I’m sure that the IRS expected their charitable organizations section of the web site to be popular on yesterday but probably not as popular as it was. With an important deadline looming, charitable organizations found wait times to be excruciatingly slow and subject to time outs as they attempted to file the form 990-N (otherwise known as the e-postcard) online. I should know, I was trying to file on behalf of one of my clients who was just made aware that they needed to file. It was slow. And painful. As in really slow and painful. But I got it done. I printed out the confirmation, noting from the web site that e-filing receipts might take up to 48 hours to be issued.
My guess is that the IRS is breathing a huge sigh of relief now that it’s over. I’m curious to hear: did any of you (or your clients) miss out on filing due to wait times?
We use our tax software to handle the 990-N filings. I probably wouldn’t have had the patience for waiting, I think I would have filed an extension and then file the 990-N later.
Yes, I had the same problem. I was in the process of filing a 990-EZ for a non-profit for whom I am the treasurer, when I got the word about the 990-N. Figuring it would be easier to file online, I attempted to access the site and got kicked out over and over. I finally got the filing done yesterday. I figure the IRS knew there was a problem and I did read somewhere that exempt status isn’t in jeopardy until after 3 consecutive years of late filings. This is the first year for this non-profit, so I’m hoping it won’t be a problem.
Of course, I could have filed the 990-EZ many weeks ago, so part of it was my fault.