Q&A: Churches and Form 990

How do you find out if your tax exemption is still valid? I was told the IRS is making changes and if you are not active in their system as of October 9, 2009, you won't be able to operate as a church!

This question probably arose from a misunderstanding related to filing a Form 990 series information return. Most types of nonprofit organizations are required by law to file either Form 990 (or the simpler Form 990-EZ for smaller organizations)if their "gross receipts" (revenues) normally exceed the threshold amounts published by the IRS in the instructions to the forms. Organizations not required to file Form 990 or 990-EZ because their revenues are below the threshold amounts must still file an annual electronic Form 990-N with the IRS to advise the IRS that the organization still exists. Organizations that are required to file either Form 990, 990-EZ or 990-N and don't ...