Guidelines for Filing IRS Forms 990 and 990-T.

This manual provides instructions and sample documents for all tax-exempt organizations required to file Form 990 "Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax" or Form 990-1 "Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return." The short introductory section covers who must file and summarizes the changes in the 1996 forms. The section "Who Must File" defines the parameters for using Forms 990, 990EZ, Schedule A (Form 990) "Organization Exempt Under 501 (3)", 990-T "Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return", and estimated tax payments (Forms 8109 and 990-W). The next section covers due dates. Section 3 covers the steps for preparing Forms 990 and 990-T, and includes some additional filing tips, cost allocations, and supporting schedules. Section 4 provides guidance for completing each part and line of Form 990 and Schedule A; Section 5 provides detailed instructions for Form 990-T, the unrelated business income tax. Section 6 covers filing for extensions (Form 2758); Section 7 summarizes various Internal Revenue Service Rulings and Determinations; and Section 8 covers public inspection requirements. Three appendixes show a sample university financial statement; a worksheet; and a completed return. Appendix D reprints filing instructions for Form 990EZ, "Short Form Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax." (CH)