In December 2019 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that tax-exempt organizations are now required to electronically file certain documents. This comes after the passage of the Taxpayer First Act in July 2019, which affected tax-exempt organizations in tax years beginning after July 1, 2019. This is a change from the previous option where organizations had the option to mail in paper forms. Organizations that have previously filed paper forms should receive a notice from the IRS telling them of the change.
The following IRS forms should now be filed electronically:
• Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax
• Form 990-PF, Return of Private Foundation (or Section 4947(a)(1) Trust Treated as Private Foundation)
• Form 8872, Political Organization Report of Contributions and Expenditures
• Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income (if filed by a Section 501(d) apostolic organization)
I’ve written about Form 990 in-depth before. While nonprofits don’t generally file annual tax returns (hence the tax-exempt status) most nonprofits need to file an important annual information return (a version of Form 990). If you want to learn more, I recommend giving these posts a read:
Interested in other aspects of successful nonprofit operations and great governance? Confused about any other regulatory changes? Don’t hesitate to contact me for a consult at gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com and 515-371-6077.
Like what you read? Don’t forget to subscribe to GoFisch and tell your friends. I like to think of it as the least boring law firm newsletter you could hope to read! Also, if you ever have any suggestions for content you would like to see, do not hesitate to contact me.
Before the new year is rung in with champagne flutes and fireworks, take these last few days of December to reflect. What do you like about your life? What do you want to change? In years past maybe you set out with the best of intentions to do something different or new, but it fell by the wayside by mid-February. Don’t worry; we’ve all been there. But if you’re looking for a resolution or goal (or whatever you want to call it) that you can actually “keep” I have just the suggestion—make an estate plan.
Like your more average resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier, be nicer, the resolution to create an estate plan can sound daunting at first, but estate planning is actually one of the best goals you can make. Here are a few of the many reasons why:
Estate planning is actually achievable.
The best goals are actionable, realistic, and sustainable. Estate planning is all of those things. With tools like a free estate plan questionnaire, this description of different documents that comprise an estate plan, and the useful checklist, you have the useful tools at your fingertips to reasonably achieve this goal without having to go to too much trouble. Plus, achieving a goal of executing an estate plan can give you a beneficial confidence boost that can inspire you to accomplish other resolutions.
Enlist an experienced attorney who can help guide your estate planning experience from start to finish and tailor your documents to strategically meet your needs and wishes for the future. Sure, you could try to go it alone, and use some sort of messy (potentially inaccurate) DIY documents off the internet. But, why would you potentially threaten the validity of this important set of legal documents when you can bring in an expert who will help you best achieve your wishes? Think, if you were serious about getting in shape, you may hire a personal trainer or wellness coach…an estate planner is like that.
Estate planning is a resolution that can relieve stress!
Many new year’s resolutions also come with a dose of stress. Changing habits can be stressful. Something like a diet can make you crabby. Estate planning is one of the few (if only) resolutions I can think of that gives you both peace of mind and relieves future stress your loved ones. If you pass away or are incapacitated without certain documents (like health care and financial powers of attorney in place) it makes things incredibly difficult, confusing, and stressful for your family members. For most folks, that’s the last thing they want for their loved ones when they’ll already be having a tough/grieving time. Basically completing estate planning is the gift that keeps on giving!
Want to get a head start on making this new year your best year yet? You don’t have to wait for the ball to drop! Start in on this free, no-obligation estate plan questionnaire or contact me to discuss your situation.
https://www.gordonfischerlawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Screen-Shot-2018-12-28-at-12.14.26-PM.png649971Gordon Fischerhttps://www.gordonfischerlawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GFLF-logo-300x141.pngGordon Fischer2019-12-28 12:17:432020-05-18 11:28:38New Year's Resolutions: Why Estate Planning is a Great Goal
Good Governance: Tax-Exempt Organizations to File Forms Electronically
NonprofitsFrom online donations to individually-tailored policies and procedures there’s a lot for nonprofit professionals to stay on top of. One of the ways I like to serve my mission of promoting and maximizing charitable giving in Iowa is to help nonprofits leaders in the state understand the ever-changing regulatory landscape to be the most successful they can.
In December 2019 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that tax-exempt organizations are now required to electronically file certain documents. This comes after the passage of the Taxpayer First Act in July 2019, which affected tax-exempt organizations in tax years beginning after July 1, 2019. This is a change from the previous option where organizations had the option to mail in paper forms. Organizations that have previously filed paper forms should receive a notice from the IRS telling them of the change.
The following IRS forms should now be filed electronically:
• Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax
• Form 990-PF, Return of Private Foundation (or Section 4947(a)(1) Trust Treated as Private Foundation)
• Form 8872, Political Organization Report of Contributions and Expenditures
• Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income (if filed by a Section 501(d) apostolic organization)
I’ve written about Form 990 in-depth before. While nonprofits don’t generally file annual tax returns (hence the tax-exempt status) most nonprofits need to file an important annual information return (a version of Form 990). If you want to learn more, I recommend giving these posts a read:
Interested in other aspects of successful nonprofit operations and great governance? Confused about any other regulatory changes? Don’t hesitate to contact me for a consult at gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com and 515-371-6077.
Read GoFisch: December Edition of GFLF’s Newsletter
NewsletterThe December edition of GoFisch is live! This month’s edition features:
Like what you read? Don’t forget to subscribe to GoFisch and tell your friends. I like to think of it as the least boring law firm newsletter you could hope to read! Also, if you ever have any suggestions for content you would like to see, do not hesitate to contact me.
New Year’s Resolutions: Why Estate Planning is a Great Goal
Estates & Estate PlanningBefore the new year is rung in with champagne flutes and fireworks, take these last few days of December to reflect. What do you like about your life? What do you want to change? In years past maybe you set out with the best of intentions to do something different or new, but it fell by the wayside by mid-February. Don’t worry; we’ve all been there. But if you’re looking for a resolution or goal (or whatever you want to call it) that you can actually “keep” I have just the suggestion—make an estate plan.
Like your more average resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier, be nicer, the resolution to create an estate plan can sound daunting at first, but estate planning is actually one of the best goals you can make. Here are a few of the many reasons why:
Estate planning is actually achievable.
The best goals are actionable, realistic, and sustainable. Estate planning is all of those things. With tools like a free estate plan questionnaire, this description of different documents that comprise an estate plan, and the useful checklist, you have the useful tools at your fingertips to reasonably achieve this goal without having to go to too much trouble. Plus, achieving a goal of executing an estate plan can give you a beneficial confidence boost that can inspire you to accomplish other resolutions.
You don’t have to go it alone.
Enlist an experienced attorney who can help guide your estate planning experience from start to finish and tailor your documents to strategically meet your needs and wishes for the future. Sure, you could try to go it alone, and use some sort of messy (potentially inaccurate) DIY documents off the internet. But, why would you potentially threaten the validity of this important set of legal documents when you can bring in an expert who will help you best achieve your wishes? Think, if you were serious about getting in shape, you may hire a personal trainer or wellness coach…an estate planner is like that.
Estate planning is a resolution that can relieve stress!
Many new year’s resolutions also come with a dose of stress. Changing habits can be stressful. Something like a diet can make you crabby. Estate planning is one of the few (if only) resolutions I can think of that gives you both peace of mind and relieves future stress your loved ones. If you pass away or are incapacitated without certain documents (like health care and financial powers of attorney in place) it makes things incredibly difficult, confusing, and stressful for your family members. For most folks, that’s the last thing they want for their loved ones when they’ll already be having a tough/grieving time. Basically completing estate planning is the gift that keeps on giving!
Want to get a head start on making this new year your best year yet? You don’t have to wait for the ball to drop! Start in on this free, no-obligation estate plan questionnaire or contact me to discuss your situation.