Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax and
Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax

Part I - Revenue, Expenses, and Changes in Net Assets or Fund Balances

All organizations filing Form 990-EZ with the IRS or any state must complete Part I. Some states that accept Form 990-EZ in place of their own forms may require additional information. See General Instruction E.

Line 1. Contributions, Gifts, Grants, and Similar Amounts Received
 
A. What is included on line 1

• Report amounts received as voluntary contributions; (i.e., payments, or the part of any payment, for which the payer (donor) does not receive full retail value (fair market value) from the recipient (donee) organization).
• Enter the gross amounts of contributions, gifts, grants, and bequests that the organization received from individuals, trusts, corporations, estates, affiliates, foundations, public charities, and other exempt organizations, or raised by an outside professional fundraiser.
• Report all related expenses on lines 12 through 16. You must show on line 13 professional fundraising fees relating to the gross amounts of contributions collected in the charity's name by fundraisers.

Reporting for line 1, in accordance with SFAS 116, Accounting for Contributions Received and Contributions Made, is acceptable for Form 990-EZ, or Form 990, purposes, but not required by the IRS. However, see General Instruction E.

An organization that receives a grant to be paid in future years should, according to SFAS 116, report the grant's present value on line 1. Accruals of present value increments to the unpaid grant should also be reported on line 1 in future years.

1. Contributions can arise from special events when an excess payment is received for items offered. Fundraising activities relate to soliciting and receiving contributions. However, special fundraising activities such as dinners, door-to-door sales of merchandise, carnivals, and bingo games can produce both contributions and revenue. Report as a contribution, both on line 1 and on line 6a (within the parentheses), any amount received through such a special event that is greater than the fair market value (retail value) of the merchandise or services furnished by the organization to the contributor.

This situation usually occurs when organizations seek support from the public through solicitation programs that are in part special events or activities and are in part solicitations for contributions. The primary purpose of such solicitations is to receive contributions and not to sell the merchandise at its retail value even though this might produce a profit.

Example. An organization announces that anyone who contributes at least $40 to the organization can choose to receive a book worth $16 retail value. A person who gives $40, and who chooses the book, is really purchasing the book for $16 and also making a contribution of $24. The contribution of $24, which is the difference between the buyer's payment and the $16 retail value of the book, would be reported on line 1 and again on line 6a (within the parentheses). The revenue received ($16 retail value of the book) would be reported in the right-hand column on line 6a. Any expenses directly relating to the sale of the book would be reported on line 6b. Any fundraising expenses relating to the contribution of $24 would be reported on lines 12 through 16.

If a contributor gives more than $40, that person would be making a larger contribution, the difference between the book's retail value of $16 and the amount actually given. See also the instructions for line 6 and Pub. 526.

Note: At the time of any solicitation or payment, organizations that are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions should advise patrons of the amount deductible for Federal tax purposes. See General Instruction L.

2. Contributions can arise from special events when items of only nominal value are given or offered. If an organization offers goods or services of only nominal value through a special event, or distributes free, unordered, low-cost items to patrons, report the entire amount received for such benefits as a contribution on line 1. Report all related expenses on lines 12 through 16.

See General Instruction L for a definition of benefits that have a nominal or insubstantial value.

3. Section 501(c)(3) organizations. These organizations must compute the amounts of revenue and contributions received from special events according to the above instructions when preparing their Support Schedule in Part IV-A of Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ).

4. Grants equivalent to contributions. Grants made to encourage an organization receiving the grant to carry on programs or activities that further the grant recipient's exempt purposes are grants that are equivalent to contributions. Report them on line 1. The grantor may specify which of the recipient's activities the grant may be used for, such as an adoption program or a disaster relief project.

A grant is still equivalent to a contribution if the grant recipient performs a service, or produces a work product, that benefits the grantor incidentally (but see line 1, instruction B1, below).

5. Contributions received through other fundraising organizations. Contributions received indirectly from the public through solicitation campaigns conducted by federated fundraising agencies (such as United Way) are included on line 1.

6. Contributions received from associated organizations. Include on line 1 amounts contributed by other organizations closely associated with the reporting organization. This includes contributions received from a parent organization, subordinate, or another organization having the same parent.

7. Contributions from a commercial co-venture. Include amounts contributed by a commercial co-venture on line 1. These contributions are amounts received by the organization for allowing an outside organization (donor) or individual to use the recipient organization's name in a sales promotion campaign.

8. Contributions or grants from governmental units. A grant, or other payment from a governmental unit, is treated as a grant equivalent to a contribution if its primary purpose is to enable the recipient to provide a service to, or maintain a facility for, the direct benefit of the public rather than to serve the direct and immediate needs of the grantor (even if the public pays part of the expense of providing the service or facility). (See also line 1, instruction B1, below.)

9. Contributions in the form of membership dues. Include on line 1 membership dues and assessments to the extent they are contributions and not payments for benefits received. (See line 3, instruction C1.)

B. What is not included on line 1

1. Grants that are payments for services are not contributions. A grant is a payment for services, and not a contribution, when the terms of the grant provide the grantor with a specific service, facility, or product, rather than providing a benefit to the general public or that part of the public served by the grant recipient. The recipient organization would report such a grant as income on line 2 (program service revenue).

2. Donations of services. Do not include the value of services donated to the organization, or items such as the free use of materials, equipment, or facilities, as contributions on line 1. However, for the optional reporting of such amounts, see the instruction for donated services in Part III.

Any unreimbursed expenses of officers, employees, or volunteers do not belong on the Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See the instructions for charitable contributions and employee business expenses in Pub. 526 and 463, respectively.

3. Section 501(c)(9), (17), and (18) organizations. These organizations provide participants with life, sickness, accident, welfare and unemployment insurance, pension(s), or similar benefits, or a combination of these benefits. When such an organization receives payments from participants, or their employers, to provide these benefits, report the payments on line 2 as program service revenue, rather than on line 1 as contributions.

C. How to value noncash contributions

See General Instruction L and Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF).

D. Schedule of contributors

Attach Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF). See General Instruction L and the Specific Instructions for Completing the Heading of Form 990-EZ, Item H.

Line 2 - Program Service Revenue Including Medicare, Medicaid Payments, and Government Fees and Contracts

Enter the total program service revenue (exempt function income). Program services are primarily those that form the basis of an organization's exemption from tax.

1. Examples. A clinic would include on line 2 all of its charges for medical services (whether to be paid directly by the patients or through Medicare, Medicaid, or other third-party reimbursement), laboratory fees, and related charges for services.

Program service revenue also includes tuition received by a school; revenue from admissions to a concert or other performing arts event or to a museum; royalties received as author of an educational publication distributed by a commercial publisher; payments received by a section 501(c)(9) organization from participants or employers of participants for health and welfare benefits coverage; and registration fees received in connection with a meeting or convention.

2. Program-related investment income. Program service revenue also includes income from program-related investments. These investments are made primarily to accomplish an exempt purpose of the investing organization rather than to produce income. Examples are scholarship loans and low-interest loans to charitable organizations, indigents, or victims of a disaster. Rental income received from an exempt function is another example of program-related investment income. See also the instructions for line 4.

3. Unrelated trade or business activities. Unrelated trade or business activities (not including any special events or activities) that generate fees for services may also be program service activities. A social club, for example, should report as program service revenue the fees it charges both members and nonmembers for the use of its tennis courts and golf course.

4. Government fees and contracts. Program service revenue includes income earned by the organization for providing a government agency with a service, facility, or product that benefited that government agency directly rather than benefiting the public as a whole. See line 1, instruction A8, for reporting guidelines when payments are received from a government agency for providing a service, facility, or product for the primary benefit of the general public.

Line 3 - Membership Dues and Assessments

Enter members' and affiliates' dues and assessments that are not contributions. See also General Instruction L.

A. What is included on line 3

1. Dues and assessments received that compare reasonably with the benefits of membership. When the organization receives dues and assessments that compare reasonably with membership benefits, report such dues and assessments on line 3.

2. Organizations that generally match dues and benefits. Organizations described in section 501(c)(5), (6), or (7) generally provide benefits with a reasonable relationship to dues, although benefits to members may be indirect.

B. Examples of membership benefits

These include subscriptions to publications; newsletters (other than one about the organization's activities only); free or reduced-rate admissions to events the organization sponsors; use of its facilities; and discounts on articles or services that both members and nonmembers can buy. In figuring the value of membership benefits, disregard such intangible benefits as the right to attend meetings, vote, or hold office in the organization, and the distinction of being a member of the organization.

C. What is not included on line 3

1. Dues or assessments received that exceed the value of available membership benefits. Whether or not membership benefits are used, dues received by an organization, to the extent they exceed the monetary value of the membership benefits available to the dues payer, are a contribution that should be reported on line 1.

2. Dues received primarily for the organization's support. If a member pays dues primarily to support the organization's activities, and not to obtain benefits of more than nominal monetary value, those dues are a contribution to the organization includible on line 1.

Line 4 - Investment Income
 
A. What is included on line 4

1. Interest on savings and temporary cash investments. Include the amount of interest received from interest-bearing checking accounts, savings, and temporary cash investments, such as money market funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and U.S. Treasury bills or other governmental obligations that mature in less than 1 year. So-called dividends or earnings received from mutual savings banks, money market funds, etc., are actually interest and should be included on this line.

2. Dividends and interest from securities. Include the amount of dividend and interest income from equity and debt securities (stocks and bonds) on this line. Include amounts received from payments on securities loans, as defined in section 512(a)(5).

3. Gross rents. Include gross rental income received during the year from investment property.

4. Other investment income. Include, for example, royalty income from mineral interests owned by the organization.

B. What is not included on line 4

1. Capital gains dividends and unrealized gains and losses. Do not include on this line any capital gains dividends. They are reported on line 5. Also do not include unrealized gains and losses on investments carried at market value. See the instructions for line 20.

2. Exempt function revenue (program service). Do not include on line 4 amounts that represent income from an exempt function (program service). Report these amounts on line 2 as program service revenue. Report expenses related to this income on lines 12 through 16.

An organization whose exempt purpose is to provide low-rental housing to persons with low income receives exempt function income from such rentals. An organization receives exempt function income if it rents or sublets rental space to a tenant whose activities are related to the reporting organization's exempt purpose. Exempt function income also arises when an organization rents to an unaffiliated exempt organization at less than fair rental value for the purpose of helping that unaffiliated organization carry out its exempt purpose. Report rental income received in these instances on line 2 and not on line 4.

Only for purposes of completing this return, treat income from renting property to affiliated exempt organizations as exempt function income and include such income on line 2 as program service revenue.

Lines 5a-c - Gains (or Losses) From Sale of Assets Other Than Inventory
 
A. What is included on line 5

Report on line 5a all sales of securities and sales of all other types of investments (such as real estate, royalty interests, or partnership interests) as well as sales of all other noninventory assets (such as program-related investments and fixed assets used by the organization in its related and unrelated activities).

Total the cost or other basis (less depreciation) and selling expenses and enter the result on line 5b. On line 5c, enter the net gain or loss. Report capital gains dividends, the organization's share of capital gains and losses from a partnership, and capital gains distributions from trusts on lines 5a and 5c. Indicate the source on the schedule described below.

For this return, you may use the more convenient way to figure the organization's gain or loss from sales of securities by comparing the sales price with the average-cost basis of the particular security sold. However, generally, the average-cost basis is not used to figure the gain or loss from sales of securities reportable on Form 990-T.

B. What is not included on line 5

Do not include on line 5 any unrealized gains or losses on securities that are carried in the books of account at market value. See the instructions for line 20.

C. Attached schedule

1. Nonpublicly traded securities and noninventory items. Attach a schedule to show the sale or exchange of nonpublicly traded securities and the sale or exchange of other assets that are not inventory items. The schedule should show security transactions separately from the sale of other assets. Show for these assets:

• Date acquired and how acquired,
• Date sold and to whom sold,
• Gross sales price,
• Cost, other basis, or if donated, value at time acquired (state which),
• Expense of sale and cost of improvements made after acquisition, and
• Depreciation since acquisition, if depreciable property.

2. Publicly traded securities. For sales of publicly traded securities through a broker, you may total the gross sales price, the cost or other basis, and the expenses of sale, and report lump-sum figures in place of providing the detailed reporting required in the above paragraph.

Publicly traded securities include common and preferred stocks, bonds (including governmental obligations), and mutual fund shares that are listed and regularly traded in an over-the-counter market or on an established exchange and for which market quotations are published or otherwise readily available.

Lines 6a-c - Special Events and Activities

On the appropriate line, enter the gross revenue, expenses, and net income (or loss) from all special events and activities, such as dinners, dances, carnivals, raffles, bingo games, other gambling activities, and door-to-door sales of merchandise.

These activities only incidentally accomplish an exempt purpose. Their sole or primary purpose is to raise funds that are other than contributions to finance the organization's exempt activities.

This is done by offering goods or services that have more than a nominal value (compared to the price charged) for a payment that is more than the direct cost of those goods or services. See line 1 instructions A1 and A2 for a discussion on contributions reportable on line 1 and revenue reportable on line 6. See also General Instruction L.

Calling any required payment a donation or contribution on tickets, advertising, or solicitation materials does not change how these payments should be reported on Form 990-EZ.

The gross revenue from gambling activities and other special events must be reported in the right-hand column on line 6a without reduction for cash or noncash prizes, cost of goods sold, compensation, fees, or other expenses.

A. What is included on line 6

1. Gross revenue/contributions. When an organization receives payments for goods or services offered through a special event, enter:

1. As gross revenue, on line 6a (in the right-hand column), the retail value of the goods or services,
2. As a contribution, on both line 1 and line 6a (within the parentheses), any amount received that exceeds the retail value of the goods or services given.

Example. At a special event, an organization received $100 in gross receipts for goods valued at $40. The organization entered gross revenue of $40 on line 6a and entered a contribution of $60 on both line 1 and within the parentheses on line 6a. The contribution was the difference between the gross revenue of $40 and the gross receipts of $100.

2. Raffles or lotteries. Report as revenue, on line 6a, any amount received from raffles or lotteries that require payment of a specified minimum amount for each entry, unless the prizes awarded have only nominal value. See line 6, instruction B1 and B2, below.

3. Direct expenses. Report on line 6b only the direct expenses attributable to the goods or services the buyer receives from a special event. If you include an expense on line 6b, do not report it again on line 7b. Report cost of goods related to the sale of inventory on line 7b. Fundraising expenses attributable to contributions reported on line 6a (within the parentheses), and also on line 1, are reportable on lines 12 through 16.

B. What is not included on line 6

1. Sales or gifts of goods or services of only nominal value. If the goods or services offered at the special event have only nominal value, include all of the receipts as contributions on line 1 and all of the related expenses on lines 12 through 16. See General Instruction L for a description of nominal or insubstantial benefits.

2. Sweepstakes, raffles, and lotteries. Report as a contribution, on line 1, the proceeds of solicitation campaigns in which the names of contributors and other respondents are entered in a drawing for prizes.

When a minimum payment is required for each raffle or lottery entry and prizes of only nominal value are awarded, report any amount received as a contribution. Report the related expenses on lines 12 through 16.

3. Activities that generate only contributions are not special events. An activity that generates only contributions, such as a solicitation campaign by mail, is not a special event. Any amount received should be included on line 1 as a contribution. Related expenses are reportable on lines 12 through 16.

C. Attached schedule

Attach a schedule listing the three largest special events conducted, as measured by gross receipts. Describe each of these events and indicate for each event: the gross receipts; the amount of contributions included in gross receipts (see line 6, instruction A1, above); the gross revenue (gross receipts less contributions); the direct expenses; and the net income (gross revenue less direct expenses).

Furnish the same information, in total figures, for all other special events held that are not among the largest three. Indicate the type and number of the events not listed individually (e.g., three dances and two raffles).

An example of this schedule of special events might appear in columnar form as follows:

If you use this format, report the total for Contributions on line 1 of Form 990-EZ and on line 6a (within the parentheses). Report the totals for Gross Revenue, in the right-hand column, on line 6a; Direct Expenses on line 6b; and Net Income or (loss) on line 6c.

Lines 7a-c - Gross Sales of Inventory

1. Sales of inventory. Include on line 7a the gross sales (less returns and allowances) of inventory items, whether the sales activity is an exempt function or an unrelated trade or business. Include all inventory sales except sales of goods at special events, which are reportable on line 6.

2. Cost of goods sold. On line 7b, report the cost of goods sold related to sales of such inventory. The usual items included in cost of goods sold are direct and indirect labor, materials and supplies consumed, freight-in, and a proportion of overhead expenses. Marketing and distribution expenses are not includible in cost of goods sold. Include those expenses on lines 12 through 16.

3. Investments. Do not include on line 7 sales of investments on which the organization expected to profit by appreciation and sale. Report sales of these investments on line 5.

Line 8 - Other Revenue

Enter the total income from all sources not covered by lines 1 through 7. Examples of types of income includible on line 8 are interest on notes receivable not held as investments or as program-related investments (defined in the line 2 instructions); interest on loans to officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and other employees; and royalties that are not investment income or program service revenue.

Line 10 - Grants and Similar Amounts Paid

Reporting for line 10, in accordance with SFAS 116, is acceptable for Form 990-EZ purposes, but not required by IRS. However, see General Instruction E.

An organization hat makes a grant to be paid in future years should, according to SFAS 116, report the grant's present value on line 10. Accruals of present value increments to the unpaid grant should also be reported on line 10 in future years.

A. What is included on line 10

Enter the amount of actual grants and similar amounts paid to individuals and organizations selected by the filing organization. Include scholarship, fellowship, and research grants to individuals.

1. Specific assistance to individuals. Include on this line the amount of payments to, or for the benefit of, particular clients or patients, including assistance by others at the expense of the filing organization.

2. Payments, voluntary awards, or grants to affiliates. Include on line 10 certain types of payments to organizations affiliated with (closely related to) the reporting organization. These payments include predetermined quota support and dues payments by local organizations to their state or national organizations.

Note: If the organization uses Form 990-EZ for state reporting purposes, be sure to distinguish between payments to affiliates and awards and grants. See General Instruction E.

B. What is not included on line 10

1. Administrative expenses. Do not include on this line expenses made in selecting recipients or monitoring compliance with the terms of a grant or award. Enter those expenses on lines 12 through 16.

2. Purchases of goods or services from affiliates. Do not report the cost of goods or services purchased from affiliates on line 10. Report these as expenses on lines 12 through 16.

3. Membership dues paid to another organization. Report membership dues that the organization pays to another organization for general membership benefits, such as regular services, publications, and materials on line 16, as Other expenses.

C. Attached schedule

Attach a schedule to explain the amounts reported on line 10. Show on this schedule:

• Each class of activity,
• The donee's name and address,
• The amount given, and
• The relationship of the donee (in the case of grants to individuals) if the relationship is by blood, marriage, adoption, or employment (including employees' children) to any person or corporation with an interest in the organization, such as a creator, donor, director, trustee, officer, etc.

Any grants reported on line 10 that were approved during the year, but not paid by the due date for filing Form 990-EZ (including extensions), must be identified and listed separately in the line 10 schedule.

Give the name and address of each affiliate that received any payment reported on line 10. Specify both the amount and purpose of these payments.

Classify activities on this schedule in more detail than by using such broad terms as charitable, educational, religious, or scientific. For example, identify payments to affiliates; payments for nursing services; fellowships; or payments for food, shelter, or medical services for indigents or disaster victims. For payments to indigent families, do not identify the individuals.

If an organization gives property other than cash and measures an award or grant by the property's fair market value, also show on this schedule:

• A description of the property,
• The book value of the property,
• How you determined the book value,
• How you determined the fair market value, and
• The date of the gift.

Any difference between a property's fair market value and book value should be recorded in the organization's books of account and on line 20.

Colleges, universities, and primary and secondary schools are not required to list the names of individuals who were provided scholarships or other financial assistance whether they are the recipients of Federal grant money or not.

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