INSIGHT: Decoding your exemption letter: 501(c)(3) exemption and public charity status
I frequently get questions about decoding a non-profit's tax-exempt status because the determination letter they've received from the IRS has a section at the top that lists "Public Charity Status" as ...
NEWS: New Requirements for new 501(c)4 organizations
Based on legislation passed in 2015, the IRS has implemented new requirements for new entities planning to operate as 501(c)4 organizations. These organizations are now required to file a notice of i ...
NEWS: Decreased 501(c)3 Application Filing Fees
In continuing its efforts to better serve the needs of small non-profits (previously discussed here), the IRS has decreased application filing fees for the smallest organizations. In the past, many s ...
NEWS: Changes to Form 990-N filing for small exempt organizations
The IRS has announced that, effective February 29, 2016, exempt organizations that required to file Form 990-N will do so through the IRS website - IRS.gov . This form can only be filed online - maili ...
Accelerated IRS Review of Tax Exempt Applications
IRS efforts to accelerate review of tax exempt applications appear to be paying off. One recent report suggests the backlog, which once exceeded 60,000 pending applications, is now current. At one tim ...
ALERT: FORM 990 ONLINE FILING SECURITY BREACH
Any tax exempt organizations (e.g., 501(c)(3) nonprofits) that file their annual form 990, 990-N, or 990-EZ online should pay special attention to this security alert issued by the Urban Institute’s N ...
INSIGHT: Non-Profits Operating in Foreign Countries
Many non-profits are formed for charitable purposes in other countries - disaster relief, preserving native eco-systems, supporting refugees, etc. There is nothing questionable about wanting to make t ...
NEWS: IRS issues revised procedures for tax exempt applications
Earlier this month, the IRS issued revised procedures for several important matters affecting exempt organizations (including those commonly referred to nonprofits). In particular, some of these rev ...
NEWS: Congress considers permanently extending important charitable giving incentives
Congress is currently considering extending three important charitable giving incentives that have expired. These incentives address donations related to (i) IRA rollovers, (ii) food inventories, and ...
LECTURE: Starting and Operating a New York State NonProfit
On February 20th, I'll be presenting a workshop covering the ins and outs of launching and running a nonprofit organization in New York. New York state recently passed a slew of very important change ...
LECTURE : Legal Structures of Social Enterprises at the New School
I was delighted to be invited back to the New School again this year to give a guest lecture on Thursday, September 27. The topic was the legal structures that are available to social enterprises. S ...
EVENT : Charities and their volunteers
The IRS is holding a free phone forum (aka teleconference) entitled "Charities and their Volunteers". Most charities rely substantially on volunteer labor; some are operated by volunteers exclusively ...
CLIENT NEWS : Award for the Community Food Pantry of Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown
A hearty congratulations to client Community Food Pantry of Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown. The Pantry will be honored with a prestigious award tomorrow morning at a ceremony hosted by Abigail Kirsch at Tapp ...
INSIGHT : Annual filing deadline approaches for many tax exempt organizations
For many tax exempt organizations, May 15th is the deadline for making your annual filing to the IRS in order to maintain your tax exempt status. Read on to learn if this is deadline for your organiza ...
INSIGHT : Non-Profits Approaching Foundations
While I'm frequently involved in the nuts-to-bolts tasks of organizing non-profits, my exposure to their fundraising activities is often indirect - compliance concerns, attending events, celebrating t ...
INSIGHT: Tax Exempt Organizations & Filing Requirements
Many organization find that achieving tax exempt status is the most significant obstacle to overcome in getting established. Beyond the effect on tax filing requirements, the classification makes orga ...
INSIGHT : VHS-to-DVD: useless but not obsolete
I was asked if a private school in NYC could digitize its large collection of VHS content onto DVD. Like much of the world, the school had long stopped investing in VHS in favor of more contemporary D ...
INSIGHT : Non-Profits – expedited 501c3 filings
A client recently asked whether their 501(c)(3) application qualified for expedited review by the IRS. The IRS will only accelerate the review process in very limited circumstances. For example : ...