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In the IRS’s own words · not reviewed by VALID
CP255 notice explained, in the IRS’s own words
We need information to complete the termination of your private foundation status.
Read the full CP255 page on irs.gov ↗
What this notice is about
We need information to complete the termination of your private foundation status.
What you need to do
- Visit Pay.gov and create an account or log in if you already have one.
- Complete and submit the items below by the date indicated on your notice:
- Form 8940, Request for Miscellaneous Determination, and
- The correct user fee.
You may want to
Review the termination procedures for private foundations in Publication 4779, Facts about Terminating or Merging Your Exempt Organization PDF.
Which organizations must file a Form 990-PF?
Form 990-PF must be filed by:
- Exempt private foundations (section 6033(a), (b), and (c))
- Taxable private foundations (section 6033(d))
- Organizations that agree to private foundation status and their applications for exempt status are pending on the due date for filing
- Organizations that made an election under section 41(e)(6)
- Foundations that are making a section 507 termination
- Section 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trusts treated as private foundations (section 6033(d))
When is Form 990-PF due?
Form 990-PF is due by the fifteenth day of the fifth month following the close of the foundation's accounting period. For a calendar year taxpayer, Form 990-PF is due on May 15 of the following year. If any due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the foundation can file the return on the next business day.
Can I get help over the phone?
You can find additional information about how to submit Form 8940 at Pay.gov - Form 8940 Request for Miscellaneous Determination, including information about file size limits. If your PDF exceeds the 15MB limit, remove any items over the limit and contact IRS Customer Accounts Services at 877-829-5500 for assistance on how to submit the removed items. Help is available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time.
Where can I go for more information about tax-exempt organizations?
For more information on tax-exempt organizations see Tax Information for Charities & Other Nonprofits or Tax Information for Private Foundations.
Tips for next year
Review the tax-exempt organization resources at Form 990 Resources and Tools for Exempt Organizations.
Need help?
- You can authorize someone to contact the IRS on your behalf.
- If you can’t find what you need online, call the IRS number on your notice or letter. If you didn’t receive a letter or notice, use telephone assistance.
- If you can't resolve the penalty on your own, contact Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization within IRS.
What to do next
- Write down the date on the letter today.
- Look the number up on irs.gov yourself. Don’t trust a link or phone number from anyone else.
- If it says you owe money or proposes changes to your return, take it to a licensed CPA, EA or tax attorney before that date.
Not advice. Not a filing. Verify with a licensed professional. Rules change by year and facts.