The IRS has released the list of those nonprofit groups that face losing their exempt status because they failed to file their returns for three consecutive years. Organizations who have failed to file for the last three years and were supposed to this year starting in May (which includes groups whose fiscal year ends on December 31) do have until October 15 to file, so if you or an organization you know about are on this list be sure to get in compliance.

Some fun facts about the Washington nonprofits on the list:

• There are 8,128 nonprofits in the state that will lose their exempt status
• 427 of those organizations are in Tacoma
• 198 are in Olympia
• 1652 are in Seattle
• 398 are in Spokane

From Grant Thorton comes this helpful info:

There are two types of relief available for small exempt organizations:

1. File Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) – small organizations required to file Form 990-N simply need to go to the IRS website, supply the eight information items called for on the form, and electronically file it by Oct. 15.
2. Voluntary Compliance Program – under the VCP, tax-exempt organizations eligible to file Form 990-EZ must file their delinquent annual information returns by October 15 and pay a compliance fee. Details about the VCP are on the IRS website, along with FAQ’s.

Either of these relief opportunities will bring the organization back into compliance; however, the relief announced is not available to larger organizations required to file the Form 990 or to private foundations that file Form 990-PF.