As the U.S. government shutdown continues into day fifteen with no end in sight, many anxious startup organizations are wondering how the shutdown will affect their applications currently under review by the IRS. Having already waited months for a determination letter, should you now expect even longer delays? And if so, how long? From what we can gather the IRS is not taking any customer service phone calls regarding applications for exemption, nor are they processing actual applications at this time. The delay is almost certainly adding to the ever-present log jam of applications piling up on various agent’s desks, and […]
Continue Reading →Volunteer Management Best Practices – Guest Post by VounteerMark. People are constantly volunteering to make a difference in the world. Make sure your volunteer management program is up-to-date so your volunteers have a great experience and your organization is retaining volunteers. This is what volunteers want: To be clear on dates and times. It’s easy to forget when you’re supposed to volunteer, so make sure that you clearly and effectively communicate when they are supposed to be at a certain place. To be guided. Volunteers want to know that they are being efficient. If they aren’t trained for a task, […]
Continue Reading →Nonprofit organizations filing IRS Form 1023 – Application for Recognition of Exemption must include a Form 1023 User Fee payment as part of their application for either $400 or $850, made payable by check to the United States Treasury.
The Form 1023 filing fee amount is determined by your organization’s annual revenue over the next four years, and the IRS uses $10,000 per year as its benchmark. For example, if your organization’s projected annual revenue averages $10,000 or more during the next four years, then your application fee is $850. If your organization’s projected annual revenue averages less than $10,000 during the next four years, then your application fee is $400.
1. File a Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State that includes among other items your organization’s name, registered agent, registerd office, proper purpose and dissolution clauses, and the names and addresses of at least three board members, unless you choose to have members.
Continue Reading →Just weeks ago we posted that our clients were reporting an even slower 501c3 approval process, as happens from time-to-time. Ok, no big deal. We just buckle down and begin reminding everyone that things may take a little longer. Patience…out of our hands…stay encouraged…
Then last Sunday we received this email:
Dear Ben,
Just wanted to let you know the wonderful news. I received my approval letter from the IRS!!! I mailed the application on Sept. 6 and it was approved on Oct. 18. Wow! I’m thankful that this went through so quickly and smoothly! 
The IRS allows for expedited requests of Form 1023 under two specific circumstances: First, if your organization is applying in direct response to a national disaster that demands urgent action, such as a major hurricane or other natural disaster. And second, if your organization has a significant (very large) grant that is pending IRS approval and will be lost if your approval is not awarded quickly. Even in these situations, however, expedited applications are rare.
Continue Reading →The last few months we’ve noticed a significant increase in the amount of time that the IRS is taking to review and approve applications for 501c tax exemption. During the first six months of 2012, our clients were receiving their Letters of Determination on average within 3-5 months. More recently, a number of our clients are well into their fifth and sixth month of waiting. Since there is no effective way to expedite the process, we encourage you to plan accordingly and to contact us if you have questions.
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– Create Articles of Incorporation (Certificate of Formation) and file with state
– Apply for EIN (Tax ID#)
– Create Bylaws
– Prepare IRS Form 1023 or Form 1024, Application for Recognition of Exemption, including narratives, financial information, schedules, and additional notes
– Respond to any IRS follow up questions or requests
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1. Incomplete Purpose Clause and/or Missing Dissolution Clause in Organizing Document (Articles of Incorporation) – Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code requires that your organizing document state your exempt purpose(s), such as charitable, religious, educational, and/or scientific purposes. Likewise, the code states that upon dissolution of your organization, your remaining assets must be used exclusively for exempt purposes, such as charitable, religious, educational, and/or scientific purposes.
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