Muso Inc
Muso Inc. faces significant deficit spending in recent years despite zero reported officer compensation.
EIN: 203171837 · San Francisco, CA · NTEE: Q30 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Muso Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Muso Inc directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Muso Inc
Muso Inc (EIN: 203171837) is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, CA, classified under NTEE code Q30. The organization reported total revenue of $17.0M and total assets of $7.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Muso Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Muso Inc is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 29.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $9.5M |
| Total Expenses | $21.6M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-12,111,650 |
| Total Assets | $9.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.9M |
| Net Assets | $7.1M |
| Operating Margin | -128.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 21.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 5.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Muso Inc reported a deficit of $12.1M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 5.0 months of operating reserves (adequate), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 21.1% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Muso Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -16.3% | +22.2% | -57.2% |
| 2022 | -60.7% | +38.6% | -19.3% |
| 2021 | +120.6% | +17.0% | +151.9% |
| 2020 | +13.4% | +61.8% | +36.2% |
| 2019 | +97.8% | +12.9% | +152.2% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2005 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Muso Inc with a Mission Score of 70 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Muso Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $12.1M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 21.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Muso Inc. consistently reports 0% for officer compensation across all available filings, indicating a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than executive salaries.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Muso Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent deficit spending in recent periods (2022 and 2023)
- Significant decline in assets from $20,992,988 in 2022 to $8,980,224 in 2023
- Revenue in 2023 ($9,452,855) is less than half of expenses ($21,564,505)
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Muso Inc:
- Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating strong financial stewardship regarding executive pay.
- Historically strong revenue growth in earlier periods, demonstrating fundraising capacity.
- Maintained substantial assets in previous years, providing a buffer for recent deficits.
Frequently Asked Questions about Muso Inc
Is Muso Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Muso Inc (EIN: 203171837) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Muso Inc spend its money?
Muso Inc directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Muso Inc tax-deductible?
Muso Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 203171837). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Muso Inc. financially sustainable given its recent deficit spending?
Muso Inc. has experienced significant deficit spending in 2022 and 2023, with expenses exceeding revenue by $6,353,841 and $12,111,650 respectively. This trend raises concerns about long-term financial sustainability if not reversed.
What caused the substantial decrease in assets from 2022 to 2023?
The organization's assets decreased from $20,992,988 in 2022 to $8,980,224 in 2023, a reduction of over $12 million. This decline is directly correlated with the significant deficit spending in 2023, where expenses ($21,564,505) far outstripped revenue ($9,452,855).
How does Muso Inc. fund its operations when expenses exceed revenue?
When expenses exceed revenue, as seen in 2022 and 2023, Muso Inc. appears to be drawing upon its accumulated assets or prior year surpluses to cover operational costs. For example, the $12.1 million deficit in 2023 was largely absorbed by a reduction in assets.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Muso Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Muso Inc's revenue has grown by 2177.1%, moving from $415K to $9.5M. Total assets increased by 7606.6% over the same period, from $117K to $9.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 6192.1%, from $343K to $21.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Muso Inc reported a deficit of $12.1M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1.9M in liabilities against $9.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 21.1%), resulting in net assets of $7.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $9.5M | $21.6M | $9.0M | $1.9M | — | — |
| 2022 | $11.3M | $17.6M | $21.0M | $1.8M | — | — |
| 2021 | $28.7M | $12.7M | $26.0M | $464K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $13.0M | $10.9M | $10.3M | $780K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $11.5M | $6.7M | $7.6M | $179K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $5.8M | $6.0M | $3.0M | $369K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $5.5M | $4.7M | $3.1M | $272K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $4.4M | $4.3M | $2.2M | $214K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $2.0M | $1.7M | $1.8M | $2K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.3M | $918K | $1.7M | $6K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $708K | $593K | $189K | $1K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $455K | $476K | $109K | $31K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $415K | $343K | $117K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $9.5M, expenses of $21.6M, and assets of $9.0M (revenue -16.3% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $11.3M, expenses of $17.6M, and assets of $21.0M (revenue -60.7% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $28.7M, expenses of $12.7M, and assets of $26.0M (revenue +120.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $13.0M, expenses of $10.9M, and assets of $10.3M (revenue +13.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $11.5M, expenses of $6.7M, and assets of $7.6M (revenue +97.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $5.8M, expenses of $6.0M, and assets of $3.0M (revenue +5.3% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $5.5M, expenses of $4.7M, and assets of $3.1M (revenue +26.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.4M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $2.2M (revenue +115.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $1.8M (revenue -13.5% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $918K, and assets of $1.7M (revenue +230.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $708K, expenses of $593K, and assets of $189K (revenue +55.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $455K, expenses of $476K, and assets of $109K (revenue +9.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $415K, expenses of $343K, and assets of $117K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Muso Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Muso Inc is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.