The New England Not-For-Profit Accounting Advisor

Tax-exempt organizations other than those organized under 501(c)(3) or political organizations (under Section 527) will soon be able to leave off donor names and addresses from their Form 990s. The change to the annual tax filings will apply to tax years ending on or after Dec. 31, 2018, according to IRS Rev. Proc. 2018-38. Requirements for 501(c)(3) and Section 527 organizations remain the same. These organizations will continue to report the names and addresses of donors that meet certain threshold requirements as part of their Form 990, Schedule B.

Topics: Brenda Booth, not-for-profit, Form 990, NFP, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organizations, Donor Information, Section 527

By now you have probably heard of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency – the virtual money traded online using encrypted peer-to-peer software. But, until now, you may not have thought about how the technology could benefit your not-for-profit organization.

Topics: not-for-profit, NFP, Mark Winiarski, nonprofit, Brenda Piazza, Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, Blockchain

On June 20, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memo on new thresholds for micro-purchases and small purchases under the Uniform Grant Guidance. The OMB memo dramatically increased these thresholds, which should simplify purchase processes for not-for-profit organizations receiving federal funds.

Topics: not-for-profit, Federal OMB Grant, Michelle Spriggs, OMB, NFP, Uniform Grant Guidance, nonprofit, micro-purchase

On June 21, 2018 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-08, Not-for-Profit Entities (Topic 958): Clarifying the Scope and the Accounting Guidance for Contributions received and Contributions Made, which provides accounting guidance around contributions of cash and other assets received and made by not-for-profit organizations and business enterprises.

Topics: Not-for-Profits, FASB, NFP, Revenue recognition, Financial Accounting Standards Board, ASC Topic 606, Holly Perez

From large organizations to small local associations, cybersecurity is a concern for everyone in the not-for-profit sphere. Yet, because it can often feel like a foreign subject, many organizations aren’t comfortable even describing what cybersecurity is and what it means for their day-to-day operations, which typically means organizations may not be doing what they need to mitigate the associated risks.

Topics: not-for-profit, NFP, cyber attacks, cyber security, Michelle White

The IRS may be faced with a declining workforce and budget, but it’s still active in monitoring compliance for not-for-profit organizations. In its 2018 work plan, the IRS stressed its data-driven approach to selecting Form 990s to examine. Each filed return is scanned and analyzed on 200 data points. Those meeting certain criteria are flagged for potential exam. Some of those data points include:

Topics: tax-exempt, not-for-profit, IRS, Form 990, Form 990-EZ, NFP, tax effect, Lisa Burke

As not-for-profit organizations prepare to adopt the new financial reporting requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update 2016-14, Not-for-Profit Entities (Topic 958): Presentation of Financial Statements of Not-for-Profit Entities (ASU 2016-14), Board members should take an active role in overseeing the implementation of this standard since one of the key fiduciary responsibilities of those charged with governance is to oversee the financial reporting process. ASU 2016-14 is designed to provide more transparency into the financial reporting process of an organization and does so by addressing updates to several areas, including net asset classifications, investment reporting, expenses and the presentation of statement of cash flows information.

Topics: Non-profits, Not-for-Profits, NFP, Not-for-profit financial statement, board of directors, financial statement audit, financial statement reporting, tracy mcdonald, not-for-profit board of directors

If you are the sponsor of a 403(b) retirement plan, you may be asking if it is possible for your organization to be sued over your retirement plan fees. Historically, lawsuits have primarily been filed against for-profit companies sponsoring 401(k) plans. But litigation from 2016 suggests not-for-profit organizations are being scrutinized for their retirement plan fees as well. The law firm Schlichter, Bogard, & Denton targeted numerous high-profile universities, including Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, New York University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on behalf of retirement plan participants who alleged their recordkeeping and investment costs were too high. Plaintiffs also alleged that there were too many investment options offered in the 403(b) plans, which created confusion, with many underperforming peer benchmarks.

Topics: retirement plans, Non-profits, NFP, Retirement Plan Fees, Retirement Plan Lawsuit, 403(b) programs

With the May 15^th due date for calendar year not-for-profits just around the corner and provisions inthe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increasing scrutiny on not-for-profits’ executive compensation, employee benefits, and unrelated business income, it’s a good time to take a look at the message your organization’s tax return is sending. In years past, the IRS Form 990 was no more than a compliance task; an annual filing requirement to keep the IRS at bay. After all, there is no tax due, so what’s the big deal?

Topics: tax-exempt, not-for-profit, IRS, Form 990, Form 990-EZ, NFP, Charity Navigator, GuideStar, tax effect, Amazon Web Services, Lisa Burke

Over the past several months, regulators have released new guidance that will affect not-for-profit accounting and taxes. The following highlights some of the major developments from the end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018.

Topics: Brenda Booth, not-for-profit, NFP, Mark Winiarski, Form 1023-EZ, Excise Taxes, DAF, tax effect, Donor-Advised Funds