- Exempt under
- 501(c)(3)[1]
- IRS ruling date
- April 1995[2]
- Publication 78 data
- Listed (PC)[3]
- Total revenue, period ending Jun 2025
- $3,159,117,922[4]
Northeastern University is a tax-exempt organization in Boston, Massachusetts[5], listed by the IRS under section 501(c)(3)[1]. It appears in the IRS Publication 78 data of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions[3].
IRS status
The IRS classifies Northeastern University as an Educational Organization[1]. Its foundation code 11 marks it as a school under section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii),[6]. The IRS deductibility code says contributions are deductible[7], and Publication 78 lists it with status code PC, a public charity[3].
| Item | IRS record |
|---|---|
| EIN[5] | 04-1679980 |
| Location in IRS records[5] | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Exempt under[1] | Section 501(c)(3) |
| IRS classification[1] | Educational Organization |
| Ruling date[2] | April 1995 |
| Foundation code[6] | 11: School 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) |
| Deductibility code[7] | 1: Contributions are deductible |
| Publication 78 data[3] | Listed, status PC |
| NTEE code[8] | B83: Education, Student Sororities, Fraternities |
| Filing requirement[9] | 990 (all other) or 990EZ return |
| Fiscal year ends[10] | June |
| Latest e-filed return[11] | Form 990, tax period ending June 2025 |
| Latest Form 990-N[12] | Tax year 2025 |
Finances as reported to the IRS
On its Form 990 for the tax period ending June 2023, Northeastern University reported total revenue of $2,586,227,003, total expenses of $2,460,539,353 and net assets of $3,720,467,000 at year end[13]. Its revenue lines on that return included program service revenue of $2,184,496,503 and contributions, gifts and grants of $340,098,580[14]. These totals were higher than on its Form 990 for the tax period ending June 2021, which reported total revenue of $2,060,202,511 and total expenses of $1,846,626,305[15]. The IRS master file lists a newer return for the tax period ending June 2025, with total revenue of $3,159,117,922 and total assets of $6,830,808,000[4].
IRS master file, newer period. For the most recent return in the IRS master file, for the tax period ending June 2025, the IRS lists total revenue of $3,159,117,922 and total assets of $6,830,808,000.[4]
- Total revenue
- Total expenses
| Tax period ending | Form | Total revenue | Total expenses | Net assets at year end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2021[15] | Form 990 | $2,060,202,511 | $1,846,626,305 | $2,740,560,000 |
| June 2023[13] | Form 990 | $2,586,227,003 | $2,460,539,353 | $3,720,467,000 |
Totals as reported on each return. The IRS publishes these extracts one to two years after filing.
Balance sheet, tax period ending June 2023
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total assets[16] | $5,973,617,000 |
| Total liabilities[16] | $2,253,150,000 |
| Net assets or fund balances[16] | $3,720,467,000 |
Employees. Northeastern University reported 22,569 employees on Form W-3 for calendar year ending with or within the tax period ending June 2023 (Form 990, Part V, line 2a).[17]
Compensation over $100,000. On the Form 990 for the tax period ending June 2023, Northeastern University reported 1,971 individuals who received more than $100,000 of reportable compensation from the organization (Part VII, line 2).[18]
Form 990 checklist. In the Form 990 checklist (Part IV) for the tax period ending June 2023, Northeastern University answered yes to: it operated a school; it engaged in lobbying activities; it had an office outside the United States.[19]
Questions people ask
- What is the EIN of Northeastern University?
- The IRS lists Northeastern University with employer identification number 04-1679980[5].
- Is Northeastern University a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as exempt under section 501(c)(3), classification Educational Organization[1]. Its foundation code shows it as a school under section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii)[6].
- Are donations to Northeastern University tax-deductible?
- The IRS deductibility code for Northeastern University says contributions are deductible[7]. It also appears in the Publication 78 data of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions[3].
- Where is Northeastern University located?
- The IRS master file lists it in Boston, Massachusetts[5].
Facts and sources
- The IRS lists Northeastern University as exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, classification: Educational Organization. IRS EO Business Master File
- The ruling date in the IRS master file (the month and year of the IRS letter recognizing the exemption) is April 1995. IRS EO Business Master File
- Northeastern University (EIN 04-1679980) appears in the IRS Publication 78 data, the list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions, with status code PC (A public charity, deductibility limitation 50% (60% for cash contributions)). IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search data
- For the most recent return in the IRS master file, for the tax period ending June 2025, the IRS lists total revenue of $3,159,117,922 and total assets of $6,830,808,000. IRS EO Business Master File
- The IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File lists Northeastern University with employer identification number (EIN) 04-1679980, located in Boston, Massachusetts. IRS EO Business Master File
- IRS foundation code 11 for Northeastern University: School 170(b)(1)(A)(ii). IRS EO Business Master File
- IRS deductibility code 1 for Northeastern University: Contributions are deductible. IRS EO Business Master File
- The IRS master file assigns Northeastern University the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) code B83: Education, Student Sororities, Fraternities. IRS EO Business Master File
- IRS filing requirement code 01 for Northeastern University: 990 (all other) or 990EZ return. IRS EO Business Master File
- Northeastern University's accounting period (fiscal year) ends in June, according to the IRS master file. IRS EO Business Master File
- The IRS Form 990 series e-file data released in 2026 includes a Form 990 from Northeastern University for the tax period ending June 2025. IRS Form 990 e-file data
- The latest Form 990-N (e-Postcard) in IRS data for EIN 04-1679980 is for tax year 2025. IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search data
- On its Form 990 for the tax period ending June 2023, Northeastern University reported total revenue $2,586,227,003, total expenses $2,460,539,353, net assets or fund balances at year end $3,720,467,000. IRS SOI Form 990 extracts
- Revenue lines on the Form 990 for the tax period ending June 2023: contributions, gifts and grants $340,098,580 (Part VIII, line 1h); program service revenue $2,184,496,503 (Part VIII, line 2g); investment income $41,409,865 (Part VIII, line 3); total revenue $2,586,227,003 (Part VIII, line 12). IRS SOI Form 990 extracts
- On its Form 990 for the tax period ending June 2021, Northeastern University reported total revenue $2,060,202,511, total expenses $1,846,626,305, net assets or fund balances at year end $2,740,560,000. IRS SOI Form 990 extracts
- Balance sheet at the end of the tax period ending June 2023 (Form 990, Part X): total assets $5,973,617,000, total liabilities $2,253,150,000, net assets or fund balances $3,720,467,000. IRS SOI Form 990 extracts
- Northeastern University reported 22,569 employees on Form W-3 for calendar year ending with or within the tax period ending June 2023 (Form 990, Part V, line 2a). IRS SOI Form 990 extracts
- On the Form 990 for the tax period ending June 2023, Northeastern University reported 1,971 individuals who received more than $100,000 of reportable compensation from the organization (Part VII, line 2). IRS SOI Form 990 extracts
- In the Form 990 checklist (Part IV) for the tax period ending June 2023, Northeastern University answered yes to: it operated a school; it engaged in lobbying activities; it had an office outside the United States. IRS SOI Form 990 extracts