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Form 4720: Return of Certain Excise Taxes Under Chapters 41 and 42 of the Internal Revenue Code
IRS Form 4720 is used to figure and pay certain excise taxes under Chapters 41 and 42 of the Internal Revenue Code, filed by organizations or other entities required to report these transactions. If an organization doesn't file any specific forms, it must file this form by the 15th day of the 5th month after its accounting period ends.
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IRS Form 4720 - Return of Certain Excise Taxes Under Chapters 41 and 42 of the Internal Revenue Code
IRS Form 4720 is used to figure and pay certain excise taxes under Chapters 41 and 42 of the Internal Revenue Code, filed by organizations or other entities required to report these transactions. If an organization doesn't file any specific forms, it must file this form by the 15th day of the 5th month after its accounting period ends.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not combine amounts from Part I and Part II into Part III; file separate returns.
- 2Failing to file electronically when required (especially for private foundations).
- 3Combining amounts from Part I and Part II into Part III of Form 4720.
- 4Not filing a separate return to report ratable share of excess executive compensation on Part I.
- 5Omitting the organization's name and address in the top of Part II.
Plain English
This form helps organizations calculate and pay special excise taxes related to certain financial activities. It is used when a company or entity needs to report these tax liabilities under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Filing Form 4720 ensures the organization meets its required tax reporting obligations for those transactions.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2026-01-22 09:10:34
- 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 this form when an organization or entity is liable for excise tax under Chapter 41 or Chapter 42 of the Internal Revenue Code and needs to report it.
- Do not use this form when reporting taxes that are not specifically defined as section 4967, 4968, 170(f)(10), or 664(c)(2) excise taxes.
- Check Form 990-T instead when computing the unrelated business taxable income for a charitable remainder trust.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) with UBIT
CRT must attach a copy of its completed Form 990-T to file with Form 4720.
✓ Ensure the attached Form 990-T is not submitted as the primary return.
Hospital Organization failing CHNA requirements
An excise tax is imposed on failure to meet Section 501(r)(3) Community Health Needs Assessment requirements.
✓ Verify that the relevant tax liability is reported on Schedule M.
Requiring Abatement or Refund
Use Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement, to request relief under Section 4962.
✓ Submit Form 843 with Form 4720 (or mail separately if filing on paper).
Deadline or filing window
Part I taxes on the organization are due by the same date as filing the relevant Form 990 series or Form 5227. If no specific form is listed, the deadline is the 15th day of the 5th month after the accounting period ends; if that falls on a weekend or holiday, file by the next business day.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Purpose of Form
Use Form 4720 to figure and pay taxes related to section 4967, 4968, 170(f)(10), or 664(c)(2). · General Instructions (p.2)
Who Must File
Organizations and Any Related Organization Subject to Tax Under Chapter 41 or 42. · Instructions p.2
CRT UBIT Reporting
A copy of the completed Form 990-T. · Instructions p.3
Abatement Request
Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement. · Instructions p.6
Interest Rate on Underpayment
The underpayment rate established under section 6621. · Instructions p.6
Before you submit
- 1Confirm the edition reads 20/25.
- 2Verify that all transactions are reported on the correct Schedule (A, B, C, D, E, F, or I).
- 3Indicate whether a correction has been made (or not) for each transaction reported on the schedule.
- 4If reporting CRT UBIT, ensure a copy of Form 990-T is attached.
- 5If requesting abatement/refund, verify that Form 843 is included or mailed separately.
- 6Ensure all required sections are completed based on whether the organization is a public charity, private foundation, manager, donor, etc.
- 7Sign and verify the return according to general instructions.
How to file this form
- 1Complete the form by indicating the necessary details in Item B (and other relevant sections).
- 2Report all applicable transactions on the appropriate Schedule (A, B, C, D, E, F, or I), noting if a correction was made.
- 3If required, attach Form 990-T to report unrelated business taxable income for charitable remainder trusts.
- 4Calculate and enter the tax liability due in Part I, line 11 (for CRT reporting).
- 5Include Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement, if requesting relief under section 4962.
- 6Sign and verify the return before sending it to the IRS.
Known limitations
- 1Certain tax-exempt entities must file Form 4720 to report the liability and pay the tax due under section 4965(a)(1) if they are described in sections 501(c), 501(d), or 170(c) (other than the United States) or an Indian tribal government.
- 2The requirement to file electronically may be waived by the IRS for filers other than private foundations that file 10 or more returns in cases of undue hardship.
- 3A filer may be administratively exempt from the requirement to file Form 4720 electronically under certain circumstances.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
General Info
2 items
Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).
Current mailing address.
Details
2 items
Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.
Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.
Certification
1 items
Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition is 20/25, with a revision date of Nov 13, 2025. The instructions direct filers to IRS.gov/Form4720 for the latest information regarding developments related to Form 4720.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision reads 20/25.
- Catalog Number — confirm the form includes Catalog Number 13023Z.
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source (but is implied for submission).
- Signature — ensure the filer signs and verifies the return as required by general instructions.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep documentation related to filing for proof, especially if using a private delivery service (which can provide written proof of mailing date).
- 2If amending the return later, use the same year form as the original filing.
- 3When amending, complete the entire Form 4720, not just the changed part, and include a statement identifying lines/amounts changed and the reason for each change.
- 4If an amended return shows tax due, the filer may request abatement of the reported tax.
- 5If an amended return results in an overpayment, the amount of that overpayment must be shown on the form.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The official title is Return of Certain Excise Taxes Under Chapters 41 and 42 of the Internal Revenue Code.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — An organization must indicate whether a correction has been made (or not) on the Schedule where each transaction is reported for transactions under sections 4941, 4942, 4943, 4944, 4945, 4955, or 4958.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Certain tax-exempt entities must file Form 4720 to report the liability and pay the tax due under section 4965(a)(1) (Schedule J).
- SRCInstructions p.3 — The IRS may waive, in cases of undue hardship, the requirement that filers other than private foundations that file 10 or more returns file electronically.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — If filing based on Form 990-PF, Form 990, Form 990-EZ, or Form 5227, File by the due date (not including extensions) for that form.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — If not required to file any of those forms, file Form 4720 by the 15th day of the 5th month after the organization's accounting period ends.
- SRCInstructions p.6 — To correct a previously filed Form 4720, use the same year form and check the “Amended Return” box in the heading area.
- SRCInstructions p.9 — Schedule C is for Initial Tax on Excess Business Holdings (Section 4943) and applies to private foundations.
Common confusion points
When do I need to file Form 4720?
The filing deadline depends on whether you are required to file another specific tax form.
What happens if my regular due date falls on a weekend or holiday?
How do I report corrections for transactions already reported?
Do all entities need to file this form, even if they aren't private foundations?
What is the difference between using Item B vs. Schedules A-I for reporting corrections?
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Amended Return — Use this process to correct a previously filed Form 4720.
Questions about IRS Form 4720
What is IRS Form 4720 used for?
This form helps organizations calculate and pay special excise taxes related to certain financial activities. It is used when a company or entity needs to report these tax liabilities under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Filing Form 4720 ensures the organization meets its required tax reporting obligations for those transactions.
Who must file IRS Form 4720?
The organization, another entity, or person required to file Form 4720 must submit it. Managers of certain tax-favored retirement plans and savings arrangements are also required to file this form.
What information does IRS Form 4720 require?
Form 4720 collects information about various excise taxes applicable under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Part I reports ratable share of excess executive compensation (under section 4960), while Part II details other reported excise taxes.
When is IRS Form 4720 due?
If an organization is required to file Form 990-PF, Form 990, Form 990-EZ, or Form 5227, the filing deadline is the due date for that form. Otherwise, it must be filed by the 15th day of the 5th month after the organization's accounting period ends.
Where do I file IRS Form 4720?
All persons required to file can submit Form 4720 electronically via IRS.gov/Efile. If mailing a paper return, use the U.S. Postal Service; private delivery services deliver to Internal Revenue Service 1973 Rulon White Blvd., Ogden, UT 84201.
How do I complete IRS Form 4720?
The organization must complete Part I (for ratable share of excess executive compensation) and Part II (for other reported excise taxes), noting that amounts cannot be combined in Part III. The filer must sign the return, and for a corporation, one authorized person must sign it.
What happens if IRS Form 4720 is filed incorrectly?
Failure to file Form 4720 electronically when required is treated as a failure to file even if the filer submits a paper return. Furthermore, returns filed on paper by organizations that should be filing electronically will not be accepted or processed.
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