Fillable Printable Form 8868

Form 8868

(Rev. January 2017)

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File an

Exempt Organization Return

▶

File a separate application for each return.

▶

Information about Form 8868 and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form8868.

OMB No. 1545-1709

Electronic filing (e-file). You can electronically file Form 8868 to request a 6-month automatic extension of time to file any of the

forms listed below with the exception of Form 8870, Information Return for Transfers Associated With Certain Personal Benefit

Contracts, for which an extension request must be sent to the IRS in paper format (see instructions). For more details on the electronic

filing of this form, visit www.irs.gov/efile, click on Charities & Non-Profits, and click on e-file for Charities and Non-Profits.

Automatic 6-Month Extension of Time. Only submit original (no copies needed).

All corporations required to file an income tax return other than Form 990-T (including 1120-C filers), partnerships, REMICs, and trusts

must use Form 7004 to request an extension of time to file income tax returns.

Type or

File by the

due date for

filing your

return. See

instructions.

Name of exempt organization or other filer, see instructions.

Number, street, and room or suite no. If a P.O. box, see instructions.

City, town or post office, state, and ZIP code. For a foreign address, see instructions.

Enter filer's identifying number, see instructions

Employer identification number (EIN) or

Social security number (SSN)

Enter the Return Code for the return that this application is for (file a separate application for each return) . . . . . .

Application

Is For

Return

Code

Form 990 or Form 990-EZ 01

Form 990-BL 02

Form 4720 (individual) 03

Form 990-PF 04

Form 990-T (sec. 401(a) or 408(a) trust) 05

Form 990-T (trust other than above) 06

Application

Is For

Return

Code

Form 990-T (corporation) 07

Form 1041-A 08

Form 4720 (other than individual) 09

Form 5227 10

Form 6069 11

Form 8870 12

• The books are in the care of

▶

Telephone No.

▶

Fax No.

▶

• If the organization does not have an office or place of business in the United States, check this box . . . . . . . . .

▶

• If this is for a Group Return, enter the organization’s four digit Group Exemption Number (GEN)

. If this is

for the whole group, check this box . . .

▶

. If it is for part of the group, check this box . . . .

▶

and attach

a list with the names and EINs of all members the extension is for.

1 I request an automatic 6-month extension of time

until , 20 , to file the exempt organization return

for the organization named above. The extension is for the organization’s return for:

▶

calendar year 20 or

▶

tax year beginning , 20 , and ending , 20 .

2 If the tax year entered in line 1 is for less than 12 months, check reason:

Initial return Final return

Change in accounting period

If this application is for Forms 990-BL, 990-PF, 990-T, 4720, or 6069, enter the tentative tax, less

any nonrefundable credits. See instructions.

b If this application is for Forms 990-PF, 990-T, 4720, or 6069, enter any refundable credits and

estimated tax payments made. Include any prior year overpayment allowed as a credit.

Balance due. Subtract line 3b from line 3a. Include your payment with this form, if required, by

using EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System). See instructions.

Caution: If you are going to make an electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit) with this Form 8868, see Form 8453-EO and Form 8879-EO for payment

instructions.

For Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see instructions.

Cat. No. 27916D

Form 8868 (Rev. 1-2017)

Page 2

General Instructions

Section references are to the Internal

Revenue Code unless otherwise noted.

Future Developments

For the latest information about

developments related to Form 8868 and

its instructions, such as legislation

enacted after they were published, go to

www.irs.gov/form8868.

What's New

There is now an automatic 6-month

extension of time to file instead of the

previous 3-month automatic extension

and subsequent request for an additional

3-month extension. The form and

instructions have been revised

accordingly.

If an organization has not filed the

required Form 990 series for three

consecutive years, and if the due date

(or extended due date) of the third year's

filing has passed, the tax-exempt status

will be revoked to the original filing date.

If you have received an approved

extension from the IRS for filing your

return, and have not filed your return

with the IRS for 3 years (including during

the approved extension period), please

go to Automatic Revocation of

Exemption at www.irs.gov/charities-non-

profits/automatic-revocation-of-

exemption for details on revocation and

reinstatement for an exempt

organization.

Reminders

Identifying number. We have added a

box for individuals who file this form.

These users must enter their social

security number, as indicated on this

form. All other users must enter their

federal employer identification number.

Do not fill in both boxes.

Changes to Form 8868. A Return Code

is assigned to each return type in lieu of

checkboxes. Enter the Return Code of

the form this application pertains to in

the Return Code Box.

Electronic filing (e-file). Electronic filing

can be used to request an extension of

time to file each of the forms listed

above with the exception of Form 8870,

applications for the extension of which

must be sent in paper format to the

address below.

▲

CAUTION

If you are going to make an

electronic funds withdrawal

(direct debit) with this Form

8868, see Form 8453-EO or

Form 8879-EO for payment instructions.

Purpose of Form

Form 8868 is used by an exempt

organization to request an automatic 6-

month extension of time to file its return.

Also, the trustee of a trust required to

file Form 1041-A or Form 5227 must use

Form 8868 to request an extension of

time to file those returns. These

instructions apply to such trusts unless

the context clearly requires otherwise.

Use this form to apply for an

automatic 6-month extension of time to

file an organization’s return, and submit

the original form to the IRS (no copies

are needed).

The automatic 6-month extension will

be granted if you properly complete this

form, file it, and pay any balance due on

line 3c by the due date for the return for

which the extension applies.

▲

CAUTION

You cannot use Form 8868 to

extend the due date of Form

990-N.

An organization will only be allowed an

extension of 6 months for a return for a

tax year.

When To File

File Form 8868 by the due date of the

return for which you are requesting an

extension.

Where To File

If you do not file electronically, send the

application to:

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service Center

Ogden, UT 84201-0045

Form 8870 must be sent in paper

format to the address above.

Do not file for an extension of time by

attaching Form 8868 to the exempt

organization’s return when it is filed.

Filing Information

No blanket requests. File a separate

Form 8868 for each return for which you

are requesting an automatic extension of

time to file. This extension will apply only

to the specific return checked. It does

not extend the time for filing any related

returns. For example, an extension of

time for filing a private foundation return

will not apply to the return of certain

excise taxes on charities (Form 4720).

Each Form 8868 filer who owes taxes

for the year should file its own Form

8868, and pay only its share of the total

tax liability due.

Also, black lung benefit trusts, their

trustees, and any disqualified persons

filing Form 990-BL must each file

separate Forms 8868.

Exempt Organization Group

Returns. A central organization may

apply for an extension of time to file a

group return. Enter the applicable Return

Code and enter the Group Exemption

Number (GEN) on the line provided.

Check the applicable box to indicate

whether the application applies to the

whole group or part of the group. If the

extension is not for all the organizations

that are part of the group, you must

attach a schedule to Form 8868 showing

the name, address, and employer

identification number of each

organization that is included in this

request for an extension.

Interest. Interest will be charged on any

tax not paid by the regular due date of

the return from the regular due date until

the tax is paid. It will be charged even if

the organization has been granted an

extension or has shown reasonable

cause for not paying on time.

Late payment penalty. Generally, a

penalty of ½ of 1% of any tax not paid

by the due date is charged for each

month or part of a month that the tax

remains unpaid. The penalty cannot

exceed 25% of the amount due. The

penalty will not be charged if you can

show reasonable cause for not paying

on time.

Reasonable cause determinations. If

you receive a notice about penalties after

you file your return, send an explanation

and we will determine if you meet

reasonable cause criteria. Do not attach

an explanation when you file your return.

Explanations attached to the return at

the time of filing will not be considered.

If you receive an extension of time to

file, you will not be charged a late

payment penalty if (a) the tax shown on

line 3a (or the amount of tax paid by the

regular due date of the return) is at least

90% of the tax shown on the return, and

(b) you pay the balance due shown on

the return by the extended due date.

Late filing penalty. A penalty is charged

if the return is filed after the due date

(including extensions) unless you can

show reasonable cause for not filing on

time.

Reasonable cause determinations. If

you receive a notice about penalties after

you file your return, send an explanation

and we will determine if you meet

reasonable cause criteria. Do not attach

an explanation when you file your return.

Explanations attached to the return at

the time of filing will not be considered.

Different late filing penalties apply to

information returns. See the specific

form instructions for details.

Tax Payments

General rule. Except as provided in the

“Special payment option for small

foundations” below, each tax-exempt

organization must make all federal tax

deposits (including excise and income

taxes) electronically. You can use the

Electronic Funds Tax Payment System

(EFTPS) to make federal tax deposits. If

you do not wish to use EFTPS, you can

make arrangements through your tax

professional, financial institution, payroll

service, or other trusted third party to

make deposits on your behalf.

Form 8868 (Rev. 1-2017)

Page 3

EFTPS is a free service provided by

the Department of the Treasury. If you

choose to use a tax professional,

financial institution, payroll service, or

other third party to make federal tax

deposits on your behalf, you may be

charged a fee for this service.

Visit www.eftps.gov, or call

1-800-555-4477 for information about

EFTPS. Additional information about

EFTPS is also available in Pub. 966,

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System:

A Guide to Getting Started.

Special payment option for small

foundations. A private foundation that

meets all of the requirements set forth

below may submit its section 4940 tax

by check or money order, payable to the

United States Treasury, with Form 8868.

This option is available only if the

foundation meets all of the following

requirements.

1. The tax based on investment income

shown on Part VI, line 5 of the

organization’s Form 990-PF is less than

$500,

2. The amount entered on line 3a of

Form 8868 must be less than $500, and

3. The payment must be the full balance

due.

Be sure to write the fiscal or calendar

year, “Form 8868”, and the foundation’s

name, address, and EIN on the check or

money order.

▲

CAUTION

Foreign organizations should

see the appropriate form

instructions for balances due

with an extension.

Specific Instructions

TIP

Extending the time to file does

not extend the time to pay tax.

Name of exempt organization or other

filer. The filer may be an exempt

organization, a nonexempt organization

(for example, a disqualified person or a

foundation manager trustee), or an

individual. The typical filer will be an

exempt organization. Certain filers may

not be an exempt organization. For

example, Form 4720 filers may be one of

the other entities listed above.

Address. Include the suite, room, or

other unit number after the street

address. If the Post Office does not

deliver mail to the street address and the

exempt organization has a P.O. box,

show the box number instead of the

street address.

If the organization receives its mail in

care of a third party (such as an

accountant or an attorney), enter on the

street address line “C/O” followed by the

third party’s name and street address or

P.O. box.

If the address is outside the United

States or its possessions or territories, in

the space for “city or town, state, and

ZIP code,” enter the information in the

following order: city, province or state,

and country. Follow the country’s

practice for entering the postal code. Do

not abbreviate the country’s name.

If the organization’s mailing address

has changed since it filed its last return,

use Form 8822, Change of Address, to

notify the IRS of the change. A new

address shown on Form 8868 will not

update the organization’s record.

Enter the Return Code for the type of

return to be filed. Enter the appropriate

Return Code in the box to indicate the

type of return for which you are

requesting an extension. Enter only one

Return Code. You must file a separate

Form 8868 for each return.

Exempt organizations such as

corporations, private foundations, and

trusts must enter their federal employer

identification number. Individuals must

enter their social security number.

▲

CAUTION

Filers should only fill in one

box.

Line 1. The date that is entered on line 1

cannot be later than 6 months from the

original due date of the return.

Line 2. If you checked the box for

change in accounting period, you must

have applied for approval to change the

organization’s tax year unless certain

conditions have been met. See Form

1128, Application To Adopt, Change, or

Retain a Tax Year, and Pub. 538,

Accounting Periods and Methods, for

details.

Note: All filers must complete lines 3a, b,

and c, even if you are exempt from tax or

do not expect to have any tax liability.

Line 3a. See the organization’s tax

return and its instructions to estimate the

amount of tentative tax reduced by any

nonrefundable credits. If you expect this

amount to be zero, enter -0-.

Line 3c. Balance due. Form 8868 does

not extend the time to pay tax. To avoid

interest and penalties, send the full

balance due by the original due date of

the return.

For information on EFTPS, see Tax

Payments, above.

Note: Be sure to see any deposit rules

that are in the instructions for the

particular form you are getting an

extension for to determine how payment

must be made.

No signature is required for this form.

Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction

Act Notice. We ask for the information

on this form to carry out the Internal

Revenue laws of the United States. We

use this information to record

applications for extensions of time to file

the returns listed in Form 8868. You are

not required to seek an extension of time

to file these returns; however, if you want

an extension of time, sections 6001,

6081, and 6109 and their regulations

require you to provide this information.

Failure to provide the requested

information may delay or prevent the

processing or granting of your

application; providing false information

may subject you to penalties.

We may disclose this information to

the Department of Justice for civil and

criminal litigation, and to cities, states,

the District of Columbia, and U.S.

commonwealths and possessions for

use in administering their tax laws. We

may also disclose this information to

other countries under a tax treaty, to

federal and state agencies to enforce

nontax criminal laws, or to federal law

enforcement and intelligence agencies to

combat terrorism.

You are not required to provide the

information requested on a form that is

subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act

unless the form displays a valid OMB

control number. Books or records

relating to a form or its instructions must

be retained as long as their contents

may become material in the

administration of any Internal Revenue

law. Generally, tax returns and return

information are confidential, as required

by section 6103.

If you fail to provide this information in

a timely manner or provide incomplete or

false information, you may be liable for

penalties and interest.

The time needed to complete and file

this form will vary depending on

individual circumstances. The estimated

average time is:

Form 8868

Recordkeeping . . . . 3 hr., 21 min.

Learning about

the law or the form. . . . . 24 min.

Preparing and sending

the form to the IRS . . . . 28 min.

If you have comments concerning the

accuracy of these time estimates or

suggestions for making this form

simpler, we would be happy to hear from

you. You can send your comments to

the Internal Revenue Service, Tax Forms

and Publications Division, 1111

Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526,

Washington, DC 20224. Do not send this

form to this address. Instead, see Where

To File, earlier.