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IRSOther IRS Forms (4000–6999)

Official form guide

Form 4720: 4720

Form 4720 is the IRS Annual Return of Certain Excise Taxes. It is filed by organizations that owe excise taxes such as those on private foundations, charitable gaming, or certain insurance premiums.

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Form Overview

IRS Form 4720 - 4720

Form 4720 is the IRS Annual Return of Certain Excise Taxes. It is filed by organizations that owe excise taxes such as those on private foundations, charitable gaming, or certain insurance premiums.

The form captures total excise tax liability, payments made, penalties, interest, and a breakdown by tax type.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1A single math error can create a penalty that exceeds the tax owed.
  • 2Using the wrong fiscal year end date
  • 3Omitting a required schedule (e.g., Schedule B for private foundations)
  • 4Mis‑calculating penalties or interest
  • 5Failing to attach proof of tax payments

Plain English

If your nonprofit, foundation, or other exempt organization has to pay special excise taxes, you report them on Form 4720 each year. The form tallies the tax, shows any payments, and calculates any balance due or refund.

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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Glossary Terms

excise taxfoundationliabilityinterest

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use when your organization owes any of the excise taxes listed in the instructions.
  • Do not use for regular income tax filing (Form 990).
  • If you only have a filing requirement for charitable gaming, consider Form 990‑T instead.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Private foundation with unrelated business income

Handles both excise tax and income reporting

✓ Verify that the excise tax portion is not duplicated

Form 990‑PF

Charitable gaming activity only

Specific to gaming tax reporting

✓ Confirm the gaming tax exceeds the $500 threshold

Form 990‑T

Employer‑related excise tax (e.g., FICA)

Quarterly payroll tax return

✓ Use only for payroll, not foundation excise taxes

Form 941

Deadline or filing window

Form 4720 is due the 15th day of the 5th month after the organization’s fiscal year end. If that day falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. Extensions are not automatically granted; you must request an extension before the original due date.

  • —Total tax liability | Sum of all applicable tax schedules | Total Tax Due | Verify each schedule’s subtotal

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Part I – Tax liability

Tax calculation worksheets · Internal accounting records

⚠ Rounding errors✕ High
2

Schedule B – Private foundation tax

Form 990‑PF data · Prior year Form 990‑PF

⚠ Missing foundation assets figure✕ Medium
3

Payment attachment

Cancelled checks or electronic payment confirmations · Bank statements

⚠ Unattached payment proof✕ High
4

Penalty calculation

Penalty worksheets · IRS penalty tables

⚠ Using wrong interest rate✕ Medium

Before you submit

  1. 1Confirm fiscal year end matches prior filings
  2. 2Re‑calculate total tax using a separate worksheet
  3. 3Verify all required schedules are attached
  4. 4Check that payments are documented and attached
  5. 5Ensure the correct signing officer has signed
  6. 6Date the form accurately
  7. 7Use the current edition (2024) of the form and instructions
  8. 8Match the mailing address to the IRS instructions for your entity type
  9. 9If e‑filing, confirm the transmission receipt
  10. 10Retain a copy of the signed form and all attachments
  11. 11Mark the envelope with “Form 4720 – Excise Tax Return”

How to file this form

  1. 1Gather all excise‑tax‑related financial data for the tax year.
  2. 2Complete Part I to calculate total tax liability.
  3. 3Fill out Parts II‑IV, attaching required schedules (e.g., Schedule B).
  4. 4Review all numbers and sign the form.
  5. 5Make a photocopy for your records.
  6. 6Mail to the IRS address in the instructions or submit via approved e‑file system.
  7. 7If mailing, use certified mail and keep the tracking number.

Known limitations

  1. 1Instructions may be updated after the form’s publication; always check the IRS website.
  2. 2Electronic filing is limited to certain entity types; many nonprofits must mail the form.
  3. 3The form does not calculate interest automatically; you must use the IRS interest tables.
  4. 4Penalties are based on late‑payment dates, which the form does not capture.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

6 fields

General Info

2 items

Taxpayer Name and TIN

Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).

Requiredtext
Address

Current mailing address.

Requiredtext

Details

2 items

Required Information

Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.

Requiredtext
Amount (if applicable)

Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.

amount

Certification

1 items

Certification Statement

Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.

Requiredcheckbox

Signatures

1 items

Signature

Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.

Requiredsignature
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Current form status
IRS

Form 4720 is currently in the 2024 edition, with the latest instructions released in October 2023. Check the IRS website for any updates before filing.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date: Verify the form is the 2024 edition
  • Fee: No filing fee for Form 4720
  • Mailing address: Use the address in the 2024 instructions for your state
  • Signature authority: Ensure the signer is an authorized officer
  • Electronic filing option: Confirm eligibility on the IRS e‑file portal

Form Preview

Form 4720 page 1

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Form 4720 page 2

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Quick Facts

Tax‑exempt organizations, private foundations, and other entities subject to specific excise taxes must file.
The form captures total excise tax liability, payments made, penalties, interest, and a breakdown by tax type.
Generally due on the 15th day of the 5th month after the organization’s fiscal year end (e.g., May 15 for a calendar‑year filer).
Mail the completed form to the IRS address listed in the instructions for the filing year, or file electronically if the IRS e‑file system supports it for your entity type.
Errors can trigger penalties, interest, or a delayed refund, and may flag the organization for audit.
1. Gather all records of excise‑tax‑subject activities for the tax year. 2. Complete Part I to calculate total tax, then fill Parts II‑IV for payments, penalties, and interest. 3. Review the math, sign, and date the form. 4. Attach any required schedules and send it to the correct IRS address or submit via approved e‑file.

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After you file

  1. 1File the acknowledgment receipt or certified‑mail tracking number.
  2. 2Store the signed copy and all supporting documents for at least three years.
  3. 3Monitor the IRS account for any notice of balance due or refund.
  4. 4Reconcile the reported tax with the payment confirmation from the IRS.
  5. 5Update your internal calendar with next year’s filing deadline.
  6. 6If a notice is received, respond within the timeframe indicated.

Sources

  • SRCIRS Form 4720 official PDFtitle and purpose confirmed
  • SRCIRS Instructions for Form 4720filing deadline and mailing address
  • SRCIRS e‑file eligibility listnoted limited electronic filing
  • SRCIRS penalty and interest tablesreferenced for calculation guidance
  • SRCForm 990‑PF cross‑referenceconfirms Schedule B requirement
  • SRCNot found in provided source: exact electronic submission URL
  • SRCNot found in provided source: specific state mailing variations

Common confusion points

Excise tax vs. income tax

Many think Form 990 covers all taxes

→ Verify the tax type in the instructions

Private foundation schedule requirement

Some foundations skip Schedule B

→ Check if your foundation has taxable investment income

Electronic filing eligibility

Not all entities can e‑file

→ Confirm on the IRS e‑file portal

Penalty calculation period

Penalties are based on the original due date, not the extension date

→ Use the correct date in worksheets

Interest rate updates

IRS updates rates quarterly

→ Use the rate in effect for the tax period

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

4 signals

Before

Form 990‑PF (annual information return for private foundations)

Current

4720

After

Form 941 (if payroll taxes are also due)

Often used with

Schedule B (foundation excise tax) attached to Form 4720

⚠ If something goes wrong

  • Form 843 (claim for refund or abatement) may be needed

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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