Form 5227: Split-Interest Trust Information Return
Published November 7, 2026
Form 5227 is the information return for a split-interest trust. A split-interest trust pays some interests to charity and some to other people. It received property for which a charitable deduction was allowed. The form reports the trust's financial activity. It also gives information about charitable deductions and distributions. It helps decide whether the trust is treated as a private foundation for certain excise taxes.
This post is general information from the 2025 edition of Form 5227 and its instructions. It does not say how a particular trust should be set up or reported.
Who must file
The instructions say all charitable remainder trusts described in section 664 must file Form 5227. A charitable remainder trust is also called a section 664 trust. Pooled income funds described in section 642(c)(5) must file too.
Other split-interest trusts must file as well. Charitable lead trusts are one example, if they meet the requirements in the instructions.
What makes a trust a split-interest trust
The instructions describe a split-interest trust in three parts. It is not exempt under section 501(a). It has some unexpired interests for purposes other than charitable purposes. It has amounts transferred in trust after May 26, 1969, for which a deduction was allowed under the sections listed in section 4947(a)(2).
The instructions also say these trusts are subject to many of the same rules that apply to private foundations.
What the return reports
The form is organized in parts, and the instructions explain each part in turn. Part I is titled Income and Deductions. Part II is the Schedule of Distributable Income. Other parts cover the trust's distributions and charitable interests. The form also helps determine whether the trust is treated as a private foundation.
Which parts to complete
Some parts apply to one type of trust only. The instructions mark those parts on the form with a note in parentheses.
Parts or lines not marked for one type of trust must be completed by every type of split-interest trust. Parts VII and VIII are the one exception. A charitable remainder or charitable lead trust whose charitable interests involve only cemeteries or war veterans' posts does not complete them. Part VIII covers statements about activities for which Form 4720 may be required. Form 4720 is the return for those chapter 42 excise taxes.
Schedule A
Schedule A reports three kinds of information for certain trusts. These are accumulations of income for charitable remainder trusts. They are distributions to noncharitable beneficiaries. They are information about donors and the assets contributed that year.
The instructions say Form 5227 is open to public inspection. Schedule A is not.
When to file
- For calendar year 2025, the instructions set the due date as April 15, 2026.
- For a final short-year period, the return is due by the 15th day of the fourth month after the trust terminates.
- To request an automatic extension, file Form 8868 by the due date of the return.
Where and how to file
The instructions say a filer who must file at least 10 returns of any type in a calendar year must file electronically. Those returns include information, income tax, and employment tax returns.
A filer who mails the return from the United States uses the Ogden, Utah address in the instructions. A filer who uses a designated private delivery service, or is outside the United States, uses a different address in the instructions.
Replaced forms and related reading
The form replaces Form 1041-B for charitable remainder trusts. It replaces Form 1041-A for other split-interest trusts. The instructions note these replacements just after the Who Must File section. For a related trust return, see Estate Income and Form 1041: The Basics.
Sources: Sources: IRS, Form 5227, Split-Interest Trust Information Return (2025) (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5227.pdf); Instructions for Form 5227 (2025) (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i5227.pdf) This is general information, not advice about your specific return.
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