{"question": "best tax preparation software for nonprofits", "category": "tax-preparation-software", "category_name": "tax preparation software", "audience": "nonprofits", "audience_name": "nonprofits", "engine": "Claude (Anthropic) with web search", "model": "claude-opus-5", "asked_at": "2026-09-29T22:16:05Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-nonprofits-2026-09-29", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/nonprofits", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Form 990", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Tax990", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "TaxBandits", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "File990", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "TaxAct", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "TaxAct Tax-Exempt Organizations", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "UltraTax CS", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Lacerte", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/annual-electronic-notice-form-990-n-for-small-organizations-faqs-how-to-file", "domain": "irs.gov", "source_type": "reference"}, {"url": "https://www.tax990.com/", "domain": "tax990.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.taxbandits.com/form-990-series/", "domain": "taxbandits.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.file990.org/pricing", "domain": "file990.org", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.taxact.com/business-taxes/download/tax-exempt-organization", "domain": "taxact.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aplos_Software", "domain": "en.wikipedia.org", "source_type": "reference"}, {"url": "https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2025/sep/2025-tax-software-survey/", "domain": "journalofaccountancy.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://blog.tax990.com/2026/03/18/best-form-990-software-for-nonprofits-why-tax990-leads-the-way/", "domain": "blog.tax990.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://blog.tax990.com/2026/03/23/choosing-the-best-990-tax-software-for-nonprofits-7-things-to-consider/", "domain": "blog.tax990.com", "source_type": "vendor"}], "answer_text": "# Best tax prep software for nonprofits\n\nThe right answer depends almost entirely on which 990 you file, so here's my ranked list with that in mind.\n\n**1. IRS Form 990-N e-Postcard (free, directly from the IRS)** - If your gross receipts are $50,000 or less, stop here. File at [irs.gov/990n](https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/annual-electronic-notice-form-990-n-for-small-organizations-faqs-how-to-file). It's eight data fields and it costs nothing. Paid services charging ~$55 for this are selling you a nicer interface around a form you can finish in ten minutes. Note the old Urban Institute site (efile.form990.org) hasn't handled 990-N since 2016 - it now redirects to the IRS.\n\n**2. [Tax990](https://www.tax990.com/) (formerly ExpressTaxExempt)** - My default recommendation for nonprofits filing a real return (990-EZ, full 990, 990-PF, or 990-T) without a CPA. It covers the whole series plus schedules, pulls your org details automatically from IRS records via EIN, runs an internal error check before transmission, and supports board-member review workflows before filing. Prior-year and amended returns are supported too.\n\n**3. [TaxBandits](https://www.taxbandits.com/form-990-ser", "answer_truncated": true, "measurement": "One answer from one engine on one date. Not a ranking and not a claim about the world; brands the engine did not name are not recorded.", "limitation": "Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.", "alerts": {"name": "Answer Watch Pro", "price_usd": 79, "period": "month", "gets": "daily change alerts for up to 5 brands in what one AI answer engine says, history, CSV export. Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included", "url": "https://bikoosh.com/answers"}}