Milestone Certified Public Accountants logo — boutique CPA firm Pleasanton CA
Nonprofit Tax Services

Nonprofit compliance done right the first time.

Form 990 series filings, UBI analysis, public-support test work, and ongoing compliance for Bay Area nonprofits — from small 501(c)(3) entities through complex multi-program organizations.

The Milestone Difference

Why owners switch to us.

Nationwide Practice

Multi-state work across all 50 states.

Flat-fee Engagement

Price scoped upfront. No hourly meter.

24-hour Response

Answers within one business day.

Year-Round Access

Available beyond tax season. Quarterly check-ins.

How We Work

Four steps. No mystery.

Every engagement follows the same disciplined path. You always know what is next, and you always know who is doing it.

01

Discovery Call

A complimentary 30 minutes. We scope what you actually need — and tell you straight if we are not the right fit.

02

Engagement Letter

Clear scope, deliverables, and a flat fee quoted upfront. No surprises. No hourly meter spinning in the background.

03

Onboarding & First Close

Prior 3 years of 990 filings reviewed. Public support test status confirmed. UBI risk assessment delivered within 30 days.

04

Quarterly Strategy

Quarterly governance and compliance review. Annual 990 filing in the standard cycle. UBI/UBIT analysis any time the activity profile shifts.

Our prior preparer filed our 990 every year and never flagged the unrelated business income from our event-rental program. Milestone caught it in onboarding — we filed corrected 990-Ts going back three years, paid modest tax, and avoided a future audit that could have threatened our exempt status. They walked the board through every step.

— Executive Director, Bay Area Educational Nonprofit

$3.2M revenue · Milestone nonprofit client since 2023

Questions We Get a Lot

Before we talk.

Do you serve all nonprofit types?+

We work with 501(c)(3) public charities, 501(c)(3) private foundations, 501(c)(4) social welfare orgs, 501(c)(6) trade associations, and CA religious corps. Most engagements are public charities and private foundations.

What does Form 990 actually cost?+

Form 990-N (small orgs under $50K): $500–800. Standard 990 with state filings: $2,500–5,500. Complex 990 with multiple programs or UBI: $5,500–12,000. 990-PF (private foundation): $4,500–8,500. Quoted upfront.

What is unrelated business income (UBI) and why does it matter?+

Income from activities outside your exempt purpose triggers federal income tax (UBIT) — and excessive UBI can threaten exempt status. Event rentals, advertising income, parking lots, and gift shops are common triggers. We analyze every nonprofit's activity for UBI risk.

Can you handle the California Attorney General filing (Form RRF-1)?+

Yes — and it is required for any California nonprofit with $50K+ gross revenue. We file alongside the 990 and the state Form 199 in a coordinated submission.

What about audited financials — do we need them?+

Required by California for nonprofits with $2M+ gross revenue. Required by many grantmakers, banks, and federal funders regardless of size. We handle audit prep (separate engagement) and coordinate with an independent audit firm.

Can you support board treasurer or audit committee?+

Yes — about 30% of nonprofit clients have us providing quarterly board reporting and audit-committee liaison work in addition to filings. Particularly valuable for boards without a finance-background member.

An invitation

Don't see your looming?

A complimentary 30-minute call. Tell us what type of nonprofit you are and where you sit in the filing cycle — we will tell you straight what compliance looks like and whether we are the right firm.

Call directly: 925-320-0309