Certain tax-exempt organizations are no longer required to report to the IRS the names and addresses of donors on IRS Form 990, Schedule B, according to final regulations published on May 28, 2020.  Noncharitable organizations, such as 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations and 501(c)(6) trade associations, may report only the amounts received from each substantial contributor on Schedule B.  An organization must keep the donors’ names and addresses in its records and make them available to the IRS in the event of an examination.

Only 501(c)(3) charitable organizations and 527 political organizations will still have to report names and addresses of substantial contributors during a taxable year.  Private foundations and 527 organizations must continue to make Schedule B available to the public, without redaction.

The final regulations largely mirror proposed regulations that were issued in September 2019 following litigation we described in a prior post that invalidated the IRS’s previous attempt to issue these rules through Revenue Procedure 2018-38.

According to the preamble, the IRS does not need the names and addresses of substantial contributors in order to administer the Internal Revenue Code.  Addressing numerous commenters who expressed concern about the change in policy, the IRS claimed that it can obtain sufficient information from other elements of the Form 990 to evaluate possible private benefit or inurement. Additionally, due to the IRS’s duty to protect confidential information, removing the requirement to report names and addresses will reduce the risk of inadvertent disclosure.  Finally, in response to the concern that the new rules would lead to an increased flow of money into U.S. elections by making it difficult to detect foreign spending, the IRS explained that it is not authorized to enforce campaign finance laws, and that Schedule B reflects enforcement purely with respect to the Internal Revenue Code.

The final regulations are effective May 28, 2020 but may be applied to returns filed after September 6, 2019.

Tags: 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), donor disclosure, Form 990, IRS, schedule B
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Photo of Susan Leahy Susan Leahy

Susan Leahy has advised tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations on tax and corporate governance matters for over 25 years. She assists organizations in obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status and advises boards and senior executives on a range of governance policies and procedures.

In her work…

Susan Leahy has advised tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations on tax and corporate governance matters for over 25 years. She assists organizations in obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status and advises boards and senior executives on a range of governance policies and procedures.

In her work with tax-exempt organizations that operate in the United States, as well as internationally, Susan regularly:

  • Counsels clients on the tax implications involving:
  • Self-dealing, inurement, and impermissible private benefit to individuals and for-profit companies;
  • Lobbying, and political activities;
  • Unrelated business income tax;
  • Excess benefit transactions and compensation of executives;
  • Joint ventures and relationships with for-profit organizations;
  • Mergers of tax-exempt organizations and the acquisition or donation of assets; and
  • Corporate sponsorship.

Advises nonprofit boards of directors, board committees, and management with respect to:

  • Corporate formation and good governance principles;
  • Preparation for board and committee meetings; and
  • Conflicts of interests.
  • Provides guidance on state corporate and tax compliance for nonprofit organizations.

“Susan has been my ‘Go-To’ attorney for adept legal strategy and guidance for over 20 years. Susan skillfully led our organization’s volunteer leadership through a needed transition with compassion and sensitivity. Her legal assistance remains invaluable!” a nonprofit organization client noted.

“I highly value Susan’s expertise, responsiveness, and pragmatism,” said another client. “Her insight and advice have proven invaluable time and time again and remain integral to our ability to operate quickly and nimbly.”

Susan is the past chair of the Exempt Organizations Committee of the District of Columbia Bar and a member of the American Bar Association. Susan received her J.D. from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and a B.B.A. from St. Bonaventure University.

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Photo of Pooja Shah Kothari Pooja Shah Kothari

Pooja Shah Kothari is a member of the Tax Practice and Election and Political Law Groups. She has experience counseling clients on tax controversy matters at the Federal and state level. In addition, Pooja advises various tax-exempt and nonprofit organizations on a wide …

Pooja Shah Kothari is a member of the Tax Practice and Election and Political Law Groups. She has experience counseling clients on tax controversy matters at the Federal and state level. In addition, Pooja advises various tax-exempt and nonprofit organizations on a wide range of issues, such as federal tax exemption, unrelated business income tax, private benefit, inurement, and other tax rules, as well as entity formation and other corporate governance matters.

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