Question 1b asks for the number of independent voting members of the governing body. May an organization use its own definition of independence to answer this question? No, the organization must use the four-part definition contained in the instructions to this question to determine whether a particular voting member of its governing body is independent for purposes of Form 990 reporting. Note that this definition will vary from other meanings of the term independent that may apply to the organization, such as for state law or internal conflict of interest policy purposes.
