Wiki set up for sector discussion of Form 990 changes

The National Center for Charitable Statistics and Guidestar.org have created a “Wiki” page to solicit comments and suggestions for the new Internal Revenue Service Form 990, which is being revised for the first time in years. A wiki is a website which allows users to add and edit content collectively.

Nonprofit tax advisors, financial managers and others interested in viewing the discussion can go to http://www.nccs2.org/wiki. If they have comments to add, people can log on with a username and password and offer their thoughts and opinions on any of the nine parts of 15 schedules of the new draft form. It works just like Wikipedia, the collaborative online encyclopedia. The page is expected to be available through August.

The IRS unveiled a revised Form 990 draft in June and is accepting public comment until Sept. 14. Questions and comments about the draft form can be emailed to Form990Revision@irs.gov or mailed to IRS; Form 990 Redesign, SE:T:EO; 1111 Constitution Ave., NW; Washington, D.C.; 20224. The new form is expected to be ready next year, in time for the 2009 filing season.

In addition, the National Council of Nonprofit Associations has been asked to provide comments from the perspective of small and midsized nonprofits, and would like to hear from you. Please send your comments directly to publicpolicy@ncna.org or join a conference call on Aug. 9 at 9 a.m. Hawai‘i Time. During the call, IRS representative Theresa Patarra will answer questions and clarify issues related to the revision process. Space is limited, so register today.