I looked at the description of the 501c(7) Social Club status, and also reviewed your comparison chart between c3 and c7 status. I agree that our homeschool group most closely fit the 501(c)(7) Social Club status.
However, I was wondering if our periodic fundraisers would cause us to be taxed – your chart says on income from other sources. We hold the fundraisers when our funds from membership are too low to pay the rent and other costs.
Thank you,
Lisa R
Lisa,
I’m glad you’ve figured out the differences between 501c3 charity and 501c7 Social club status. It’s important to figure out where your group fits.
You asked if periodic fundraisers would cause you to be taxed. It could be a problem, but not likely.
In general, fundraisers are considered “unrelated income” and nonprofits must pay tax on unrelated income (called Unrelated Business Income Tax, or UBIT).
Fortunately, the IRS offers several ways to avoid the UBIT tax. The exceptions include:
1. If the fundraiser was substantially conducted by volunteers (if no one was paid to run the fundraiser, then the proceeds are not taxed)
2. The fundraiser proceeds under $1,000 is not taxed.
The IRS has more exceptions to UBIT, but one or both of these exceptions to paying unrelated business income tax probably apply to your group.
Additionally, the IRS requires 501c7 Social Clubs to have most of their income come from membership fees (65% or more). You probably saw that on the chart comparing 501c3 to a 501c7 Social Club.
So make sure that your fundraisers stay under 35% of your total income. You said they are periodic and sound as if they are secondary to your membership fees (“We hold the fundraisers when our funds from membership are too low to pay the rent and other costs”).
I hope that helps.
Carol Topp, CPA