Instructions for Schedule C (Form 990) - Introductory Material Future Developments General Instructions Purpose of Schedule Who Must File Part I. Political campaign activities. Part II. Lobbying activities. Part III. Section 6033(e) notice and reporting requirements and proxy tax. Definitions Section 527 exempt function activities. Political expenditures. Specific legislation. Definitions (Part II-A) Expenditure test. Exempt purpose expenditures. Lobbying expenditures. Direct lobbying communications (direct lobbying expenditures). Grassroots lobbying communications (grassroots lobbying expenditures). Exceptions to lobbying. Communication with members. Affiliated groups. Limited control. Definitions (Part III) Lobbying and political expenditures. Covered executive branch official. Direct contact lobbying. In-house expenditures include: In-house expenditures don’t include: Specific Instructions Part I-A. Political Activity of Exempt Organizations Line 1. Line 2. Line 3. Part I-B. Section 501(c)(3) Organizations— Disclosure of Excise Taxes Imposed Under Section 4955 Line 1. Line 2. Line 3. Line 4. Part I-C. Section 527 Exempt Function Activity of Section 501(c) Organizations Other Than Section 501(c)(3) Line 1. Line 2. Line 3. Line 4. Line 5. Part II-A. Lobbying Activity Affiliated groups. Affiliated group list. Lines 1a through 1i. Line 1a. Line 1b. Line 1c. Line 1d. Line 1e. Lines 1h and 1i. Line 1j. Line 2. Line 2a. Line 2c. Line 2d. Line 2f. Part II-B. Lobbying Activity Line 1f. Line 1g. Line 1h. Line 1i. Line 2a. Line 2b. Line 2c. Line 2d. Part III. Section 6033(e) Notice and Reporting Requirements and Proxy Tax Part III-A Line 1. Line 2. Line 3. Part III-B. Dues Notices, Reporting Requirements, and Proxy Tax Dues notices. Proxy Tax Allocation of costs to lobbying activities and influencing legislation. All methods. Special Rules Ratio and gross-up methods. Ratio method. Alternative gross-up method. Third-party costs. Direct contact lobbying. De minimis rule. Purpose for engaging in an activity. Correction of prior year lobbying costs. Section 263A cost allocation method. Part III-B, Line 1. Line 2. Line 3. Line 4. Line 5. Underreporting of lobbying expenses. Examples. Organization A. Organization B. Organization C. Part IV. Supplemental Information Instructions for Schedule C (Form 990) (2023) Political Campaign and Lobbying Activities Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted. 2023 Instructions for Schedule C (Form 990) - Introductory Material Future Developments For the latest information about developments related to Schedule C (Form 990) and its instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were published, go to IRS.gov/Form990. General Instructions Note. Terms in bold are defined in the Glossary of the Instructions for Form 990. Purpose of Schedule Schedule C (Form 990) is used by: Section 501(c) organizations, and Section 527 organizations. These organizations must use Schedule C (Form 990) to furnish additional information on political campaign activities or lobbying activities, as those terms are defined later for the various parts of this schedule. Who Must File An organization that answered “Yes” on Form 990, Part IV, Checklist of Required Schedules, line 3, 4, or 5, must complete the appropriate parts of Schedule C (Form 990) and attach Schedule C to Form 990. An organization that answered “Yes” on Form 990-EZ, Part V, line 46, or Part VI, line 47, must complete the appropriate parts of Schedule C (Form 990) and attach Schedule C to Form 990-EZ. An organization that answered "Yes" on Form 990-EZ, Part V, line 35c, because it is subject to the section 6033(e) notice and reporting requirements and proxy tax, must complete Schedule C (Form 990), Part III, and attach Schedule C to Form 990-EZ. If an organization has an ownership interest in a joint venture that conducts political campaign activities or lobbying activities, the organization must report its share of such activity occurring in its tax year on Schedule C (Form 990). See Instructions for Form 990, Appendix F, Disregarded Entities and Joint Ventures—Inclusion of Activities and Items. Part I. Political campaign activities. Part I is completed by section 501(c) organizations and section 527 organizations that file Form 990 (and Form 990-EZ). If the organization answered “Yes” on Form 990, Part IV, line 3, or Form 990-EZ, Part V, line 46, then complete the specific parts as follows. A section 501(c)(3) organization must complete Parts I-A and I-B. Don’t complete Part I-C. A section 501(c) organization other than section 501(c)(3) must complete Parts I-A and I-C. Don’t complete Part I-B. A section 527 organization that files the Form 990 or Form 990-EZ must complete Part I-A. Don’t complete Parts I-B and I-C. Part II. Lobbying activities. Part II is completed by only section 501(c)(3) organizations. If the organization answered “Yes” on Form 990, Part IV, line 4, or Form 990-EZ, Part VI, line 47, then complete the specific parts as follows. A section 501(c)(3) organization that elected to be subject to the lobbying expenditure limitations of section 501(h) by filing Form 5768 and for which the election was valid and in effect for its tax year beginning in the year 2023 must complete Part II-A. Don’t complete Part II-B. A section 501(c)(3) organization that hasn’t elected to be subject to the lobbying expenditure limitations of section 501(h) (or has revoked such election by filing Form 5768 for which the revocation was valid and in effect for its tax year beginning in the year 2023) must complete Part II-B. Don’t complete Part II-A. Part III. Section 6033(e) notice and reporting requirements and proxy tax. Part III is completed by section 501(c)(4), section 501(c)(5), and section 501(c)(6) organizations that received membership dues, assessments, or similar amounts as defined in Rev. Proc. 98-19, 1998-1 C.B. 547, and that answered “Yes” on Form 990, Part IV, line 5, or “Yes” on Form 990-EZ, line 35c, regarding the proxy tax. If an organization isn’t required to file Form 990 or Form 990-EZ but chooses to do so, it must file a complete return and provide all of the information requested, including the required schedules. Definitions Definitions in this section are applicable throughout this schedule, except where noted. The following terms are defined in the Glossary. Joint venture. Legislation. Lobbying activities. Political campaign activities. Tax year. See Rev. Rul. 2007-41, 2007-25 I.R.B. 1421, available at IRS.gov/irb/2007-25_IRB#RR-2007-41, for guidelines on the scope of the tax law prohibition on campaign activities by section 501(c)(3) organizations. Section 527 exempt function activities. Section 527 exempt function activities include all functions that influence or attempt to influence the selection, nomination, election, or appointment of any individual to any federal, state, or local public office or office in a political organization, or the election of Presidential or Vice-Presidential electors, whether or not such individual or electors are selected, nominated, elected, or appointed. Political expenditures. Any expenditures made for political campaign activities are political expenditures. An expenditure includes a payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money, or anything of value. It also includes a contract, promise, or agreement to make an expenditure, whether or not legally enforceable. Specific legislation. Specific legislation includes (1) legislation that has already been introduced in a legislative body and (2) specific legislative proposals that an organization either supports or opposes. Definitions (Part II-A) Definitions in this section are applicable to only Part II-A. Expenditure test. Under the expenditure test, there are limits both upon the amount of the organization's grassroots lobbying expenditures and upon the total amount of its direct lobbying and grassroots lobbying expenditures. If the electing public charity doesn’t meet this expenditure test, it will owe a section 4911 excise tax on its excess lobbying expenditures. Moreover, if over a 4-year averaging period the organization's average annual total lobbying or grassroots lobbying expenditures are more than 150% of its dollar limits, the organization will lose its exempt status. Exempt purpose expenditures. In general, an exempt purpose expenditure is paid or incurred by an electing public charity to accomplish the organization's exempt purpose. Exempt purpose expenditures include: The total amount paid or incurred for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (not including providing athletic facilities or equipment, other than by qualified amateur sports organizations described in section 501(j)(2)); The allocable portion of administrative expenses paid or incurred for the earlier purposes; Amounts paid or incurred to attempt to influence legislation, whether or not for the purposes described in 1 earlier; Allowance for depreciation or amortization; and Fundraising expenditures, except that exempt purpose expenditures don’t include amounts paid to or incurred for either the organization's separate fundraising unit or other organizations, if the amounts are primarily for fundraising. See Regulations section 56.4911-4(c) for a discussion of excluded expenditures. Lobbying expenditures. Lobbying expenditures are expenditures (including allocable overhead and administrative costs) paid or incurred for the purpose of attempting to influence legislation: Through communication with any member or employee of a legislative or similar body, or with any government official or employee who may participate in the formulation of the legislation, and By attempting to affect the opinions of the general public. To determine if an organization has spent excessive amounts on lobbying, the organization must know which expenditures are lobbying expenditures and which aren’t lobbying expenditures. An electing public charity's lobbying expenditures for a year are the sum of its expenditures during that year for direct lobbying communications (direct lobbying expenditures) plus grassroots lobbying communications (grassroots lobbying expenditures). Direct lobbying communications (direct lobbying expenditures). A direct lobbying communication is any attempt to influence any legislation through communication with: A member or employee of a legislative or similar body; A government official or employee (other than a member or employee of a legislative body) who may participate in the formulation of the legislation, but if the principal purpose of the communication is to influence legislation only; or The general public in a referendum, initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure. A communication with a legislator or government official will be treated as a direct lobbying communication if the communication only: Refers to specific legislation, and Reflects a view on such legislation. Grassroots lobbying communications (grassroots lobbying expenditures). A grassroots lobbying communication is any attempt to influence any legislation through an attempt to affect the opinions of the general public or any part of the general public. A communication is generally not a grassroots lobbying communication unless (in addition to referring to specific legislation and reflecting a view on that legislation) it encourages recipients to take action about the specific legislation. A communication encourages a recipient to take action when it: States that the recipient should contact legislators; States a legislator's address, phone number, or similar information; Provides a petition, tear-off postcard, or similar material for the recipient to send to a legislator; or Specifically identifies one or more legislators who: Will vote on legislation; Opposes the communication's view on the legislation; Is undecided about the legislation; Is the recipient's representative in the legislature; or Is a member of the legislative committee that will consider the legislation. A communication described in item 4, earlier, is generally grassroots lobbying only if, in addition to referring to and reflecting a view on specific legislation, it is a communication that can’t meet the full and fair exposition test as nonpartisan analysis, study, or research. Exceptions to lobbying. In general, engaging in nonpartisan analysis, study, or research and making its results available to the general public or segment of members thereof, or to governmental bodies, officials, or employees isn’t considered either a direct lobbying communication or a grassroots lobbying communication. Nonpartisan analysis, study, or research may advocate a particular position or viewpoint as long as there is a sufficiently full and fair exposition of the pertinent facts to enable the public or an individual to form an independent opinion or conclusion. A communication that responds to a governmental body's or committee's written request for technical advice isn’t a direct lobbying communication. A communication isn’t a direct lobbying communication if the communication is an appearance before, or communication with, any legislative body concerning action by that body that might affect the organization's existence, its powers and duties, its tax-exempt status, or the deductibility of contributions to the organization, as opposed to affecting merely the scope of the organization's future activities. Communication with members. For purposes of section 4911, expenditures for certain communications between an organization and its members are treated more leniently than are communications to nonmembers. Expenditures for a communication that refers to, and reflects a view on, specific legislation aren’t lobbying expenditures if the communication satisfies the following requirements. The communication is directed to only members of the organization. The specific legislation the communication refers to, and reflects a view on, is of direct interest to the organization and its members. The communication doesn’t directly encourage the member to engage in direct lobbying (whether individually or through the organization). The communication doesn’t directly encourage the member to engage in grassroots lobbying (whether individually or through the organization). Expenditures for a communication directed to only members that refers to, and reflects a view on, specific legislation and that satisfies the requirements of items (1), (2), and (4), earlier (under Grassroots lobbying communications), but doesn’t satisfy the requirements of item (3), are treated as expenditures for direct lobbying. Expenditures for a communication directed to only members that refers to, and reflects a view on, specific legislation and satisfies the requirements of items (1) and (2), earlier, but doesn’t satisfy the requirements of item (4), are treated as grassroots expenditures, whether or not the communication satisfies the requirements of item (3). See Regulations section 56.4911-5 for details. There are special rules regarding certain paid mass media advertisements about highly publicized legislation; allocation of mixed purpose expenditures; certain transfers treated as lobbying expenditures; and special rules regarding lobbying on referenda, ballot initiatives, and similar procedures. See Regulations sections 56.4911-2 and 56.4911-3. Affiliated groups. Members of an affiliated group are treated as a single organization to measure lobbying expenditures. Two organizations are affiliated if one is bound by the other organization's decisions on legislative issues (control) or if enough representatives of one belong to the other organization's governing board to cause or prevent action on legislative issues (interlocking directorate). If the organization isn’t sure whether its group is affiliated, it may ask the IRS for a ruling letter. There is a fee for this ruling. For information on requesting rulings, see Rev. Proc. 2023-5, 2023-1 I.R.B. 265, available at IRS.gov/pub/irs-irbs/irb23-01.pdf (or latest annual update). Members of an affiliated group measure both lobbying expenditures and permitted lobbying expenditures on the basis of the affiliated group's tax year. If all members of the affiliated group have the same tax year, that year is the tax year of the affiliated group. However, if the affiliated group's members have different tax years, the tax year of the affiliated group is the calendar year, unless all the members of the group elect otherwise. See Regulations section 56.4911-7(e)(3). Limited control. Two organizations that are affiliated because their governing instruments provide that the decisions of one will control the other on only national legislation are subject to the following provisions. The controlling organization is charged with its own lobbying expenditures and the national legislation expenditures of the affiliated organizations, The controlling organization isn’t charged with other lobbying expenditures (or other exempt-purpose expenditures) of the affiliated organizations, and Each local organization is treated as though it were not a member of an affiliated group. For example, the local organization should account for its own expenditures only and not for any of the national legislation expenditures deemed as incurred by the controlling organization. Definitions (Part III) Definitions in this section are applicable to only Part III. Lobbying and political expenditures. For purposes of this section only, lobbying and political expenditures don’t include any political campaign expenditures for which the tax under section 527(f) was paid (see Part I-C). They do include any expenditures for communications with a covered executive branch official in an attempt to influence the official actions or positions of that official. Covered executive branch official. Covered executive branch officials include the President, Vice-President, officers and employees of the Executive Office of the President, the two senior level officers of each of the other agencies in the Executive Office, individuals in level I positions of the Executive Schedule and their immediate deputies, and individuals designated as having Cabinet level status and their immediate deputies. Direct contact lobbying. This means a: Meeting, Telephone conversation, Letter, or Similar means of communication that is with a: Legislator, or Covered executive branch official and that is an attempt to influence the official actions or positions of that official. In-house expenditures include: Salaries, and Other expenses of the organization's officials and staff (including amounts paid or incurred for the planning of legislative activities). In-house expenditures don’t include: Any payments to other taxpayers engaged in lobbying or political activities as a trade or business, or Any dues paid to another organization that are allocable to lobbying or political activities. Specific Instructions Part I-A. Political Activity of Exempt Organizations Note. Section 501(c) organizations other than those exempt under section 501(c)(3) may establish section 527(f)(3) separate segregated funds to engage in political activity. Separate segregated funds are subject to their own filing requirements. A section 501(c) organization that engages a separate segregated fund to conduct political activity should report transfers to the fund in Parts I-A and I-C. The separate segregated fund should report specific activities on its own Form 990 if the fund is required to file. Line 1. Section 501(c) organizations should provide a detailed description of their direct and indirect political campaign activities in Part IV. If the section 501(c) organization collects political contributions or member dues earmarked for a separate segregated fund, and promptly and directly transfers them to that fund as prescribed in Regulations section 1.527-6(e), don’t report them here. Such amounts should be reported in Part I-C, line 5e. Section 527 organizations should provide a detailed description of their exempt function activities in Part IV. Line 2. Enter the total amount that the filing organization has spent conducting the activities described on line 1. Line 3. If the organization used volunteer labor for its political campaign activities or section 527 exempt function activities, provide the total number of hours. Any reasonable method may be used to estimate this amount. Part I-B. Section 501(c)(3) Organizations— Disclosure of Excise Taxes Imposed Under Section 4955 Section 501(c)(3) organizations must disclose any excise tax incurred during the year under section 4955 (political expenditures), unless abated. See sections 4962 and 6033(b). Line 1. Enter the amount of taxes incurred by the organization itself under section 4955, unless abated. If no tax was incurred, enter -0-. Line 2. Enter the amount of taxes incurred by the organization managers under section 4955, unless abated. If no tax was incurred, enter -0-. Line 3. If the filing organization reported a section 4955 tax on a Form 4720, Return of Certain Excise Taxes Under Chapters 41 and 42 of the Internal Revenue Code, for the tax year, answer “Yes.” Line 4. Describe in Part IV the steps taken by the organization to correct the activity that subjected it to the section 4955 tax. Correction of a political expenditure means recovering the expenditure to the extent possible and establishing safeguards to prevent future political expenditures. Recovery of the expenditure means recovering part or all of the expenditure to the extent possible, and, where full recovery can’t be accomplished, by any additional corrective action that is necessary. (The organization that made the political expenditure isn’t under any obligation to attempt to recover the expenditure by legal action if the action would in all probability not result in the satisfaction of, or execution on, a judgment.) Part I-C. Section 527 Exempt Function Activity of Section 501(c) Organizations Other Than Section 501(c)(3) Note. Section 501(c) organizations that collect political contributions or member dues earmarked for a separate segregated fund, and promptly and directly transfer them to that fund as prescribed in Regulations section 1.527-6(e), don’t report them on lines 1 or 2. Such amounts are reported on line 5e. Line 1. Enter the amount of the organization's funds that it expended for section 527 exempt function activities. See Regulations section 1.527-6(b). Line 2. Enter the amount of the organization's funds that it transferred to other organizations, including a separate segregated section 527(f)(3) fund created by the organization, for section 527 exempt function activity. Line 3. Total exempt function expenditures. Add lines 1 and 2 and enter on line 3 and on Form 1120-POL, line 17b. Line 4. If the filing organization reported taxable political expenditures on Form 1120-POL for this year, answer “Yes.” Line 5. In columns (a), (b), and (c), enter the name, address and employer identification number (EIN) of each section 527 political organization to which payments were made. In column (d), enter the amount paid from the filing organization's funds. In column (e), enter the amount of political contributions received and promptly and directly delivered to a separate political organization, such as a separate segregated fund or a political action committee (PAC). If additional space is needed, enter information in Part IV. Part II-A. Lobbying Activity Only section 501(c)(3) organizations that have filed Form 5768 (election under section 501(h)) complete this section. Part II-A provides a reporting format for any section 501(c)(3) organization for which the 501(h) lobbying expenditure election was valid and in effect during the 2023 tax year, whether or not the organization engaged in lobbying activities during that tax year. A public charity that makes a valid section 501(h) election may spend up to a certain percentage of its exempt purpose expenditures to influence legislation without incurring tax or losing its tax exempt status. Affiliated groups. If the filing organization belongs to an affiliated group, check Part II-A, box A, and complete lines 1a through 1i. Complete column (a) for the electing member of the group. Complete column (b) for the affiliated group as a whole. If the filing organization checked box A and the limited control provisions apply to the organizations in the affiliated group, each member of the affiliated group should check box B and complete only column (a). If the filing organization doesn’t check box A, don’t check box B. Affiliated group list. Provide in Part IV a list showing each affiliated group member's name, address, EIN, and expenses. Show which members made the election under section 501(h) and which didn’t. Include each electing member's share of the excess lobbying expenditures on the list. Nonelecting members don’t owe tax, but remain subject to the general rule, which provides that no substantial part of their activities may consist of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. Lines 1a through 1i. Complete lines 1a through 1i in column (a) for any organization required to complete Part II-A, but complete column (b) for only affiliated groups. Lines 1a through 1i are used to determine whether any of the organization's current year lobbying expenditures are subject to tax under section 4911. File Form 4720 if the organization needs to report and pay the excise tax. Line 1a. Enter the amount the organization expended for grassroots lobbying communications. See Regulations section 56.4911-6(b). Line 1b. Enter the amount the organization expended for direct lobbying communications. See Regulations section 56.4911-6(b). Line 1c. Add lines 1a and 1b. Line 1d. Enter all other amounts (excluding lobbying) the organization expended to accomplish its exempt purpose. Line 1e. Add lines 1c and 1d. This is the organization's total exempt purpose expenditures. Lines 1h and 1i. If there are no excess lobbying expenditures on either line 1h or 1i of column (b), treat each electing member of the affiliated group as having no excess lobbying expenditures. However, if there are excess lobbying expenditures on either line 1h or 1i of column (b), treat each electing member as having excess lobbying expenditures. In such case, each electing member must file Form 4720, and must pay the tax on its proportionate share of the affiliated group's excess lobbying expenditures. Enter the proportionate share in column (a) on line 1h or line 1i, or on both lines. In Part IV, provide the affiliated group list described earlier. Show what amounts apply to each group member. To find a member's proportionate share, see Regulations section 56.4911-8(d). Line 1j. If the filing organization reported section 4911 tax on Form 4720 for this year, answer “Yes.” Line 2. Line 2 is used to determine if the organization exceeded lobbying expenditure limits during the 4-year averaging period. Any organization for which a lobbying expenditure election under section 501(h) was in effect for its tax year beginning in 2023 must complete columns (a) through (e) of lines 2a through 2f except in the following situations. An organization first treated as a section 501(c)(3) organization in its tax year beginning in 2023 doesn’t have to complete any part of lines 2a through 2f. An organization doesn’t have to complete lines 2a through 2f for any period before it is first treated as a section 501(c)(3) organization. If 2023 is the first year for which an organization's section 501(h) election is effective, that organization must complete line 2a, columns (d) and (e). The organization must then complete all of column (e) to determine whether the amount on line 2c, column (e), is equal to or less than the lobbying ceiling amount calculated on line 2b and whether the amount on line 2f is equal to or less than the grassroots ceiling amount calculated on line 2e. The organization doesn’t satisfy both tests if either its total lobbying expenditures or grassroots lobbying expenditures exceed the applicable ceiling amounts. When this occurs, all five columns must be completed and a re-computation made unless exception 1 or 2 earlier applies. If 2023 is the second or third tax year for which the organization's first section 501(h) election is in effect, that organization is required to complete only the columns for the years in which the election has been in effect, entering the totals for those years in column (e). The organization must determine, for those 2 or 3 years, whether the amount entered in column (e), line 2c, is equal to or less than the lobbying ceiling amount reported on line 2b, and whether the amount entered in column (e), line 2f, is equal to or less than the grassroots ceiling amount calculated on line 2e. The organization doesn’t satisfy both tests if either its total lobbying expenditures or grassroots lobbying expenditures exceed applicable ceiling amounts. When that occurs, all five columns must be completed and a re-computation made, unless exception 1 or 2, earlier, applies. If the organization isn’t required to complete all five columns, provide a statement explaining why in Part IV. In the statement, show the ending date of the tax year in which the organization made its first section 501(h) election and state whether or not that first election was revoked before the start of the organization's tax year that began in 2023. Note. If the organization belongs to an affiliated group, enter the appropriate affiliated group totals from column (b), lines 1a through 1i, when completing lines 2a, 2c, 2d, and 2f. Line 2a. For 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, enter the amount from Schedule C (Form 990), Part II-A, line 1f, filed for each year. Line 2c. For 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, enter the amount from Schedule C (Form 990), Part II-A, line 1c, for each year. Line 2d. For 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, enter the amount from Schedule C (Form 990), Part II-A, line 1g, for each year. Line 2f. For 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, enter the amount from Schedule C (Form 990), Part II-A, line 1a, for each year. Enter the total for each line in column (e). Part II-B. Lobbying Activity Only section 501(c)(3) organizations that haven’t filed Form 5768 (election under section 501(h)) or have revoked a previous election can complete this section. Part II-B provides a reporting format for any section 501(c)(3) organization that engaged in lobbying activities during the 2023 tax year but didn’t make a section 501(h) lobbying expenditure election for that year by filing Form 5768. The distinction in Part II-A between direct and grassroots lobbying activities by organizations that made the section 501(h) election doesn’t apply to organizations that complete Part II-B. Nonelecting section 501(c)(3) organizations must complete Part II-B, columns (a) and (b), to show lobbying expenditures paid or incurred. Note. A nonelecting organization will generally be regarded as engaging in lobbying activity if the organization either contacts, or urges the public to contact, members of a legislative body for the purpose of proposing, supporting, or opposing legislation or the government's budget process; or advocates the adoption or rejection of legislation. Organizations should answer “Yes” or “No” in column (a) to questions 1a through 1i and provide in Part IV a detailed description of any activities the organization engaged in (through its employees or volunteers) to attempt to influence legislation. The description should include all lobbying activities, whether expenses were incurred or not. Examples of such lobbying activities include: Sending letters or publications to government officials or legislators; Meeting with or calling government officials or legislators; Sending or distributing letters or publications (including newsletters, brochures, etc.) to members or to the general public; or Using direct mail, placing advertisements, issuing press releases, holding news conferences, or holding rallies or demonstrations. For lines 1c through 1i, enter in column (b) the lobbying expenditures paid or incurred. Enter total expenditures on column (b), line 1j. Line 1f. Grants to other organizations are amounts from the organization's funds given to another organization for the purpose of assisting the other organization conducting lobbying activities. Line 1g. Direct contact is a personal telephone call or visit with legislators, their staffs, or government officials. Line 1h. Rallies, demonstrations, seminars, conventions, speeches, and lectures are examples of public forums conducted directly by the organization or paid for out of the organization's funds. Line 1i. Answer “Yes” if the organization engaged in any other activities to attempt to influence legislation. Line 2a. Answer “Yes” if a section 501(c)(3) organization ceased to be described as a section 501(c)(3) organization because the amount on line 1j was substantial. Line 2b. Enter the amount of taxes, if any, imposed on the organization itself under section 4912, unless abated. Line 2c. Enter the amount of taxes, if any, imposed on the organization managers under section 4912, unless abated. Line 2d. If the filing organization reported a section 4912 tax on a Form 4720 for this year, answer “Yes.” Part III. Section 6033(e) Notice and Reporting Requirements and Proxy Tax Only certain organizations that are tax-exempt under: Section 501(c)(4) (social welfare organizations), Section 501(c)(5) (agricultural and horticultural organizations), or Section 501(c)(6) (business leagues) are subject to the section 6033(e) notice and reporting requirements, and to a potential proxy tax. These organizations must report their total lobbying expenses, political expenses, and membership dues, or similar amounts. Section 6033(e) requires certain section 501(c)(4), (5), and (6) organizations to tell their members what portion of their membership dues were allocable to the political or lobbying activities of the organization. If an organization doesn’t give its members this information, then the organization is subject to a proxy tax. This tax is reported on Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return. Part III-A Line 1. Answer “Yes” if any of the following exemptions from the reporting and notice requirements apply. By doing so, the organization is declaring that substantially all of its membership dues were nondeductible. Local associations of employees' and veterans' organizations described in section 501(c)(4), but not section 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations. Labor unions and other labor organizations described in section 501(c)(5), but not section 501(c)(5) agricultural and horticultural organizations. Section 501(c)(4), section 501(c)(5), and section 501(c)(6) organizations that receive more than 90% of their dues from: Organizations exempt from tax under section 501(a), other than section 501(c)(4), section 501(c)(5), and section 501(c)(6) organizations; State or local governments; Entities whose income is excluded from gross income under section 115; or Organizations described in 1 or 2, earlier. Section 501(c)(4) and section 501(c)(5) organizations that receive more than 90% of their annual dues from: Persons; Families; or Entities, who each paid annual dues of $132 or less in 2023 (adjusted annually for inflation). See Rev. Proc. 2022-38; 2022-45 I.R.B. 445 section 3.46, available at IRS.gov/pub/irs-irbs/irb22-45.pdf (or latest annual update). Any organization that receives a private letter ruling from the IRS stating that the organization satisfies the section 6033(e)(3) exception. Any organization that keeps records to substantiate that 90% or more of its members can’t deduct their dues (or similar amounts) as business expenses whether or not any part of their dues are used for lobbying purposes. Any organization that isn’t a membership organization. Special rules treat affiliated social welfare organizations, agricultural and horticultural organizations, and business leagues as parts of a single organization for purposes of meeting the nondeductible dues exception. See Rev. Proc. 98-19, 1998-1 C.B. 547, section 5.03, as adjusted annually. Line 2. Answer “Yes” on line 2 if the organization satisfies the following criteria of the $2,000 in-house lobbying exception. The organization didn’t make any political expenditures or foreign lobbying expenditures during the 2023 tax year. The organization made lobbying expenditures during the 2023 tax year consisting of only in-house direct lobbying expenditures totaling $2,000 or less, but excluding any allocable overhead expenses. If the organization's in-house direct lobbying expenditures during the 2023 tax year were $2,000 or less, but the organization also paid or incurred other lobbying or political expenditures during the 2023 tax year, it should answer “No” to question 2. If the organization is required to complete Part III-B, the $2,000 or less of in-house direct lobbying expenditures shouldn’t be included in the total of Part III-B, line 2a. Line 3. Answer “Yes” on line 3 if the organization on its prior tax year agreed to carry over an amount to be included in the current year's reasonable estimate of lobbying and political expenses. Complete only Part III-B if the organization answered “No” on both line 1 and line 2 or if the organization answered “Yes” on line 3. Part III-B. Dues Notices, Reporting Requirements, and Proxy Tax Dues notices. An organization that checked “No” for both Part III-A, lines 1 and 2, and is thus responsible for completing Part III-B, must send dues notices to its members at the time of assessment or payment of dues, unless the organization chooses to pay the proxy tax instead of informing its members of the nondeductible portion of its dues. These dues notices must reasonably estimate the dues allocable to the nondeductible lobbying and political expenditures reported in Part III-B, line 2a. An organization that checked “Yes” for Part III-A, line 3, and thus is required to complete Part III-B, must send dues notices to its members at the time of assessment or payment of dues and include the amount it agreed to carryover in its reasonable estimate of the dues allocable to the nondeductible lobbying and political expenditures reported in Part III-B, line 2a. Dues, Lobbying, and Political Expenses IF ... THEN ... the organization's lobbying and political expenses are more than its membership dues for the year, the organization must: (a) Allocate all membership dues to its lobbying and political activities; and (b) Carry forward any excess lobbying and political expenses to the next tax year. the organization: (a) Had only de minimis in-house expenses ($2,000 or less) and no other nondeductible lobbying or political expenses (including any amount it agreed to carry over); or (b) Paid a proxy tax, instead of notifying its members of the allocation of dues to lobbying and political expenses; or (c) Established that substantially all of its membership dues, etc., aren’t deductible by members, the organization need not disclose to its membership the allocation of dues, etc., to its lobbying and political activities. Members of the organization can’t take a trade or business expense deduction on their tax returns for the portion of their dues, etc., allocable to the organization's lobbying and political activities. Proxy Tax IF ... THEN ... the organization's actual lobbying and political expenses are more than it estimated in its dues notices, the organization is liable for a proxy tax on the excess. the organization: (a) Elects to pay the proxy tax, and (b) Chooses not to give its members a notice allocating dues to lobbying and political campaign activities, all the members' dues remain eligible for a section 162 trade or business expense deduction. the organization: (a) Makes a reasonable estimate of dues allocable to nondeductible lobbying and political activities, and (b) Agrees to adjust its estimate in the following year*, the IRS may permit a waiver of the proxy tax. *A facts and circumstances test determines whether or not a reasonable estimate was made in good faith. Allocation of costs to lobbying activities and influencing legislation. An organization that is subject to the lobbying disclosure rules of section 6033(e) must use a reasonable allocation method to determine total costs of its direct lobbying activities; that is, costs to influence: Legislation; and The actions of a covered executive branch official through direct communication (for example, President, Vice-President, or cabinet-level officials, and their immediate deputies) (section 162(e)(1)(A) and section 162(e)(1)(D)). Reasonable methods of allocating costs to direct lobbying activities include, but aren’t limited to: The ratio method, The gross-up and alternative gross-up methods, and A method applying the principles of section 263A. For more information, see Regulations sections 1.162-28 and 1.162-29. The special rules and definitions for these allocation methods are discussed under Special Rules, later. An organization that is subject to the lobbying disclosure rules of section 6033(e) must also determine its total costs of: De minimis in-house lobbying, Grassroots lobbying, and Political campaign activities. There are no special rules related to determining these costs. All methods. For all the allocation methods, include labor hours and costs of personnel whose activities involve significant judgment about lobbying activities. Special Rules Ratio and gross-up methods. These methods may be used even if volunteers conduct activities. Ratio method. This method may disregard labor hours and cost of clerical or support personnel (other than lobbying personnel). Alternative gross-up method. This method may disregard: Labor hours, and Costs of clerical or support personnel (other than lobbying personnel). Third-party costs. These are: Payments to outside parties for conducting lobbying activities, Dues paid to another membership organization that were declared to be nondeductible lobbying expenses, and Travel and entertainment costs for lobbying activity. Direct contact lobbying. Treat all hours spent by a person in connection with direct contact lobbying as labor hours allocable to lobbying activities. Don’t treat as direct contact lobbying the hours spent by a person who engages in research and other background activities related to direct contact lobbying, but who makes no direct contact with a legislator, or covered executive branch official. De minimis rule. If less than 5% of a person's time is spent on lobbying activities, and there is no direct contact lobbying, an organization may treat that person's time spent on lobbying activities as zero. Purpose for engaging in an activity. The purpose for engaging in an activity is based on all the facts and circumstances. If an organization's lobbying communication was for both a lobbying and a non-lobbying purpose, the organization must make a reasonable allocation of cost to influence legislation. Correction of prior year lobbying costs. If in a prior year, an organization treated costs incurred for a future lobbying communication as a lobbying cost to influence legislation, but after the organization filed a timely return, it appears the lobbying communication will not be made under any foreseeable circumstance, the organization may apply these costs to reduce its current year's lobbying costs, but not below zero. The organization may carry forward any amount of the costs not used to reduce its current year's lobbying costs to subsequent years. Example 1. Ratio method. X Organization incurred: 6,000 labor hours for all activities, 3,000 labor hours for lobbying activities (three employees), $300,000 for operational costs, and No third-party lobbying costs. X Organization allocated its lobbying costs as follows: Lobbying labor hrs. Total labor hrs. Total costs of operations Allocable third-party costs Costs allocable to lobbying activities 3,000 6,000 × $300,000 + $ -0- = $150,000 Example 2. Gross-up method and alternative gross-up method. A and B are employees of Y Organization. A's activities involve significant judgment about lobbying activities. A's basic lobbying labor costs (excluding employee benefits) are $50,000. B performs clerical and support activities for A. B's labor costs (excluding employee benefits) in support of A's activities are $15,000. Allocable third-party costs are $100,000. If Y Organization uses the gross-up method to allocate its lobbying costs, it multiplies 175% times its basic labor costs (excluding employee benefits) for all of the lobbying of its personnel and adds its allocable third-party lobbying costs as follows: Basic lobbying labor costs of A + B Allocable third-party costs Costs allocable to lobbying activities (175% × $65,000) + $100,000 = $213,750 If Y Organization uses the alternative gross-up method to allocate its lobbying costs, it multiplies 225% times its basic labor costs (excluding employee benefits) for all of the lobbying hours of its lobbying personnel and adds its third-party lobbying costs as follows: Basic lobbying labor costs of A Allocable third-party costs Costs allocable to lobbying activities (225% × $50,000) + $100,000 = $212,500 Section 263A cost allocation method. The examples that demonstrate this method are found in Regulations section 1.162-28(f). Part III-B, Line 1. Enter the total dues, assessments, and similar amounts allocable to the 2023 tax year. Dues are the amounts the organization requires a member to pay in order to be recognized as a member. Payments that are similar to dues include: Members' voluntary payments, Assessments to cover basic operating costs, and Special assessments to conduct lobbying and political activities. Line 2. Include on line 2a the total amount of expenses paid or incurred during the 2023 tax year in connection with: Influencing legislation; Participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for any public office; Attempting to influence any segment of the general public with respect to elections, legislative matters, or referendums; and Communicating directly with a covered executive branch official in an attempt to influence the official actions or positions of such official. Don’t include: In-house direct lobbying expenditures, if the total of such expenditures is $2,000 or less (excluding allocable overhead); or Political expenditures for which the section 527(f) tax has been paid (on Form 1120-POL). Reduce the current year's lobbying expenditures, but not below zero, by costs previously allocated in a prior year to lobbying activities that were cancelled after a return reporting those costs was filed. Carry forward any amounts not used as a reduction to subsequent years. Include the following on line 2b. Lobbying and political expenditures carried over from the preceding tax year. An amount equal to the taxable lobbying and political expenditures reported on Part III-B, line 5, for the preceding tax year, if the organization received a waiver of the proxy tax imposed on that amount. Line 3. Enter the total amount of dues, assessments, and similar amounts received, for which members were timely notified of the nondeductibility under section 162(e) that were allocable to the 2023 tax year. Example. Membership dues: $100,000 for the 2023 tax year, Organization's timely notices to members: 25% of membership dues nondeductible, and Line 3 entry: $25,000. Line 4. If the amount on line 2c exceeds the amount on line 3 and the organization sent dues notices to its members at the time of assessment or payment of dues, include the amount on line 4 that the organization agrees to carry over to the reasonable estimate of nondeductible lobbying and political expenditures next year and include the amount on the 2023 Schedule C (Form 990), in Part III-B, line 2b (carryover lobbying and political expenses), or its equivalent. If the organization didn’t send notices to its members, enter “-0-” on line 4. Line 5. The taxable amount reportable on line 5 is the amount of dues, assessments, and similar amounts received: Allocable to the 2023 tax year, and Attributable to lobbying and political expenditures that the organization didn’t timely notify its members were nondeductible. Report the tax on Form 990-T. If the amount on line 1 (dues, assessments, and similar amounts) is greater than the amount on line 2c (total lobbying and political expenditures), then subtract the nondeductible dues shown in notices (line 3) and the carryover amount (line 4) from the total lobbying and political expenditures (line 2c) to determine the taxable amount of lobbying and political expenditures (line 5). If the amount on line 1 (dues, assessments, and similar amounts) is less than the amount on line 2c (total lobbying and political expenditures), then subtract the nondeductible dues shown in notices (line 3) and the carryover amount (line 4) from dues, assessments, and similar amounts (line 1) to determine the taxable lobbying and political expenditures (line 5). Subtract dues, assessments, and similar amounts (line 1) from lobbying and political expenditures (line 2c) to determine the excess amount to be carried over to the following tax year and reported on Part III-B, line 2b (carryover lobbying and political expenditures), or its equivalent, on the next year Schedule C (Form 990) along with the amounts the organization agreed to carry over on line 4. Underreporting of lobbying expenses. An organization is subject to the proxy tax for the 2023 tax year for underreported lobbying and political expenses only to the extent that these expenses (if actually reported) would have resulted in a proxy tax liability for that year. A waiver of proxy tax for the tax year applies to reported expenditures only. An organization that underreports its lobbying and political expenses is also subject to the section 6652(c) daily penalty for filing an incomplete or inaccurate return. See Instructions for Form 990, General Instructions H. Failure-To-File Penalties, and Instructions for Form 990-EZ, General Instructions G. Failure-To-File Penalties. Examples. Organizations A, B, and C: Reported on the calendar year basis, Incurred only grassroots lobbying expenses (didn't qualify for the under $2,000 in-house lobbying exception (de minimis rule)), and Allocated dues to the tax year in which they were received. Organization A. Dues, assessments, and similar amounts received in 2023 were greater than its lobbying expenses for 2023. Workpapers (for 2023 Form 990) — Organization A 1. Total dues, assessments, etc., received $800 2. Lobbying expenses paid or incurred $600 3. Less: Total nondeductible amount of dues notices 100 100 4. Subtract line 3 from both lines 1 and 2 $700 $500 5. Taxable amount of lobbying expenses (smaller of the two amounts on line 4) $500 The amounts on lines 1, 2, 3, and 5 of the workpapers were entered on the 2023 Schedule C (Form 990), Part III-B, lines 1, 2c, 3, and 5. Because dues, assessments, and similar amounts received were greater than lobbying expenses, there is no carryover of excess lobbying expenses to the 2024 Schedule C (Form 990), Part III-B, line 2b. See the instructions for Part III-B, line 5, for the treatment of the $500. Organization B. Dues, assessments, and similar amounts received in 2023 were less than lobbying expenses for 2023. Workpapers (for 2023 Form 990) — Organization B 1. Total dues, assessments, etc., received $400 2. Lobbying expenses paid or incurred $600 3. Less: Total nondeductible amount of dues notices 100 100 4. Subtract line 3 from both lines 1 and 2 $300 $500 5. Taxable amount of lobbying expenses (smaller of the two amounts on line 4) $300 The amounts on lines 1, 2, 3, and 5 of the workpapers were entered on the 2023 Schedule C (Form 990), Part III-B, lines 1, 2c, 3, and 5. Because dues, assessments, and similar amounts received were less than lobbying expenses, excess lobbying expenses of $200 must be carried forward to the 2024 Schedule C (Form 990) Part III-B, line 2b (excess of $600 of lobbying expenses over $400 dues, etc., received). The $200 will be included along with the other lobbying and political expenses paid or incurred in the 2024 tax year. See the instructions for Part III-B, line 5, for the treatment of the $300. Organization C. Dues, assessments, and similar amounts received in 2023 were greater than lobbying expenses for 2023 and the organization agreed to carry over a portion of its excess lobbying and political expenses to the next year. Workpapers (for 2023 Form 990) — Organization C 1. Total dues, assessments, etc., received $800 2. Lobbying expenses paid or incurred $600 3. Less: Total nondeductible amount of dues notices 100 100 4. Less: Amount agreed to carry over 100 100 5. Subtract lines 3 and 4 from both lines 1 and 2 $600 $400 6. Taxable amount of lobbying expenses (smaller of the two amounts on line 5) $400 The amounts on lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 of the workpapers were entered on the 2023 Schedule C (Form 990), Part III-B, lines 1, 2c, 3, 4, and 5. See the instructions for Part III-B, line 5, for the treatment of the $400. Part IV. Supplemental Information Use Part IV to enter narrative information required in Part I-A, line 1; Part I-B, line 4; Part I-C, line 5; Part II-A, line 1 (affiliated group list); Part II-A, lines 1 and 2; and Part II-B, line 1. Also use Part IV to enter other narrative explanations and descriptions. Identify the specific part and line number that the response supports, in the order in which they appear on Schedule C (Form 990). Part IV can be duplicated if more space is needed.
