Free for Nonprofits

Your Mission Changes Lives. Your Bookkeeping Should Keep Up.

The free bookkeeping tool that helps nonprofit organizations organize program, administrative, and fundraising expenses for Form 990.

Download Free TemplateSee What You Can Deduct
60+
Business Types
6 Tabs
Per Template
500+
Transaction Rows
$0
Completely Free

Tax Deductions You May Be Missing

These are common Schedule C business expenses that nonprofits may be able to claim under IRC §162. Our template has them pre-loaded.

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Program Expenses

Program

Direct costs of delivering your mission: supplies, materials, events.

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Fundraising Costs

Fundraising

Donor events, direct mail, online platforms, galas.

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Grant Expenses

Restricted

Grant-funded program costs (must match restrictions).

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Staff & Payroll

Compensation

Employee wages, payroll taxes, benefits, contractors.

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Rent & Facilities

Occupancy

Office space, program space, storage, utilities.

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Insurance

Insurance

D&O insurance, general liability, property, workers comp.

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Professional Services

Professional

Audit, legal, accounting, IT support, consultants.

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Office & Admin

Admin

Supplies, postage, printing, software, phone, internet.

How It Works

1

Download

Pick your business type. Get a free template. No signup.

2

Categorize

Enter your bank transactions. Pick from the dropdown. ~30 min.

3

Review

Schedule C summary auto-calculates your income, expenses, and tax.

4

File

Hand it to your Enrolled Agent. Or let Arc & Ledger prepare your return from $300.

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Get Your Free Nonprofit Template

We'll email your template directly — open it in Excel or upload to Google Sheets. No software to install.

What's Inside

✓ Start Here tab with step-by-step instructions
✓ Business Info tab — your details, ready for filing
✓ Expense categories pre-loaded for your industry
✓ 500-row transaction tracker with dropdown categories
✓ Schedule C summary — auto-calculates your totals
✓ Monthly summary for quarterly estimated taxes

We'll email your template directly. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

ENROLLED AGENT TAX SERVICES

Too Busy to DIY?
We'll Handle Everything.

Arc & Ledger is a tax and bookkeeping firm led by Enrolled Agents — authorized to prepare your return and represent you directly before the IRS. Over 10 years helping self-employed professionals like you.

✓ Schedule C tax preparation from $300
✓ Monthly bookkeeping from $200/mo
✓ S-Corp election & tax planning
✓ Authorized to represent you before the IRS
✓ Enrolled Agents — pass rigorous IRS exam
✓ 10+ years serving self-employed professionals
arcandledger.com | (310) 876-0249
bookkeeping@arcandledger.com | Culver City, CA

Get Your Price in 30 Seconds

Question 1 of 4

What income did you have in 2025?

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Our free template works alongside any filing method — use it to organize your expenses first, then file however works best for you.

Common Questions

What expenses can nonprofits track with this template?+
Nonprofit organizations may track ordinary and necessary operational expenses including program costs, fundraising expenses, staff and payroll, rent and facilities, insurance, professional services, and office administration. Under IRC Section 501(c)(3), these expenses must be properly categorized by function for Form 990 reporting. This template is an organizational tool; consult a qualified tax professional for personalized guidance.
Do nonprofits file Schedule C?+
No. Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations file Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N depending on their annual gross receipts. Schedule C (Form 1040) is used by sole proprietors. This template organizes expenses by functional category (Program, Administration, Fundraising) to help prepare for Form 990 reporting. Our free template is an organizational tool that helps categorize expenses correctly.
What are the filing requirements for a 501(c)(3) organization?+
Most tax-exempt organizations are required to file an annual information return with the IRS. Organizations with gross receipts over $200,000 or total assets over $500,000 generally file Form 990. Smaller organizations may qualify for Form 990-EZ or the electronic Form 990-N. Failure to file for three consecutive years may result in automatic revocation of tax-exempt status. Consult a qualified tax professional for your specific obligations.
Do I need to file quarterly estimated taxes as a nonprofit?+
Tax-exempt nonprofits generally do not pay income tax on activities related to their exempt purpose. However, unrelated business income (UBI) may be subject to tax and quarterly estimated payments. If your organization has UBI, estimated tax deadlines are typically April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Consult a qualified tax professional to determine your organization's specific requirements.
How do I track restricted grants for a nonprofit?+
Restricted grants must be tracked separately to ensure funds are spent according to donor restrictions. Record each restricted grant individually and document spending against each grant's specific requirements. Proper tracking of restricted versus unrestricted funds is essential for Form 990 reporting and donor compliance. Consult a qualified tax professional for guidance on your specific situation.
Should I hire an Enrolled Agent or handle our own bookkeeping?+
An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a tax professional who has passed a rigorous IRS exam and is authorized to represent taxpayers directly before the IRS. Unlike other preparers, EAs must pass a rigorous exam and complete continuing education annually. For nonprofits with grant compliance, functional expense allocation, and Form 990 requirements, an EA can help ensure proper reporting. Arc & Ledger's team of Enrolled Agents specializes in organizational tax compliance.

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