Dru Stevenson, Professor of Law

IRS Form 990 Filing Requirements for 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Introductory slide from my overview lecture explaining the Form 990 filing obligations for tax‑exempt nonprofit organizations, including annual reporting, compliance duties, and transparency requirement. This post highlights my latest short lecture video on the annual IRS filing requirements for tax‑exempt 501(c)(3) organizations , including the Form 990 series, public‑inspection rules, thresholds, exceptions, penalties, and automatic‑revocation risks. The video provides a concise overview for law students, nonprofit managers, and compliance professionals. Video: https://youtu.be/N-4sZLWfyBk Key Topics Covered in the Video Annual reporting obligations for tax‑exempt charities Form 990, Form 990‑EZ, Form 990‑N (e‑Postcard), and Form 990‑PF Filing thresholds based on gross receipts and assets Public‑inspection and transparency requirements Exceptions for churches and integrated auxiliaries Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) and...

Video Overview This lecture provides an overview of the Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) , specifically tailored for a Law School course on Nonprofit Incorporations . It covers the definition of unrelated trade or business, the risks to 501(c)(3) status, and common statutory exemptions. Key Concepts Covered Definition: Income from a trade or business that is regularly carried on and not substantially related to the organization's exempt purpose. Statutory Exemptions: Volunteer labor, thrift shops, and convenience-based activities (e.g., hospital gift shops). Passive Income: Treatment of dividends, royalties, and real estate rent. Compliance: Thresholds for filing IRS Form 990-T and the current corporate tax rate of 21%. Video Chapters 0:00 - Introduction to UBIT 0:27 - Defining Unrelated Business Income 2:51 - When is Income Considered Unrelated? 3:33 - IRS Factors & Red Flags 4:37 - Examples: Environmental Kits vs. Halfway Houses 7:14 - Statutory Exemptions: Volunt...

Analysis: 2026 U.S. News Law School Rankings and the Rise of Online Legal Education South Texas College of Law Houston continues its upward trajectory in national rankings while emerging as a leader in online JD education. The 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report Law School Rankings, released April 7, 2026, reflect significant shifts in the American legal education landscape. Most notably for the Texas legal community, South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL) has ascended to #128 nationally, representing a 10-spot improvement from its 2025 position (#138). Texas Law School Rankings Overview (2026) School Name 2026 National Rank State Rank University of Texas—Austin #15 1 Texas A&M University #38 (tie) 2 Southern Methodist University (SMU) #38 (tie) 2 University of Houston #54 4 Baylor University #82 5 Texas Tech University #95 6 South Texas College of Law...