IRS to offer guidance for charities that missed the May 17 filing deadline

Commissioner Doug Shulman issued a statement on the filing deadline for small charities. He said in part:

Now that the May 17 filing deadline has passed, it appears that many small tax-exempt organizations have not filed the required information return in time. These organizations are vital to communities across the United States, and I understand their concerns about possibly losing their tax-exempt status.

. . . many of these smaller organizations are just now learning of the May 17 deadline. I want to reassure these small organizations that the IRS will do what it can to help them avoid losing their tax-exempt status.

Commissioner Shulman went on to say that the IRS will be providing additional guidance in the near future and that organizations should go on and file their information returns even though the May 17, 2010 deadline has passed. It is easier for small organizations (annual receipts of $25,000 or less) to file than they may realize. They can fill out the electronic notice Form 990-N (e-Postcard).

For more information about filing requirements, see Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Exempt Organizations - Form 990-N (e-Postcard) on the IRS website.