Form990-EZ
Click to see list of attachments
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Short Form
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax
Under section 501(c), 527, or 4947(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code
(except black lung benefit trust or private foundation)
bullet Sponsoring organizations of donor advised funds, organizations that operate one or more hospital facilities, and certain controlling organizations as defined in section 512(b)(13) must file Form 990 (see instructions).
All other organizations with gross receipts less than $200,000 and total assets less than $500,000 at the end of the year may use this form.
bulletThe organization may have to use a copy of this return to satisfy state reporting requirements.
OMB No. 1545-1150
2011
Open to Public
Inspection
A
For the 2011 calendar year, or tax year beginning 01-01-2011, and ending 12-31-2011
B
Check if applicable:
C Name of organization
Taxpayers For Common Sense Action
 
Number and street (or P. O. box, if mail is not delivered to street address)651 Pennsylvania Ave SE
  Room/suite
City or town, state or country, and ZIP + 4 Washington, DC20003
D Employer identification number

52-2071292
E Telephone number

(202) 546-8500
F Group Exemption
Number. . bullet  
G Accounting method: Other (specify) bullet   H Check bulletI Website:bulletwww.taxpayer.netJ Tax-Exempt status(check only one)—( 4) bullet(insert no.) or
K Check bullet A Form 990-EZ or Form 990 return is not required though Form 990-N (e-postcard) may be required (see instructions). But if the organization chooses to file a return, be sure to file a complete return.
L Add lines 5b, 6c, and 7b, to line 9 to determine gross receipts; If gross receipts are $200,000 or more, or if total assets (Part II, line 25, column (B) below) are $500,000 or more,file Form 990 instead of Form 990-EZ........... bullet $ 156,006
Part IRevenue, Expenses, and Changes in Net Assets or Fund Balances (see the instructions for Part I.)Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part I...........
VerticalRevenue 1 Contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts received............... 1 155,250
2 Program service revenue including government fees and contracts ............ 2  
3 Membership dues and assessments...................... 3  
4 Investment income........................... 4 756
5a Gross amount from sale of assets other than inventory........ 5a  
b Less: cost or other basis and sales expenses........... 5b 0
c Gain or (loss) from sale of assets other than inventory (Subtract line 5b from line 5a) ...... 5c  
6 Gaming and fundraising events
a Gross income from gaming (attach Schedule G if greater than $15,000) . 6a  
b Gross income from fundraising events (not including $   of contributions
from fundraising events reported on line 1) (attach Schedule G if the
sum of such gross income and contributions exceeds $15,000) 6b 0
c Less: direct expenses from gaming and fundraising events....... 6c 0
d Net income or (loss) from gaming and fundraising events (Add lines 6a and 6b and subtract line 6c) 6d  
7a Gross sales of inventory, less returns and allowances........ 7a  
b Less: cost of goods sold................. 7b 0
c Gross profit or (loss) from sales of inventory (Subtract line 7b from line 7a) ......... 7c  
8 Other revenue (describe in Schedule O) ..................... 8  
9 Total revenue. Add lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5c, 6d, 7c, and 8................. 9 156,006
VerticalExpenses 10 Grants and similar amounts paid (list in Schedule O) ................. 10  
11 Benefits paid to or for members........................ 11  
12 Salaries, other compensation, and employee benefits................ 12  
13 Professional fees and other payments to independent contractors............ 13 37,987
14 Occupancy, rent, utilities, and maintenance................... 14  
15 Printing, publications, postage, and shipping................... 15  
16 Other expenses (describe in Schedule O) .................... 16 55,549
17 Total expenses. Add lines 10 through 16 .................... 17 93,536
VerticalNetAssets 18 Excess or (deficit) for the year (Subtract line 17 from line 9)............ 18 62,470
19 Net assets or fund balances at beginning of year (from line 27, column (A)) (must agree with
end-of-year figure reported on prior year’s return)................ 19 1,126
20 Other changes in net assets or fund balances (explain in Schedule O) .......... 20 1,447
21 Net assets or fund balances at end of year. Combine lines 18 through 20.........Bullet 21 65,043
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the separate instructions.
Cat. No. 10642I Form 990-EZ (2011)
Form 990-EZ (2011)
Page 2
Part IIBalance Sheets (see the instructions for Part II.)Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part II.............

(See the instructions for Part II.)(A) Beginning of year(B) End of year
22Cash, savings, and investments................
2,224
22
127,959
23Land and buildings....................
 
23
 
24Other assets (describe in Schedule O) ..........
 
24
40,000
25Total assets......................
2,224
25
167,959
26
Total liabilities (describe in Schedule O) .............
1,098
26
102,916
27Net assets or fund balances (line 27 of column (B) must agree with line 21)..
1,126
27
65,043
Part IIIStatement of Program Service Accomplishments (see the instructions for Part III.) Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part III . Expenses
(Required for section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations and section 4947(a)(1) trusts; optional for others.)
What is the organization's primary exempt purpose? Taxpayers For Common Sense Action (TCSA) is a non-partisan advocate for American taxpayers. TCSA is dedicated to cutting wasteful spending and subsidies in order to achieve a responsible and efficient government that lives within its means. It seeks to transcend partisan and ideological differences, and to reach out to taxpayers of all political persuasions in order to build support for common-sense reforms.
Describe the organization’s program service accomplishments for each of its three largest program services, as measured by expenses. In a clear and concise manner, describe the services provided, the number of persons benefited, and other relevant information for each program title.
28 Public education - Educating the public about government spending and tax policies in an effort to promote citizen advocacy, prevent waste, and improve public policy.
(Grants $ 92,981) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here ...MediumBullet		 28a  
29
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here ...MediumBullet 		29a
30
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here ...MediumBullet 		30a
31 Other program services (describe in Schedule O) ..................
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here...MediumBullet		 31a
32 Total program service expenses (add lines 28a through 31a)..............bullet 32 92,981
Part IV List of Officers, Directors, Trustees, and Key Employees. List each one even if not compensated. (see the instructions for Part IV.)Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part IV..........
(a) Name and title (b) Average
hours per week
devoted to position		 (c)Reportable compensation
(Forms W-2/1099-MISC)
(if not paid, enter -0-) 		(d) Health benefits, contributions to employee benefit plans,
and deferred compensation		 (e) Estimated amount
of other compensation
Ryan Alexander
651 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington,DC20003
 Director0 0    
Marion Edey
651 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington,DC20003
 Director0 0    
Jill Lancelot
651 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington,DC20003
 Director0 0    
Form 990-EZ (2011)
Form 990-EZ (2011)
Page 3
Part VOther Information(Note the Schedule A and personal benefit contract statement requirements in the instructions for Part V.) Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part V
Yes
No
33
Did the organization engage in any significant activity not previously reported to the IRS? If "Yes," provide a detailed description of each activity in Schedule O ...................
33
 
No
34
Were any significant changes made to the organizing or governing documents? If "Yes," attach a conformed copy of the amended documents if they reflect a change to the organization’s name. Otherwise, explain the changeon Schedule O (see instructions). ..........................
34
 
No
35a
Did the organization have unrelated business gross income of $1,000 or more during the year from business activities (such as those reported on lines 2, 6a, and 7a, among others)? ............
35a
 
No
b
If ‘Yes’ to line 35a, has the organization filed a Form 990-T for the year? If ‘No,’ provide an explanation in Schedule O.
35b
 
No
c
Was the organization a section 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), or 501(c)(6) organization subject to section 6033(e) notice, reporting, and proxy tax requirements during the year? If "Yes," complete Schedule C, Part III.
35c
 
No
36
Did the organization undergo a liquidation, dissolution, termination, or significant disposition of net assets during the year? If “Yes,” complete applicable parts of Schedule N ................
36
 
No
37a
Enter amount of political expenditures, direct or indirect, as described in the instructions. bullet
37a
 
b
Did the organization file Form 1120-POL for this year?...................
37b
 
No
38a
Did the organization borrow from, or make any loans to, any officer, director, trustee, or key employee or were
any such loans made in a prior year and still outstanding at the end of the tax year covered by this return?..
38a
 
No
b
If “Yes,” complete Schedule L, Part II and enter the total amount involved .
38b
 
39
Section 501(c)(7) organizations. Enter:
a
Initiation fees and capital contributions included on line 9.......
39a
0
b
Gross receipts, included on line 9, for public use of club facilities.....
39b
0
40a
Section 501(c)(3) organizations. Enter amount of tax imposed on the organization during the year under:
section 4911 bullet   ; section 4912 bullet   ; section 4955 bullet  
b
Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations. Did the organization engage in any section 4958 excess benefittransaction during the year or did it engage in an excess benefit transaction in a prior year that has not been reported on any of its prior Forms 990 or 990-EZ? If “Yes,” complete Schedule L, Part I. ......
40b
 
No
c
Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations. Enter amount of tax imposed on organization managers or disqualified persons during the year under sections 4912, 4955, and 4958...bullet  
d
Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations. Enter amount of tax on line 40c reimbursed by the organization....................bullet  
e
All organizations. At any time during the tax year, was the organization a party to a prohibited tax shelter transaction? If "Yes," complete Form 8886-T. ......................
40e
 
No
41List the states with which a copy of this return is filed. bullet
42aThe organization's books are in care of bulletThe Organization Telephone no. bullet (202) 546-8500
Located at bullet651 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington,DC ZIP + 4bullet20003
b
At any time during the calendar year, did the organization have an interest in or a signature or other authority over a financial account in a foreign country (such as a bank account, securities account, or other financial account)?
Yes
No
42b
 
No
If “Yes,” enter the name of the foreign country: bullet  
See the instructions for exceptions and filing requirements for Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts.
c
At any time during the calendar year, did the organization maintain an office outside the U.S.?
42c
 
No
If “Yes,” enter the name of the foreign country: bullet  
43.......bullet
and enter the amount of tax-exempt interest received or accrued during the tax year....bullet43
 
Yes
No
44a
Did the organization maintain any donor advised funds during the year? If "Yes," Form 990 must be completed instead of
Form 990-EZ.................................
44a
 
No
b
Did the organization operate one or more hospital facilities during the year? If ‘Yes,’ Form 990 must be completedinstead of Form990-EZ.............................
44b
 
No
c
Did the organization receive any payments for indoor tanning services during the year?.........
44c
 
No
d
If 'Yes' to line 44c, has the organization filed a Form 720 to report these payments? If ‘No,’ provide an explanationin Schedule O................................
44d
 
No
45a
Did the organization have a controlled entity within the meaning of
section 512(b)(13)?............................
45a
 
No
45b
Did the organization receive any payment from or engage in any transaction with a controlled entity within the meaning of section 512(b)(13)? If "Yes," Form 990 and Schedule R may need to be completed instead of Form990-EZ (see instructions).....................
45b
 
No
Form 990-EZ (2011)
Form 990-EZ (2011)
Page 4
Yes
No
46
Did the organization engage, directly or indirectly, in political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition tocandidates for public office? If “Yes,” complete Schedule C, Part I. ..............
46
 
No
Part VI
Section 501(c)(3) organizations and section 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trusts only. All section 501(c)(3) organizations and section 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trusts must answer questions 47-49b and 52. Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part VI ...........
Yes
No
47
Did the organization engage in lobbying activities or have a section 501(h) election in effect during the tax year? If "Yes," complete Schedule C, Part II .......................
47
 
 
48
Is the organization a school described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii)? If "Yes," complete Schedule E ....
48
 
 
49a
Did the organization make any transfers to an exempt non-charitable related organization?......
49a
 
 
b
If "Yes," was the related organization a section 527 organization?................
49b
 
 
50
Complete this table for the organization's five highest compensated employees (other than officers, directors, trustees and key employees) who each received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization. If there is none, enter "None."
(a) Name and title of each employee paid more than $100,000 (b) Average
hours per week
devoted to position		 (c) Reportable compensation
(Forms W-2/1099-MISC) 		(d) Health benefits, contributions to employee benefit plans, and deferred compensation (e) Estimated amount of other compensation
NONE
f
Total number of other employees paid over $100,000 .................bullet  

51
Complete this table for the organization's five highest compensated independent contractors who each received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization. If there is none, enter "None."
(a) Name and address of each independent contractor paid more than $100,000 (b) Type of service (c) Compensation
NONE
d
Total number of other independent contractors each receiving over $100,000..........bullet  
52
Did the organization complete Schedule A? NOTE:All Section 501(c)(3) organizations and 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trusts must attach a completed Schedule A .....................
Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return, including accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than officer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge.
Sign Here
JumboBullet
Signature of officer Date
JumboBullet
Type or print name and title
Paid preparer use only
Print/type preparer's name
 
Preparer's signature
Date
PTIN
Firm's name Right pointing arrowhead image

Firm's EIN Right pointing arrowhead image
Firm's address Right pointing arrowhead image



Phone no.
May the IRS discuss this return with the preparer shown above? See instructions .........bullet
Form 990-EZ (2011)

Additional Data


Software ID: 11000144
Software Version: 2011v1.2

Form 990-EZ, Special Condition Description:
Special Condition Description
Schedule B
(Form 990, 990-EZ,
or 990-PF)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Schedule of Contributors
Arrow Bullet Attach to Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2011
Name of organization
Taxpayers For Common Sense Action
 
Employer identification number

52-2071292
Organization type (check one):
Filers of:
Section:
Form 990 or 990-EZ





Form 990-PF




Check if your organization is covered by the General Rule or a Special Rule.  
Note. Only a section 501(c)(7), (8), or (10) organization can check boxes for both the General Rule and a Special Rule. See instructions.
General Rule
Special Rules
......................... Arrow Bullet   $    
Caution. An Organization that is not covered by the General Rule and/or the Special Rules does not file Schedule B (Form 990,
990-EZ, or 990-PF), but it must answer “No” on Part IV, line 2, of its Form 990; or check the box on line H of its
Form 990-EZ or on Part I, line 2, of its Form 990-PF, to certify that it does not meet the filing requirements of Schedule B (Form 990,
990-EZ, or 990-PF).
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions
for Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF.
Cat. No. 30613XSchedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2011)

Page 2
Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2011)
Name of organization
Taxpayers For Common Sense Action
  		Employer identification number

52-2071292
Part I
Contributors (see Instructions). Use duplicate copies of Part I if additional space is needed.
     
(a)
No.		 (b)
Name, address, and ZIP + 4		 (c)
Total contributions		 (d)
Type of contribution
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
 

     
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED  
RESTRICTED, RESTRICTED   RESTRICTED

$RESTRICTED




(Complete Part II if there is a noncash contribution.)
(a)
No.		 (b)
Name, address, and ZIP + 4		 (c)
Total contributions		 (d)
Type of contribution
 
 
 

     
 
   

$  




(Complete Part II if there is a noncash contribution.)
(a)
No.		 (b)
Name, address, and ZIP + 4		 (c)
Total contributions		 (d)
Type of contribution
 
 
 

     
 
   

$  




(Complete Part II if there is a noncash contribution.)
(a)
No.		 (b)
Name, address, and ZIP + 4		 (c)
Total contributions		 (d)
Type of contribution
 
 
 

     
 
   

$  




(Complete Part II if there is a noncash contribution.)
(a)
No.		 (b)
Name, address, and ZIP + 4		 (c)
Total contributions		 (d)
Type of contribution
 
 
 

     
 
   

$  




(Complete Part II if there is a noncash contribution.)
(a)
No.		 (b)
Name, address, and ZIP + 4		 (c)
Total contributions		 (d)
Type of contribution
 
 
 

     
 
   

$  




(Complete Part II if there is a noncash contribution.)
Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2011)

Page 3
Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2011)
Name of organization
Taxpayers For Common Sense Action
  		Employer identification number

52-2071292
Part II
Noncash Property (see Instructions). Use duplicate copies of Part II if additional space is needed.
     
(a) No.
from
Part I		 (b)
Description of noncash property given		 (c)
FMV (or estimate)
(see instructions). 		(d)
Date received
 
$    
(a) No.
from
Part I		 (b)
Description of noncash property given		 (c)
FMV (or estimate)
(see instructions). 		(d)
Date received
 
$    
(a) No.
from
Part I		 (b)
Description of noncash property given		 (c)
FMV (or estimate)
(see instructions). 		(d)
Date received
 
$    
(a) No.
from
Part I		 (b)
Description of noncash property given		 (c)
FMV (or estimate)
(see instructions). 		(d)
Date received
 
$    
(a) No.
from
Part I		 (b)
Description of noncash property given		 (c)
FMV (or estimate)
(see instructions). 		(d)
Date received
 
$    
(a) No.
from
Part I		 (b)
Description of noncash property given		 (c)
FMV (or estimate)
(see instructions). 		(d)
Date received
 
$    
Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2011)

Page 4
Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2011)
Name of organization
Taxpayers For Common Sense Action
  		Employer identification number

52-2071292
Part III
Exclusively religious, charitable, etc., individual contributions to section 501(c)(7), (8), or (10) organizations
that total more than $1,000 for the year. Complete columns (a) through (e) and the following line entry.
For organizations completing Part III, enter the total of exclusively religious, charitable, etc.,
contributions of $1,000 or less for the year. (Enter this information once. See instructions.) Arrow Bullet $  
Use duplicate copies of Part III if additional space is needed
(a) No.
from
Part I		 (b)
Purpose of gift		 (c)
Use of gift		 (d)
Description of how gift is held
 
(e)
Transfer of gift
Transferee's name, address, and ZIP 4 Relationship of transferor to transferee
 
 
       
 
(a) No.
from
Part I		 (b)
Purpose of gift		 (c)
Use of gift		 (d)
Description of how gift is held
 
(e)
Transfer of gift
Transferee's name, address, and ZIP 4 Relationship of transferor to transferee
 
 
       
 
(a) No.
from
Part I		 (b)
Purpose of gift		 (c)
Use of gift		 (d)
Description of how gift is held
 
(e)
Transfer of gift
Transferee's name, address, and ZIP 4 Relationship of transferor to transferee
 
 
       
 
(a) No.
from
Part I		 (b)
Purpose of gift		 (c)
Use of gift		 (d)
Description of how gift is held
 
(e)
Transfer of gift
Transferee's name, address, and ZIP 4 Relationship of transferor to transferee
 
 
       
 
Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2011)

Additional Data


Software ID: 11000144
Software Version: 2011v1.2
SCHEDULE O
(Form 990 or 990-EZ)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ

Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
MediumBullet Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2011
Open to Public
Inspection
Name of the organization
Taxpayers For Common Sense Action
 
Employer identification number

52-2071292
Identifier Return Reference Explanation
Form 990-EZ, Part II, Line 26.1001 Total Liabilities.1001 Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses - Beginning $1098 Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses - Ending $102916
Form 990-EZ, Part II, Line 24.1006 Other Assets.1006 Pledges and Grants Receivable - Beginning $0 Pledges and Grants Receivable - Ending $40000
Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 20.1001 Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances.1001 Net Unrealized Gains and Losses on Investments $1447
Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 16.1001 Other Expenses.1001 Advertising and Promotion $55549
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Cat. No. 51056K
Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2011

Additional Data


Software ID: 11000144
Software Version: 2011v1.2