According to the Internal Revenue Code, the nonprofit organizations or not-for profit organizations are exempted from a few federal income taxes; like Religious Corporation, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, Testing for Public Safety, to Foster National or International Amateur Sports Competition or Prevention of Cruelty to Children or Animals Organizations and not-for profit organization can take pleasure of this facility.

Benefits for 501(c) status

The benefits for the non-profit organization of having 501(c) condition include exemption from federal income tax and eligibility to receive tax-deductible giving donations. Another benefit is that some organizations may be exempt from certain employment taxes.

Islip + Company CPAs offer personalized service to help you with these issues.  Since 1958, we have successfully worked with the IRS and the FTB helping our clients stay in compliance of the tax laws and pay the minimum amount due.  With Offices in Sacramento and Auburn as well as internet we are able to deliver premium service nearly anywhere...without premium pricing. "It's not just about the numbers... it's what's behind the numbers that counts". Give us a call or send us an email 916-488-1900 Sacramento, 530-746-3020 Auburn or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Eligibility Criteria for 501 (c)

There are three key mechanisms for an organization to be exempt from federal income tax. The not-for profit organization must be organized and operated exclu­sively for one or more exempt purposes.

Organized:An organization must be prearranged as a company, trust, or unincorporated association. An organization’s systematized documents (articles of incorporation, trust documents, articles of association)

Operated:Because a extensive portion of these non-profit organization’s activities must further its exempt purpose(s), certain other activities are not allowed

Exempt purpose: An organiza­tion must have one or more exempt purposes, exempt pur­poses: charitable, educational, religious, scientific, literary, fostering national or international sports competition, preventing cruelty to children or ani­mals, and testing for public safety or Register non-profit organization

Duties of a accompany

While conferring benefits on 501(c) organizations, federal tax law also imposes responsibilities on organizations receiving that status.

Record Keeping: Non-profit and religious Organizations are required to create and maintain books and records detailing all actions, both financial and non-financial.

Filing Prerequisites

Annual Information Returns: Organizations recognized as tax exempt may be required to file an annual information return along with certain schedules that may be required for organizations. Certain categories of organizations are accepted from filing including nonprofit Religious Corporation and very small organizations.

Annual Electronic Notice: Small organizations are not required to file however; these nonprofit and religious organizations must submit an annual electronic notice using, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations not required.

Disclosure Prerequisite

Public check of Exemption Applications and Returns: Non-profit Organizations have to make their application and the annual returns, available to the public for inspection, upon request and without charge (except for a reasonable charge for copying). Each annual return must be made available for a three-year period starting with the filing date of the return.

Charitable Contributions — Confirmation and Disclosure: The Non-profit Organizations that are tax exempt must meet certain requirements for documenting charitable contri­butions The federal tax law requires two general disclosure regulations: 1) a contributor must obtain a on paper recognition from a charity for any single con­tribution before the contributor can claim a charitable contribution on his/her federal income tax return 2) A charitable organization must provide a written disclosure to a donor who makes a payment in surplus.

Documents keeping RequirementsA contributor cannot claim a tax subtraction for any con­tribution of cash, a check or other financial gift made on unless the donor maintains a record of the contribution in the form of either a bank record a written communication from the charity showing the name of the charity, the date of the contribution, and the amount of the contribution.

Guideline to Apply for 501 (c)

Non-profit Organizations that want to apply for 501(c) status should be aware of the forms required, the user fee, the filing deadline, and the processing procedures.

When to claim

Non-profit Organizations must file by the end of the 15th month after they were created, with a 12-month extension available. An organization that is not a private foundation is not required to file. An organization must file within 90 days of the end of the year in which it exceeds this threshold.

Determination Letter

Tax consultant reviewing an application may request additional information in writing. If all information received establishes that an organi­zation gather the requirements for exemption, determination letter will issue to recognizing the non-profit organization’s exempt status and providing its public charity categorization. This is a main document that should be kept in the organization’s everlasting records.

While Application is awaiting

When the non-profit organization’s is waiting for approval, the organization may operate as a tax-exempt organization. If an annual exempt organization return is due, the non-profit organization must file it, indicating that its application is awaiting. These returns are subject to public disclosure.