Understanding IRS Error Codes: Filing an Extension Before the Tax Period Ends

If you receive the following E-file Error Code R0000-035-01: indicating you can not file an application for extension before the tax period ending date, what does that mean?

How should you proceed? Keep reading to find out!

Are you looking for more information on IRS 990 error codes? Check out our previous blogs in this series ‘Understanding IRS Error Codes’ here.

What is Error Code R0000-035-01?

An error stating you cannot apply for an extension before the tax period ending date means the tax year provided on the extension has not ended. Therefore you must wait until the tax period ends, to apply for a Form 8868 6-month extension.

Your organization’s tax year is determined by the IRS and is specified in your IRS determination letter. This period spans twelve months, representing the operational timeframe of the organization.

The deadline for an organization’s 990 series return is the 15th day of the 5th month following the tax period’s conclusion. Consequently, after the organization’s tax period concludes, there is a window of 4 months and 15 days to either complete the 990 series return or file an 8868 extension form for a 6-month deadline extension. Neither the 990 series return nor the extension form can be submitted until the tax year concludes.

For instance, if your organization’s tax period is January 1 – December 31, you can only apply for an extension after December 31. Applying for an extension before this date will likely result in the rejection error R0000-035-01.

How Should You Respond to this Error?

First, reference your IRS determination letter or previously filed and accepted tax forms to verify your organization’s tax period. If you do not have this documentation, you will need to contact the IRS to determine what the organization’s tax period is.

The IRS Tax Exempt Hotline is 877-829-5500.

When you call the IRS, you should readily have your EIN and organization name available.

If you have confirmed your tax year, you can retransmit your rejected 8868 return once the tax period has ended.

Retransmit Rejected Returns for Free with Tax 990!

Once you have worked through the rejection with the IRS and confirmed your organization’s tax period, you can edit your return if necessary and retransmit it to the IRS.

If your 8868 return filed with Tax990 was rejected for IRS errors, you can fix the errors and retransmit the return for free.

There are 5 simple steps to retransmit your rejected return.

Log into your Tax 990 account
Identify the rejected return from your ‘Home’ or your ‘990 Series’ page.
Once you’ve identified your rejected return, click on the “Rejected by the IRS” button to find the list of identified errors. Then, click the “Fix Me” button against the error code
Based on the filing method you have chosen earlier, you’ll be taken to a corresponding page where you can choose the exempt status.
Review your form details and click the “Transmit” button to re-transmit your return to the IRS at no additional cost.

After you have re-transmitted the return, you’ll receive updates about the status of your nonprofit tax return.

File Accurate and Complete Forms with Tax 990

With Tax 990, errors are no big deal. If there are any mistakes made while filling out your 990 return, you’ll be notified by our internal audit check system. Then, you’ll have the chance to correct any errors before you transmit the form to the IRS.

You can also find additional help on our website, which is full of guides, blogs, and videos about e-filing your 990 series form. Our dedicated customer support team is available to answer questions from Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM EST via email, live chat, and phone.

Tax990’s Knowledge Base includes numerous guides, instructional videos, and FAQs that can help our clients with their issues.

Simplify your filing experience today with Tax 990!