Because the 15th falls on a Saturday this month, the due date for Form 990 for calendar year exempt organizations is May 17, 2010. An extension can be requested for three months using Form 8868. This year’s deadline is particularly important for small tax-exempt organizations. The IRS changed the requirements a few years ago, requiring many small organizations (with gross receipts less than $25,000 to file the Form 990-N (the e-Postcard).  Exceptions to this requirement include:

• Organizations that are included in a group return,
• Churches, and
• Organizations required to file a different return

If you do not file your e-Postcard on time, the IRS will send you a reminder notice.  An organization that fails to file required e-Postcards for three consecutive years will automatically lose its tax-exempt status. The revocation of the organization’s tax-exempt status will not take place until the filing due date of the third year.