Most states have statutes that require charitable organizations that solicit contributions from the public to register and file periodic financial reports. See State Charitable Solicitation Statutes PDF for a general discussion of these statutes. Many states accept a copy of the IRS annual return (Form 990-PF) in place of all or part of their financial report forms. If you use Form 990-PF to satisfy state or local filing requirements, note the following - Determine state filing requirements You should consult the appropriate officials of all states and other jurisdictions in which the organization does business to determine their specific filing requirements. "Doing business" in a jurisdiction may include any of the following: (1) soliciting contributions or grants by mail or otherwise from individuals, businesses, or other charitable organizations; (b) conducting programs; (c) having employees within that jurisdiction; (d) maintaining a checking account; or (e) owning or renting property there. Monetary tests may differ Dollar limitations applicable to 990-PF, when filed with the IRS may not apply when using the return, in place of state or local report forms. An example of IRS dollar limitations that do not meet some state requirements is the $50,000 minimum for listing professional fees in Part II of Schedule A (Form 990-PF). Additional information may be required State or local filing requirements may require you to attach to Form 990-PF, one or more of the following: (a) additional financial statements, such as a complete analysis of functional expenses or a statement of changes in net assets; (b) notes to financial statements; (c) additional financial schedules; (d) a report on the financial statements by an independent accountant; and (e) answers to additional questions and other information. Each jurisdiction may require the additional material to be presented on forms they provide. The additional information does not have to be submitted with the return, filed with the IRS. Even if IRS accepts the return that the organization files as complete, a copy of the same return filed with a state will not fully satisfy that state's filing requirement if required information is not provided, including any of the additional information discussed above, or if the state determines that the form was not completed by following the applicable Form 990-PF instructions or supplemental state instructions. If so, the organization may be asked to provide the missing information or to submit an amended return. Use of audit guides may be required To ensure that all organizations report similar transactions uniformly, many states require that contributions, gifts, grants, etc., and functional expenses be reported according to the AICPA industry audit and accounting guide, "Not-for-Profit Organizations" (New York, NY, AICPA, 2003), supplemented by "Standards of Accounting and Financial Reporting for Voluntary Health and Welfare Organizations" (Washington, DC, National Health Council, Inc., 1998, 4th edition). Donated services and facilities Although the two publications named above sometimes call for reporting donated services and facilities as items of revenue and expenses, many states and the IRS do not permit the inclusion of those amounts in Parts I and II of the Form 990-PF. The optional reporting of donated services and facilities is discussed in the instructions for the return. Amended returns If the organization submits supplemental information or files an amended Form 990-PF with the IRS, it must also send a copy of the information or amended return to any state with which it filed a copy of the return originally to meet that state's filing requirement. Method of accounting Most states require that all amounts be reported based on the accrual method of accounting. Time for filing may differ The deadline for filing Form 990-PF with the IRS differs from the time for filing reports with some states. Public inspection Form 990-PF information made available for public inspection by the IRS may differ from that made available by the states. Return to Life Cycle of a Private Foundation
