Guide · Form 990
Form 990 Filing Thresholds Explained
Which annual return an exempt organization files — 990-N, 990-EZ or the full Form 990 — depends on gross receipts and total assets. Here is how the thresholds work.
November 4, 2025 · 6 min read
Most tax-exempt organizations must file an annual information return with the IRS. Which version of the return applies is generally determined by the organization's gross receipts and, in some cases, total assets at the end of the tax year.
The three annual return options
Exempt organizations that are required to file generally use one of three forms in the Form 990 series.
- Form 990-N (e-Postcard): generally available to organizations whose annual gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less.
- Form 990-EZ: generally available where gross receipts are less than $200,000 and total assets are less than $500,000 at year end.
- Form 990: generally required where gross receipts are $200,000 or more, or total assets are $500,000 or more.
Organizations with special rules
Private foundations file Form 990-PF regardless of size. Certain churches, integrated auxiliaries and specific governmental affiliates are generally not required to file an annual return at all. Organizations with unrelated business income of $1,000 or more may also need to file Form 990-T in addition to their annual information return.
Why the threshold matters
Filing the wrong form, or failing to file for three consecutive years, can lead to automatic revocation of exempt status. Reviewing gross receipts early in the close process helps avoid a late scramble and a return that has to be amended.
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