Can a homeschool co-op be denied 501(c)(3) status?

I frequently learn a lot about nonprofit law from Harvey Mechanic’s All Experts Site. Mr Mechanic is an attorney that does a fantastic job of answering all sorts of questions about nonprofit law. I always learn a lot.

Recently, a parent from a small private school mentioned the need to do fundraisers and have everyone “do their fair share.” That is a pretty common expectation in activities involving children like youth sports leagues, scouting, etc. But to my surprise, Mr Mechanic has a problem with the “fair share” idea.

Here is Harvey Mechanic’s reply:

The statement that you made about “fair share” indicates that you do not want to operate properly. The fair share is applicable for a co-operative organization but not a charitable organization. In denying exemption to a purported 501(c)(3) organization booster organization, in 1992 the IRS at
http://viewer.zoho.com/docs/s2ca6g on page 6 stated “The reason you were created and your method of operation indicate that you are made up of a group of parents who have joined together to work cooperatively to provide funds to pay for the participation of their children in athletic events.
The expenses incurred by these children would otherwise have been paid by the parents.  All parents of competitive team members are automatically members of your organization.  Accordingly, members expect to receive a benefit in return for their membership.  You pay no benefits to non-members.

Another, similar denial of exemption was issued by the IRS in 1990 and may be viewed at
http://viewer.zoho.com/docs/a4vd3

Such an operation would be what the IRS calls a cooperative. A cooperative is not qualified as a 501(c)(3) organization. (emphasis added)

Wow!  So does that mean homeschool co-ops cannot obtain 501(c)(3) status? Oh, no!  I spend a lot of time helping homeschool co-ops obtain 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. I have been successful many times. I even wrote a book telling homeschool organizations how and why to become a 501(c)(3) organization. See Tax Exempt 501(c)(3) Status for Homeschool Organizations. Am I wrong?  Or is Mr. Mechanic incorrect?

Neither.  Or rather, it depends on how your organization is structured and your purpose.  If your homeschool organization is a support group that is “made up of a group of parents who have joined together to work cooperatively to provide funds to pay for the participation of their children in athletic (or educational) events.” you do not qualify for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. But you can qualify for a different IRS tax exempt status called 501(c)(7) Social Club status.

I am assisting a homeschool support group that has a few co-op classes, but their main purpose is to join together to support each other in homeschooling. They are applying for 501(c)(7) as a Social Club. They will receive many of the benefits of tax exempt status, but not quite the same a 501(c)(3) status.

What about your homeschool organization?  Would you qualify as a 501(c)(3) charity or 501(c)(7) Social Club? Do you know the difference? How can you decide? It depends on your activities, purpose and structure.

I can help you sort out the differences.

Please contact me about a phone consultation to help you determine which status is best for your organization.

Do not make the mistake of choosing the wrong tax exempt status.  You could be denied by the IRS like Mr Mechanic mentioned and waste a lot of time and money. It can happen to your group.  Read a real life story here:

http://homeschoolcpa.com/irs-intimidates-homeschool-group

If you need help discerning the tax exempt status of your homeschool organization, send me an email at Carol@HomeschoolCPA.com. We can arrange a private consultation to discuss your particular situation.

Carol Topp, CPA

IRS delays Cyber Assistant (again)

On May 7, 2010 the IRS announced it would be delaying the release of the on-line program Cyber Assistant.  This long-promised software will allow charitable organizations (including homeschool organizations) to file for 501c3 tax exempt status on-line. The IRS had previously announced that the filing fee would be lowered from $400 (or $850 depending on the organizations annual revenues) to $200 for organizations that filed using Cyber Assistant.

I had several homeschool organizations that were hoping to save $200-$650 by using the on-line filing option.  Unfortunately, it won’t happen in 2010. When will the on-ling filing option be available? No telling. The IRS is not offering a new timeline.

What should your group do now if they want to apply for 501c3 tax exempt status?

Sandy Deja of 501c3Book.org has some good advice (emphasis added by me):

A 501(c)(3) has until the end of the 27th month after it is created to file its exemption application.  If your organization is closing in on the end of its 27 month grace period, you should not wait for the Cyber 1023.  Avoiding the hassles of missing the 27 month deadline is definitely worth the extra money.

Delayed 501(c)(3) Benefits

501(c)(3) status offers a number of benefits other than exemption from Federal income tax: deductibility for contributions, bulk mailing permits, state, local and property tax exemptions, and eligibility for foundation grants, to name a few.  Only you can weigh the $650 discount against the costs of postponing these valuable benefits for your group.

Reputation

In some cases, lost benefits can be recouped once the IRS recognizes 501(c)(3) status.  There is one benefit, though, that once lost may be gone forever: your non-profit’s reputation.  If you think there is any chance your organization will be in the news sometime soon, don’t wait for the Cyber 1023. Savvy journalists check the IRS website when writing articles about local charities.  A news story pointing out that your group has not yet taken care of its IRS paperwork can do lasting damage.

So, in summary, take a look at the date you incorporated as a nonprofit within your state. If you are getting close to the 27 month window, your organization should file for 501c3 tax exempt status now and not wait for the IRS to offer their lower fee by filing through Cyber Assistant.

I can help with your 501c3 tax exempt application. See my Services page for details.

Carol Topp, CPA

Hosting a booth at county fair makes history

The San Diego Christian Homeschools hosted an information booth at the San Diego county fair. It was the first time in the fair’s history that a homeschool organization had been featured there.

Leader Lisa Vaca, wrote to tell me about it:

I just wanted to share with you about how blessed we were to be able to host a homeschool information booth at our County fair yesterday. This all happened thanks, in part, to the encouragement and tips of you, Kristen and Denise (of HomeschoolGroupLeader.com) , and thanks to the huge help of Carol with our non-profit filing last year. (You’re very welcome!)

Our booth was a big hit and the organizers of the non-profit booths at our County fair are begging us to return again next summer. We were able to get HSLDA and other homeschool organizations to send us brochures and publications to hand out, plus we got some of our SDCH kids involved in the photography and displays.

Through this Homeschool Info Booth we were able to introduce homeschooling to our community in a fun, new and positive way, and answer the public’s many questions about home education.

Isn’t that a great idea? The San Diego Christians are reaching out to others in their community to share the benefits of homeschooling.

Carol Topp, CPA

P.S. The San Diego Christian Homeschoolers obtained 501c3 tax exempt status (with my help) which gives them extra credibility in the eyes of their community. Learn the benefits of 501c3 tax exempt status for your homeschool group  in this article Do we need 501c3 status?

Small homeschool groups receives official IRS Letter without 501c3 status

Hi Carol,

I know I’ve come across this information on your site before, but can’t find it today.  I am a leader for a smaller homeschool support group (50 families).  Each year, only about $1,000 passes through our bank account.  I have obtained an EIN so we can open a bank account but we are also interested in non-profit status.  The main reason for this is so people can make contributions and also so we can avoid paying sales tax.  I read on the IRS site that we do not need a form 1023 if we have less than $5,000 annually.  If that is the case, how do we prove our non-profit status?

Thank you so much for your help.  Your site has been very helpful to us.

Shelley T, Illinois

Shelley,

Good question.  I decided to call the IRS Tax Exempt  Division on your behalf.  First, Mrs Baker, the IRS employee said that you would have no proof of tax exemption because you do not have the IRS determination letter.  That’s the letter the IRS gives nonprofits after their tax exempt application (Form 1023) is approved.

Then she mentioned that the IRS can send a letter stating that some nonprofits such as yours are small enough that they are not required to file Form 1023. I asked for that letter to be mailed to you.  That’s the closest thing you’ll have to “proof.” At least it will be from the IRS and addressed to your group.

I found your mailing address on your website. Good thing you had an EIN, too.  She verified the mailing address I gave her with your EIN.

Look for the letter in 10-14 business days.

Carol Topp, CPA

Follow up: Shelley received her letter from the IRS 14 days later. It simply stated “We have no record that your organization has been recognized as exempt from federal income tax.” It went on to explain the IRS forms and publications to apply for tax exempt status.  The letter closed with a paragraph explaining that “an organization organized and operated exclusively for 501(c)(3) purposes…does not have to file for exemption unless its annual gross receipts are normally more than $5,000.”

Advice to homeschool leaders:

If you are a small homeschool nonprofit (gross revenues under $5,000 a year), and desire a letter from the IRS explaining that you are tax exempt, do what I did for Shelley and call the IRS.  Request a letter explaining the exemption for filing a Form 1023 for small nonprofits.

If your homeschool organization brings in more than $5,000 a year, it is time to apply for tax exempt status with the IRS (or time to start paying tax on your surplus!). Read more here:

When to become a 501c3?

Questions? Send me an email. I can help!

Carol Topp, CPA

IRS starts revoking tax exempt status May 17

Homeschool leaders, if your organization has 501c3 tax exempt status be sure to file your annual Form 990N, 990 EZ or 990 or risk losing your tax exempt status. The IRS is beginning automatic revocation of tax exempt status May 17, 2010.

From USA Today:

Hundreds of thousands of small non-profits, from Little League teams to community soup kitchens, could lose their tax-exempt status on Monday because of an IRS filing requirement.

The 2006 Pension Protection Act included a provision requiring all non-profits to file an annual return with the IRS.

Previously, non-profits with annual revenue of less than $25,000 were excluded. Non-profits that fail to file a return for three consecutive years lose their tax-exempt status. On May 17, the three-year clock runs out for non-profits that haven’t filed a return since 2007.

The Urban Institute estimates that up to 365,000 non-profits could lose their tax-exempt status if they fail to file by Monday. Groups that miss the deadline will have to apply for a new exemption and pay a user fee of up to $850. They could also be liable for taxes on any revenue earned before their exemption is renewed.

The requirement does not apply to churches or church-related operations.

Non-profits with less than $25,000 in annual revenue can file a 990-N, an abbreviated online form. Completing the online form takes less than 10 minutes, says Tim Delaney, president of the National Council of Nonprofits.

What should you do if your organization loses its tax exempt status?  The IRS says you will need to reapply for tax exempt status.

The IRS as a FAQ page.

And I can help.  I assist homeschool organizations with tax exempt applications.  See my Services page for details.

Carol Topp, CPA

IRS Intimidates Homeschool Group

I have helped several homeschool groups obtain tax exempt status with a 100% successful track record (no one has ever been denied by the IRS). One homeschool group even received their tax exempt status letter from the IRS in only three weeks!  That’s amazingly fast for the IRS; it typically takes 3 months!

But recently a homeschool group in Texas e-mailed me for help. They had applied for tax exempt status as a 501c3 educational organization.  I did not prepare their application, but looked over their website and they appeared to be similar to hundreds of homeschool organizations across the US. But the IRS was going to deny their application, keep their $750 application fee, bar them from applying again and claimed to be building a file to be used against other organizations like them seeking tax exempt status!

This was horrible and could have had a huge negative impact on homeschool co-ops and support groups across the US.  I recommended they speak to the attorneys at Homeschool Legal Advantage. There is a time and a place to hire a lawyer and this was it!

Homeschool Legal Advantage recently e-mailed this update

https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:8078.2491060969/rid:4166d5ca89236cc41a5c872dd1372e97

As you can read they were a great help to this homeschool organization and resolved the matter quickly with the IRS.

The article mentioned the difference between 501c3 and 501c7 status and you may find that  a bit confusing. Additionally, the groups use of the word ‘co-op’ confused the IRS as to their purpose. What is right for your homeschool organization? How should you present your group tpo the IRS when applying for tax exempt status?

Feel free to email me to arrange a private consultation via telephone.  Each group is unique and an individual consultation will be very helpful

Carol Topp, CPA

P.S. I was so pleased to meet the attorneys with Homeschool Legal Advantage at the Midwest Homeschool Convention in Cincinati in 2009. They were so helpful in desiring to work with homeschool organizations as well as indiviual families.

Homeschool Leader, Do You Need Help?

IRS fees will increase January 3, 2010

This just released by the IRS. Fees for applying for 501c3 tax exempt status are set to increase January 3, 2010:

User fees will increase for all applications for exemption (Forms 1023, 1024, and 1028) postmarked January 3, 2010:

• $400 for organizations whose gross receipts are $10,000 or less annually over a 4-year period
• $850 for organizations whose gross receipts exceed $10,000 annually over a 4-year period
• $3,000 for group exemption letters.

A complete schedule of all user fees will be published in the annual procedure released in January 2010.

Cyber Assistant, a Web-based software program designed to help 501(c)(3) applicants prepare a complete and accurate Form 1023 appplication, will become available during 2010.  Once the IRS announces the availability of Cyber Assistant, the user fees will change again:

• $200 for organizations using Cyber Assistant (regardless of size) to prepare their Form 1023
• $850 for all other organizations not using Cyber Assistant (regardless of size) to prepare their Form 1023.

IRS will announce when Cyber Assistant is available and the effective date of the user fee change.  Subscribe to the EO Update to automatically received an alert that Cyber Assistant is available.

http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=212562,00.html

So get your 501c3 application (Form 1023) in before January 3rd to save $100. (The current fees are $300 or $750 depending on your gross revenues)

Cyber Assistant sounds like a good tool, but the IRS does not say when Cyber Assistant will be available in 2010, so we have no idea when the lower rate of $200 will be available.

Last time the IRS increased their fees they received a deluge of applications and had a huge backlog for months. Small, new nonprofits try to save a buck wherever they can and will try to take advantage of the lower rate.  While I am glad to see the fee will eventually be dropped to $200, I still expect to see an increase in applications before the due date.

Carol Topp, CPA

Have we hit the $5,000 mark?

I am trying to do some research on the non-profit status for our Homeschool group and cannot find a clear answer. We are trying to see if we have hit the $5000 gross receipts limit.

Would money that individual members write to the group, so that the group can write one check to an organization, for instance a field trip, be considered in the gross receipts?

Nikki E

Nikki,
All money that comes in, even if it goes out almost right away like for a field trip, is considered gross income.

Not difficult to get over that $5,000 limit, is it?

To help in your research you might want to read my e-book Tax Exempt 501c3 Status for Homeschool Organizations.

You can find it on my website www.HomeschoolCPA.com/Books.html

Best of success to you,

Carol Topp, CPA

Off to Home Educators Assoc of Virginia (HEAV) Convention

For the next few days I will be at the Home Educators Assoc of Virginia (HEAV) Convention in Richmond, VA.

They have a pretty busy schedule for me. I’ll be giving workshops on:

• Budget Is a Dirty Word: Money Management for Those Who Hate to Manage Money
• Wanna Be a WAHM? The Pitfalls and Possibilities of Being a Work at Home Mom
• Small Business for Teenagers
• Is Your Homeschool Group Ready for the Next Step? Becoming a 501c3 Tax-Exempt Organization
• How to Start and Manage a Homeschool Organization: Boards, Budgets, and Bylaws

(see full descriptions of the workshops here and get the handouts here)

I’ll also be attending the homeschool leaders lunch and I am serving on a Q&A panel for leaders. I hope to meet some of you.

If you’ll be at HEAV, come by my booth #237 or to a workshop and say hello!

Carol Topp, CPA

« Previous Page — Next Page »