Where can I find an organization's Form 990 or 990-PF?
The IRS requires all U.S. tax-exempt nonprofits to make public their three most recent Form 990 or 990-PF annual returns (commonly called "990s") and all related supporting documents. They must also make public their Form 1023, which organizations file when they apply for tax-exempt status.
Below are some ways you can get an organization's 990s. Please note, it can take a year to 18 months from the end of an organization's fiscal year to when its latest Form 990 is available online.
GuideStar, 990 Finder or Foundation Directory Quick Start are Candid's free online tools, searchable by name, location, EIN, and more. You can find 990s from the last 3 years.
Foundation Directory subscription plans also link to 990s. For most grantmakers, you can find 990s for the last 10 years. This database is available by subscription or for free at our Candid partner locations. Eligible nonprofits with revenue or expenses under $1M can also gain a free year of access to Foundation Directory Essential through our Go for Gold! promotion.
Websites of the Secretary of State or Attorney General where the organization is incorporated. Some states may make 990s and other public documents available online or upon individual request.
Request them from the organization directly. Requests made in person must be fulfilled immediately, or within 30 days for a written request, with no charge other than a reasonable fee to cover photocopying and mailing expenses. Also, check their web site for posted copies.
Request them from the IRS. The IRS generally takes 4-6 weeks to respond, and it may bill you for copying costs.
See also:
How long does it take for Forms 990 to appear on GuideStar's website?
Where can I find the key information on the 990 and 990-PF?
Where can I find historical tax returns and annual reports for foundations?
More Knowledge Base articles about Forms 990...
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Staff-recommended websites
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IRS
FAQs About the Exempt Organization Public Disclosure Requirements
Lists answers to frequently asked questions regarding disclosure of public documents, including IRS filings, for tax-exempt organizations.
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IRS
How Do I Order Exempt Organizations Returns?
Instructions on how to order copies of 990s from the IRS, using Form 4506-A.
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ProPublica
Nonprofit Explorer
According to ProPublica, Nonprofit Explorer has summaries and PDFs of full 990s for 3 million tax-exempt organizations. ProPublica says you can "see financial details such as their executive compensation and revenue and expenses. You can browse IRS data released since 2013 and access over 9.6 million tax filing documents going back as far as 2001."
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Economic Research Institute (ERI)
Nonprofit Organization Information
Free search tool of more than 2 million Forms 990 and 990-PF for U.S. nonprofits. Records include organization's basic details. ERI collects, analyzes, and publishes information on nonprofit executive compensation.
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IRS Form
Form 4506-A: Request for Public Inspection or Copy of Exempt or Political Organization
Coverage for Forms 990 is not necessarily comprehensive in the resources listed above. If you are unable to find the Form 990 for the public charity you are researching using these resources, you can submit a request directly to the IRS using Form 4506-A:
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IUPUI Archives - The Foundation Center Historical Foundation Collection,1909-1990
The Ruth Lilly Special Collections & Archives houses the Foundation Center's historical collection of Forms 990-PF for grantmakers dating from the 1960s through the 1990s. Individuals can request copies of historical tax returns for foundations us
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IRS
Tax Exempt Organizations Search
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.