. 15, 2019. Taxpayers due a refund on their 2017 federal income tax return may be able to reduce or even skip one or more of these payments by choosing to apply their 2017 refund to their 2018 estimated tax. See Form 1040 and its instructions for more information.
Taxpayers in presidentially-declared disaster areas may have more time to make these payments without penalty. Visit the Tax Relief in Disaster Situations page for details.
The fastest and easiest way to make estimated tax payments is to do so electronically using IRS Direct Pay or the Treasury Department’s Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). For information on other payment options, visit IRS.gov/payments. For filers paying by check, the check must be payable to the “United States Treasury.”
More information about tax withholding and estimated tax can be found on the agency’s Pay As You Go web page, as well as in Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax.
What taxpayers should know about tax return copies and transcripts
The IRS recommends that taxpayers keep a copy of tax returns for at least three years. Doing so can help taxpayers prepare future tax returns or even assist with amending a prior year’s return. If a taxpayer is unable to locate copies of previous year tax returns, they should check with their software provider or tax preparer first. Tax returns are available from IRS for a fee.
Even though taxpayers may have a copy of their tax return, some taxpayers need a transcript. These are often necessary for a mortgage or college financial aid application.
Here is some information about copies of tax returns and transcripts that can help taxpayers know when and how to get them:
Transcripts
To get a transcript, taxpayers can:
Transcripts are free and available for the current tax year and the past three years. A transcript usually displays most line items from the tax return. This includes marital status, the type of return filed, adjusted gross income and taxable income. It also includes items from any related forms and schedules filed. It doesn’t reflect any changes the taxpayer or the IRS may have made to the original return.
Taxpayers needing a transcript should remember to plan ahead. Delivery times for online and phone orders typically take five to 10 days from the time the IRS receives the request. Taxpayers should allow 30 days to receive a transcript ordered by mail, and 75 days for copies of your tax return.
Copies of tax returns
Taxpayers who need an actual copy of a tax return can get one for the current tax year and as far back as six years. The fee per copy is $50. A taxpayer will complete and mail Form 4506 to request a copy of a tax return. They should mail the request to the appropriate IRS office listed on the form.
Taxpayers who live in a federally declared disaster area can get a free copy of their tax return. More disaster relief information is available on IRS.gov.
Tips for teenage taxpayers starting a summer job
Now that school’s out, many students will be starting summer jobs…from working at a summer camp to being an office intern. The IRS reminds students that not all the money they earn may make it to their pocket. That’s because employers must withhold taxes from the employee’s paycheck. Here are a few things these workers need to know when starting a summer job:
More Information:
Tax rules for students.
Is My Tip Income Taxable?
Do I Have Income Subject to Self-Employment Tax?
Many tax-exempt organizations must file information returns by May 15; do not include Social Security numbers or personal data
The Internal Revenue Service reminded certain tax-exempt organizations that the Tuesday, May 15 filing deadline for Form 990-series information returns is fast approaching.
Form 990-series information returns and notices are normally due on the 15th day of the fifth month after an organization’s tax-year ends. Many organizations use the calendar year as their tax year, making May 15, 2018 the deadline to file for 2017.
No Social Security numbers on Forms 990
The IRS generally does not ask organizations for Social Security Numbers and cautions filers not to provide them on Form 990. By law, both the IRS and most tax-exempt organizations are required to publicly disclose most parts of Form 990 filings, including schedules and attachments. Public release of SSNs and other personally identifiable information about donors, clients or benefactors could give rise to identity theft. More information on this can be found in the “general instructions” section of the Instructions for Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax.
The IRS also urges tax-exempt organizations to file forms electronically to reduce the risk of inadvertently including SSNs or other unnecessary personal information. Electronic filing also provides acknowledgement that the IRS has received the return and reduces normal processing time, making compliance with reporting and disclosure requirements easier.
Tax-exempt forms that must be made public by the IRS are clearly marked “Open to Public Inspection” in the top right corner of the first page. These include Form 990, Form 990-EZ, Form 990-PF and others.
Forms to file
Small tax-exempt organizations with average annual gross receipts of $50,000 or less may file an electronic notice called a Form 990-N (e-Postcard). This form requires only a few basic pieces of information. Tax-exempt organizations with average annual gross receipts above $50,000 must file a Form 990 or 990-EZ, depending on their receipts and assets. Private foundations must file Form 990-PF.
Organizations that need additional time to file a Form 990, 990-EZ or 990-PF may obtain an automatic six-month extension. Use Form 8868, Application for Extension of Time to File an Exempt Organization Return, to request an extension. The request must be filed by the due date of the return. Note that no extension is available for filing the Form 990-N (e-Postcard).
Many organizations risk loss of tax-exempt status
By law, organizations that fail to file annual reports for three consecutive years will see their federal tax exemptions automatically revoked as of the due date of the third year for which they are required to file an annual report. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 mandates that most tax-exempt organizations file annual Form 990-series information returns or notices with the IRS. The law, which went into effect at the beginning of 2007, also imposed a new annual filing requirement for small organizations. Churches and church-related organizations are not required to file annual reports.
Check tax-exempt status online
The IRS publishes a list of organizations identified as having automatically lost tax-exempt status for failing to file annual reports for three consecutive years. Organizations that have had their exemptions automatically revoked can apply for reinstatement of their tax-exempt status and pay the appropriate user fee.
The IRS now offers an enhanced, mobile friendly search tool, called Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS). TEOS provides easy access to publicly available information about exempt organizations. Users can find key information about the federal tax status and filings of certain tax-exempt organizations, including whether organizations have had their federal tax exemptions automatically revoked and if an organization is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.