Tax-exempt organizations must file a tax return called a Form 990 with the IRS each year to comply with federal regulations. There are several versions of Form 990: public charities file a Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N; private foundations file Form 990-PF (PF stands for Private Foundation). Learn more about the difference between public charities and private foundations.
Forms 990 and 990-PF are public records so they can be tools for grantseekers, nonprofits, and donors when researching a foundation or nonprofit. Each version of the 990 varies in the type of information provided and how best to use it. The version of Form 990 that an organization files with the IRS depends on its type and size.
Below is a breakdown of each version of Form 990, providing an overview of the information you can expect to find when researching organizations.
Versions of Forms 990
Form 990-PF
This form, filed by private foundations, is useful for grantseekers because it includes:
- A private foundation's assets;
- Financial activities
- Trustees and officers
- Most importantly, a complete list of grants awarded for the specified fiscal year, including the recipients' names, locations, and grant amounts. Some funders will even briefly describe the purpose of each grant.
- Tip: For an even faster way to research grants, check out Foundation Directory.
Form 990
This form has information on a public charity's finances and activities which is accurate and open to public scrutiny. Among the details:
- Charity assets
- Total figures for donations and grants received; however, public charities are not required to publicly disclose the names, addresses, or amounts of contributors. Learn how to find out who has donated money to a particular nonprofit.
- Board and top staff members
- Whether the charity makes grants
Form 990-EZ
This is sometimes referred to as the “short form” because it is an abbreviated four-page version of the Form 990. Organizations with gross receipts of less than $200,000 and total assets of less than $500,000 can use this form but they can also opt to use the full Form 990.
Form 990-N
Public charities with annual gross receipts of less than $50,000 do not have to file the complete Form 990 (although they can opt to do so). Instead, they may file the Form 990-N, also called the "e-Postcard." This short electronic form tells the IRS that the charity is still operating. Its very basic information includes:
- The organization's legal name
- Location
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- The principal officer's name
Candid does not provide copies of Form 990-N; to search e-Postcard filings use IRS's Tax Exempt Organizations Search.
See also our related Help articles:
- Where can I find an organization's Form 990 or 990-PF?
- Where can I find a glossary of foundation, nonprofit, and fundraising terminology?
Highlights of IRS Form 990
Candid
Form 990 contains a wealth of information. It can be difficult to navigate, however. This paper reviews the parts of the form, identifies the fields people find most useful, and provides tips for deciphering the information in the 990.
Demystifying the 990-PF
Candid
Explains the different sections of the Form 990-PF and how to interpret the contents of a foundation's annual return.
Form 990
IRS
View or download the most current version of IRS Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.
Provides line-by-line instructions for organizations filing Form 990.
Form 990-PF
IRS
View or download the most current version of the IRS Form 990-PF, Return of Private Foundation.
Provides line-by-line instructions for organizations filing Form 990-PF.
Tax Exempt Organization Search
IRS
990-N tax forms are filed by tax-exempt organizations whose gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less. This page provides a link to search for and view 990-N filings, or you can download a complete list of organizations.