Schedule A (Form 990) – Public Charity Status and Public Support

Last reviewed: 2025-10-26

Use the Schedule A (Form 990sa) – Public Charity Classification (2026) Tax Form Calculator Schedule A (Form 990sa) – Public Charity Classification (2026) as a stand alone tax form calculator to quickly calculate specific amounts for your 2026 990sa state tax return. Alternatively, you can use one of our Combined Federal and State Tax Estimators to quickly calculate your salary, tax, and take-home pay.

Schedule A (Form 990) is required for most organizations exempt under section 501(c)(3) to demonstrate their status as public charities rather than private foundations. It also helps determine which public support test applies to the organization and whether it passes the test.

Use Schedule A to:

Select the applicable public charity classification (e.g., 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3))
Complete a multi-year support test (typically 5 years)
Report gifts, grants, membership dues, investment income, and program revenue
Indicate relationships with supported organizations (for Type III support orgs)

The IRS uses this information to confirm public support percentage thresholds and determine if your organization retains public charity status or is treated as a private foundation.

Public Charity Status and Public Support
Part I Reason for Public Charity Status (All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions.
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 12, check only one box.)
1	A church, convention of churches, or association of churches described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(i).
2	A school described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii). (Attach Schedule E (Form 990 or 990-EZ).)
3	A hospital or a cooperative hospital service organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii).
4	A medical research organization operated in conjunction with a hospital described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii). Enter the hospital’s name, city, and state:
5	An organization operated for the benefit of a college or university owned or operated by a governmental unit described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6	A federal, state, or local government or governmental unit described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(v).
7	An organization that normally receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or from the general public described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). (Complete Part II.)
8	A community trust described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). (Complete Part II.)
9	An agricultural research organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ix) operated in conjunction with a land-grant college or university or a non-land-grant college of agriculture (see instructions). Enter the name, city, and state of the college or university:
10	An organization that normally receives: (1) more than % of its support from contributions, membership fees, and gross receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than % of its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
11	An organization organized and operated exclusively to test for public safety. See section 509(a)(4).
12	An organization organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of, to perform the functions of, or to carry out the purposes of one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2). See section 509(a)(3). Check the box in lines 12a through 12d that describes the type of supporting organization and complete lines 12e, 12f, and 12g.
a	Type I. A supporting organization operated, supervised, or controlled by its supported organization(s), typically by giving the supported organization(s) the power to regularly appoint or elect a majority of the directors or trustees of the supporting organization. You must complete Part IV, Sections A and B.
b	Type II. A supporting organization supervised or controlled in connection with its supported organization(s), by having control or management of the supporting organization vested in the same persons that control or manage the supported organization(s). You must complete Part IV, Sections A and C.
c	Type III functionally integrated. A supporting organization operated in connection with, and functionally integrated with, its supported organization(s) (see instructions). You must complete Part IV, Sections A, D, and E.
d	Type III non-functionally integrated. A supporting organization operated in connection with its supported organization(s) that is not functionally integrated. The organization generally must satisfy a distribution requirement and an attentiveness requirement (see instructions). You must complete Part IV, Sections A and D, and Part V.
e	Check this box if the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II, Type III functionally integrated, or Type III non-functionally integrated supporting organization.
f	Enter the number of supported organizations
g	Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization		(ii) EIN	(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1–10 above (see instructions))	(iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document?		(v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions)		(vi) Amount of other support (see instructions)
				Yes	No
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Total
Part II Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ▸		(a) 2012	(b) 2013	(c) 2014		(d) 2015	(e) 2016		(f) Total
1	Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any “unusual grants.”)
2	Tax revenues levied for the organization’s benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf
3	The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge
4	Total. Add lines 1 through 3
5	The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds % of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)
6	Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ▸		(a) 2012	(b) 2013	(c) 2014		(d) 2015	(e) 2016		(f) Total
7	Amounts from line 4
8	Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources
9	Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on
10	Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.)
11	Total support. Add lines 7 through 10
12	Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions)							12
13	First five years. If the Form 990 is for the organization’s first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a section 501(c)(3) organization, check this box and stop here ▸
14	Public support percentage for 2016 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f))							14	%
15	Public support percentage from 2015 Schedule A, Part II, line 14							15	%
16a	% support test—2016. If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is % or more, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ▸
b	% support test—2015. If the organization did not check a box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is % or more, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ▸
17a	%-facts-and-circumstances test—2016. If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b, and line 14 is % or more, and if the organization meets the “facts-and-circumstances” test, check this box and stop here. Explain in Part VI how the organization meets the “facts-and-circumstances” test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ▸
b	%-facts-and-circumstances test—2015. If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a, and line 15 is % or more, and if the organization meets the “facts-and-circumstances” test, check this box and stop here. Explain in Part VI how the organization meets the “facts-and-circumstances” test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ▸
18	Private foundation. If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a, or 17b, check this box and see instructions ▸
Part III Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 10 of Part I or if the organization failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ▸		(a) 2012	(b) 2013	(c) 2014		(d) 2015	(e) 2016		(f) Total
1	Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any “unusual grants.”)
2	Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization’s tax-exempt purpose
3	Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513
4	Tax revenues levied for the organization’s benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf
5	The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge
6	Total. Add lines 1 through 5Total. Add lines 1 through 5
7a	Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons
b	Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $ or % of the amount on line 13 for the year
c	Add lines 7a and 7b
8	Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ▸		(a) 2012	(b) 2013	(c) 2014		(d) 2015	(e) 2016		(f) Total
9	Amounts from line 6
10a	Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources
b	Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975
c	Add lines 10a and 10b
11	Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on
12	Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.)
13	Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)
14	First five years. If the Form 990 is for the organization’s first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a section 501(c)(3) organization, check this box and stop here ▸
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15	Public support percentage for 2016 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))							15	%
16	Public support percentage from 2015 Schedule A, Part III, line 15							16	%
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17	Investment income percentage for 2016 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))							17	%
18	Investment income percentage from 2015 Schedule A, Part III, line 17							18	%
19a	% support tests—2016. If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than %, and line 17 is not more than %, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ▸
b	% support tests—2015. If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than %, and line 18 is not more than %, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ▸
20	Private foundation. If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a, or 19b, check this box and see instructions ▸
Part IV Supporting Organizations (Complete only if you checked a box in line 12 on Part I. If you checked 12a of Part I, complete Sections A and B. If you checked 12b of Part I, complete Sections A and C. If you checked 12c of Part I, complete Sections A, D, and E. If you checked 12d of Part I, complete Sections A and D, and complete Part V.)
Section A. All Supporting Organizations
									Yes	No
1	Are all of the organization’s supported organizations listed by name in the organization’s governing documents? If “No,” describe in Part VI how the supported organizations are designated. If designated by class or purpose, describe the designation. If historic and continuing relationship, explain.							1
2	Did the organization have any supported organization that does not have an IRS determination of status under section 509(a)(1) or (2)? If “Yes,” explain in Part VI how the organization determined that the supported organization was described in section 509(a)(1) or (2).							2
3a	Did the organization have a supported organization described in section 501(c)(4), (5), or (6)? If “Yes,” answer (b) and (c) below.							3a
b	Did the organization confirm that each supported organization qualified under section 501(c)(4), (5), or (6) and satisfied the public support tests under section 509(a)(2)? If “Yes,” describe in Part VI when and how the organization made the determination.							3b
c	Did the organization ensure that all support to such organizations was used exclusively for section 170(c)(2)(B) purposes? If “Yes,” explain in Part VI what controls the organization put in place to ensure such use.							3c
4a	Was any supported organization not organized in the United States (“foreign supported organization”)? If “Yes,” and if you checked 12a or 12b in Part I, answer (b) and (c) below.							4a
b	Did the organization have ultimate control and discretion in deciding whether to make grants to the foreign supported organization? If “Yes,” describe in Part VI how the organization had such control and discretion despite being controlled or supervised by or in connection with its supported organizations.							4b
c	Did the organization support any foreign supported organization that does not have an IRS determination under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or (2)? If “Yes,” explain in Part VI what controls the organization used to ensure that all support to the foreign supported organization was used exclusively for section 170(c)(2)(B) purposes.							4c
5a	Did the organization add, substitute, or remove any supported organizations during the tax year? If “Yes,” answer (b) and (c) below (if applicable). Also, provide detail in Part VI, including (i) the names and EIN numbers of the supported organizations added, substituted, or removed; (ii) the reasons for each such action; (iii) the authority under the organization's organizing document authorizing such action; and (iv) how the action was accomplished (such as by amendment to the organizing document).							5a
b	Type I or Type II only. Was any added or substituted supported organization part of a class already designated in the organization's organizing document?							5b
c	Substitutions only. Was the substitution the result of an event beyond the organization's control?							5c
6	Did the organization provide support (whether in the form of grants or the provision of services or facilities) to anyone other than (i) its supported organizations, (ii) individuals that are part of the charitable class benefited by one or more of its supported organizations, or (iii) other supporting organizations that also support or benefit one or more of the filing organization’s supported organizations? If “Yes,” provide detail in Part VI.							6
7	Did the organization provide a grant, loan, compensation, or other similar payment to a substantial contributor (defined in section 4958(c)(3)(C)), a family member of a substantial contributor, or a % controlled entity with regard to a substantial contributor? If “Yes,” complete Part I of Schedule L (Form 990 or 990-EZ).							7
8	Did the organization make a loan to a disqualified person (as defined in section 4958) not described in line 7? If “Yes,” complete Part I of Schedule L (Form 990 or 990-EZ).							8
9a	Was the organization controlled directly or indirectly at any time during the tax year by one or more disqualified persons as defined in section 4946 (other than foundation managers and organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or (2))? If “Yes,” provide detail in Part VI.							9a
b	Did one or more disqualified persons (as defined in line 9a) hold a controlling interest in any entity in which the supporting organization had an interest? If “Yes,” provide detail in Part VI.							9b
c	Did a disqualified person (as defined in line 9a) have an ownership interest in, or derive any personal benefit from, assets in which the supporting organization also had an interest? If “Yes,” provide detail in Part VI.							9c
10a	Was the organization subject to the excess business holdings rules of section 4943 because of section 4943(f) (regarding certain Type II supporting organizations, and all Type III non-functionally integrated supporting organizations)? If “Yes,” answer 10b below.							10a
b	Did the organization have any excess business holdings in the tax year? (Use Schedule C, Form 4720, to determine whether the organization had excess business holdings.)							10b
11	Has the organization accepted a gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
a	A person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (b) and (c) below, the governing body of a supported organization?							11a
b	A family member of a person described in (a) above?							11b
c	A % controlled entity of a person described in (a) or (b) above? If “Yes” to a, b, or c, provide detail in Part VI.							11c
Section B. Type I Supporting Organizations
									Yes	No
1	Did the directors, trustees, or membership of one or more supported organizations have the power to regularly appoint or elect at least a majority of the organization’s directors or trustees at all times during the tax year? If “No,” describe in Part VI how the supported organization(s) effectively operated, supervised, or controlled the organization’s activities. If the organization had more than one supported organization, describe how the powers to appoint and/or remove directors or trustees were allocated among the supported organizations and what conditions or restrictions, if any, applied to such powers during the tax year.							1
2	Did the organization operate for the benefit of any supported organization other than the supported organization(s) that operated, supervised, or controlled the supporting organization? If “Yes,” explain in Part VI how providing such benefit carried out the purposes of the supported organization(s) that operated, supervised, or controlled the supporting organization.							2
Section C. Type II Supporting Organizations
									Yes	No
1	Were a majority of the organization’s directors or trustees during the tax year also a majority of the directors or trustees of each of the organization’s supported organization(s)? If “No,” describe in Part VI how control or management of the supporting organization was vested in the same persons that controlled or managed the supported organization(s).							1
Section D. All Type III Supporting Organizations
									Yes	No
1	Did the organization provide to each of its supported organizations, by the last day of the fifth month of the organization’s tax year, (i) a written notice describing the type and amount of support provided during the prior tax year, (ii) a copy of the Form 990 that was most recently filed as of the date of notification, and (iii) copies of the organization’s governing documents in effect on the date of notification, to the extent not previously provided?							1
2	Were any of the organization’s officers, directors, or trustees either (i) appointed or elected by the supported organization(s) or (ii) serving on the governing body of a supported organization? If “No,” explain in Part VI how the organization maintained a close and continuous working relationship with the supported organization(s).							2
3	By reason of the relationship described in (2), did the organization’s supported organizations have a significant voice in the organization’s investment policies and in directing the use of the organization’s income or assets at all times during the tax year? If “Yes,” describe in Part VI the role the organization’s supported organizations played in this regard.							3
Section E. Type III Functionally Integrated Supporting Organizations
1	Check the box next to the method that the organization used to satisfy the Integral Part Test during the year (see instructions).
a	The organization satisfied the Activities Test. Complete line 2 below.
b	The organization is the parent of each of its supported organizations. Complete line 3 below.
c	The organization supported a governmental entity. Describe in Part VI how you supported a government entity (see instructions).
									Yes	No
2	Activities Test. Answer (a) and (b) below.
a	Did substantially all of the organization’s activities during the tax year directly further the exempt purposes of the supported organization(s) to which the organization was responsive? If “Yes,” then in Part VI identify those supported organizations and explain how these activities directly furthered their exempt purposes, how the organization was responsive to those supported organizations, and how the organization determined that these activities constituted substantially all of its activities.							2a
b	Did the activities described in (a) constitute activities that, but for the organization’s involvement, one or more of the organization’s supported organization(s) would have been engaged in? If “Yes,” explain in Part VI the reasons for the organization’s position that its supported organization(s) would have engaged in these activities but for the organization’s involvement.							2b
3	Activities Test. Answer (a) and (b) below.
a	Did the organization have the power to regularly appoint or elect a majority of the officers, directors, or trustees of each of the supported organizations? Provide details in Part VI.							3a
b	Did the organization exercise a substantial degree of direction over the policies, programs, and activities of each of its supported organizations? If “Yes,” describe in Part VI the role played by the organization in this regard.							3b
Part V Type III Non-Functionally Integrated 509(a)(3) Supporting Organizations
1	Check here if the organization satisfied the Integral Part Test as a qualifying trust on Nov. 20, 1970 (explain in Part VI). See instructions. All other Type III non-functionally integrated supporting organizations must complete Sections A through E.
Section A - Adjusted Net Income						(A) Prior Year		(B) Current Year (optional
1	Net short-term capital gain				1
2	Recoveries of prior-year distributions				2
3	Other gross income (see instructions)				3
4	Add lines 1 through 3.				4
5	Depreciation and depletion				5
6	Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions)				6
7	Other expenses (see instructions)				7
8	Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6, and 7 from line 4).				8
Section B - Minimum Asset Amount						(A) Prior Year		(B) Current Year (optional
1	Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year):
a	Average monthly value of securities				1a
b	Average monthly cash balances				1b
c	Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets				1c
d	Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c)				1d
e	Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI):
2	Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt-use assets				2
3	Subtract line 2 from line 1d.				3
4	Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter -% of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions).				4
5	Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3)				5
6	Multiply line 5 by .				6
7	Recoveries of prior-year distributions				7
8	Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6)				8
Section C - Distributable Amount								Current Year
1	Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A)						1
2	Enter % of line 1.						2
3	Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A)						3
4	Enter greater of line 2 or line 3.						4
5	Income tax imposed in prior year						5
6	Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions).						6
7	Check here if the current year is the organization’s first as a non-functionally integrated Type III supporting organization (see instructions).
Section D - Distributions								Current Year
1	Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes
2	Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity
3	Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations
4	Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets
5	Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required)
6	Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions.
7	Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6.
8	Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions.
9	Distributable amount for 2016 from Section C, line 6
10	Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount
Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions)				(i) Excess Distributions		(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2016		(iii) Distributable Amount for 2016
1	Distributable amount for 2016 from Section C, line 6
2	Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2016 (reasonable cause required—explain in Part VI). See instructions.
3	Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2016:
a
b
c	From 2013
d	From 2014
e	From 2015
f	Total of lines 3a through e
g	Applied to underdistributions of prior years
h	Applied to 2016 distributable amount
i	Carryover from 2011 not applied (see instructions)
j	Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f.
4	Distributions for 2016 from Section D, line 7: $
a	Applied to underdistributions of prior years
b	Applied to 2016 distributable amount
c	Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4.
5	Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2016, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. For result greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions.
6	Remaining underdistributions for 2016. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. For result greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions.
7	Excess distributions carryover to 2017. Add lines 3j and 4c.
8	Breakdown of line 7:
a
b	Excess from 2013
c	Excess from 2014
d	Excess from 2015
e	Excess from 2016
Part VI Supplemental Information. Provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; Part III, line 12; Part IV, Section A, lines 1, 2, 3b, 3c, 4b, 4c, 5a, 6, 9a, 9b, 9c, 11a, 11b, and 11c; Part IV, Section B, lines 1 and 2; Part IV, Section C, line 1; Part IV, Section D, lines 2 and 3; Part IV, Section E, lines 1c, 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b; Part V, line 1; Part V, Section B, line 1e; Part V, Section D, lines 5, 6, and 8; and Part V, Section E, lines 2, 5, and 6. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions.)

The two primary public support tests are:

509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi): Requires at least 33⅓% of support from public sources (gifts, grants, contributions).
509(a)(2): Combines public support with income from program services, requiring a similar 33⅓% threshold but limiting investment income and unrelated business revenue.

If you fail to meet the public support test for two consecutive years, your organization may be reclassified as a private foundation.

Last reviewed: 2025-10-26: If you believe this form requires an update, please contact us.

Completing Schedule A accurately is vital to maintain public charity status. Use our Schedule A Calculator to test support levels before filing. This helps avoid loss of public charity status and prepares you for any IRS queries.

Refer to the IRS Schedule A Instructions for in-depth guidance and examples tailored to your support category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I estimate the General Business Credit?

Start with Form 3800 and then reflect the credit here.

How much would a 401(k) contribution change my net?

Model it with the 401(k) Calculator then rerun this page with your pre-tax amount.

Considering an IRS Offer in Compromise?

Read through Form 656-B to understand eligibility and steps.

What does FICA include?

FICA includes Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes withheld from employee wages.

Is there a quick pay-frequency comparison?

Yes—switch frequency on this page; for employer filings see 941 vs 944.

Important Notes

All calculations are estimates for guidance only. Always review your return and consider professional advice when submitting official filings.