Nonprofit Tax Services & Compliance Support
Nonprofit organizations are not one-size-fits-all, and neither are their tax and compliance needs. With over 45 years of experience, we’ve seen firsthand how the nonprofit landscape continues to evolve, bringing increased complexity and ongoing regulatory challenges. Nonprofit tax services help organizations manage IRS filings, maintain tax-exempt status, and stay compliant with federal and state requirements.
Staying on top of these requirements can be difficult when your focus is on your mission. Without the right support, organizations risk financial penalties or even the loss of tax-exempt status. Our team is here to help you navigate these challenges with confidence and clarity.
How We Support Nonprofit Organizations
What Are Nonprofit Tax Services?
Nonprofit tax services help tax-exempt organizations navigate federal and state filing requirements while maintaining compliance with IRS regulations. These services go beyond basic tax preparation to include ongoing compliance monitoring, strategic guidance, and support for complex tax situations.
For many nonprofits, working with an experienced tax advisor helps ensure that filings are accurate, deadlines are met, and regulatory requirements are consistently followed.
Nonprofit Tax Requirements
Even tax-exempt organizations must meet ongoing tax and reporting obligations. These requirements are essential to maintaining compliance and protecting tax-exempt status.
Common nonprofit tax requirements include:
- Filing Form 990 annually with the IRS
- Maintaining accurate and complete financial records
- Complying with IRS regulations for tax-exempt organizations
- Monitoring and reporting unrelated business income (UBI)
- Meeting state and local tax (SALT) filing requirements
- Support for international compliance
- Nonprofit governance
- IRS compliance requirements
Failure to meet these obligations can result in penalties or, in some
cases, loss of tax-exempt status.
When Should a Nonprofit Work with a Tax Advisor?
Navigating nonprofit tax requirements requires expert guidance at every stage, from establishing tax-exempt status to managing compliance as the organization grows and evolves.
Organizations typically seek nonprofit tax services when they:
- Applying for exempt status
- Need assistance preparing or reviewing Forms 990-N, 990-EZ, 990
- Experience growth, new funding sources, or increased complexity
- Generate unrelated business income
- Face compliance concerns or potential audits
- Want to ensure they are maintaining tax-exempt status
- Obtaining advice on the industry standards & best practices
- Expanding into new states and markets (global)
Working with a knowledgeable advisor helps organizations stay ahead of requirements and avoid costly issues.
Our Nonprofit Tax Services
At Rubino, we provide a full range of nonprofit tax services tailored to the specific needs of each organization.
Our services include:
- Form 990 preparation and filing
- Tax compliance and reporting support
- IRS and state filing guidance
- State annual registrations
- Form 990-PF specific to Private Foundations
- Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)
- Strategic tax planning for nonprofit organizations
- Unrelated Business Income (UBI) analysis and reporting on Form 990-T
- Income tax compliance & consulting, for certain political organizations reporting on Form 1120-POL
We take a proactive approach, helping clients not only meet current requirements but also plan for future compliance and growth.
Additional Nonprofit Tax Expertise & Advisory Support
Beyond annual compliance and Form 990 preparation, Rubino provides guidance on a wide range of complex nonprofit tax and reporting matters.
Federal Tax Compliance & Reporting
- Unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) and Form 990-T reporting
- Executive compensation and key employee reporting
- Fringe benefit analysis and reporting
- Foreign activities and reporting
- International boycott reporting (Form 5713)
- Disregarded entity analysis and reporting
- Alternative investment analysis and reporting, including foreign investments
State & Local Tax (SALT) and Regulatory Compliance
- State charitable solicitation requirements
- Property taxes and exemption eligibility
- Tax jurisdiction reviews for SALT compliance
- Filing exemptions and special reporting requirements
Governance, Policies & Organizational Oversight
- Governance and policy considerations
- Conflict of interest policy reviews and questionnaires
- Accountable plan compliance reviews
- Written acknowledgement assistance
- Contract and agreement reviews
Fundraising, Contributions & Public Support
- Fundraising events and professional fundraiser compliance
- Public support test compliance
- Noncash and in-kind contribution reporting
- Scholarship guidelines for private foundations
Complex Transactions & Structural Planning
- Corporate subsidiary planning
- Converting a private foundation to a public charity
- Related party transactions
- Fiscal sponsorship reporting
- Grantmaking compliance
Advocacy, Political & Regulatory Activities
- Lobbying and political activity regulations
- Analysis and filings for 501(h) elections and revocations (Form 5768)
Operations, Workforce & Lifecycle Events
- Payroll and contractor reporting
- Volunteer activity tracking
- Organizational dissolutions
- IRS penalty abatement support
Supporting Your Mission with Confidence
While nonprofit organizations may be exempt from federal income tax, they face complex and detailed reporting requirements across financials, governance, compensation, and operations. In addition to federal filings, many organizations must also meet state-level requirements, and annual filings are publicly available, making accuracy and transparency essential.
Our team helps you navigate these complexities so you can stay focused on your mission with confidence in your compliance and reporting. As a Rubino client, you’ll stay informed on key deadlines, requirements, and changes, with a responsive team ready to support you every step of the way.
We offer fair, competitive pricing based on your organization’s needs. Contact us to learn how we can support your nonprofit with confidence.
Common Nonprofit Tax Challenges We Solve
Nonprofit organizations face complex and evolving tax requirements. Our team helps address challenges such as:
By addressing these challenges, we help alleviate some of the background stress so management and boards can do what they do best with greater confidence and stability of a trusted partner.
What Happens If a Nonprofit Loses Tax-Exempt Status?
Failing to meet IRS filing requirements can have serious consequences for nonprofit organizations.
If a nonprofit does not file Form 990 for three consecutive years, the IRS will automatically revoke its tax-exempt status. This can result in penalties, loss of donor confidence, and additional administrative burden to regain compliance.
In some cases, organizations may be able to apply for reinstatement, but the process can be complex and time-sensitive.
For a deeper explanation of the risks and recovery process, read our guide on maintaining tax-exempt status.
What Our Clients Gain
We know you have many options of service providers available, and we hope you find the right fit. We believe we are a great resource and partner to our clients because ultimately, they can rely on us.
Organizations that work with Rubino for nonprofit tax services gain:
- Access to quick answers from our responsive team that come from experience and expertise
- Confidence in tax compliance and reporting, and pride in the quality of information disseminated online
- Accurate and timely filings that fit in with your timelines and organizational needs
- Reduced risk of penalties and errors to help you protect your organization’s reputation and resources
- Improved financial transparency for your board, your donors, and the general public
- Peace of mind knowing you are protecting your ultimate asset: your organization’s tax-exempt status
What OUR CLIENTS
SAYWith Rubino's support, we have successfully gone from a very small organization to completing our first required independent audit and making the associated shifts in financial mindset, for example, going from a cash to accrual basis for accounting and figuring out depreciation and capitalization of our assets. The commitment to detail and accuracy, the personal attention, and patience are all aspects of our experience with Rubino for which we are very grateful.
How This Fits Into Your Organization’s Financial Strategy
Rubino has experts across several service areas that all focus on the nonprofit sector. We work with each other and our clients to bring our collective knowledge to you and your organization. From our shareholders to our staff, there are eras of experience that we can apply to your organization’s specific situation and needs.
Nonprofit tax services are one part of a broader financial strategy. Many organizations also benefit from:
- Audit and assurance services, including Single Audits – these could be driven by state requirements once you reach certain thresholds of revenues. You don’t want to find this out too late.
- Outsourced accounting support – expertise on capturing an accurate financial picture can help you focus on making the best decisions for your organization with better information and insights.
- Advisory and financial planning – if your nonprofit organization is just one piece of a bigger picture, it makes sense to look at the collective with experts across our teams.
By aligning tax services with overall financial operations, your nonprofit organization can improve efficiency of operations, protect its resources, and make more informed decisions.
Nonprofit Tax Insights & Resources
Understanding nonprofit tax requirements goes beyond filing deadlines. The following resources provide additional guidance on compliance, reporting, and maintaining tax-exempt status.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) For Nonprofit Tax
Answer: Most nonprofit organizations are required to file Form 990 annually with the IRS, along with any applicable state filings.
Answer: While many nonprofits are tax-exempt, they may still be subject to taxes on unrelated business income.
Answer: Failure to file Form 990 for three consecutive years can result in automatic revocation of tax-exempt status.
Answer: While not required, many nonprofits work with a CPA to ensure filings are accurate, complete, and compliant with regulations.
For a complete list of Nonprofit Tax FAQs, please click here.
A Commitment to Client Success
Meet Our Nonprofit Tax Team Leader
