We offer field trips, parties, meetups, and classes to homeschoolers. Each person pays us the fee for the field trip or class, and we pay the venue. We do not charge membership fees. Most of our income comes from the chaperone tickets.I am so lost. When I took over this business, my predecessor told me that I did not need to file any paperwork at all. I think I was supposed to file a postcard. We “grossed” under $10K every year, but more than $5k. I guess my goal is to be in compliance with any laws.Jackie
Jackie,
Thank you for contacting me.
I looked at your website and I am amazed at the creative things that homeschool parents come up with to help others! Neat stuff! 🙂
Now it’s up to me to try and figure out where you fit into the IRS nonprofit structure.
Your group might be classified as a social club.
See this article and chart on how the IRS defines a social club.
https://homeschoolcpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/HomeschoolGroupsAs-SocialClubs.pdf
The advantage of a social club is that you do not have to apply for tax exempt status with the IRS. Social clubs can “self declare” their tax exempt status. Your previous leader was correct there, even if she didn’t know why!
The IRS does ask that all tax exempt organizations file the Form 990N, ePostcard, annually.
Carol Topp, CPA