ABCs of the Form 990
ABCs of the Form 990 is a “seat belt” course that will prepare participants for driving both the 2008 and 2009 versions of the Form 990 (as well as the Form 990-EZ). The course emphasizes the data to be secured and the inputs necessary to accurately and completely prepare the 990’s 11/12 page Core Form along with the Form’s most common Schedules. Along the way, common traps to avoid as well as nuances to understand in favor of easier preparation are highlighted. The course emphasizes the redesigned Form 990’s revamped definitions and new mandates for reporting on managers and their compensation, exempt program accomplishments, governance, and financial inputs and results.

Overall, the course covers:
  • ● the entirety of the Form 990 “Core Form” (and the analogous parts of the Form 990-EZ), as well as the Core Form’s “augmenting page”, the Schedule O
  • ● basic definitions used in reporting on “transactions with interested persons” for Schedule L
  • ● how to report gross receipts and expenses in reporting on “fundraising events/sales” on the Form (and in Schedule G-Part II, required of both 990 and 990-EZ filers)
  • ● the use of Schedule A for identifying non-private foundation status and the use of Schedule C for reporting on the lobbying activities of 501(c)(3) organizations (required of both 990 AND 990-EZ filers)
  • ● ascertaining the existence of and reporting obligations with respect to so-called “related organizations”
  • ● the Form's imperatives as well as the key arenas where preparers' common mistakes occur


National Form 990 expert Eve Borenstein has applied her intimate involvement with the IRS' Redesign Project to the design of this 2010 course. The class synthesizes the preparation pieces of Borenstein’s two 2008/2009 courses on the Form: 990s for Real People a/k/a 990 Basics: A Course for Preparers, Nonprofits, and Advisors and Redesigned Form 990. Those two classes, authored/instructed by Ms. Borenstein personally (as is this course), consistently scored evaluation marks of 4.80-4.90 along with instructor’s knowledge scores of 4.95-5.00.

Course Objectives/Major Topics:
  • * Learn what data need be planned for and culled in order to properly report and detail Form 990 entries on the Core Form and both the mandatory and likely public relations pieces on the Schedule O
  • * Understand the additional disclosure priorities in place due to the new Schedule L (interested persons' transactions) and Schedule G-Part II (fundraising events/activities) -- both in play for both Form 990 and 990-EZ filers
  • * Facility with assisting 501(c)(3) taxpayers in understanding how to qualify as a public charity (and report as such) on Schedule A; understanding of these taxpayers' lobbying limits (and reporting required on Schedule C) – both Schedules required of Form 990 and 990-EZ filers
  • * Explore the Form 990’s new methodologies and definitions for inputting managers and their "reportable" and "other" compensation (i.e., disclosing individuals who are “Trustees/Directors”, “Officers”, “Key Employees”, or “five highest compensated employees”)
  • * Appreciate the non-financial nature of the new Part of the Form 990 addressing the filer's "Governing Body and Management" and "Policies" (Part VI)


Level: Basic/Intermediate
CPE Credit: 8 hours

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