IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, 990PF (Schedule B) – Nonprofits, charities, and tax-exempt organizations play a vital role in society, but maintaining compliance with IRS reporting requirements is essential for preserving their status. One key component of this is IRS Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF), known as the Schedule of Contributors. This form details significant donations received during the tax year, ensuring transparency in how funds flow into these organizations.
Whether you’re a small nonprofit filing Form 990-EZ or a private foundation using Form 990-PF, understanding Schedule B requirements can prevent penalties and build donor trust. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about completing 990 Schedule B, including thresholds, filing rules, and best practices. All information is drawn from the latest IRS resources for the 2024 tax year and 2025 filing season.
Download the official Schedule B PDF for Forms 990, 990-EZ, and 990-PF here: IRS.gov Schedule B Form.
What Is IRS Schedule B and Why Does It Matter?
IRS Schedule B is an attachment to Form 990, Form 990-EZ (Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax), or Form 990-PF (Return of Private Foundation). Its primary purpose is to report detailed information on contributions—such as gifts, grants, bequests, and devises of money or property—that the organization received and included on the main form (e.g., Form 990, Part VIII, line 1; Form 990-EZ, Part I, line 1; or Form 990-PF, Part I, line 1).
Contributions reported on Schedule B for 990 include both tax-deductible and non-deductible gifts, even political contributions to section 527 organizations. However, it excludes membership dues or fees for services rendered. This schedule promotes accountability, allowing the IRS, donors, and the public to track major funding sources.
Failing to file Schedule B correctly can lead to audits, fines, or loss of exempt status. For 2025 filers, the form uses a continuous-use revision (Rev. December 2024), meaning it’s valid for tax year 2024 and beyond until updated.
Who Must File Schedule B? Filing Requirements Explained?
Most tax-exempt organizations filing Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF must attach a completed Schedule B if they meet certain contribution thresholds. Specifically:
- Every organization filing these forms must evaluate if they qualify under the general or special rules.
- If not required, certify this by answering “No” on Form 990, Part IV, line 2; checking the box on Form 990-EZ, line H; or Form 990-PF, Part I, line 2.
- Use the same accounting method (cash or accrual) as your main form.
- Even if not required to file the 990 series, voluntary filers must include a complete Schedule B.
Contributor Definition: A contributor can be an individual, fiduciary, partnership, corporation, association, trust, exempt organization, or governmental unit (for certain public support tests). Contributions encompass direct or indirect gifts of money, securities, or property—valued at $1,000 or more to aggregate totals.
Organizations like section 501(c)(3) entities, 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trusts, section 527 political organizations, and 501(c)(3) exempt private foundations are prime candidates for filing.
Filing Thresholds: General Rule vs. Special Rules for 990 Schedule B
The key to determining if you need Schedule B for Form 990-EZ or others lies in contribution totals. Here’s a breakdown:
General Rule (Applies to Most Organizations)
- File if you received $5,000 or more in total contributions (money or property) from any one contributor during the tax year.
- Complete Parts I and II of Schedule B.
- Aggregate all separate gifts from the same contributor, including pledges (for accrual-basis filers) and noncash items.
Special Rules (For Specific Organization Types)
These modify the general rule for tailored reporting:
| Organization Type | Threshold | Reporting Details |
|---|---|---|
| Section 501(c)(3) meeting 33 1/3% public support test (e.g., via Schedule A, Part II, lines 13, 16a, or 16b) | Greater of $5,000 or 2% of total contributions (Form 990, Part VIII, line 1h; or Form 990-EZ, line 1) | List only contributors exceeding this amount. Establish support status on Schedule A. |
| Section 501(c)(7), (8), or (10) orgs (e.g., social clubs, fraternal societies) for exclusively religious/charitable/scientific/literary/educational purposes (or cruelty prevention under section 170(c)(4)) | More than $1,000 aggregate from any one contributor | Complete Parts I (enter “N/A” in column (b) for name/address), II, and III. No public names/addresses required. |
| Same orgs above, but no contributor over $1,000 for exempt purposes | N/A (if under general rule for other gifts) | Check the special rules box and report total exempt contributions received. Don’t complete Parts I-III unless general rule applies. |
| Other orgs not 501(c)(3) or 527 | $5,000+ (general rule) | Enter “N/A” for names/addresses; keep records for IRS inspection. |
For political organizations (section 527), report all qualifying contributions with full donor details. Private foundations follow 501(c)(3) rules, including nonexempt ones under section 6033(d).
How to Complete Schedule B: A Step-by-Step Guide?
Use duplicate copies of Parts I-III if needed, and number pages sequentially. Download the form from IRS.gov for accurate formatting.
Part I: Contributors
List each qualifying contributor:
- Column (a): Assign sequential numbers (e.g., 1, 2).
- Column (b): Full name, address, and ZIP + 4 for 501(c)(3) and 527 orgs; “N/A” or “anonymous” otherwise. For 527 payments under section 527(j)(1), note “Pd. 527(j)(1)”.
- Column (c): Total contributions for the year.
- Column (d): Check “Person” (direct cash/check), “Payroll” (employer-withheld), or “Noncash” (property—complete Part II).
Part II: Noncash Property
For noncash gifts:
- Column (a): Match number from Part I.
- Column (b): Describe the property (e.g., “100 shares of XYZ stock”). Avoid SSNs for privacy.
- Column (c): Fair market value (FMV) on receipt date—use average of high/low quotes for securities, appraisals for illiquid assets, or net proceeds if sold immediately. Deduct any debt.
- Column (d): Date received (when donor relinquished control).
File Form 8283 for noncash gifts over $500 (Section A) or $5,000 (Section B with appraisal). Report dispositions within three years on Form 8282.
Part III: Supplemental Information
Only for section 501(c)(7), (8), or (10) orgs with exempt-purpose gifts over $1,000:
- Columns (a)-(e): Contributor number, purpose/use of gift, how held (e.g., “in trust”), and transfer details (transferee name/address and relationship).
- Report total exempt gifts of $1,000 or less once (on first page).
Public Disclosure and Privacy Rules for Schedule B
Transparency is key, but privacy matters:
- Public Inspection: Full Schedule B is public for Form 990-PF and 527 orgs filing 990/990-EZ. For other 990/990-EZ filers, omit names/addresses from public copies—only amounts and descriptions are inspectable.
- State Filings: Don’t attach Schedule B to state copies unless required; some states prohibit public release.
- Privacy Act Notice: The IRS collects this info under Internal Revenue Code sections 6033 and 527; it’s used for compliance and may be shared with states or foreign governments.
- Recordkeeping: Retain donor records for at least three years, even if not reported publicly.
Never include Social Security numbers on the form.
Common Mistakes to Avoid and Tips for Nonprofits
- Aggregation Errors: Always combine gifts from the same contributor—don’t ignore small ones under $1,000.
- Valuation Issues: Use consistent FMV methods; consult appraisers for complex noncash items.
- Incomplete Certification: If exempt from filing, properly check the “No” box on your main form.
- Tips: Review the full instructions PDF for your accounting method. Use tax software for accuracy. For political orgs, cross-reference with Forms 8871/8872.
Recent Updates to IRS Schedule B for 2025 Filing
The December 2024 revision marks a shift to continuous-use forms, eliminating annual updates unless substantive changes occur. This simplifies preparation for tax year 2024 returns due in 2025. No major threshold or rule changes were noted, but always check IRS.gov for alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Schedule B for Form 990
Does Schedule B apply to all nonprofits?
No—only those meeting the $5,000 (or special) thresholds on Forms 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF.
What if a donor is anonymous?
Enter “anonymous” in Part I, column (b), but keep internal records.
How do I value cryptocurrency donations on Schedule B?
Treat as noncash property; use FMV on the receipt date via exchange quotes.
Is Schedule B required for e-Postcard filers (Form 990-N)?
No, small orgs under $50,000 in assets/revenue use 990-N and skip Schedule B.
For personalized advice, consult a tax professional. Stay compliant—download the latest IRS Form 990 Schedule B instructions at IRS.gov. Questions? Leave a comment below!