Carol,
I hope you can help me I am a newly hired Executive Director for a program in Alaska. Our Board President, filed the paperwork for state non-profit, and also for our EIN, however since 2007 he has not filed the 990 with the IRS as the program was dormant until now. Is this something I need to do retroactively? I know it is suggested that with or without income the forms should be filed, I am just not certain where to go from here… Please help if you are able!
—
Kindly,
Gretchen
Gretchen,
I wish you success in your new job!
Start by doing an internet search on the IRS website to see if your organization ever filed for 501c3 tax exempt status.
https://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96136,00.html
You can also search on Guidestar’s website. Guidestar is a database of charities. https://www.guidestar.org/
You will need your organization’s official, legal name; the one on the EIN or the state nonprofit incorporation paperwork.
501c3 status is not granted automatically, it must be applied for with a lengthy application (Form 1023). I did a quick search on the IRS and Guidestar sites for your name and state but found nothing. It could be I wasn’t using your official name or it could be your organization has never applied for 501c3 status.
Carol Topp, CPA