We are meeting with support group leaders this weekend and a question has come up about legal status of homeschool groups.
Are 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(7) the only options for a homeschool group?
Dorothy
Dorothy,
The IRS has over 20 types of tax exempt status, all 501 (c)-somethings. Everything from Teachers’ Retirement Fund Associations (c)(11), Veterans organizations(c)(19), and Cemetery Companies (c)(13).
501(c)(3) Qualified Charity which includes educational organizations and 501(c)(7) Social Clubs (i.e. support groups) are most common for homeschool groups.
501(c)(4) Social Benefit status fits state-wide homeschool organizations, some homeschool conventions, and politically active homeschool organizations.
In the last 10 years, I’ve seen more and more homeschool organizations operate as for-profit business without nonprofit tax exempt status.
So while there are several options for homeschool groups, the vast majority of homeschool organizations are 501(c)(3) educational organizations.
Carol Topp, CPA
