Form 990-EZ (2010) Filing Checklist
Unique 2010 Context
Form 990-EZ for 2010 introduced lower thresholds (gross receipts of $200,000, total assets of $500,000) compared to prior years ($500,000/$1,250,000), thereby increasing the number of organizations eligible for 990-EZ. Key distinction: Organizations operating donor-advised funds or hospital facilities are barred from filing Form 990-EZ and must file Form 990 instead. Line 6 was restructured to separate gaming and fundraising event reporting.
Year-Specific Applicability
The 2010 Form 990-EZ applies to calendar-year filers reporting activity from January 1 to December 31, 2010, or to fiscal-year organizations that began and ended within 2010. No stimulus reconciliation, ACA reporting, or other post-2010 provisions apply to the 2010 form.
Ten-Step Checklist for 2010 Form 990-EZ
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility Under 2010 Thresholds
Verify gross receipts are less than $200,000 AND total assets (Part II, line 25, column B) are less than $500,000 at year-end. If either threshold is met or exceeded, file Form 990 instead. Organizations maintaining donor-advised funds (line 44a) or operating hospital facilities (line 44b) must file Form 990.
Step 2: Gather 2010 Revenue Documentation
Collect W-2s and 1099s for all employees and contractors. Document contributions, grants, membership dues, investment income statements, capital gains/losses records, gaming/fundraising event gross receipts and expenses, and inventory sales records for Part I revenue lines 1–8.
Step 3: Complete Part I Revenue Section
Report 2010 calendar-year amounts: contributions (line 1), program service revenue (line 2), membership dues (line 3), investment income (line 4), asset sales gains/losses (line 5c), gaming income (line 6a), fundraising event income (line 6b), fundraising/gaming direct expenses (line 6c), inventory sales (line 7c), and other revenue (line 8). Sum to line 9 total revenue.
Step 4: Complete Part I Expense Section and Calculate Net
Enter 2010 expenses: grants (line 10), benefits to members (line 11), salaries and employee benefits (line 12), professional fees (line 13), occupancy/utilities/maintenance (line 14), printing/postage/shipping (line 15), and other expenses (line 16). Sum line 17 total expenses. Calculate the excess or deficit on line 18 (line 9 minus line 17).
Step 5: Complete Part II Balance Sheet
Report beginning-of-year balances (column A) and end-of-year balances (column B) for 2010: cash, land, buildings, other assets (line 24), total assets (line 25), liabilities (line 26), and net assets or fund balances (line 27). Line 27 column B must equal Form 990-EZ line 21 (ending net assets).
Step 6: Complete Part III Program Service Accomplishments and Part IV Officers/Directors List
Describe the primary exempt purpose and accomplishments for each program service in Part III. List all current officers, directors, trustees, and key employees in Part IV regardless of compensation, including name, title, average hours per week, compensation (enter -0- if unpaid), and employee benefit plan contributions.
Step 7: Answer Part V Compliance Questions and Complete Part VI (if Section 501(c)(3))
Answer Yes/No questions 35–52 regarding unrelated business income, liquidation, loans to officers, political activities (line 46), and lobbying (line 47). For 501(c)(3) organizations, answer Part VI questions 47–49b and complete compensation tables for lines 50 and 51 (highest-paid employees and contractors earning over $100,000).
Step 8: Determine Required Schedules for Attachment
Attach Schedule A if the organization is a 501(c)(3) or section 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust. Attach Schedule G if line 6a (gaming income) exceeds $15,000, or if the sum of contributions from fundraising events (included in line 1) and line 6b (gross fundraising event income) exceeds $15,000.
Attach Schedule C if the organization engaged in political activities (line 46) or lobbying (line 47). Attach Schedule L if excess benefit transactions or certain loans are reported. Attach Schedule O for explanations and supplemental information. Attach Schedule N if liquidation, termination, or significant asset disposition occurred (line 36).
Step 9: Verify Line L Gross Receipts Calculation and Form Selection
Add lines 5b, 6c, and 7b to line 9; compare the result to $200,000 threshold. If gross receipts equal or exceed $200,000, or if total assets (Part II, line 25, column B) equal or exceed $500,000, file Form 990 instead of 990-EZ. Do not submit a Form 990-EZ that exceeds thresholds.
Step 10: Sign, Date, and Mail Form with All Schedules
An authorized officer must sign and date Form 990-EZ on page 4 (signature block). If prepared by a paid preparer, the preparer must sign and include firm information (EIN or SSN). Assemble the completed core form, all required schedules, and any attachments. For 2010 calendar-year filers, file by May 15 of the following year. See the IRS Where to File page for Form 990-EZ 2010 for mailing instructions specific to your jurisdiction (do not submit to commercial addresses).
Form-Specific Limitations
Nonresident and Entity-Type Restrictions
Form 990-EZ cannot be filed by organizations outside the United States or U.S. possessions (unless otherwise permitted under instructions), by foreign organizations, or by black lung benefit trusts or private foundations. Section 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trusts treated as private foundations must file Form 990-PF instead.
Compensation Reporting Options
Organizations filing 990-EZ must select and consistently apply either Option 1 (simplified, calendar-year W-2/1099-MISC/1099-MISC-based reporting) or Option 2 (prior-year 2007 method) for all officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. The chosen method applies to all tax years beginning in 2008 forward and must not be changed without IRS approval.
2010 Line and Section Changes
Line 6 (Gaming and Fundraising) - Updated
Prior instruction: Attached a separate schedule for special events and gaming.
2010 instruction: Divided into line 6a (gaming) and 6b (fundraising events), with Parts II and III of Schedule G required if the total exceeds $15,000.
Line 44 (Donor Advised Funds and Hospitals) - Added
Prior instruction: Not specified in earlier 990-EZ versions.
2010 instruction: Added to clarify that organizations maintaining donor-advised funds or operating hospital facilities must file Form 990, not 990-EZ.
Line 45a (Controlled Entities) - Added
Prior instruction: Not separately identified.
2010 instruction: Added to clarify that organizations with controlled entities must complete Form 990 and Schedule R instead of 990-EZ.
Form 990-N Threshold - Clarified.
Prior instruction: $25,000 gross receipts.
2010 instruction: Raised to $50,000 gross receipts for organizations not required to file 990 or 990-EZ.
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This checklist is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Always review official IRS instructions and consult a qualified professional for guidance.
