Need Basic Help Filling Out Your 990?

Here's the last of the summer series of G&FC book reviews by VLAA interns:

Revised Form 990: A Line-by-Line Preparation Guide by Jody Blazek and Amanda Adams

Nonprofit organizations that fall under Section 501(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code are required to file a 990 form annually. In December
2008, the form was revised. This book explains the changes made to
the form as well as uncovers the potential new challenges involved in
filing the form.
Blazek and Adams also spell out clearly who is and
who is not required to file a 990. Not only do these authors do a
great job of walking the reader through the steps of the new form, but
they also provide tips on how to stay organized and keep good records.
The book truly does go through the form line by line and is easily
comprehensible for a person without a background in accounting.
-- by Whitney Digilio, Washington University Law School, VLAA summer intern 2010
For more information on the 990 and it's importance to your organization, come to our Nov. 10 session descibed below.

Can NPO Law Be Made "Easy"?

To help you select your nonprofit/fundraising reading this summer, we've asked VLAA summer interns to highlight and comment on some of the books available in our G&FC collection (and elsewhere)

Nonprofit Law Made Easy by Bruce H. Hopkins

This book guides the reader through the legal obligations a nonprofit organization must fulfill. Hopkins stresses the importance of understanding what a nonprofit is and of filing government forms properly. He uses simple language to explain the law and each chapter is broken down into the most prevalent legal issues nonprofits face. Chapters contain multiple short summaries of the legal terms and requirements associated with each of these issues. The volume helps the reader become aware of the legal matters he/she must think about before forming a nonprofit. It is recommended as a first step rather than a guide for those looking for a brief and simple introduction to nonprofit law. Nonprofit Law Made Easy will open the reader's eyes to the legal complexities of a nonprofit, but should not replace consultation with a real live legal expert.
--reviewed by Whitney Digilio, VLAA intern,

Washington University School of Law student