ag990-il instructions

AG990-IL is the annual report required for charitable organizations in Illinois. It is filed electronically through the Attorney General’s portal and serves to keep organizations in compliance with state regulations. The form consolidates financial‚ data‚ enabling Attorney General’s office to monitor compliance.

Legal Basis and Purpose

The Illinois Attorney General’s Administrative Code‚ Title 14‚ Section 400.60 establishes the legal framework for the AG990‑IL annual report. This statute requires every charitable organization operating in Illinois to file an annual report within six months after the fiscal year end‚ unless the organization’s assets fall below the $25‚000 threshold‚ in which case a simplified CO‑2 form may be used. The purpose of the AG990‑IL is to provide the Attorney General’s office with up‑to‑date information on the organization’s financial condition‚ governance‚ and compliance with charitable solicitation laws. By mandating the submission of audited or reviewed financial statements‚ a copy of the federal Form 990 (or 990‑EZ/990‑N)‚ and an unrelated business income statement when applicable‚ the statute ensures transparency and accountability. The filing also facilitates the Attorney General’s ability to monitor potential fraud‚ mismanagement‚ or misuse of charitable funds‚ thereby protecting donors and the public. Failure to file the AG990‑IL within the prescribed deadline can result in penalties‚ suspension of charitable status‚ or removal from the state’s charitable registry. The electronic filing system‚ launched by the Attorney General’s office in 2026‚ streamlines compliance and reduces administrative burdens for nonprofits while maintaining rigorous oversight. Compliance with the AG990‑IL is thus a cornerstone of Illinois’ regulatory approach to charitable organizations‚ balancing regulatory oversight with operational efficiency. The AG990‑IL also serves as a public record‚ allowing donors‚ regulators‚ and the general public to review an organization’s financial health and mission alignment. The form requires detailed disclosures‚ including the organization’s mission statement‚ major programs‚ and any changes in leadership or board composition. By providing this information annually‚ Illinois promotes a culture of transparency and encourages responsible stewardship of charitable resources. The statutory requirement aligns with federal regulations‚ ensuring that Illinois nonprofits remain compliant with both state and federal reporting obligations. The Attorney General’s office uses the data collected through AG990‑IL filings to conduct audits‚ investigate complaints‚ and enforce charitable solicitation laws. Nonprofits that fail to comply may face civil penalties‚ loss of tax‑exempt status‚ or legal action. The electronic filing portal‚ accessible at https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/Consumer-Protection/Charities‚ offers step‑by‑step guidance‚ pre‑filled templates‚ and real‑time validation to help organizations complete the form accurately. This system also provides a secure method for uploading required attachments‚ such as audited financial statements and federal tax returns. By integrating these features‚ the Attorney General’s office seeks to reduce filing errors‚ expedite processing‚ and enhance overall compliance rates among Illinois charities. In summary‚ the AG990‑IL legal mandate is designed to uphold public trust‚ safeguard charitable assets‚ and ensure that nonprofit organizations operate with integrity and accountability within the state of Illinois. The filing deadline is strictly enforced; extensions are only granted under exceptional circumstances and must be requested in writing. Nonprofits are encouraged to review the AG990‑IL instructions annually to stay current with any updates to reporting requirements.

Who Must File

All charitable organizations registered in Illinois must file an AG990‑IL‚ except those whose total assets are below $25‚000 at the close of their fiscal year. The exemption allows such entities to submit the simpler CO‑2 form instead. The filing requirement applies to nonprofits‚ foundations‚ charitable trusts‚ and any other entity that solicits or accepts contributions within the state. Trustees of charitable trusts with assets exceeding $25‚000 are also required to file the AG990‑IL. The obligation is enforced through the Attorney General’s electronic filing portal‚ which requires each organization to create an account and upload the necessary supporting documents‚ including the federal Form 990‚ audited or reviewed financial statements‚ and an unrelated business income statement when applicable. All entities that meet the asset threshold or engage in charitable solicitation activities must ensure they are registered and submit the appropriate form through the online system.

In addition‚ the filing obligation covers any entity with a charitable purpose operating in Illinois‚ whether it is a 501(c)(3) or another tax‑exempt category. It also applies to entities that receive contributions from Illinois residents‚ even if their main activities are elsewhere. Because the filing is linked to the fiscal year end‚ organizations must identify that date and ensure the AG990‑IL reflects the correct period. The online portal offers a guided wizard that walks users through account creation‚ data entry‚ and attachment upload‚ and it validates entries to reduce errors before submission; This electronic system keeps the Attorney General’s office informed while simplifying compliance for nonprofits across the state.

After filing‚ the system sends an electronic confirmation and stores a copy for the organization’s records.

Electronic Filing System

Illinois’ Attorney General portal hosts the AG990‑IL electronic filing system. Organizations create an account‚ verify credentials‚ and upload the required documents. The interface guides users through data entry‚ attachment uploads‚ and real‑time validation‚ ensuring accurate‚ timely submissions. for compliance

Account Creation Steps

To begin filing the AG990‑IL‚ a charitable organization must first register on the Illinois Attorney General’s online portal. The process starts by navigating to the official website and selecting the “Create New Account” option. The applicant is required to provide the organization’s legal name‚ Employer Identification Number (EIN). After submitting these details‚ the system sends a confirmation link to the provided email. Clicking the link verifies the address and activates the account. Next‚ the user must set a secure password that meets the portal’s complexity requirements—at least eight characters‚ including an uppercase letter‚ a number‚ and a special symbol. Once the password is accepted‚ the user is prompted to answer a series of security questions to safeguard future access. After completing the security setup‚ the account is ready for use. The organization’s designated representative can then log in‚ review the dashboard‚ and begin the electronic filing of the AG990‑IL. Throughout the process‚ portal offers help prompts and a FAQ section to assist with common issues. Additionally‚ the portal’s user interface provides real‑time validation‚ ensuring that errors are highlighted and corrected before the final filing is accepted. To ensure compliance‚ organizations should verify that all required attachments are uploaded before final submission‚ as missing documents can trigger penalties or delay the approval of the filing. During the account setup‚ the portal automatically generates a unique filing ID and sends a confirmation email‚ ensuring the organization can track its submission status throughout the year for compliance!

Submitting the AG990-IL Online

After completing the account setup‚ the organization proceeds to the filing interface. The portal presents a step‑by‑step wizard that guides the user through each section of the AG990‑IL. First‚ the filer enters basic entity information: legal name‚ EIN‚ fiscal year end‚ and contact details. Next‚ the system prompts for the attachment of the federal Form 990‚ 990‑EZ‚ or 990‑N. The user uploads the PDF file‚ and the portal verifies the file size and format. If the organization has unrelated business income‚ an additional section appears where the filer must provide the UBI statement‚ including the total income and expenses. After all required fields are completed‚ the portal performs a final validation check‚ highlighting any missing data or formatting errors. The filer reviews the summary page‚ confirming accuracy before final submission. Upon clicking “Submit‚” the portal generates a confirmation receipt‚ assigns a unique filing ID‚ and emails the receipt to the registered address. The filing status can be tracked in the dashboard‚ where the organization sees whether the submission has been accepted‚ requires corrections‚ or is pending review. The portal also offers a downloadable PDF of the completed AG990‑IL for the filer’s records. If corrections are needed‚ the filer can log back in‚ amend the information‚ and resubmit. The entire process is designed to be user‑friendly‚ reducing the risk of errors and ensuring compliance with Illinois filing requirements. This electronic filing process streamlines compliance‚ reduces paperwork‚ provides updates‚ transparency for Illinois charities.

Required Forms and Attachments

Required forms include the Illinois AG990‑IL annual report‚ a copy of the federal IRS Form 990‚ 990‑EZ‚ or 990‑N‚ and audited or reviewed financial statements if applicable For organizations with unrelated business income‚ a UBI statement must also be attached. Attachments must be PDFs and submitted before the deadline.

Federal Form 990/990-EZ/990-N Attachment

When filing the AG990‑IL‚ every charitable organization must attach a copy of its most recent federal tax return‚ whether it is IRS Form 990‚ 990‑EZ‚ or 990‑N. The attachment must be a PDF and should be uploaded through the Attorney General’s online portal before the AG990‑IL is submitted. The portal accepts files up to 10 megabytes; if the file exceeds this limit‚ the organization should compress the PDF or split the document into multiple files‚ each under the limit‚ and upload them as separate attachments. The portal will automatically validate the attachment format and size‚ and will return an error if the file is not a PDF or is too large. The attachment must be signed electronically or include a scanned signature if the organization is required to provide a signed copy. The signature must be on the cover page of the federal return‚ and the signature page must be included in the PDF. The organization must also provide a brief cover letter that identifies the organization’s name‚ EIN‚ fiscal year‚ and the form type (990‚ 990‑EZ‚ or 990‑N) attached. This cover letter should be a single page PDF and must be uploaded as a separate attachment. Failure to attach the correct federal return will result in a rejection of the AG990‑IL and may trigger penalties under Illinois law. All docs must be accurate. The Attorney General’s portal will provide a confirmation receipt once the attachment has been successfully uploaded and the AG990‑IL is filed. The receipt should be printed or saved for the organization’s compliance documentation.

Audited/Reviewed Financial Statements

Illinois charitable organizations must submit audited or reviewed financial statements with their AG990‑IL when their gross receipts exceed $25‚000 or when they elect to file a full audit. The statements must be prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or the applicable state accounting standards and must include a balance sheet‚ statement of activities‚ and statement of cash flows. The audit or review must be performed by a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a licensed accountant authorized by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The CPA’s report must be signed and dated‚ and the report must be included as a separate PDF attachment in the online filing. The portal will validate the CPA’s license number against the state database; if the number is not active‚ the filing will be rejected. The financial statements must cover the same fiscal year as the AG990‑IL and must be filed within the six‑month filing window. If the organization has no audit or review‚ it may submit a “Statement of Financial Position” that summarizes the key financial figures. The statement must be concise‚ no more than three pages‚ and must be signed by the organization’s treasurer or chief financial officer. All attachments must be in PDF format‚ less than 10 megabytes each‚ and must be uploaded before the AG990‑IL is submitted. The system will provide a confirmation receipt upon successful upload. Failure to submit the required financial statements will result in a denial of the AG990‑IL and may trigger penalties under Illinois law. All data must be accurate.

Unrelated Business Income Statement

Unrelated Business Income (UBI) arises when a charitable organization engages in activities that are not substantially related to its exempt purpose. If the organization’s UBI exceeds $500‚ the Illinois Attorney General requires a separate UBI statement to be attached to the AG990‑IL. The statement must detail the gross receipts‚ cost of goods sold‚ operating expenses‚ and net income for each unrelated business. It should also include a brief narrative explaining the nature of the activity‚ the period covered‚ and how the activity is unrelated to the organization’s exempt purpose. The UBI statement must be prepared by a licensed CPA or an accountant authorized by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation‚ and the CPA’s report must be signed and dated. The statement must be filed in PDF format and uploaded to the electronic filing portal before the AG990‑IL submission. If the organization has no UBI‚ a simple “No Unrelated Business Income” declaration is acceptable. Failure to provide a correct UBI statement when required can result in penalties‚ denial of the AG990‑IL‚ and potential loss of tax‑exempt status. The filing system will validate the CPA license number and the UBI amounts; any discrepancies will trigger a rejection notice. All figures must be accurate and reflect the fiscal year reported on the AG990‑IL. Additionally‚ the UBI statement should be reviewed annually to ensure compliance with evolving regulations and to capture any changes in unrelated activities that may affect filing status. The organization should keep a copy audit;

Deadlines and Extensions

The portal now sends and accepts signatures. Filing incurs a $50 penalty. The filing deadline is six months after the fiscal year end. Late filings may incur a $50 monthly penalty and jeopardize tax‑exempt status. Ensure all attachments are uploaded before submission. File the AG990‑IL through portal and data before submission to avoid delays.!! Submit deadline.!

Six-Month Filing Window

Illinois charitable organizations must submit the AG990‑IL within six months after the fiscal year end. The filing window starts the day after the fiscal year closes and ends on the same calendar day‚ six months later. For example‚ if a fiscal year ends on December 31‚ the filing period runs from January 1 to June 30 of the following year. The Attorney General’s electronic portal automatically calculates the deadline based on the fiscal year end date entered during account creation. Organizations that fail to file within this window may incur a $50 penalty per month‚ up to a maximum of $300‚ and risk losing tax‑exempt status. Extensions are not granted; the portal allows for late submissions with the penalty fee displayed. The portal also sends reminder emails 30‚ 15‚ and 5 days before the deadline. Compliance with the six‑month window ensures continued eligibility for state benefits and public trust.

To verify the exact filing date‚ log into the portal and navigate to the “Filing Calendar” section. The system displays the fiscal year end‚ the calculated deadline‚ and any days remaining. If the fiscal year ends on a weekend or holiday‚ the deadline shifts to the next business day. The calendar view highlights related deadlines‚ such as the Unrelated Business Income Statement. Nonprofits should review financial statements and IRS Form 990 attachments at least 45 days before the deadline to reduce last‑minute errors and facilitate a smooth submission.

Organizations should monitor the portal’s alerts and plan filings early to avoid penalties and maintain public confidence. Early preparation also reduces administrative burdens and saves time.

Compliance and Penalties

Illinois charitable organizations must file AG990‑IL on time to preserve tax‑exempt status and avoid civil penalties. The Attorney General’s portal imposes a $50 monthly fine for each month the report is late‚ capping at $300. A late filing can trigger automatic revocation of exemption‚ loss of state‑level benefits‚ and potential IRS scrutiny. The state may also require a corrective filing that explains the delay and corrective actions taken. Non‑compliance can lead to removal from the charitable registry‚ restricting the ability to solicit donations‚ apply for grants‚ and maintain public trust. The portal’s audit trail records every submission attempt‚ ensuring transparency and accountability. Organizations that file on schedule are exempt from penalties and receive a real‑time “Compliance Status” indicator that updates as the filing is processed. To mitigate risk‚ nonprofits should establish an internal compliance calendar‚ assign a staff member to monitor deadlines‚ and conduct quarterly reviews of financial statements and IRS Form 990 attachments to ensure accuracy before submission. Early engagement with the portal’s FAQ section and live chat support can resolve technical issues promptly‚ preventing inadvertent non‑compliance. Failure to comply may result in financial penalties‚ loss of tax‑exempt status‚ and reputational harm that can be severely damaging. Maintaining compliance not only preserves legal standing but also reinforces donor confidence‚ strengthens the organization’s reputation‚ and upholds the public’s trust in its stewardship of charitable resources. Diligent adherence to filing requirements is essential for the long‑term viability and credibility of any Illinois charitable organization!!