Private foundation filing requirements

Your foundation generally files Form 990-PF every year, whatever its size. Some foundations also owe other returns, such as Form 990-T or a state return.

Written for tax year 2025 returns · Updated October 26, 2026

This guide is a summary and isn't tax advice. For the current requirements, check the IRS Instructions for Form 990-PF. The IRS can change thresholds, dates and penalty amounts at any time.

A checklist before you file

Check the tax year and the foundation's EIN on the return.
Check the financial statements, grants paid, and officer and trustee compensation.
Work out the excise tax on net investment income, and any balance due.
Include Schedule B if the foundation must file it, plus the supporting statements the return refers to.
Decide which of the foundation's officers will sign the return.

If your foundation prepared the return itself, you can e-file the Form 990-PF here.

Form 990-PF

Private foundations, and section 4947(a)(1) trusts treated as private foundations, generally file Form 990-PF regardless of gross receipts. The return reports the foundation's finances, grants, compensation and excise tax. The Form 990-N threshold for small organizations doesn't apply to foundations.

Form: 990-PF, Return of Private Foundation
Who files: Organizations classified as private foundations, and section 4947(a)(1) trusts treated as private foundations
General due date: 15th day of the 5th month after the tax year ends, moved to the next business day if that is a weekend or legal holiday
Extension: Form 8868 generally gives six more months to file, not to pay

Deadline, extension and tax payment

Form 990-PF is generally due on the 15th day of the 5th month after the tax year ends. See the filing deadlines guide for each year-end. Your foundation can ask for more time to file with Form 8868, but any tax is still due on the original date. Pay a balance due directly to the IRS. Paying a filing service's fee doesn't pay your tax.

Other returns a foundation may owe

If your foundation has $1,000 or more of gross income from an unrelated trade or business, it must also file Form 990-T. States can require their own annual filings too. Filing Form 990-PF doesn't cover either one.

Form: 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return
Filing threshold: $1,000 or more of gross income from an unrelated trade or business
General due date: 15th day of the 5th month after the tax year ends
Extension: Form 8868, for time to file only

Source: IRS Form 990-T page. Our Form 990-T guide has more.

Where to get advice

The IRS instructions are the authority on your foundation's own circumstances. If you're unsure about its classification, a tax amount or a special rule, ask a qualified adviser before you file. When the return is ready, you can e-file the Form 990-PF your foundation prepared.

Questions

Does a small private foundation have to file Form 990-PF?

Generally, yes. Private foundations file Form 990-PF regardless of gross receipts, because the requirement comes from the organization's classification as a private foundation. Even for a small foundation, the return reports its financial activities, grants and compensation.

When is a private foundation's Form 990-PF due?

Form 990-PF is generally due on the 15th day of the 5th month after the tax year ends. A foundation can request an automatic six-month extension of time to file with Form 8868. Any excise tax is still due by the original deadline.

Does Form 8868 extend the time to pay foundation excise tax?

No. Form 8868 gives a private foundation six more months to file Form 990-PF, but any excise tax must still be paid by the return's original due date.

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