Tax-exempt organizations must report changes to their name, address, changes to their articles and bylaws, and major operational changes to the IRS.
The IRS has debuted a new and improved exempt organization search page. Â Previously, the public could use the IRS’ Select Check tool to lookup an organization by name or EIN. However, Select Check only permitted confirmation of an organization’s tax-exempt status and whether the organization was a public charity or private foundation.Â
The IRS has issued a new Form 1024-A, Application for Recognition of Exemption under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code for an organization that chooses to apply for recognition of exempt status under Section 501(c)(4).
The IRS has revised Form 1023-EZ, Streamlined Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and its instructions which went into effect January 10, 2018. The $275 1023-EZ user fee remains the same. The changes are designed to reduce filing errors and increase compliance with respect to those eligible to file Form 1023-EZ. Form 1023-EZ filers must now complete the following:
he Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1 ) is on its way to the White House for President Trump’s expected signature before the weekend. The bill is set to bring about widespread changes to the US tax code for both businesses and individual Americans. However, it also impacts tax-exempt organizations.Â
On September 28, 2017, the IRS Tax Exempt and Government Entities division released its FY 2018 work plan. Of interest to nonprofits and their advisors, the IRS is planning to make changes to Form 1023-EZ early in 2018. These changes are in response to the concerns of stakeholders regarding whether the 1023-EZ process requires too little information.
The Johnson Amendment ensures that 501(c)(3) organizations remain above the political fray by withholding exempt status (or revoking it) from organizations that engage in any amount of political activity. Requiring 501(c)(3) organizations to abstain from involvement in political activity ensures that they are able to remain dedicated to their missions without the distraction and divisiveness that partisan politics creates.
To reduce the risk to the tax-exempt organization, the tax-exempt partner should exercise sufficient power and control over the joint venture’s activities to ensure the joint venture operates in furtherance of its tax-exempt purposes. Tax-exempt organizations must be particularly careful when entering into joint ventures structured as partnerships or LLCs because the IRS attributes the activities of such entities to its owners.
Many tax-exempt organizations in Washington are still subject to business and occupation tax at both the state and local level. For B&O tax purposes, nonprofit organizations are generally presumed taxable in the same manner as for profit organizations.
Newly formed charities often encounter a chicken and egg problem. They wish to begin their operations before they receive formal approval of their tax-exempt status but they can’t attract funding until they receive their federal 501(c)(3) determination.
Most states require you to register your organization if you solicit donations from their residents. Many states also require registration if your organization collects substantial or ongoing donations from their residents, even if you aren’t specifically targeting donors in that state. Download our comprehensive list of each state’s requirements.
Download our free guide to learn about the many elements needed to run a successful nonprofit organization, as well as how to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes.