Form 990 for schools
Greywood CPA prepares Form 990 for private schools and education nonprofits. Every return is prepared and reviewed by a senior CPA, and built from your audited or reviewed statements so the numbers match. We work nationwide, at a fixed fee.
Form 990 is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after your fiscal year ends, which is November 15 for a June 30 school, with a six-month extension available. Private schools also file Schedule E, which covers the racial nondiscrimination policy they must adopt and publicize. Some schools affiliated with a church or operated by a religious order are not required to file.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Most private schools organized as 501(c)(3) nonprofits file Form 990 each year. Smaller organizations may be able to file Form 990-EZ or the 990-N e-Postcard, depending on gross receipts and assets.
Schools below college level that are affiliated with a church or operated by a religious order can be excepted from filing. Whether yours qualifies depends on how it is organized and controlled, so we confirm your status before preparing anything.
Every private school that files Form 990 completes Schedule E. It asks whether the school:
Missing steps here can put tax-exempt status at risk, so we review the evidence with you, not just the checkboxes.
Revenue from activities outside your educational purpose, such as renting the campus to outside groups or regularly operated businesses open to the public, can be unrelated business income. Above $1,000 in gross unrelated income, the school files Form 990-T and may owe tax. We review summer programs, rentals and other revenue each year.
| Fiscal year-end | Form 990 due | With 6-month extension |
|---|---|---|
| June 30 | November 15 | May 15 |
| August 31 | January 15 | July 15 |
| December 31 | May 15 | November 15 |
Extensions are filed on Form 8868. State charity registrations often have their own deadlines, and we track those too.
We review last year's return and your filing status.
One fixed fee, in writing.
Built from your audited or reviewed statements.
Senior CPA review, your sign-off, then electronic filing.
November 15. A six-month extension to May 15 is available by filing Form 8868 by the original due date.
The Form 990 schedule every private school completes. It covers the racially nondiscriminatory policy schools must adopt, publicize each year and follow in admissions, scholarships and programs.
Schools below college level that are affiliated with a church or operated by a religious order can be excepted from filing. Whether yours qualifies depends on how it is organized and controlled.
It can. Some rental income is excluded, but rentals bundled with services or debt-financed property can be unrelated business income. Above $1,000 in gross unrelated income, Form 990-T is required.
We quote one fixed fee in writing before any work starts, based on the forms and schedules you file and whether we also audit your statements.
Send us last year's return. A senior CPA will send a fixed-fee proposal within 1–3 business days.