Sep 25, 2026

Form 990 vs Form 990-EZ: Key Differences Explained

It is essential for tax-exempt organizations to submit an appropriate annual information return to the IRS. The IRS Form 990 series includes different filing options based on an organization's size, classification, and reporting requirements.

Two commonly used returns are:
1)Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax
2)Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax

The two forms must be submitted through the provisions of IRC Section 6033 regarding the annual filing. However, the form 990 requires more comprehensive reporting, while the form 990-EZ requires a simplified reporting procedure for those organizations meeting the IRS criteria.

Being aware of these distinctions makes it easier for organizations to file returns in accordance with what is required.

What is Form 990?

Form 990 – Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax is a yearly filing of information that some tax-exempt organizations make to the IRS regarding their mission, programs, governance, activities, compensation and other information pertaining to their operations.
The document furnishes comprehensive reporting regarding the operations of an entity and assists in showing compliance with requirements for entities that are exempt from IRC Section 501(c).
The 990 form is made up of various sections and supplementary schedules that can be needed by an organization based on its activities and organizational structures.

What is Form 990-EZ?

Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, is a shorter version of Form 990 available for eligible organizations that meet IRS requirements.

This form needs organizations to disclose important information including:

Revenue and expenses
Assets and liabilities
Program service accomplishments
Officers, directors, trustees, and key information
Other required organizational details

On average, one can be allowed to file 990-EZ form if he or she has income of less than $200,000 with total assets of less than $500,000 during the year-end, as long as one is eligible to fill Form 990-EZ.

Form 990 vs Form 990-EZ: Key Differences

Difference Area	Form 990	Form 990-EZ
Purpose	Provides detailed information about an organization's finances, governance, programs, compensation, and activities.	Provides a shorter reporting option for eligible smaller organizations.
Eligible Organizations	Generally required for organizations that do not qualify to file Form 990-EZ or meet Form 990 filing requirements.	Generally available for organizations that meet IRS eligibility requirements for Form 990-EZ.
Gross Receipts and Asset Threshold	Generally required when an organization has gross receipts of $200,000 or more or total assets of $500,000 or more at the end of the tax year, unless an exception applies.	Generally available when an organization has gross receipts less than $200,000 and total assets less than $500,000 at the end of the tax year, if eligible.
Reporting Detail	Contains more extensive reporting requirements covering governance, financial details, compensation, and organizational activities.	Contains fewer reporting sections and simplified financial reporting requirements.
Financial Reporting	Requires detailed reporting of revenue, expenses, balance sheet information, and additional disclosures when applicable.	Requires simplified reporting of revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and net assets.
Governance Reporting	Includes detailed governance and policy-related questions.	Includes fewer governance-related questions compared with Form 990.
Compensation Reporting	Requires detailed compensation reporting for certain officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and other individuals when applicable.	Requires limited compensation reporting compared with Form 990.
Schedule Requirements	Supports a wider range of supplemental schedules based on organizational activities.	Supports only the schedules available and required for Form 990-EZ filers.
Filing Deadline	Generally due on the 15th day of the 5th month after the end of the organization's accounting period.	Generally due on the 15th day of the 5th month after the end of the organization's accounting period.
Electronic Filing	Subject to IRS electronic filing requirements.	Subject to IRS electronic filing requirements.

Form 990 vs Form 990-EZ: Schedule Differences

The schedules add more details depending on the activities carried out by an organization and the transactions that take place. The Form 990 has more schedules than Form 990-EZ which includes some specific schedules for eligible organizations.

Schedule	Purpose	Form 990	Form 990-EZ
Schedule A	Public Charity Status and Public Support	Required when applicable	Required when applicable
Schedule B	Schedule of Contributors	Required when applicable	Required when applicable
Schedule C	Political Campaign and Lobbying Activities	Required when applicable	Required when applicable
Schedule D	Supplemental Financial Statements	Required when applicable	Not available
Schedule E	Schools	Required when applicable	Required when applicable
Schedule F	Statement of Activities Outside the United States	Required when applicable	Not available
Schedule G	Fundraising Activities and Gaming Activities	Required when applicable	Required when applicable
Schedule H	Hospitals	Required when applicable	Not available
Schedule I	Grants and Other Assistance to Organizations, Governments, and Individuals in the U.S.	Required when applicable	Not available
Schedule J	Compensation Information	Required when applicable	Not available
Schedule K	Supplemental Information on Tax-Exempt Bonds	Required when applicable	Not available
Schedule L	Transactions With Interested Persons	Required when applicable	Not available
Schedule M	Noncash Contributions	Required when applicable	Not available
Schedule N	Liquidation, Termination, Dissolution, or Significant Disposition of Assets	Required when applicable	Not available
Schedule O	Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ	Required when applicable	Required when applicable
Schedule R	Related Organizations and UnRelated Partnership	Required when applicable	Not available

Form 990 and Form 990-EZ: Common IRS Sections

While Form 990 and Form 990-EZ have differences in their reporting requirements, schedules, and level of detail, both returns are governed by several common Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provisions. The following table highlights the key IRS sections that apply to both Form 990 and Form 990-EZ filings.

IRS Section Code	Explanation of the IRS Code
IRC Section 501(c)	Defines organizations that may qualify for federal tax exemption based on their purpose and activities.
IRC Section 6033	Requires certain exempt organizations to file annual information returns with the IRS.
IRC Section 509(a)	Defines public charity classifications and organizations treated as private foundations.
IRC Section 4947(a)(1)	Applies to certain nonexempt charitable trusts treated as private foundations.
IRC Section 6652(c)	Provides penalties related to failure to file required information returns.

How to Choose Between Form 990 and Form 990-EZ?

An organization needs to check its financial data, type of organization, and filing requirements of the IRS while choosing a tax form.
A general approach:

Organizations that fulfill the requirements for filing a shorter return will use Form 990-EZ. (Gross receipts less than $200,000 and total assets less than $500,000 at the end of the tax year)
Organizations that exceed the Form 990-EZ eligibility limits or are subject to Form 990 filing requirements generally file Form 990. (Gross receipts of $200,000 or more or total assets of $500,000 or more at the end of the tax year, unless an exception applies)
Organizations should review applicable schedules based on their activities and reporting obligations.

Read our blog on Why you must choose e-File990 for your Form 990 filings.

Conclusion
Selecting the right IRS form can help tax-exempt organizations fulfill their annual reporting obligations. Efile990 is an online portal that has been authorized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to e-file form 990 series returns. It assists firms to file their Forms 990 and 990-EZ. With an easy-to-use platform for tax-exempt organization filings, Efile990 assists organizations to easily and confidently file their annual returns to the IRS.

File your Form 990 Online and Form 990-EZ Online with Efile990 now!

View More Blogs

Form 990 vs Form 990-EZ: Key Differences Explained

What is Form 990-EZ?

Form 990 vs Form 990-EZ: Key Differences

Form 990 vs Form 990-EZ: Schedule Differences

Form 990 and Form 990-EZ: Common IRS Sections

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