One-Time Filing Relief for Small Organizations That Failed to File for Three Consecutive Years

Tax-exempt organizations that fail to satisfy annualorganization does not file as required for three
filing requirements for three consecutive yearsconsecutive years, the law provides that it
automatically lose their tax exempt status. The IRS isautomatically loses its tax-exempt status. Loss of
providing one-time relief that will allow small exemptexempt status means an organization must file income
organizations to come back into compliance and retaintax returns and pay income tax, and its contributors will
their tax-exempt status even though they failed to filenot be able to deduct their donations.
for three consecutive years. If your organization lost itsWhat to Do If You Think IRS Records Are in Error
exemption then you will have to reapply to regain your 
tax-exempt status. Any income received between the 
revocation date and renewed exemption may beThe list of organizations at risk of automatic revocation
taxable.was generated on June 30, 2010. If you believe that
This one-time relief benefits Form 990-N (e-Postcard)your organization's name appears in error because, for
and Form 990-EZ filers only. Organizations required toexample, it does not have a filing requirement or it has
file Form 990 or Form 990-PF are not eligible and aretimely submitted a notice or filed a return, it should
automatically revokedif they fail to file for threefollow the procedures below:
consecutive years.If you believe you do not have a filing requirement:
The IRS website has a list of organizations at risk of- Call 1-877-829-5500 (toll-free) to verify that you do
losing their tax-exempt status because, according tonot have a filing requirement.
IRS records, they have not filed for 2007, 2008 andIf you believe you submitted a timely Form 990-N
2009. The list contains the name of the organization(e-Postcard):
and its last-known address. Check this list to see- Verify that the employer identification number (EIN)
whether your organization is at risk of automaticused to submit the Form 990-N is correct.  Many
revocation and can avoid this consequence byorganizations mistakenly use the EIN of a parent or
following IRS guidance.  The list can be found atcentral organization, bank, or credit union when filing. 
The list may be incomplete, as certain organizations- If you filed using an incorrect EIN, submit a Form
may be at risk even though their names do not990-N with the correct EIN no later than October 15,
appear. In addition, the list may include organizations2010.
that were required to file Form 990 or Form 990-PF- If you filed using the correct EIN, submit a copy of the
and are not eligible for the relief program, ande-mail confirmation that you received indicating your
organizations whose filing dates have not yetsubmission was accepted, or a printout from the
occurred.  In addition, the list may include organizationse-Postcard (Form 990-N) data download disclosure
that were required to file Form 990 or Form 990-PF.database containing your organization's filing
These organizations are not eligible to take advantageinformation, to the address below by October 15, 2010.
of this one-time IRS filing relief to bring them intoIf you believe you filed a timely Form 990-EZ, Short
compliance.Form Return of Organization Exempt from Income
The smallest organizations – those eligible to fileTax, Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from
Form 990-N (e-Postcard) and whose e-Postcards areIncome Tax, or Form 990-PF, Return of Private
due on or after May 17 and on or before October 15Foundation:
– can maintain their tax-exempt status by filing the- Send proof of filing to the address below by October
required annual electronic notice by October 15, 2010.15, 2010.
The e-Postcard asks for a few basic pieces of- If you are a subordinate organization covered under
information and is filed electronically.a group ruling and your organization was included on a
Organizations may file a paper Form 990-EZ or Formgroup return filed by the parent or central organization,
990 in lieu of the Form 990-N (for example, to satisfycall 1-877-829-5500 (toll-free) or send a letter with your
state filing requirements), as long as the return isorganization's name and the group return EIN to the
complete and filed by October 15.  Write Filed in lieuaddress below by October 15, 2010.  A group return
of Form 990-N on top of the return and envelopecan only be filed on a Form 990.
(postmarked no later than October 15, 2010) and mail itMail copies of your returns and proof of filing to:
to:Internal Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service1973 N. Rulon White Blvd.
M/S 1114M/S 6273
P.O. Box 12610Ogden, UT  84201
Ogden, UT  84412Call Customer Account Services at 1-877-829-5500
Most tax-exempt organizations, other than churches,(toll-free) if the above does not address your situation.
must file a yearly return or notice with the IRS. If an