Get your annual return to the taxing authority prepared, board-reviewed, and filed on time, every year, and make it a routine rather than a scramble.
In Protect Your Tax-Exempt Standing, first, and each year thereafter. Missing it repeatedly is what leads to automatic loss of exempt status.
| Step | Done? |
|---|---|
| The return is prepared by a nonprofit accountant | |
| The board reviews the return before it is filed | |
| It is filed on time, and proof of filing is kept | |
| Next year’s return set on the compliance calendar now, with a start-work date months ahead |
Preparing the return is your accountant’s work, and reviewing it is your board’s. Your job is to be ready, to understand what it says about you, and never to let it lapse. If it is already late by multiple years, that is an active problem: go to the professional route in the guide.
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