Organizations required to file
In general
Except as provided in paragraph (3), every organization exempt from taxation under section 501(a) shall file an annual return, stating specifically the items of gross income, receipts, and disbursements, and such other information for the purpose of carrying out the internal revenue laws as the Secretary may by forms or regulations prescribe, and shall keep such records, render under oath such statements, make such other returns, and comply with such rules and regulations as the Secretary may from time to time prescribe; except that, in the discretion of the Secretary, any organization described in section 401(a) may be relieved from stating in its return any information which is reported in returns filed by the employer which established such organization.
Being a party to certain reportable transactions
Exceptions from filing
Mandatory exceptions
Discretionary exceptions
The Secretary may relieve any organization required under paragraph (1) (other than an organization described in section 509(a)(3)) to file an information return from filing such a return where he determines that such filing is not necessary to the efficient administration of the internal revenue laws.
Certain organizations
Certain organizations described in section 501(c)(3)
Additional provisions relating to private foundations
Section to apply to nonexempt charitable trusts and nonexempt private foundations
Nonexempt charitable trusts
A trust described in section 4947(a)(1) (relating to nonexempt charitable trusts).
Nonexempt private foundations
A private foundation which is not exempt from tax under section 501(a).
Special rules relating to lobbying activities
Reporting requirements
In general
Organizations to which subsection applies
In general
This subsection shall apply to any organization which is exempt from taxation under section 501 other than an organization described in section 501(c)(3).
Special rule for in-house expenditures
This subsection shall not apply to the in-house expenditures (within the meaning of section 162(e)(4)(B)(ii)) of an organization for a taxable year if such expenditures do not exceed $2,000. In determining whether a taxpayer exceeds the $2,000 limit under this clause, there shall not be taken into account overhead costs otherwise allocable to activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (D) of section 162(e)(1).
Coordination with section 527(f)
This subsection shall not apply to any amount on which tax is imposed by reason of section 527(f).
Allocation
In general
Expenditures to which section 162(e)(1) applies shall be treated as paid out of dues or other similar amounts to the extent thereof.
Carryover of lobbying expenditures in excess of dues
If expenditures to which section 162(e)(1) applies exceed the dues or other similar amounts for any taxable year, such excess shall be treated as expenditures to which section 162(e)(1) applies which are paid or incurred by the organization during the following taxable year.
Tax imposed where organization does not notify
In general
Waiver where future adjustments made
The Secretary may waive the tax imposed by subparagraph (A)(ii) for any taxable year if the organization agrees to adjust its estimates under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) for the following taxable year to correct any failures.
Tax treated as income tax
For purposes of this title, the tax imposed by subparagraph (A) shall be treated in the same manner as a tax imposed by chapter 1 (relating to income taxes).
Exception where dues generally nondeductible
Paragraph (1)(A) shall not apply to an organization which establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that substantially all of the dues or other similar amounts paid by persons to such organization are not deductible without regard to section 162(e).
Certain organizations described in section 501(c)(4)
Returns required by political organizations
In general
This section shall apply to a political organization (as defined by section 527(e)(1)) which has gross receipts of $25,000 or more for the taxable year. In the case of a political organization which is a qualified State or local political organization (as defined in section 527(e)(5)), the preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting “$100,000” for “$25,000”.
Annual returns
Mandatory exceptions from filing
Discretionary exception
The Secretary may relieve any organization required under paragraph (2) to file an information return from filing such a return if the Secretary determines that such filing is not necessary to the efficient administration of the internal revenue laws.
Controlling organizations
Additional notification requirements
Loss of exempt status for failure to file return or notice
In general
Notice
Revocation
If an organization described in subsection (a)(1) or (i) fails to file an annual return or notice required under either subsection for 3 consecutive years, such organization’s status as an organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) shall be considered revoked on and after the date set by the Secretary for the filing of the third annual return or notice. The Secretary shall publish and maintain a list of any organization the status of which is so revoked.
Application necessary for reinstatement
Any organization the tax-exempt status of which is revoked under paragraph (1) must apply in order to obtain reinstatement of such status regardless of whether such organization was originally required to make such an application.
Retroactive reinstatement if reasonable cause shown for failure
If, upon application for reinstatement of status as an organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), an organization described in paragraph (1) can show to the satisfaction of the Secretary evidence of reasonable cause for the failure described in such paragraph, the organization’s exempt status may, in the discretion of the Secretary, be reinstated effective from the date of the revocation under such paragraph.
Additional provisions relating to sponsoring organizations
Additional provisions relating to supporting organizations
Additional information required from CO–OP insurers
Mandatory electronic filing
Any organization required to file a return under this section shall file such return in electronic form.
Requirement to report certain information with respect to excise tax based on investment income of private colleges and universities
Cross references
For provisions relating to statements, etc., regarding exempt status of organizations, see section 6001.
For reporting requirements as to certain liquidations, dissolutions, terminations, and contractions, see section 6043(b). For provisions relating to penalties for failure to file a return required by this section, see section 6652(c).
For provisions relating to information required in connection with certain plans of deferred compensation, see section 6058.
Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 73668A Stat. 741Pub. L. 85–866, title I, § 75(b)72 Stat. 1661Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 101(d)(1)83 Stat. 519Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 1031(c)(2)88 Stat. 946Pub. L. 94–455, title XIII, § 1307(a)(4)90 Stat. 1722Pub. L. 96–603, § 1(a)94 Stat. 3503Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, § 1501(d)(1)(C)100 Stat. 2740Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10703(a)101 Stat. 1330–460Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13222(c)107 Stat. 480Pub. L. 104–168, title XIII, § 1312(a)110 Stat. 1479Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1703(g)110 Stat. 1876Pub. L. 105–34, title XVI, § 1603(b)111 Stat. 1096Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title I, § 1004(b)(2)(A)112 Stat. 2681–889Pub. L. 106–230, § 3(a)(2)114 Stat. 482Pub. L. 107–276, § 3(c)116 Stat. 1931Pub. L. 109–222, title V, § 516(b)(1)120 Stat. 371Pub. L. 109–280, title XII120 Stat. 1067Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title VII, § 703(a)122 Stat. 3919Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1322(h)(2)124 Stat. 192Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title IV, § 405(b)129 Stat. 3119Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13308(b)131 Stat. 2129Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(258)132 Stat. 1196Pub. L. 116–25, title III133 Stat. 1015Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70415(b)139 Stat. 223(, ; , , ; , (2), (j)(30), (31), , , 520, 529; , , ; , title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), , , 1834; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , (b), , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 1205(b)(1), 1223(a), (b), 1235(a)(1), 1245(a), (b), , , 1090, 1101, 1108; , , ; , title IX, § 9007(d), , , 857; , , ; , , ; , (d)(6)(B)(v), , , 1211; , §§ 3101(a), 3102(a), , , 1016; , , .)
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
section 1 of this titleFor inflation adjustment of certain items in this section, see Revenue Procedures listed in a table under .
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 6056 of this titlePub. L. 96–603, § 1(c)94 Stat. 3504, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), was repealed by , , .
Pub. L. 92–22586 Stat. 3section 30101 of Title 52The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, referred to in subsec. (g)(3)(F), is , , , which was formerly classified principally to chapter 14 (§ 431 et seq.) of Title 2, The Congress, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering in Title 52, Voting and Elections, and is now classified principally to chapter 301 (§ 30101 et seq.) of Title 52. Section 301 of the Act is now classified to . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
Codification
Pub. L. 109–280Sections 1205(b)(1), 1223(a), (b), 1235(a)(1), and 1245(a), (b) of , which directed the amendment of section 6033 without specifying the act to be amended, were executed to this section, which is section 6033 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2006 Amendment notes below.
Amendments
oPub. L. 119–21oo2025—Subsecs. (), (p). added subsec. () and redesignated former subsec. () as (p).
Pub. L. 116–25, § 3102(a)2019—Subsec. (j)(1). , added subpar. (A), redesignated existing provisions as subpar. (B), and inserted subpar. (B) heading.
oPub. L. 116–25, § 3101(a)oSubsecs. (n), (). , added subsec. (n) and redesignated former subsec. (n) as ().
Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(d)(6)(B)(v)2018—Subsec. (b)(14). , struck out “including the amount and use of qualified contributions to which section 1400S(a) applies,” after “disaster relief activities,”.
Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(258)Subsec. (b)(15)(B). , substituted “statement), and” for “statement).”
Pub. L. 115–972017—Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(ii). substituted “section 162(e)(4)(B)(ii)” for “section 162(e)(5)(B)(ii)”.
Pub. L. 114–1132015—Subsec. (f). substituted “under subsection (a)—” for “under subsection (a)”, inserted par. (1) designation before “the information”, substituted “to such organization, and” for “to such organization.”, and added par. (2).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 9007(d)(2)2010—Subsec. (b)(10)(D). , added subpar. (D).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 9007(d)(1)Subsec. (b)(15), (16). , added par. (15) and redesignated former par. (15) as (16).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 1322(h)(2)Subsecs. (m), (n). , added subsec. (m) and redesignated former subsec. (m) as (n).
Pub. L. 110–3432008—Subsec. (b)(14), (15). added par. (14) and redesignated former par. (14) as (15).
Pub. L. 109–222, § 516(b)(1)(B)2006—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “paragraph (3)” for “paragraph (2)”.
Pub. L. 109–222, § 516(b)(1)(A)Subsec. (a)(2). , added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).
Pub. L. 109–222, § 516(b)(1)(A)Subsec. (a)(3). , redesignated par. (2) as (3).
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1245(a)Subsec. (a)(3)(B). , inserted “(other than an organization described in section 509(a)(3))” after “paragraph (1)”. See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1205(b)(1)Subsec. (h). , added subsec. (h). Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i). See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1223(a)Subsec. (i). , added subsec. (i). Former subsec. (i) redesignated (j). See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1205(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (h) as (i). See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1223(b)Subsec. (j). , added subsec. (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k). See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1223(a), redesignated subsec. (i) as (j). See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1235(a)(1)lSubsec. (k). , added subsec. (k). Former subsec. (k) redesignated (). See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1223(b), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k). See Codification note above.
lPub. L. 109–280, § 1245(b)llSubsec. (). , added subsec. (). Former subsec. () redesignated (m). See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1235(a)(1)l, redesignated subsec. (k) as (). See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 109–280, § 1245(b)lSubsec. (m). , redesignated subsec. () as (m). See Codification note above.
Pub. L. 107–2762002—Subsec. (g). reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of a political organization required to file a return under section 6012(a)(6)—
“(1) such organization shall file a return—
“(A) containing the information required, and complying with the other requirements, under subsection (a)(1) for organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(a), and
“(B) containing such other information as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this subsection, and
“(2) subsection (a)(2)(B) (relating to discretionary exceptions) shall apply with respect to such return.”
Pub. L. 106–2302000—Subsecs. (g), (h). added subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h).
Pub. L. 105–2771998—Subsec. (c). inserted “and” at end of par. (1), redesignated par. (3) as (2), and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “a copy of the notice required by section 6104(d) (relating to public inspection of private foundations’ annual returns), together with proof of publication thereof, shall be filed by the foundation together with the annual return under this section, and”.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1603(b)(1)(A)1997—Subsec. (b)(10). , in introductory provisions, substituted “the respective amounts (if any) of the taxes imposed on the organization, or any organization manager of the organization, during the taxable year under any of the following provisions (and the respective amounts (if any) of reimbursements paid by the organization during the taxable year with respect to taxes imposed on any such organization manager under any of such provisions):” for “the respective amounts (if any) of the taxes paid by the organization during the taxable year under the following provisions:”.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1603(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (b)(10)(C). , inserted at end “except to the extent that, by reason of section 4962, the taxes imposed under such section are not required to be paid or are credited or refunded,”.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1603(b)(2)Subsec. (b)(11). , amended par. (11) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (11) read as follows: “the respective amounts (if any) of the taxes paid by the organization, or any disqualified person with respect to such organization, during the taxable year under section 4958 (relating to taxes on private excess benefit from certain charitable organizations),”.
Pub. L. 104–168, § 1312(a)1996—Subsec. (b)(10) to (14). , added pars. (10) to (13) and redesignated former par. (10) as (14).
Pub. L. 104–188, § 1703(g)(2)Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(i). , substituted “section 501” for “this subtitle”.
Pub. L. 104–188, § 1703(g)(1)Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(iii). , added subcl. (iii).
Pub. L. 104–168, § 1312(b)Subsecs. (f), (g). , added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g).
Pub. L. 103–661993—Subsecs. (e), (f). added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f).
Pub. L. 100–2031987—Subsec. (b)(9), (10). added pars. (9) and (10).
Pub. L. 99–5141986—Subsec. (e). substituted “section 6652(c)” for “section 6652(d)”.
Pub. L. 96–6031980—Subsecs. (c) to (e). added subsecs. (c) and (d) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (e).
Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A)1976—Subsec. (a)(1), (2). , struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing.
Pub. L. 94–455Subsec. (b). , §§ 1307(a)(4), 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out in provisions preceding par. (1) “or his delegate” after “Secretary” and added par. (8) and sentence at end.
Pub. L. 93–4061974—Subsec. (c). inserted reference to section 6058 covering provisions relating to information required in connection with certain plans of deferred compensation.
Pub. L. 91–172, § 101(d)(1)1969—Subsec. (a). , added churches, their integrated auxiliaries, conventions or associations of churches, religious activities of religious orders, and organizations that normally have gross yearly receipts of not more than $5,000, to list of exempt organizations that were excepted from filing information returns, gave the Secretary or his delegate discretion to so except any such organization, and shortened list of educational organizations so excepted.
Pub. L. 91–172, § 101(d)(2)(A)Subsec. (b)(3). , struck out “out of income” after “its disbursements”.
Pub. L. 91–172, § 101(d)(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(4). , (j)(30), redesignated par. (7) as (4) and struck out “and” at end. Former par. (4), making accumulation of income within year as an item of information to be furnished, was struck out.
Pub. L. 91–172, § 101(d)(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(5). , (C), substituted total of contributions and gifts received during year and contributors’ names and addresses for aggregate accumulation of income at beginning of year as item of information to be furnished.
Pub. L. 91–172, § 101(d)(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(6). , (C), substituted names and addresses of foundation managers for disbursements out of principal in current and prior years as item of information to be furnished.
Pub. L. 91–172, § 101(d)(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(7). , (C), added par. (7) and redesignated former par. (7) as (4).
Pub. L. 91–172, § 101(d)(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(8). , struck out par. (8) which made total of contributions and gifts received during year as item of information to be furnished.
Pub. L. 91–172, § 101(j)(31)Subsec. (c). , inserted cross references to section 6043(b) and 6652(d).
Pub. L. 85–8661958—Subsec. (b)(8). added par. (8).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2025 Amendment
Pub. L. 119–21section 70415(c) of Pub. L. 119–21section 4968 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2019 Amendment
section 3101(a) of Pub. L. 116–25section 3101(d) of Pub. L. 116–25section 527 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , with certain transitional relief permitted, see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 116–25, title III, § 3102(b)133 Stat. 1016
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–97section 13308(c) of Pub. L. 115–97section 162 of this titleAmendment by applicable to amounts paid or incurred on or after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Pub. L. 114–113section 501(c)(4) of this titlesection 405(f) of Pub. L. 114–113section 506 of this titleAmendment by applicable to organizations which are described in and organized after , and to certain then-existing organizations, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
section 9007(d) of Pub. L. 111–148section 9007(f)(1) of Pub. L. 111–148section 501 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title VII, § 703(b)122 Stat. 3919
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1205(c)(2)120 Stat. 1068
Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1223(f)120 Stat. 1091
Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1235(a)(2)120 Stat. 1101
Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1245(c)120 Stat. 1108
Pub. L. 109–222section 516(d)(2) of Pub. L. 109–222section 4965 of this titleAmendment by applicable to disclosures the due date for which are after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Pub. L. 107–276Pub. L. 106–230section 3(d) of Pub. L. 107–276section 6012 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the amendments made by , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Pub. L. 106–230section 3(d) of Pub. L. 106–230section 6012 of this titleAmendment by applicable to returns for taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–277section 6104(d)(4) of this titlesection 1004(b)(3) of Pub. L. 105–277section 6104 of this titleAmendment by applicable to requests made after the later of , or the 60th day after the Secretary of the Treasury first issues the regulations referred to in , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–34Pub. L. 104–168section 1603(c) of Pub. L. 105–34section 4962 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the provisions of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1996 Amendments
Pub. L. 104–188Pub. L. 103–66oPub. L. 104–188section 39 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the provision of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993, , §§ 13001–13444, to which such amendment relates, see section 1703() of , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 104–168, title XIII, § 1312(c)110 Stat. 1479
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Pub. L. 103–66section 13222(e) of Pub. L. 103–66section 162 of this titleAmendment by applicable to amounts paid or incurred after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10703(b)101 Stat. 1330–461
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Pub. L. 99–514section 1501(e) of Pub. L. 99–514section 6721 of this titleAmendment by applicable to returns the due date for which (determined without regard to extensions) is after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Pub. L. 96–603, § 1(f)94 Stat. 3505
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
section 1307(a)(4) of Pub. L. 94–455section 1307(e)(6) of Pub. L. 94–455section 501 of this titleAmendment by effective on or after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Pub. L. 93–406section 1034 of Pub. L. 93–406section 6057 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .
Effective Date of 1969 Amendment
Pub. L. 91–172section 101(k)(2)(B) of Pub. L. 91–172section 4940 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Pub. L. 85–866section 75(c) of Pub. L. 85–866section 6104 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years ending on or after , see , set out as a note under .
Savings Provision
section 401(d)(6)(B)(v) of Pub. L. 115–141section 401(d)(6)(C) of Pub. L. 115–141section 1400L of this titleFor provisions that amendment made by not apply, in the case of certain repeals, to various types of wages, bonds, property, or other items before specific dates, see , set out as a note under former .
section 401(d)(6)(B)(v) of Pub. L. 115–141section 401(e) of Pub. L. 115–141section 23 of this titleFor provisions that nothing in amendment by be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to , for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after , see , set out as a note under .
Secretarial Outreach Requirements
Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1223(e)120 Stat. 1091