Nonprofit · EIN 52-1941122
TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE
Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20003
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $1,808,458 | $1,946,821 | -$138,363 | $2,090,475 | $54,669 | $2,035,806 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $2,145,604 | $1,970,960 | $174,644 | $2,187,743 | $52,328 | $2,135,415 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,791,518
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $16,940
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $662,946
- Other salaries and wages
- $425,999
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,351,901
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $63,693
- Occupancy
- $135,511
- Travel
- $2,950
- Depreciation
- $4,818
- Program services (functional)
- $1,643,151
- Management and general (functional)
- $180,518
- Fundraising (functional)
- $123,152
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $2,187,743
- Total assets, end of year
- $2,090,475
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $54,669
- Net assets, end of year
- $2,035,806
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $2,344
- Publicly traded securities
- $433,596
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $1,429,389
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $606,417
- Gross receipts
- $1,808,458
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 8
- Year formed
- 1995
- State of legal domicile
- DC
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHEN ELLIS | PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $183,645 | $8,600 |
| AUTUMN HANNA | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $182,531 | $7,975 |
| JOSHUA SEWELL | DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND P Highest-paid employee | 40 | $135,389 | $6,250 |
| MICHAEL SURRUSCO | DIRECTOR OF CAMPAIGNS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $132,056 | $6,500 |
| MARK SMITH | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| NAZLIN BHIMJI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| DEV BRAGANZA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIELLE BRIAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN BOWMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| MARION EDEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| MEREDITH MCGEHEE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| CLAUDINE SCHNEIDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH O'LEARY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 13 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHEN ELLIS | PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $172,000 | $17,946 |
| AUTUMN HANNA | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $148,020 | $28,391 |
| JOSHUA SEWELL | DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND POLICY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $113,124 | $17,946 |
| MICHAEL SURRUSCO | DIRECTOR OF CAMPAIGNS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $118,124 | $5,500 |
| MARK SMITH | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| NAZLIN BHIMJI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| DEV BRAGANZA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIELLE BRIAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN BOWMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| MARION EDEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| MEREDITH MCGEHEE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| CLAUDINE SCHNEIDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| ELIZABETH O'LEARY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 651 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE, WASHINGTON, DC 20003-6301
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- STEPHEN ELLIS, 651 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE SE, WASHINGTON, DC 20003
- Signed the 990
- STEPHEN ELLIS, PRESIDENT
- Phone
- (202) 546-8500
- Website
- HTTPS://WWW.TAXPAYER.NET/
- Return prepared by
- SB & COMPANY LLC
Mission
THE MISSION OF TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE (TCS) IS TO ACHIEVE A GOVERNMENT THAT SPENDS TAXPAYER DOLLARS RESPONSIBLY AND OPERATES WITHIN ITS MEANS. WE WORK WITH THE PUBLIC, POLICYMAKERS, AND THE MEDIA TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET; EXPOSE AND ELIMINATE WASTEFUL SUBSIDIES, EARMARKS, AND CORPORATE WELFARE; AND MONITOR DECISIONMAKERS.
Program accomplishments
- AGRICULTURE PROGRAM - TCS EDUCATES THE PUBLIC AND POLICY MAKERS ABOUT FEDERAL AGRICULTURE POLICY; EMPHASIZING REFORMS TO CREATE A COST-EFFECTIVE AND TRANSPARENT SAFETY NET FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS; AND WAYS TO ELIMINATE EXPENSIVE SUBSIDIES AND PROGRAMS THAT WASTE TAXPAYER MONEY. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED FARM BILL POLICY ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WOULD MAXIMIZE THE TAXPAYER BENEFITS OF FEDERAL SUBSIDIES; IMPROVING CROP INSURANCE COMPLIANCE AND REPORTING; MONITORING AND REPORTING CONSERVATION PROGRAM PERFORMANCE; NEW OR EXPANDED SUBSIDIES FOR CORN ETHANOL PRODUCTION AND UNSUSTAINABLE BIOMASS SOURCES; EXPANSION OF FEDERAL MANDATES FOR CORN ETHANOL AND OTHER CORN-DERIVED FUELS; SUBSIDIES THAT ARTIFICIALLY SUPPORT SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES. TCS PRODUCED SUBSTANTIVE POSTS ON ITS WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA, OPINION PIECES IN MEDIA, AND PRODUCED VIDEOS THAT WERE DISTRIBUTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA.Expenses $350,844
- DISASTER AND WILDFIRE -TCS WORKS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE INCREASED COSTS OF DISASTERS AND WILDFIRES AND THE NEED TO REFORM PROGRAMS TO MORE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY SPEND TAXPAYER DOLLARS BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES.Expenses $317,498
- ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM - TCS WORKS TO ENSURE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MANAGES TAXPAYER ASSETS OF PUBLIC LANDS AND WATERS IN A MANNER THAT PROTECTS THEIR VALUE, DELIVERS A FAIR RETURN FROM PRIVATE INTEREST USE, AND AVOIDS LONG TERM LIABILITIES FOR THE TAXPAYER. THIS INCLUDES WORK DOCUMENTING TAXPAYER COSTS AND LIABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND WAYS TO MITIGATE THOSE COSTS WITH LESS BURDEN ON FUTURE TAXPAYERS. TCS EDUCATES THE PUBLIC AND POLICY MAKERS ABOUT ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY, CLIMATE CHABGE IMPACTS AND POLICY, AND WORKS TO ELIMINATE HARMFUL AND WASTEFUL SPENDING THAT CREATES LONG TERM COSTS FOR TAXPAYERS. TCS COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF ENERGY, PUBLIC LANDS, AND RESOURCES ISSUES, PRODUCING AND DISTRIBUTING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS SUCH AS, FEDERAL SUBSIDIES FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOMASS ENERGY; DOE LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM; THE COST OF SPECULATION IN FEDERAL OIL AND GAS LEASES; TCS ROUTINELY PRESENTS COMMENTS ON ADMINISTRATION RULES AND TESTIFIES BEFORE THE HOUSE AND SENATE. REPORTS, FACT SHEETS, AND ANALYSIS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE TCS WEBSITE AND ARE ACTIVELY PROMOTED THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.Expenses $838,334
- Expenses $136,475
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | Not on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 52-1941122
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1996
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Public and societal benefit (W22)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $2,090,475
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,808,458
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2024 | $1,808,458 | $1,946,821 | $2,090,475 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $2,145,604 | $1,970,960 | $2,187,743 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $1,622,430 | $1,795,010 | $1,979,081 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 52-1941122).
Questions about TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE
- What is the EIN of TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE is 52-1941122.
- Is TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1996.
- Are donations to TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
- Who is the principal officer of TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names STEPHEN ELLIS.
- Who are the officers and directors of TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 13 people; 4 received compensation from the organization, the highest $183,645 (STEPHEN ELLIS, PRESIDENT).
- How much revenue does TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $1,808,458, expenses of $1,946,821 and total assets of $2,090,475 at year end.
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