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Taxpayers for Common Sense

EIN 52-1941122 · Washington, DC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

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.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
8.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
11
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$192,245, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $350,844 spent. 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.
  2. $317,498 spent. 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.
  3. $838,334 spent. 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.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1996.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.