March 4, 2004 | Read Time: 1 minute
The Internal Revenue Service is ready to offer charities the option of filing their federal informational returns over the Internet.
Any organization that files a Form 990 or 990-EZ may participate in the program, according to the revenue service. Foundations, which must file a 990-PF, do not yet have the option of filing online.
In creating the electronic 990, the IRS worked with the National Association of State Charity Officials to make sure that it could be used to meet state filing requirements. Thirty-seven states accept Forms 990 to satisfy filing or registration requirements. The online form will look the same as the printed version.
The IRS says that charities that file their forms online should find that their returns are somewhat easier to fill out and can be processed more quickly.
To file online, charities must use software that has been approved by the IRS. Information about online filing and approved software providers may be found at http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=108211,00.html. The list will be updated as additional software providers are certified. The IRS anticipates that at least one organization will offer free software for electronic filing.
