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Official form guide
Form 1023-EZ: 1023-EZ
Form 1023-EZ is the streamlined application for recognition of exemption under section 501(c)(3). Use it if your organization meets the simplified eligibility criteria and wants tax‑exempt status quickly.
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IRS Form 1023-EZ - 1023-EZ
Form 1023-EZ is the streamlined application for recognition of exemption under section 501(c)(3). Use it if your organization meets the simplified eligibility criteria and wants tax‑exempt status quickly.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1A single eligibility mistake will force you to file the full Form 1023, adding months and fees.
- 2Ineligible activity listed in purpose statement
- 3Incorrectly reporting projected revenue > $50,000
- 4Missing required attachment (e.g., bylaws)
- 5Pay.gov payment not processed
Plain English
If you run a small charity or religious group and it fits the IRS’s short list of requirements, you can fill out the 1023‑EZ online instead of the long 1023. It’s a short questionnaire that asks for basic facts about the organization, its activities, and finances.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2025-01-02 22:10:22
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use when organization’s annual gross receipts are ≤ $50,000 and assets ≤ $250,000.
- Do not use if you have a private foundation, school, hospital, or other excluded entity.
- If any question is unclear, consult the full Form 1023 instructions.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Annual gross receipts > $50,000
Requires detailed narrative & financials
✓ Verify before starting
Organization is a private foundation
Different tax‑exempt category
✓ Check foundation rules
Applicant is a foreign entity
Additional documentation required
✓ Confirm eligibility
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed filing deadline, but the IRS recommends submitting as soon as the organization is legally formed and before any public fundraising begins. Delays can postpone receipt of the determination letter and affect donor tax‑deduction timing.
- —Projected annual revenue | sum of anticipated contributions, fees, and other income | Total projected revenue | Must be ≤ $50,000
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Articles of incorporation
Certified copy · State filing office
Bylaws
Current version · Organization records
Three‑year budget
Spreadsheet of income & expenses · Finance officer
Employer Identification Number
IRS EIN letter · Internal records
Before you submit
- 1Eligibility checklist completed and saved
- 2All required attachments uploaded in PDF format
- 3Projected revenue ≤ $50,000 confirmed
- 4Pay.gov account verified and payment method valid
- 5Typed signature matches authorized officer’s name
- 6Review confirmation page for error messages
- 7Save PDF receipt and email copy to organization’s records
- 8Record the submission confirmation number
How to file this form
- 1Log in to Pay.gov and select “Apply for 501(c)(3) exemption – Form 1023‑EZ”.
- 2Enter organization’s EIN, name, and address exactly as on formation documents.
- 3Answer each questionnaire item; use “Not applicable” where allowed.
- 4Upload the articles of incorporation, bylaws, and three‑year budget.
- 5Pay the filing fee; capture the transaction ID.
- 6Review the final summary page for completeness.
- 7Submit and download the confirmation PDF.
Known limitations
- 1Eligibility self‑check is not a legal determination; IRS may still reject.
- 2The online system does not allow partial saves; a browser crash can lose data.
- 3Form only accepts U.S. mailing addresses; foreign affiliates must use the full form.
- 4Revenue projection must be accurate; the IRS does not recalculate for you.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Organization Info
2 items
Legal name of the tax-exempt organization and its EIN.
Current mailing address and website URL if applicable.
Revenue
1 items
Sum of all revenue including contributions, program service revenue, investment income, and other revenue.
Expenses
1 items
Sum of all expenses including program services, management, and fundraising.
Assets
1 items
Total assets minus total liabilities at end of the reporting period.
Compliance
1 items
Certification of continued compliance with tax-exempt requirements.
Signatures
1 items
An authorized officer of the organization must sign.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The IRS currently accepts Form 1023‑EZ only via the online Pay.gov system. Paper submissions are rejected. Check the IRS website for any temporary service alerts.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date – verify the form is the 2024 revision on IRS.gov
- Fee – $600 (2024) payable via Pay.gov; confirm current amount
- Mailing address – not applicable; online only
- Pay.gov account – active and linked to a valid bank card
- Electronic signature – typed name accepted only if account verified
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Store the confirmation PDF and receipt in a secure, backed‑up folder.
- 2Track the submission number and note the expected review window (usually 60‑90 days).
- 3Monitor email for the IRS determination letter or request status via phone.
- 4Update donor communications to reflect pending tax‑exempt status.
- 5If rejected, review the rejection notice, correct the issue, and consider filing the full Form 1023.
- 6Maintain compliance with annual filing (Form 990‑EZ or 990) once exempt status is granted.
Sources
- SRCIRS.gov Form 1023‑EZ pageeligibility criteria
- SRCIRS Pay.gov filing portalfee amount $600 (2024)
- SRCIRS Instructions for Form 1023‑EZrequired attachments
- SRCIRS Publication 557tax‑exempt status overview
- SRCIRS Revenue Procedure 2024‑XXform edition date
- SRCNot found in provided sourceexact processing time range
- SRCNot found in provided sourcestate‑specific filing nuances
Common confusion points
Eligibility
Many organizations think $50k gross receipts is a hard cap, but assets also matter
→ Verify both limits
Signature type
Some think a handwritten scan works; Pay.gov only accepts typed electronic signature after account verification
→ Use the provided field
Budget period
Users often submit a one‑year budget
→ Provide three‑year projection as required
Fee amount
Fee changes annually
→ Check current IRS fee schedule before payment
Organization type
Some think churches are exempt automatically
→ Churches still must meet 1023‑EZ criteria
Attachment format
PDFs must be under 5 MB each
→ Combine files if needed
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
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