I believe organizations with less than $100,000 gross receipts file the 990EZ, those with more file the 990. So I imagine you fall in the first category. (Instructions at
www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i990-ez.pdf
)
It's been a couple years since I filled ours out, so it's a bit hazy. But here are some leads.
1) search this Forum using 990 as the keyword and see what previous discussions have to offer.
2) go to Guidestar and look at forms others have filed.
Guidestar
provides an interactive listing of nonprofits, including their financial information. (990s are public information). Just type "PTO" as a keyword in the search screen. You can narrow it down by state if you want. The results will tell you if the 990 (actually 990EZ for most of these) is posted. Look at a few until you understand how people are filing. Note - you do have to register to access that information, but it's a free service.
As I recall it was a little confusing, but really not that bad once you got the hang of it. The bulk of your financials were in Part 1, Line 6 and the detail was included in a simple attachment as far as revenue/expenses. (So be sure to look all the way to the end on the samples you find in Guidestar.)
The reference to "Grants and Similar Amounts Paid" was a little confusing. But was the funds we directed towards the school (things we bought for them, programs, money we gave them).
[ 10-20-2004, 09:17 PM: Message edited by: JHB ]
