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Filing Process

Form 1023 vs. Form 1023-EZ: Which Application Fits?

Published July 12, 2026

Form 1023-EZ is available only to organizations that can answer No to every current IRS Eligibility Worksheet question; organizations that cannot must use Form 1023.

The decision boundary

The choice depends on the complete current IRS Eligibility Worksheet, not only the revenue and asset limits.

Complete the official Eligibility Worksheet

Answer every question in the current official worksheet. Any Yes answer means the organization cannot use Form 1023-EZ.

Excluded organizations and circumstances

The worksheet covers entity type, financial limits, organizational history, activities, relationships, and other circumstances that may require Form 1023. Review every category in the official worksheet.

What to do when an answer is uncertain

Review the official instructions and seek professional advice appropriate to the organization’s facts before choosing an application.

Federal eligibility requirements verified July 18, 2026; review by August 16, 2026 or sooner if the cited IRS instructions change.

Read the Form 1023-EZ application guide.

Ready to file your Form 1023-EZ?

Answer a guided questionnaire, prepare every Pay.gov answer, and follow the filing screen by screen.

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