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.

Need Help Filing for your 501(C)3?

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)

IRS Form 1023 Tax Preparation Guide by Jody Blazek, CPA

Despite the fact that this book was written in 2004, it remains an excellent resource to use while filling out IRS Form 1023. (FYI: Sept. 2009 Form 1023 Revision changes are summarized at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1023.pdf ) The guide is easy to understand and takes the reader from the application process through the approval process. Line-by-line instructions for filling out Form 1023 and explanations of each of the form’s special schedules are presented in great detail. The author also explains what things the IRS is looking for when examining an application and warns the reader of organizational characteristics that may prevent an application from being approved. Appendices in the back show the reader what a complete Form 1023 and its attachments might look like for both a public charity and a private operating foundation. The appendices also include IRS correspondence samples, such as the acknowledgement of the applicant’s request and determination letters recognizing exemption. This book answers many questions a reader may have about filling out Form 1023.

--reviewed by Shannon Martínez, VLAA Intern
Law Student at Saint Louis University School of Law