Form990EZ


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 private foundations)
bullet Do not enter social security numbers on this form as it may be made public.


bullet Go to www.irs.gov/Form990EZ for instructions and the latest information.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2021
Open to Public
Inspection
A
For the 2021 calendar year, or tax year beginning 01-01-2021, and ending 12-31-2021
B
Check if applicable:
C Name of organization
CONSUMERS FOR AUTO RELIABILITY AND SAFETY
 
Number and street (or P. O. box, if mail is not delivered to street address)1107 NINTH STREET STE 560
  Room/suite
City or town, state or province, country, and ZIP or foreign postal code Sacramento, CA958143618
D Employer identification number

94-3256921
E Telephone number

F Group Exemption
Numberbullet  
G Accounting Method: Other (specify) bullet   H Check bulletI Website:bulletcarconsumers.orgJ Tax-exempt status (check only one) - ( 4) bullet (insert no.) or
K Form of organization:  
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, column (B) below) are $500,000 or more, file Form 990 instead of Form 990-EZ ...........................bullet $ 96,936
Part Ⅰ
Revenue, 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 96,685
2 Program service revenue including government fees and contracts ................ 2  
3 Membership dues and assessments ............................. 3  
4 Investment income .................................... 4  
5a Gross amount from sale of assets other than inventory ....... 5a 251
b Less: cost or other basis and sales expenses ............ 5b  
c Gain or (loss) from sale of assets other than inventory (Subtract line 5b from line 5a) ...... 5c 251
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  
c Less: direct expenses from gaming and fundraising events ... 6c  
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  
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 .............. Bullet 9 96,936
.
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 54,301
14 Occupancy, rent, utilities, and maintenance ................... 14 15,586
15 Printing, publications, postage, and shipping ................... 15 513
16 Other expenses (describe in Schedule O) ................... 16 2,193
17 Total expenses. Add lines 10 through 16 ................. Bullet 17 72,593
VerticalNetAssets 18 Excess or (deficit) for the year (Subtract line 17 from line 9) ............ 18 24,343
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 11,815
20 Other changes in net assets or fund balances (explain in Schedule O) ........... 20  
21 Net assets or fund balances at end of year. Combine lines 18 through 20 .......... 21 36,158
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the separate instructions.
Cat. No. 10642I Form 990-EZ (2021)
Form 990-EZ (2021)
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.................

(A) Beginning of year(B) End of year
22Cash, savings, and investments................
11,815
22
36,158
23Land and buildings....................
0
23
0
24Other assets (describe in Schedule O) ..........
0
24
0
25Total assets......................
11,815
25
36,158
26
Total liabilities (describe in Schedule O) .............
0
26
0
27Net assets or fund balances (line 27 of column (B) must agree with line 21)
11,815
27
36,158
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; optional for others.)
What is the organization's primary exempt purpose? SEE SCHEDULE O
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 SEE SCHEDULE O
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here ...MediumBullet		 28a 63,706
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 63,706
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
ROSEMARY SHAHAN  
 
PRESIDENT 		45.00 45,000 0 0
SUSAN WOODS  
 
TREASURER 		1.00 0 0 0
BERNARD BROWN  
 
SECRETARY 		1.00 0 0 0
Form 990-EZ (2021)
Form 990-EZ (2021)
Page 3
Part Ⅴ
Other 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
 
 
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
 
b
Gross receipts, included on line 9, for public use of club facilities.....
39b
 
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), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(29) organizations. Did the organization engage in any section 4958 excess benefit transaction 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), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(29) organizations. Enter amount of tax imposed on organization managers or disqualified persons during the year under sections 4912, 4955, and 4958bullet  
d
Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(29) organizations. Enter amount of tax on line 40c reimbursed by the organizationbullet  
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
42a The organization's books are in care of bulletROSEMARY SHAHAN
 Telephone no.bullet (530) 759-9440


Located at bullet1107 NINTH STREET Suite 560Sacramento, CA ZIP + 4 bullet958143618
Yes
No
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)? . .
42b
 
No
If “Yes," enter the name of the foreign country: bullet
See the instructions for exceptions and filing requirements for FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR).
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 insteadof 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 Form 990-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
explanation in Schedule O ............................
44d
 
 
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 Form 990-EZ (see instructions)......................
45b
 
No
Form 990-EZ (2021)
Form 990-EZ (2021)
Page 4
Yes
No
46
Did the organization engage, directly or indirectly, in political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office? If “Yes," complete Schedule C, Part I. ...........
46
 
No
Part Ⅵ
Section 501(c)(3) Organizations Only All section 501(c)(3) organizations must answer questions 47- 49b and 52, and complete the tables for lines 50 and 51. 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 as 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 (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
 
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 business address of each independent contractor (b) Type of service (c) Compensation
 
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 must attach a
completed Schedule A ........................................bullet
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 bullet

Firm's EIN bullet
Firm's address bullet



Phone no.
May the IRS discuss this return with the preparer shown above? See instructions .........bullet
Form 990-EZ (2021)

Additional Data


Software ID:  
Software Version:  

Form 990-EZ, Special Condition Description:
Special Condition Description

SCHEDULE O
(Form 990)

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 990-EZ or to provide any additional information.
MediumBullet Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
MediumBullet Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2021
Open to Public
Inspection
Name of the organization
CONSUMERS FOR AUTO RELIABILITY AND SAFETY
 
Employer identification number

94-3256921
Return Reference Explanation
General explanation attachment PART IIIPROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: CARS IS A NATIONAL AWARD WINNING NON-PROFIT AUTO AND SAFETY CONSUMER ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION WORKING TO PREVENT MOTOR-VEHICLE RELATED FATALITIES AND INJURIES AND PROTECT NEW AND USED CAR BUYERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM ECONOMIC LOSSES DUE TO AUTO-RELATED FRAUD AND ABUSE.LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ADVOCACY: CARS ACTIVELY ADVOCATED FOR LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE PROTECTIONS FOR CONSUMERS FROM SERIOUSLY DEFECTIVE VEHICLES, AUTO SCAMS AND OTHER ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES THAT UNSCRUPULOUS AUTO MANUFACTURERS, CAR DEALERS, PREDATORY LENDERS, AND OTHER CORPORATE SCOFFLAWS PERPETRATE. AMONG THE LEGISLATION CARS ADVOCATED FOR OR AGAINST ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST ARE: SENATOR CORTEZ MASTO S766/HORSFORD H.R. 4457-SUPPORT. TO END UNFAIR DOUBLE TAXATION OF CONSUMERS WHO PREVAIL IN COURT AGAINST CORPORATE SCOFFLAWS. SENATORS BLUMENTHAL-MARKEY-WARREN S1835-SUPPORT. TO MAKE IT A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW, ENFORCEABLE BY NHTSA, FOR AUTO DEALERS TO SELL, LEASE, OR LOAN DANGEROUS UNREPAIRED RECALLED USED VEHICLES.BLUMENTHAL-MARKEY-WARREN AUTO SAFETY PACKAGE. SUPPORT, Includes these provisions:1) US Department of Transportation will be authorized to provide grants to states for use in notifying registered vehicle owners about safety recalls (but consumers will still be able to re-register their vehicles, even if recalls have not been performed)2) Early Warning Reporting Systems Improvement Act will improve reporting of auto-related fatalities and injuries to the public.3) Stay Aware For Everyone (SAFE) Act will require the DOT to study how driver-monitoring systems can prevent driver distraction, driver disengagement, complacency from use of automation and misuse of advanced driver-assist systems. Results of the study will lead to rulemaking to mandate the installation of driver-monitoring systems.4) Modernizing Seat Back Safety Act-requires NHTSA to issue rules to prevent seats from collapsing during rear-end collisions, injuring or killing babies, toddlers, and kids riding in the back seat. Autonomous vehicle safety: CARS advocated for improved safety and privacy protections for autonomous vehicles against cyber-attacks and for federal safety and performance standards for autonomous vehicles. CARS opposed federal efforts to allow the sale of massive numbers of self-driving vehicles without the necessary safeguards or the vehicles even having to pass a basic drivers test.Preserving constitutional protections for consumers, freeing harmed workers and consumers to choose to pursuetheir rights in a Court of Law. CARS played an active role in a national coalition to restore workers and consumers rights under the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to fight back in an open, public court of law when they are victims of financial fraud, sexual harassment, racial or gender discrimination, wage theft, or other illegal practices perpetrated by unscrupulous corporations. CARS participated in developing and implementing strategy, amplifying messaging and communications, and educating public about the stakes involved.Other federal legislative activities:CARS also signed onto dozens of letters, along with coalitions of other consumer, civil rights, and economic justice non-profit organizations, to support capping interest rates at 36%, and other actions by Congress and federal agencies to improve protections for consumers, particularly moderate and low-income consumers.California:Successfully Opposing anti-consumer legislation in CaliforniaDefeating Attack on Californias Auto Lemon Law. CARS played a leading role in successfully blocking attempts to drastically weaken Californias Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, also known as the lemon law. The lemon law provides protection from seriously defective vehicles to millions of new and used vehicle purchasers and lessors, including small business owners, self-employed individuals, and members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in or deployed from California. Defeated.NEWMAN SB 623 - OPPOSE. Sponsored by toll agencies. Would have retroactively legalized predatory practices by toll agencies that rake in many millions of dollars in penalties and fees, potentially decimating pending class action lawsuits on behalf of victims. Defeated. UMBERG AB361-OPPOSE. Sponsored by the California New Car Dealers Association. Would have eliminated the longstanding requirement that auto sales and leasing contracts be done on paper, with a wet signature, without adding any safeguards to help reduce the risks of abuse, which are rampant in states that allow e-contracting. Defeated.Joining Coalition Partners to help support passage of pro-consumer legislation in CASANTIAGO AB 1177-SUPPORT. the California Public Banking Option Act. Major step toward offering voluntary, zero-fee, zero-penalty, federally insured transaction accounts-known as CalAccounts-and providing basic financial transactions designed to serve the needs of individuals with low or fluctuating income. Passed. CABALLERO SB 28-SUPPORT Helps close loopholes for internet/broadband, improving access, including in rural areas of the state. Passed.WIECKOWSKI SB 346-SUPPORT. Sponsored by the Consumer Federation of California. Would provide basic privacy protections against video surveillance in motor vehicles. Vetoed.NEW YORKSkoufis/Zebrowski S.1734-A/A.394-A-SUPPORT. These bills are named for Anthony Amoros, a young man who was killed in a crash while driving a car that was missing airbags. Prohibits car dealers from selling vehicles at retail without a functioning air bag. Passed. Exposing Car Dealers Illegal Sales of Unsafe Recalled CarsCARS generated news reports to raise public awareness about car dealers illegal sales of hazardous recalled used cars. CARS provided expert information to news organizations and connected reporters with victims of the illegal practices.Warning the public about CarMaxs deceptive illegal sales of hazardous, seriously defective recalled vehicles, deceptively advertising them as having passed a rigorous 125+ point-inspection and qualifying to be sold as CarMax Quality Certified vehicles, without getting the repairs done to fix deadly safety recall defects, such as brakes that fail, catching on fire, loss of steering, wheels that fall off, hoods that fly up in traffic, and exploding metal Takata airbag housings that are like having a hand grenade go off inside the car.CARS continued to promote a major investigative report by ABCs 20/20 including undercover footage showing sales managers for CarMax falsely claiming thet vehicles were safe, when in fact some had multiple safety defects that led the manufacturers to issue multiple safety recalls. CARS contributed to the report, posted an excerpt on its YouTube channel and has promoted it to the general public. To date, it has received over 778,900 views.In addition, CARS petition on Change.org calling on CarMax to stop selling hazardous unrepaired recalled vehicles has been signed by over 117,000 people. Participating on Board of Directors of Leading Non-profit Consumer OrganizationsConsumer Federation of AmericaCARS President continues to serve as a duly elected member of the Board of Directors of the Consumer Federation of America, an association of non-profit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education. Today nearly 300 of these organizations participate in CFA and govern the organization through their elected representatives on CFAs Board of Directors.Consumer Federation of CaliforniaCARS President continues to serve as a duly elected Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the Consumer Federation of California, a non-profit advocacy organization. Since 1960, CFC has been a powerful voice for consumer rights. CFC campaigns for state and federal laws that place consumer protection ahead of corporate profits. Each year, CFC testifies before the California legislature on dozens of bills that affect millions of our states consumers. CFC also appears before state agencies in support of consumer protection regulations. Consumer Assistance and EducationIn addition to the activities listed above, CARS also: * Provided assistance to more than 115 individual consumers who had been cheated in auto transactions, including being sold unsafe vehicles and vehicles that broke down soon after sale, threatening their safety and/or their ability to work, and sometimes costing them their jobs. * Provided resources and consumer information in multiple languages via CARS website and videos produced by CARS and posted on CARS YouTube channel. One of the videos CARS has produced, about the perils of rigged, one-sided forced arbitration, has been viewed by over 1.3 million people. * Contributed expert information
Description of other expenses Part I line 16 Description AmountD and O INSURANCE 1,473MEMBERSHIP DUES / DONATIONS 675ANNUAL FEES PAID TO CA 45
Part III response or note to any other line in Part III O FOR BOX X
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Cat. No. 51056K
Schedule O (Form 990) 2021


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