Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
How do I create a filing in the system?


Thank you for choosing the 990 Online system to create and file your annual return. Using our system, you will be able to enter and file the following forms.

ENTER A RETURN

The following are the instructions to create each type of form on our system.

Create a Form 990 or Form 990-EZ (e-file or print send via US mail):
  1. Please go to the efile.form990.org homepage and Log In
  2. After you have logged into the system, you will be taken to the Control Panel page. Please select the "Create a New Filing" button towards the top of the page.
  3. This will take you to the Create Filing Wizard Step 1 of 4 page, please enter the requested information and then select the "Next" button
  4. The system will take you to the Create Filing Wizard Step 2 of 4 page and display the question: "Please select the type of IRS form to file (If Any)". Select either "Form 990" or "Form 990-EZ" from the drop-down menu.
  5. Complete the Filing Creation Wizard.
Note (for electronic filing): After you verify and mark the return as complete, one officer (or the paid preparer - if the filing was created by a paid preparer) will be required to authenticate (electronically sign) the return online. You will also be required to fax/email us a signed Form 8453 signature form. Once those steps have been performed, we will be able to electronically file your return with the IRS.

Create a Form 8868 (Request for Extension)(e-file or print send via US mail):
:
  1. Please go to the efile.form990.org homepage and Log In
  2. After you have logged into the system, you will be taken to the Control Panel page. Please select the "Create a New Filing" button towards the top of the page.
  3. This will take you to the Create Filing Wizard Step 1 of 4 page, please enter the requested information and then select the "Next" button.
  4. The system will take you to the Create Filing Wizard Step 2 of 4 page. The system will display the question: "Please select the type of IRS form to file (If Any)".
  5. Select "Form 8868 - Extension" from the drop-down menu.
  6. Complete the Filing Creation Wizard.
  7. Fully complete the 8868 form
  8. Verify Filing and mark it as Complete.
Note: The Form 8868 is a request for an automatic six-month extension of time to file your Form 990/990-EZ. No signatures are needed.

Create State Form(s)

You can create the following state forms on the system:
  • Hawaii Initial Registration (eFile Only)
  • Hawaii Annual Transmittal (eFile Only)
  • Michigan Initial Registration (eFile or US Mail)
  • Michigan Annual filing (eFile or US Mail)
  • NY Annual CHAR500 filing (eFile Only)
Note: With the exception of the Hawaii Initial Registration filing (which can only be created as a standalone filing), each of the forms above can be filed with the state at the same time you file your Form 990/990-EZ with the IRS or they can be filed as a standalone filing to which you will attach a PDF copy of your previously filed Form 990/Form-EZ. The following two sets of intructions detail how to file the state forms with you IRS forms or as standalone filings:

NOTE: Effective September 8, 2020, New York launched their new Online CHAR500 system. You can no longer create new TY 2019 NY CHAR500s in our system. You can still create CHAR500s for tax years 2017 and 2018 and if you have an existing TY 2019 CHAR500 already in our system, you may complete it and electronically file it with New York. If you want to create a new TY 2019 CHAR5000 for New York, please open your browser to the NY charities website at www.charitiesnys.com.

File your State form(s) at the same time you file your Form 990/990-EZ form with the IRS:
  1. Please go to the efile.form990.org homepage and Log In
  2. After you have logged into the system, you will be taken to the Control Panel page. Please select the "Create a New Filing" button towards the top of your page.
  3. Begin by entering your organization's EIN, name and fiscal year dates. Click the "Next" button./LI>
  4. On the next page, answer the question that asks what kind of IRS form you are filing. Select either Form 990 or Form 990-EZ form the dropdown list
  5. Instantly a second question appears on the page that asks: "Are you going to create and file state forms with participating states?" Select "Yes" from the drop down list and click the "Next" button.
  6. Answer the questions on the next page.
  7. On the State selection page, check the boxes for the state form(s) you want to file and click the "Next" button.
Note: Read the summary of the filing you just created and hit the Finish button. You will be taken into your Form 990.990-EZ filing. The data for the IRS form must be entered and the form marked as complete before you can enter the information into the state form(s)

File your State form(s) as a standalone filing (and attach a PDF of your Form 990/990-EZ)
  1. Please go to the efile.form990.org homepage and Log In
  2. After you have logged into the system, you will be taken to the Control Panel page. Please select the "Create a New Filing" button towards the top of your page.
  3. Begin by entering your organization's EIN, name and fiscal year dates. Click the "Next" button./LI>
  4. On the next page, answer the question that asks what kind of IRS form you are filing. Select "Not Filing a form with the IRS" from the drop-down list.
  5. Instantly a second question appears on the page that asks: "Are you going to create and file state forms with participating states?" Select "Yes" from the drop down list and click the "Next" button.
  6. On the State selection page, check the boxes for the state form(s) you want to file and click the "Next" button.
Note: Read the summary of the filing you just created and hit the Finish button. If you want to begin working on the filing immediately, click the Edit button. Or you may return at any time and find this new filing listed in your control panel.

Electronically filing with the IRS or state office:

We transmit filings to the IRS and States throughout the day during business hours (M - F, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Eastern Time). Once your filing has been processed by the IRS and/or State, an e-filing receipt email will be sent to you containing the filing status. The IRS confirms or rejects returns almost immediately. The state offices may take up to four days to review and accept your state filing.

Mailing your forms by US Mail:

You have the option to send Form 990, Form 990-EZ, Form 8868, or the Michigan state forms by US Mail. After you have completed the forms, and paid the applicable filing fee, the system will generate the final pdf files to download and print. Mailing instructions will be available on the Status page.

DELETE A RETURN

How to delete a filing on your account:
  1. Please go to the efile.form990.org homepage and Log In
  2. The filing must be in edit mode, if it is not, write to Technical Support before proceeding.
  3. After you have logged into the system, you will be taken to the Control Panel page.
  4. From the right side of the Control Panel page, select the red X (for delete filing) next to the return you want to delete.
  5. From the following Confirmation Page, you will be asked to confirm the deletion. To proceed select "Yes".
MORE INFORMATION? FORM 990-N

We no longer support filing Form 990-N (e-Postcard) through our system. Please transfer to the IRS Form 990-N website at www.irs.gov/990n. You may file a Form 990-EZ in place of the 990-N form on our system, for free.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have questions at any time during the filing process.



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Last modified: February 12, 2024.