On July 15, 2021, the IRS announced in an Exempt Organization update the electronic filing mandate for Form 990-EZ.
The Taxpayer First Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-25) requires tax-exempt organizations to electronically file information returns and related forms. The requirement to file electronically generally became effective for tax years beginning after July 1, 2019. However, for small exempt organizations, the legislation specifically allowed postponement or transitional relief.
For tax years ending before July 31, 2021, the IRS will accept either paper or electronic filing of Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax.
For tax years ending July 31, 2021, and later, Forms 990-EZ must be filed electronically.
We have already seen the IRS send rejection letters for some Forms 990 and Forms 990-T that were not filed electronically. We anticipate that the IRS will do the same for Forms 990-EZ.
The IRS will be sending an educational letter to organizations that filed paper Forms 990-EZ previously. There is no need to reply to those letters.
Be advised that all Forms 990-EZ must now be electronically filed to the IRS.
