FAQs

Change in Purpose While Tax Exempt Application is Pending

Question:  What if purposes or programs change after an application is submitted?

Answer: If the organization’s organizing documents, purposes, or programs change while the IRS is considering an application, you should report the change in writing to the office processing your application.  If you do not know the office that is processing your exemption application, contact Exempt Organizations Customer Account Services.

Because material changes in a charity’s structure or activities may affect its tax-exempt or public charity status, organizations should report such changes to the IRS Exempt Organizations Division.  See procedures for reporting changes for a complete discussion

2014-08-08T20:29:07-07:00February 28th, 2014|FAQs|0 Comments

How Do I Learn More about the Tax Exempt Application Process?

Question:  Where can I get more information about how an organization can apply for exemption from federal income tax?

Answer:  The following IRS materials provide more information about the application process:

2016-12-19T21:45:48-07:00February 26th, 2014|FAQs|0 Comments

Deductions for Contributions Made to a Charity before Its Tax-exemption Application is Approved

Question:  My Arizona nonprofit corporation filed its IRS Form 1023 and applied to the IRS to become a tax-exempt charitable organization.  We understand that the current average time for the IRS to approve an application for tax-exempt status is sixteen months.  Can we tell prospective donors that their contributions to our charity while its tax-exempt application is pending are tax deductible on their IRS Form 1040s?

Answer:  “Yes, but your organization should include the warning that contributions are tax deductible so long as the organization actually gets its tax exemption.

When the IRS approves a timely filed exemption application, exempt status is recognized back to the date the organization was created. Thus, while an application is pending, the organization can treat itself as exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3).  For example, it must file Form 990 (instead of an income tax return) while its application is pending.  However, contributors to the organization do not have advance assurance of deductibility because the organization’s exemption is pending.  If the organization ultimately qualifies for exemption for the period in which the contribution is made, the contribution will be tax-deductible by the donor.  Alternatively, if the organization ultimately does not qualify for exemption, then the contribution will not be tax deductible.

2018-01-14T10:38:14-07:00October 6th, 2013|Applications for Exemption, FAQs|0 Comments

How Long is the IRS Taking to Approve Form 1023 Applications for Exemption?

Question:  If my nonprofit corporation files its IRS Form 1023 today, how long will it take before the IRS issues a letter approving the corporation as a tax-exempt Section 501(c) charitable organization?

Answer:  See the the IRS’ web page called “Where Is My Exemption Application?” to determine how far behind the IRS is in reviewing applications for tax-exemption.  We know of organizations that have received favorable IRS determination letters as quickly as six weeks and as long as two years after submitting applications for tax exemption.

2018-01-14T10:38:15-07:00October 4th, 2013|Applications for Exemption, FAQs|0 Comments

Does My Nonprofit Need to File an IRS Form 990 While Waiting for Tax Exempt Status?

Question:  Our nonprofit corporation filed its IRS Form 1023 many months ago and has not yet been approved as a tax-exempt charity by the IRS.  Does the corporation have to file its tax return on IRS Form 990?

Yes:  A nonprofit corporation that seeks to become a 501(c)3) tax-exempt charity must file an IRS form 990 for the period beginning the day the corporation is formed  even if the IRS has not yet approved the corporation’s application for tax exemption.  The tax return must be filed EVEN IF THE CORPORATION DID NOT HAVE ANY INCOME!

If the corporation ultimately gets its tax-exemption, but failed to file Form 990s for three consecutive years, the IRS will automatically revoke the corporation’s tax exemption.

2013-10-05T18:08:48-07:00September 5th, 2013|Applications for Exemption, FAQs|0 Comments
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