990 IRS filing deadlines & electronic filing information

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This topic provides electronic filing opening day information and information about relevant due dates for 990 returns. You can find information from the IRS in Publication 4163.

All deadlines are 11:59:59 pm local time. The time zone is based on the location of the preparer and the e-file is time-stamped with the time it is received by Thomson Reuters. We recommend that preparers transmit electronic files to Thomson Reuters at least one hour before the filing deadline.

Date Event
1/7/19

IRS begins accepting 990 electronic tax returns.

Note: You can electronically file tax returns for the 2016, 2017, and 2018 tax years.

4/15/19

 Due date to timely file calendar-year-end returns and Form 8868 extensions for Forms 990-T (IRAs, employee trusts, ESAs, and MSAs) and 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) to FinCEN.

5/15/19

Due date for timely filed calendar-year-end returns and Form 8868 extensions for Forms 990, 990-EZ, 990-N, 990-PF, and 990-T.

10/15/19

Due date for timely filed calendar-year-end 990-T returns (IRAs, employee trusts, ESAs, and MSAs), Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) to FinCEN on extension.

11/15/19

Due date for transmission of calendar-year-end 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, and 990-T returns on extension.

Grace period

  • You have a ten calendar day grace period after the initial date on which an electronic return is transmitted to receive approval on a rejection.
  • You have five calendar days after the initial date on which a Form 8868 extension electronic file is transmitted to receive approval on a rejected extension.
  • These grace periods do not apply to Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). There is no grace period for Form 114 (FBAR). 
  • The grace period starts at the time of the rejection and is never extended for weekends, holidays, or end-of-the-year cutoff.
  • The IRS considers returns that are re-filed electronically during the applicable time frame to be timely-filed returns.
  • If a rejected return cannot be retransmitted electronically, see Resubmitting electronically filed returns and extensions (FAQ).
  • See IRS Publication 4163 for more information on timely filed electronic returns.

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