Public Inspection of Exemption Applications,
Annual Returns, & Political Organization Reporting Forms

The following rules apply to private foundations as well as other tax-exempt organizations. Private foundations filing annual returns on or after March 13, 2000, are subject to the public disclosure requirements under section 6104(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Included in this section is a discussion on the public inspection requirements for political organizations filing Forms 8871 and 8872.

Annual return. An exempt organization must make available for public inspection, upon request and without charge, a copy of its original and amended annual information returns. Each information return must be made available from the date it is required to be filed (determined without regard to any extensions), or is actually filed, whichever is later. An original return does not have to be made available if more than 3 years have passed from the date the return was required to be filed (including any extensions) or was filed, whichever is later. An amended return does not have to be made available if more than 3 years have passed from the date it was filed.

An annual information return includes an exact copy of the return (Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-BL, 990-PF, or 1065), and amended return if any, and all schedules, attachments, and supporting documents filed with the IRS. It does not include Schedule A of Form 990-BL, Form 990-T, Schedule K-1 of Form 1065, or Form 1120-POL. In the case of a tax-exempt organization other than a private foundation, an annual information return does not include the names and addresses of contributors to the organization.

Exemption application. An exempt organization must also make available for public inspection without charge its application for tax-exempt status. An application for tax exemption includes the application form (such as Form 1023 or 1024), all documents and statements the IRS requires the organization to file with the form, any statement or other supporting document submitted by an organization in support of its application, and any letter or other document issued by the IRS concerning the application.It does not include:

• Any application from an organization that is not yet recognized as exempt,
• Any material that is required to be withheld from public inspection, see Material required to be withheld from public inspection, next,
• In the case of a tax-exempt organization other than a private foundation, the names and addresses of contributors to the organization, or
• Any applications filed before July 15, 1987, if the organization did not have a copy of the application on July 15, 1987.

If there is no prescribed application form, see section 301.6104(d)-1(b)(3)(ii) of the regulations for a list of the documents that must be made available.

Material required to be withheld from public inspection. Material that is required to be withheld from public inspection includes:

• Trade secrets, patents, processes, styles of work, or apparatus for which withholding was requested and granted,
• National defense material,
• Unfavorable rulings or determination letters issued in response to applications for tax exemption,
• Rulings or determination letters revoking or modifying a favorable determination letter,
• Technical advice memoranda relating to a disapproved application for tax exemption or the revocation or modification of a favorable determination letter,
• Any letter or document filed with or issued by the IRS relating to whether a proposed or accomplished transaction is a prohibited transaction under section 503,
• Any letter or document filed with or issued by the IRS relating to an organization's status as an organization described in section 509(a) or 4942(j)(3), unless the letter or document relates to the organization's application for tax exemption, and
• Any other letter or document filed with or issued by the IRS which, although it relates to an organization's tax-exempt status as an organization described in section 501(c) or 501(d), does not relate to that organization's application for tax exemption.

Time, place, and manner restrictions. The annual returns and exemption application must be made available for inspection, without charge, at the organization's principal, regional, and district offices during regular business hours. The organization may have an employee present during inspection, but must allow the individual to take notes freely and to photocopy at no charge if the individual provides the photocopying equipment. Generally, regional and district offices are those that have paid employees who together are normally paid at least 120 hours a week.

If the organization does not maintain a permanent office, it must make its application for tax exemption and its annual information returns available for inspection at a reasonable location of its choice. It must permit public inspection within a reasonable amount of time after receiving a request for inspection (normally not more than 2 weeks) and at a reasonable time of day. At its option, it may mail, within 2 weeks of receiving the request, a copy of its application for tax exemption and annual information returns to the requester in lieu of allowing an inspection. The organization may charge the requester for copying and actual postage costs only if the requester consents to the charge.

An organization that has a permanent office, but has no office hours or very limited hours during certain times of the year, must make its documents available during those periods when office hours are limited or not available as though it were an organization without a permanent office.

Furnishing copies. An exempt organization also must provide a copy of all, or any specific part or schedule, of its three most recent annual information returns and/or exemption application to anyone who requests a copy either in person or in writing at its principal, regional or district office during regular business hours. If the individual made the request in person, the copy must be provided on the same business day the request is made unless there are unusual circumstances. Unusual circumstances are defined in section 301.6104(d)-1(d)(1)(ii) of the regulations.

The organization must honor a written request for a copy of documents or specific parts or schedules of documents that are required to be disclosed. However, this rule only applies if the request:

• Is addressed to the exempt organization's principal, regional, or district office,
• Is sent to that address by mail, electronic mail (e-mail), facsimile (fax), or a private delivery service approved by the IRS, and
• Gives the address to where the copy of the document should be sent.

The organization must mail the copy within 30 days from the date it receives the request. The organization may request payment in advance and must then provide the copies within 30 days from the date it receives payment.

Fees for copies. The organization may charge a reasonable fee for providing copies. It can charge no more for the copies than the per page rate the IRS charges for providing copies. That rate is stated in section 601.702(f)(5)(iv)(B) of the regulations. (As of June 2001, the rate was $1.00 for the first page and 15 cents for each additional page.) The organization can also charge the actual postage costs it pays to provide the copies.

Regional and district offices. Generally, the same rules regarding public inspection and providing copies of applications and annual returns that apply to a principal office of an exempt organization also apply to its regional and district offices. However, a regional or district office is not required to make its annual information return available for inspection or to provide copies until 30 days after the date the return is required to be filed (including any extensions) or is actually filed, whichever is later.

Local and subordinate organizations. A local or subordinate organization is an exempt organization that did not file its own application for tax exemption because it is covered by a group exemption letter. Generally, a local or subordinate organization of an exempt organization must, upon request, make available for public inspection, or provide copies of:

1. The application submitted to the IRS by the central or parent organization to obtain the group exemption letter, and
2. Those documents which were submitted by the central or parent organization to include the local or subordinate organization in the group exemption letter.

However, if the central or parent organization submits to the IRS a list or directory of local or subordinate organizations covered by the group exemption letter, the local or subordinate organization is required to provide only the application for the group exemption ruling and the pages of the list or directory that specifically refer to it.

The local or subordinate organization must permit public inspection or comply with a request for copies made in person, within a reasonable amount of time (normally not more than 2 weeks) after receiving a request made in person for public inspection or copies and at a reasonable time of day. In lieu of allowing an inspection, the local or subordinate organization may mail a copy of the applicable documents to the person requesting inspection within the same time period. In that case, the organization may charge the requester for copying and actual postage costs only if the requester consents to the charge. If the local or subordinate organization receives a written request for a copy of its application for exemption, it must fulfill the request in the time and manner specified earlier.

The requester has the option of requesting from the central or parent organization, at its principal office, inspection or copies of the application for group exemption and the material submitted by the central or parent organization to include a local or subordinate organization in the group ruling. If the central or parent organization submits to the IRS a list or directory of local or subordinate organizations covered by the group exemption letter, it must make the list or directory available for public inspection, but it is required to provide copies only of those pages of the list or directory that refer to particular local or subordinate organizations specified by the requester. The central or parent organization must fulfill such requests in the time and manner specified earlier.

A local or subordinate organization that does not file its own annual information return (because it is affiliated with a central or parent organization that files a group return) must, upon request, make available for public inspection, or provide copies of, the group returns filed by the central or parent organization. However, if the group return includes separate schedules for each local or subordinate organization included in the group return, the local or subordinate organization receiving the request may omit any schedules relating only to other organizations included in the group return. The local or subordinate organization must permit public inspection, or comply with a request for copies made in person, within a reasonable amount of time (normally not more than 2 weeks) after receiving a request made in person for public inspection or copies and at a reasonable time of day.

In lieu of allowing an inspection, the local or subordinate organization may mail a copy of the applicable documents to the person requesting inspection within the same time period. In this case, the organization can charge the requester for copying and actual postage costs only if the requester consents to the charge. If the local or subordinate organization receives a written request for a copy of its annual information return, it must fulfill the request by providing a copy of the group return in the time and manner specified earlier. The requester has the option of requesting from the central or parent organization, at its principal office, inspection or copies of group returns filed by the central or parent organization. The central or parent organization must fulfill such requests in the time and manner specified earlier.

If an organization fails to comply, it may be liable for a penalty. See Penalties, later.

Making applications and returns widely available. An exempt organization does not have to comply with requests for copies of its annual returns or exemption application if it makes them widely available. However, making these documents widely available does not relieve the organization from making its documents available for public inspection.

The organization can make its application and returns widely available by posting the application and returns on a World Wide Web page. For the rules to follow so that the Internet posting will be considered widely available, see section 301.6104(d)-2(b) of the regulations.

If the organization has made its application for tax exemption and/or annual returns widely available, it must inform any individual requesting a copy where the documents are available, including the address on the World Wide Web, if applicable. If the request is made in person, the notice must be provided immediately. If the request is made in writing, the notice must be provided within 7 days.

Harassment campaign. If the tax-exempt organization is the subject of a harassment campaign, the organization may not have to fulfill requests for information. For more information, see section 301.6104(d)-3 of the regulations.

Political organization reporting forms. Forms 8871 and 8872 (discussed earlier under Reporting Requirements for a Political Organization) are open to public inspection.

Form 8871. Form 8871 (including any supporting papers) and any letter or other document the IRS issues with regard to Form 8871 is open to public inspection at the IRS in Washington, DC. Copies of Form 8871 that have been filed are available at the IRS Internet web site and are considered widely available as long as the organization provides the IRS web site address to the person making the request. In addition, the organization must make a copy of these materials available for public inspection during regular business hours at the organization's principal office and at each of its regional or district offices having at least 3 paid employees.

Form 8872. Form 8872 (including Schedules A and B) is open to public inspection. Copies of Form 8872 that have been filed are available at the IRS web site and are considered widely available as long as the organization provides the IRS web site address to the person making the request. In addition, the organization is required to make a copy of this form available for public inspection during regular business hours at the organization's principal office and at each of its regional or district offices having at least 3 paid employees.

Penalties. The penalty for failure to allow public inspection of annual returns is $20 for each day the failure continues. The maximum penalty on all persons for failures involving any one return is $10,000.

The penalty for failure to allow public inspection of exemption applications is $20 for each day the failure continues.

The penalty for willful failure to allow public inspection of a return or exemption application is $5,000 for each return or application. The penalty also applies to a willful failure to provide copies.

The penalty for failure to allow public inspection of a political organization's section 527 notice (Form 8871) is $20 for each day the failure continues.

The penalty for failure to allow public inspection of a section 527 organization's contributions and expenditures report (Form 8872) is $20 for each day the failure continues. The maximum penalty on all persons for failures involving any one report is $10,000.

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