NFL Requests Exception to Tax Disclosures

The National Football League is asking for an exception to new Form 990 rules that require tax-exempt organizations to disclose the names and salaries of any executives who earn more than $150,000 per year.

The NFL has been disclosing the salary of its top commissioner, but the redesigned Form 990 requires nonprofit organizations to separately list other high executive salaries (see IRS Releases Draft Instructions for Nonprofit Form 990). The league is now asking Congress to intervene so it won't have to provide such detailed disclosures to the IRS, according to the New York Times, but so far it has not found a sponsor in Congress.

Unlike charities that receive tax-deductible donations from individuals, the NFL contends that it is a nonprofit organization financed by professional teams that can request the salary information on their own.

Approximately 25 more people would have to be listed on the NFL's report, and the league does not want to disclose the officials' personal financial information. The NFL did not respond to a request for comment.