Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, is an annual information return that local PTA units should be prepared to file with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by the 15th day of the fifth month following the close of your fiscal year. For most local PTA units in Minnesota, this would be November 15th as the fiscal year generally ends June 30. You will want to consult your bylaws for your unit's fiscal year dates. All PTA's must file some version of the Form 990, regardless of income or receipts.
The IRS normally sends the necessary forms or notices to the PTA's, but the responsibility of filing lies with the PTA treasurer. It is a legitimate expense for your PTA unit to hire a tax preparer if help is needed to complete your 990.
Here are a few guidelines regarding Form 990 that PTAs should keep in mind:
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If your PTA unit is allowed to file via e-postcard, 990-N, please click here for instructions on how to file.
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If a PTA receives a Form 990 package in the mail, with an addressed mailing label, but is not required to file because its annual gross income is normally not more than $25,000, the treasurer should proceed as follows:
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Attach the label to the name and address space on the Form 990 return.
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Check box K (in the area above Part 1) to indicate that the PTA's gross receipts are below the $25,000 filing minimum.
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Sign the return.
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Keep a copy for the PTA's permanent records and send the original to the IRS Service Center indicated on the package instructions.
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If the PTA's annual gross receipts are normally $25,000 or less, the PTA may choose to electronically submit Form 990-N, also known as the e-Postcard, unless they choose to file a complete Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
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If the PTA's annual gross receipts are normally more than $25,000, it has an obligation to complete and file form 990 and Schedule A, whether or not it received them in the mail.
- If in any year, the PTA's gross receipts are less than $100,000 and total assets are less than $250,000, the treasurer may file the Form 990-EZ instead of the Form 990.
- PTAs with annual receipts of less than $100,000 but at least $25,000 and total assets of less than $250,000 are required to file Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
- The IRS deadline for filing Form 990 or 990-EZ is the 15th day of the fifth month after the end of the organization’s fiscal year. (For example, a PTA with a fiscal year ending June 30 must file by November 15.)
- If the PTA wishes to file an extension of time to file Form 990 or 990-EZ, it should complete and file Form 2758 with the IRS before the deadline determined by the close of the PTA's fiscal year.
- More information about filing Forms 990 and 990-EZ is available on the IRS website and www.pta.org and the PTA Quick Reference Guide, Money Matters. 9/01/09
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