(a) In general. Every trust (other than a trust described in paragraph (b) of this section) claiming a charitable or other deduction under section 642(c) for the taxable year shall file, with respect to such taxable year, a return of information on form 1041-A. In addition, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1969, every trust (other than a trust described in paragraph (b) of this section) described in section 4947(a)(2) (including trusts described in section 664) shall file such return for each taxable year, unless all transfers in trust occurred before May 27, 1969. The return shall set forth the name and address of the trust and the following information concerning the trust in such detail as is prescribed by the form or in the instructions issued with respect to such form:

(1) The amount of the charitable or other deduction taken under section 642(c) for the taxable year (and, for taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 1970, showing separately for each class of activity for which disbursements were made (or amounts were permanently set aside) the amounts which, during such year, were paid out (or which were permanently set aside) for charitable or other purposes under section 642(c));

(2) The amount paid out during the taxable year which represents amounts permanently set aside in prior years for which charitable or other deductions have been taken under section 642(c), and separately listing for each class of activity, for which disbursements were made, the total amount paid out;

(3) The amount for which charitable or other deductions have been taken in prior years under section 642(c) and which had not been paid out at the beginning of the taxable year;

(4)(i) The amount paid out of principal in the taxable year for charitable, etc., purposes, and separately listing for each such class of activity, for which disbursements were made, the total amount paid out;

(ii) The total amount paid out of principal in prior years for charitable, etc., purposes;

(5) The gross income of the trust for the taxable year and the expenses attributable thereto, in sufficient detail to show the different categories of income and of expense; and

(6) A balance sheet showing the assets, liabilities, and net worth of the trust as of the beginning of the taxable year.

(b) Exceptions—(1) In general. A trust is not required to file a Form 1041-A for any taxable year with respect to which the trustee is required by the terms of the governing instrument and applicable local law to distribute currently all of the income of the trust. For this purpose, the income of the trust shall be determined in accordance with section 643(b) and §§ 1.643(b)-1 and 1.643(b)-2.

(2) Trusts described in section 4947(a)(1). For taxable years beginning after December 31, 1980, a trust described in section 4947(a)(1) is not required to file a Form 1041-A.

(c) Time and place for filing return. The return on form 1041-A shall be filed on or before the 15th day of the 4th month following the close of the taxable year of the trust, with the internal revenue officer designated by the instructions applicable to such form. For extensions of time for filing returns under this section, see § 1.6081-1.

(d) Other provisions. For publicity of information on Form 1041-A, see section 6104 and the regulations thereunder in part 301 of this chapter. For provisions relating to penalties for failure to file a return required by this section, see section 6652(d). For the criminal penalties for a willful failure to file a return and filing a false or fraudulent return, see sections 7203, 7206, and 7207.