How to resolve Lacerte diagnostic ref. 12191 - Form 990 Schedule N attach certified copies

This article will help resolve the following diagnostic that generates when Form 990, Part IV, Line 31 is marked yes:

• Attach certified copies of articles of dissolution or merger, resolutions, or plans of liquidation or merger, as well as any other documentation relevant to Schedule N. (ref. #12191)

This diagnostic is generated as a reminder to include information with the filing of the return, and is based on the these Schedule N instructions (page 4):

• An organization must support any claim to have liquidated, terminated, dissolved, or merged by attaching a certified copy of its articles of dissolution or merger.  If a certified copy of its articles of dissolution or merger isn't available, the organization may submit resolutions of its governing board approving dissolution or merger, and/or plans of liquidation or merger approved by its governing board. An organization filing Schedule N shouldn't report its liquidation, termination, or dissolution in a letter to IRS Exempt Organizations, Determinations (?EO Determinations?). EO Determinations no longer issues letters confirming that the organization?s tax-exempt status was terminated upon its liquidation, termination, or dissolution.

Follow these steps to include the e-filed return by attaching a PDF to Form 990:

1. Go to Screen 5, Electronic Filing.
2. Select the PDF Attachment button at the top of the screen.
3. Select Attach PDF, then select Browse Files.
4. Browse to the location of the document and select OK.
5. In the Link to form (defaults to main form) (Ctrl+T) field, select 990/EZ/PF.
6. Be sure Send PDF attachment with federal return is selected.