Independent form guide. BrieflyGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by IRS, USCIS, SSA, DOL, or any U.S. government agency. Official forms are sourced from public government websites.
Official form guide
Form 4720: Return of Certain Excise Taxes Under Chapters 41 and 42 of the Internal Revenue Code
IRS Form 4720 is the Return of Certain Excise Taxes Under Chapters 41 and 42 of the Internal Revenue Code. It figures and pays excise taxes for private foundations and other liable entities, and is due the same date as the organization’s Form 990‑PF, Form 990, Form 990‑EZ, or Form 5227.
Need help with Form 4720?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of Form 4720.
Start filling →Form Overview
IRS Form 4720 - Return of Certain Excise Taxes Under Chapters 41 and 42 of the Internal Revenue Code
IRS Form 4720 is the Return of Certain Excise Taxes Under Chapters 41 and 42 of the Internal Revenue Code. It figures and pays excise taxes for private foundations and other liable entities, and is due the same date as the organization’s Form 990‑PF, Form 990, Form 990‑EZ, or Form 5227.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Submitting a paper Form 4720 when electronic filing is required results in a deemed failure to file.
- 2Filing a paper return when electronic filing is mandatory for private foundations or other required filers.
- 3Omitting the correction status on Schedules A‑F, J, or N for each reported transaction.
- 4Leaving lines 1‑14 of Part I blank without entering zero on line 15 when only schedules A, I, or L are used.
- 5Using a private delivery service to mail the return to an IRS P.O. box instead of the U.S. Postal Service.
Plain English
Form 4720 tells the IRS how much excise tax a private foundation or other liable organization owes and lets the organization pay that tax. The form must be completed for each taxable transaction and signed by an authorized officer. It is filed electronically, and the IRS will reject a paper filing if electronic filing is required.
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.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use this form when an organization or related person is subject to excise tax under Chapter 41 or 42, including donors, donor advisors, charitable remainder trusts with unrelated business taxable income, and hospitals that fail CHNA requirements.
- Check Form 990‑T instead when you need to compute unrelated business taxable income for a charitable remainder trust.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Charitable remainder trust has unrelated business taxable income
Needed to compute the taxable income that drives the excise tax on the trust
✓ Confirm the trust attached the completed Form 990‑T to Form 4720
Filer seeks abatement, refund, or relief from first‑tier excise taxes
Required claim for refund and abatement as described in the instructions
✓ Verify Form 843 is attached to Form 4720 or mailed separately as instructed
Private foundation filing its annual information return
Excise tax return is due on the same date as the foundation’s Form 990‑PF
✓ Ensure the foundation’s Form 990‑PF filing deadline aligns with Form 4720 due date
Deadline or filing window
The filing deadline is triggered by the organization’s filing due date for Form 990‑PF, Form 990, Form 990‑EZ, or Form 5227. The return must be filed by that same date, without an automatic extension. If the organization does not file any of those returns, the deadline is the 15th day of the 5th month after its accounting period ends, with a next‑business‑day grace for weekends or holidays.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Part I, line 11
Tax amount computed from Schedule A · Schedule A of Form 4720
Schedule M (hospital CHNA tax)
Documentation of CHNA failure · Hospital’s community health needs assessment records
Schedules A‑I (correction indication)
Indication of correction status for each transaction · Corresponding schedule on Form 4720
Paid Preparer section
Preparer’s name, PTIN, and signature · Paid Preparer area on Form 4720
Signature and Verification
Authorized signature and date · Signature block on Form 4720
Before you submit
- 1Verify Part I, line 11 tax amount is entered correctly
- 2Confirm Schedule M is attached if the organization failed the CHNA requirement
- 3Check that each Schedule A‑I includes a correction indication where required
- 4Ensure the Paid Preparer information is complete and accurate
- 5Attach a copy of Form 990‑T when filing for a charitable remainder trust
- 6Sign and date the Signature and Verification block
- 7Use electronic payment for any refund or tax due, as recommended
How to file this form
- 1Calculate the applicable excise tax using the relevant schedules and retain the calculation worksheet as proof
- 2Complete Part I, line 11 with the tax due and keep a copy of the entry as proof
- 3Attach required supporting forms such as Form 990‑T or Schedule M and retain the attachments as proof
- 4Fill out the Paid Preparer section if applicable and keep the preparer’s acknowledgment as proof
- 5Sign and date the Signature and Verification block and retain the signed page as proof
- 6Mail the completed Form 4720 to the IRS address listed in the instructions or submit electronically, and keep the mailing receipt or electronic confirmation as proof
Known limitations
- 1Form 4720 does not apply to tax‑exempt entities that are not described in sections 501(c), 501(d), 170(c) (outside the United States) and are not Indian tribal governments — Instructions p.2
- 2Private foundations that file fewer than 10 returns are not required to file Form 4720 electronically, as the electronic filing requirement may be waived — Instructions p.3
- 3Form 4720 cannot be mailed using a private delivery service to an IRS P.O. box; only the U.S. Postal Service may be used for such mailings — Instructions p.4
- 4Schedule C of Form 4720 is required only for private foundations that answered “Yes” to Form 990‑PF Part VI‑B question 3b or Form 990 Part V question 8; other entities are exempt from this schedule — Instructions p.9
- 5The self‑dealing tax on excess business holdings is exempt when the disposition price equals or exceeds the fair market value of the holdings — Instructions p.12
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 edition shown is revision 20 25; the instructions direct users to the IRS.gov/Form4720 page for the latest information.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision reads 20 25
- Fee — Not stated in the official source
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source
- Signature — Not stated in the official source
- Electronic filing requirement — Not stated in the official source
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1If an error is discovered, file an amended Form 4720 using the same year form and check the “Amended Return” box — Instructions p.6
- 2Include a statement on the amended return that identifies the lines, amounts changed, and the reason for each change — Instructions p.6
- 3If the amended return shows tax due and the filer wishes to request abatement, follow the Abatement instructions referenced in the form — Instructions p.6
- 4If the amended return results in an overpayment, indicate the amount of overpayment on the amended return — Instructions p.6
- 5Retain documentation of any corrective actions taken as required by IRS systems for future reference — Instructions p.2
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Form 4720 must be filed by tax‑exempt entities described in sections 501(c), 501(d), 170(c) (outside the United States) or Indian tribal governments for tax under section 4965(a)(1)
- SRCInstructions p.3 — Electronic filing requirement may be waived for private foundations filing fewer than 10 returns or for hardship cases
- SRCInstructions p.4 — Private delivery services cannot deliver to IRS P.O. boxes; USPS must be used for such mailings
- SRCInstructions p.4 — Due date for Form 4720 is the same as the organization’s Form 990‑PF, Form 990, Form 990‑EZ, or Form 5227; if none are required, file by the 15th day of the 5th month after the accounting period ends
- SRCInstructions p.6 — To correct an error, file an amended Form 4720 using the same year form, check the “Amended Return” box, and include a statement of changes
- SRCInstructions p.6 — If the amended return shows tax due and the filer wishes to request abatement, see the Abatement instructions
- SRCInstructions p.6 — If the amended return results in an overpayment, show the amount of the overpayment on the amended return
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Corrections for each transaction must be indicated on the appropriate Schedule (A‑F, I) for sections 4941‑4958
- SRCInstructions p.9 — Schedule C is required only if “Yes” to Form 990‑PF Part VI‑B question 3b or Form 990 Part V question 8
- SRCInstructions p.12 — Exception from self‑dealing tax applies when the sales price equals or exceeds the fair market value of the excess business holdings
Common confusion points
When is the due date for Form 4720?
The due date depends on whether the organization files Form 990‑PF, Form 990, Form 990‑EZ, or Form 5227.
→ Verify the due date matches the due date of the organization’s Form 990‑PF, Form 990, Form 990‑EZ, or Form 5227, or use the 15th day of the 5th month after the accounting period ends if none are required — Instructions p.4
Do I have to file Form 4720 electronically?
The electronic filing requirement may be waived for private foundations filing fewer than 10 returns or for hardship cases.
→ Confirm you are a private foundation with fewer than 10 returns or that you have received a hardship waiver before filing on paper — Instructions p.3
Can I mail the return using a private courier?
Private delivery services cannot deliver to IRS P.O. boxes, which is the address used for many IRS filings.
→ Use the U.S. Postal Service for any mailing to an IRS P.O. box address — Instructions p.4
Do I need to complete Schedule C for excess business holdings?
Schedule C is required only if the organization answered “Yes” to specific questions on Form 990‑PF Part VI‑B question 3b or Form 990 Part V question 8.
→ Review those questions on the applicable Form 990 or Form 990‑PF; if the answer is “No,” Schedule C is not required — Instructions p.9
What if I discover a mistake after filing?
Corrections must be made by filing an amended Form 4720, not by submitting only the changed sections.
→ File a complete amended return, check the “Amended Return” box, and include a statement describing the changes — Instructions p.6
Are there exceptions to the self‑dealing tax on excess holdings?
The tax is exempt when the disposition price equals or exceeds the fair market value of the holdings.
→ Verify that the sales price meets or exceeds fair market value before claiming the exception — Instructions p.12
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Amended Form 4720 – used to correct a previously filed return or report additional excise taxes discovered after the original filing — Instructions p.6
Questions about IRS Form 4720
What is IRS Form 4720 used for?
Form 4720 tells the IRS how much excise tax a private foundation or other liable organization owes and lets the organization pay that tax. The form must be completed for each taxable transaction and signed by an authorized officer. It is filed electronically, and the IRS will reject a paper filing if electronic filing is required.
What information does IRS Form 4720 require?
The form collects excise‑tax information in Part I for the filing organization and in Part II for any related organization, using Schedules A‑F, J, or N to detail each transaction and indicate any corrections.
When is IRS Form 4720 due?
File Form 4720 by the due date (not including extensions) for the organization’s Form 990‑PF, Form 990, Form 990‑EZ, or Form 5227. If none of those returns are required, file by the 15th day of the 5th month after the organization’s accounting period ends; if the date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, file the next business day.
Where do I file IRS Form 4720?
All required filers must file Form 4720 electronically via the IRS e‑file system; paper returns are not accepted for those required to file electronically.
How do I complete IRS Form 4720?
Complete Part I with the organization’s excise‑tax amounts, then fill Part II for any related organization’s taxes. Report each transaction on the appropriate Schedule (A‑F, J, or N) and indicate whether a correction has been made. Enter a zero on line 15 of Part I if only schedules A, I, or L are used. An authorized officer must sign the return, and the entire return is submitted electronically through the IRS e‑file system.
What happens if IRS Form 4720 is filed incorrectly?
If a required filer submits a paper return instead of filing electronically, the IRS treats it as a failure to file, which can trigger penalties and the return will not be processed.
When is the due date for Form 4720?
The due date depends on whether the organization files Form 990‑PF, Form 990, Form 990‑EZ, or Form 5227. Verify the due date matches the due date of the organization’s Form 990‑PF, Form 990, Form 990‑EZ, or Form 5227, or use the 15th day of the 5th month after the accounting period ends if none are required — Instructions p.4
Do I have to file Form 4720 electronically?
The electronic filing requirement may be waived for private foundations filing fewer than 10 returns or for hardship cases. Confirm you are a private foundation with fewer than 10 returns or that you have received a hardship waiver before filing on paper — Instructions p.3
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.