{"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": "2026-10-28T22:52:21Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-nonprofits-2026-10-28", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/nonprofits", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Tax990", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "990-PF", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "990-T", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "File 990", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Aplos", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Lacerte", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Drake", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/annual-electronic-filing-requirement-for-small-exempt-organizations-form-990-n-e-postcard", "domain": "irs.gov", "source_type": "reference"}, {"url": "https://www.tax990.com/pricing/", "domain": "tax990.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://support.tax990.com/art/17691/what-is-the-cost-to-file-990-series-forms-through-tax990", "domain": "support.tax990.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.file990.org/blog/best-nonprofit-tax-software-available-even-novice-treasurer", "domain": "file990.org", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://www.aplos.com/glossary/form-990-n", "domain": "aplos.com", "source_type": "vendor"}], "answer_text": "## Short answer first\n\nNonprofit \"tax prep\" is mostly Form 990 compliance, not tax calculation - you usually owe nothing. So the right pick depends almost entirely on which 990 variant you file. Here's what I'd actually recommend, in order:\n\n**1. IRS Form 990-N direct filing - free (if gross receipts ≤ $50,000)**\nIf you're a small org, don't buy anything. File the e-Postcard directly on the IRS site. It's eight data fields and takes about ten minutes. The threshold is \"normally $50,000 or less\" - averaged over the prior three years, or $75k in year one. ([irs.gov/990n](https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/annual-electronic-filing-requirement-for-small-exempt-organizations-form-990-n-e-postcard))\n\n**2. Tax990 - best all-around paid option**\nIRS-authorized, covers the whole series (990-N, 990-EZ, 990, 990-PF, 990-T), plus schedules and ~42 states. Interview-style or direct form entry, prior-year import, built-in audit check before transmission. Free extensions, amendments, and re-transmission of rejected returns, which matters more than people expect. 990-EZ runs roughly $100-110 per form, with volume discounts around $90. ([tax990.com/pricing](https://www.tax990.com/pricing/), ", "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"}}