Editorial Note on Part 301
Editorial Note: In the text of this part, integral section references are to sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; decimal section references are to the Code of Federal Regulations. References in the text to the “Code” are references to sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

§ 301.6012-2 Required use of electronic form for income tax returns of certain political organizations. ( a ) *Income tax returns of certain political organizations required electronically.* ( 1 ) Any organization required to file an income tax return on Form 1120-POL, *U.S. Income Tax Return for Certain Political Organizations,* under § 1.6012-6 of this chapter must file its income tax return, along with all other related forms, schedules, and statements that are required to be attached to the Form 1120-POL, including amended and superseding returns, electronically if the organization is required by the Internal Revenue Code or regulations to file at least 10 returns of any type (as defined in paragraph (d)(2) of this section) during the calendar year.
( 2 ) The Commissioner may direct the type of electronic filing and may also exempt certain returns from the electronic requirements of this section through revenue procedures, publications, forms, instructions, or other guidance, including postings on the *IRS.gov* website. Returns filed electronically must be made in accordance with the applicable revenue procedures, publications, forms, instructions, or other guidance.
( b ) *Exclusions from electronic-filing requirements* — ( 1 ) *Waivers.* The Commissioner may grant waivers of the requirements of this section in cases of undue hardship. One principal factor in determining hardship will be the amount, if any, by which the cost of filing the return electronically in accordance with this section exceeds the cost of filing the return on paper. A request for a waiver must be made in accordance with applicable IRS revenue procedures, publications, forms, instructions, or other guidance, including postings to the *IRS.gov* website. The waiver request will specify the type of filing (that is, a return required under § 1.6012-6 of this chapter) and the period to which it applies.
( 2 ) *Exemptions.* The Commissioner may provide exemptions from the requirements of this section to promote effective and efficient tax administration. A submission claiming an exemption must be made in accordance with applicable IRS revenue procedures, publications, forms, instructions, or other guidance, including postings to the *IRS.gov* website.
( 3 ) *Additional exclusion.* If the IRS's systems do not support electronic filing, taxpayers will not be required to file electronically.
( c ) *Failure to file.* If an organization fails to file an income tax return electronically when required to do so by this section, the organization has failed to file the return. See section 6651 for the addition to tax for failure to file a return. In determining whether there is reasonable cause for failure to file the return, § 301.6651-1(c) and rules similar to the rules in § 301.6724-1(c)(3) (undue economic hardship related to filing information returns electronically) will apply.
( d ) *Meaning of terms.* The following definitions apply for purposes of this section: ( 1 ) *Magnetic media or electronic form.* The terms *magnetic media or electronic form* mean any media or form permitted under applicable regulations, revenue procedures, or publications. These generally include electronic filing, as well as magnetic tape, tape cartridge, diskette, and other media specifically permitted under the applicable regulations, procedures, publications, forms, instructions, or other guidance.
( 2 ) *Income tax return for certain political organizations.* The term *income tax return for certain political organizations* means a Form 1120-POL, *U.S. Income Tax Return for Certain Political Organizations,* along with all other related forms, schedules, and statements that are required to be attached to the Form 1120-POL, including amended and superseding returns.
( 3 ) *Calculating the number of returns.* For purposes of this section, an organization is required to file at least 10 returns if, during the calendar year ending with or within the organization's taxable year, the organization is required to file at least 10 returns of any type, including information returns (for example, Forms W-2 and Forms 1099), income tax returns, employment tax returns, and excise tax returns. In the case of a short-period return, an organization is required to file at least 10 returns if, during the calendar year in which the organization's short taxable year ends, the organization is required to file at least 10 returns of any type, including information returns (for example, Forms W-2 and Forms 1099), income tax returns, employment tax returns, and excise tax returns.
( e ) *Example.* The following example illustrates the provisions of this section: ( 1 ) During the calendar year ending December 31, 2023, Organization X was required to file one Form 1120-POL, *U.S. Income Tax Return for Certain Political Organizations,* four (quarterly) Forms 8872, *Political Organization Report of Contributions and Expenditures,* two Forms W-2, *Wage and Tax Statement,* one Form 940, *Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return,* and four Forms 941, *Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return.* Because X is required to file 12 returns during the calendar year, X is required to file its Form 1120-POL electronically for its taxable year ending December 31, 2023.
( 2 ) [Reserved]
( f ) *Applicability date.* The rules of this section apply to income tax returns required to be filed for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2023.
[T.D. 9972, 88 FR 11774, Feb. 23, 2023]