Many nonprofits in the Albert Lea area and across the nation could lose their tax-exempt status if they fail to file a new IRS form by next Monday.

Nationally, it’s being called the “doomsday” deadline because tax experts say it could result in the largest loss of nonprofits in decades.

According to the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, a 2006 law requires small organizations with financial activity under $25,000 to file IRS Form 990-N by May 15 — or since that is a Saturday this year, May 17 — or have their tax exemption revoked. Previously, such organizations were not required to submit an annual return with the IRS. As of May 1, more than 7,500 nonprofit organizations had not filed the required form, 4,474 of which are 501(c)(3) nonprofits.

One way to file is online. Visit the Urban Institute’s website http://epostcard.form990.org/. Form 990-N, a short form, is commonly called the e-postcard, and it must be filed electronically. People with questions also can visit the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ site at www.mncn.org.

The nonprofit status allows them to raise money tax-free and allows donors to write off contributions on their personal income tax statements. Small nonprofits — those that raise less than $25,000 a year — used to never need to file tax statements, but that changed with the Pension Protect Act of 2006. Small organizations were required to file Form 990-N starting 2008 but this year the law says they cannot fail to file.

The new federal rules were sponsored by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, who sought to keep a closer watch on charitable funds.

Form 990-N must be filed every year. Technically, a nonprofit must file by the 15th day of the fifth month after that organization’s fiscal year ends. If your fiscal year is the same as the calendar year — ending Dec. 31 — your organization does not need to file the e-postcard until May 15 each year. Failure to file 990-N for three consecutive years results in the loss of tax-exempt status. Leaving boxes blank counts as failure to file.

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has a list of organizations that have not filed as of April 1.

“The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits is contacting as many organizations as possible on this list,” said Jon Pratt, the organization’s executive director, “It would be an expensive distraction for small volunteer groups to have to come up with $750 to reinstate the tax status they thought they already had.”

Nonprofits, as named on the list, with Albert Lea addresses are:

4-H Clubs & Affiliated 4-H Organizations

Alano Society of Albert Lea

Albert Lea Commercial Development Corp.

Albert Lea Firemans Fund Inc.

Albert Lea Public Library Foundation

Albert Lea Skate Park

Albert Lea Y Men’s Club

American Association of University Women

American Federation of Government Employees 368 Local

American Federation of State County & Municipal Employees 1018 Local

Blue Knights Motorcycle Club

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen

Cryptic Masons of Minnesota

Disabled American Veterans

First Lutheran Church Foundation Inc.

Freeborn County Pheasant & Habitat Inc.

Freeborn County Pork Producers

Freeborn County Snowmobile Trail Association Inc.

Greenwood Cemetery Association

Heartland Storytellers Inc.

International Association of Lions Clubs

Jobs Incorporated

Kiwanis International Inc. Albert Lea Golden K II

Knights Templar of the United States of America

League of Women Voters of Minnesota

Military Order of the Cooties of the United States

Minnesota Festival Theatre Corp.

National Association of Letter Carriers

Next Step Club

Parents Communication Network of Albert Lea Inc.

Partners in Housing Inc.

Royal Arch Masons of Minnesota

Sertoma Inc.

Southern Minnesota Conference of Building and Fire Officials

Southern Time Riders

Sudanese Lutheran Mission Society

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Alden:

Alden Area Development Corp.

Alden Area Food Shelf

Full Draw Archery Club

Voiture Nationle La Societe Des Hommes Et 8 Chevaux

Clarks Grove:

Clarks Grove Area Heritage Society

Clarks Grove Volunteer Fire Dept.

Ellendale:

American Legion Post 296

Ellendale Geneva Area Sportsmen’s Club

Ellendale Geneva Elementary School PTO

NRHEG Para Professionals

Southern Minnesota Middle Level Band Directors Association

Emmons:

Emmons Senior Citizens

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Glenville:

American Federation of Government Employees 0169 Local

Glenvilee Area Women of Today

Glenvilee Community Boosters Inc.

Glenville Fire Co.

Glenville-Emmons School & Community Foundation Inc.

Glenville Lions Club

London Cooperative Community Fire Department

Hollandale:

Hollandale Heritage Huis

National TTT Society

Women Against Silicone Poisoning

New Richland:

American Cheviot Sheep Society

American Legion Post 75

Good Samaritan Ministries Inc.

New Richland Sno-Birds Snowmobile Club Inc.

St. Olaf Lake Association

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

United States Bowling Congress Inc.

Wells:

Knights of Columbus 1596 Council

Ladies Auxiliary Department of Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars 1778

Wells Cemetery Association

Wells Firemans Relief

Some Minnesota cities, such as Kiester or Hartland, had none listed.