Form 990 is the main annual return for tax-exempt organizations. It reports revenue, expenses, assets, compensation of officers and key employees, governance practices, and program activities. Smaller organizations may be eligible to file Form 990-EZ or the electronic 990-N postcard, depending on their size.
Most Form 990 filings are public, so they shape how members, donors, and the press see the organization. Clean bookkeeping, documented governance policies, and consistent reporting during the year make the annual filing faster and more accurate.