Both of them exempt organizations from paying corporate income taxes. However, a 501(c) organization may not allow its donors to write off donations while a 501(c)(3) organization lets its donors take tax deductions on their contributions.
More In File IRC SectionTypes of Tax-Exempt Organizations 501(c)(2) Title Holding Corporations for Exempt Organization 501(c)(4) Civic Leagues and Social Welfare Organizations and Local Associations of Employees 501(c)(5) Labor, Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations 501(c)(6) Business Leagues, etc.26 more rows •
If you file Form 1023, the average IRS processing time is 6 months. Processing times of 9 or 12 months are not unheard of.
Actually, no! These terms are often used interchangeably, but they all mean different things. Nonprofit means the entity, usually a corporation, is organized for a nonprofit purpose. 501(c)(3) means a nonprofit organization that has been recognized by the IRS as being tax-exempt by virtue of its charitable programs.
“Charitable” is broadly defined as being established for purposes that are religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering of national or international amateur sports, or prevention of cruelty to animals and children. For more information, see What is a 501(c)(3)?
How to become a 501(c)(3) organization: The key to tax-exempt status for non-profits Step 1: Incorporate before applying for tax-exempt status. Step 2: Get an EIN. Step 3: File form 1023 with the IRS. Step 4: Ensure your 501(c)(3) also has tax-exempt status at the state and local level.
A 501(c) organization and a 501(c)3 organization are similar in designation, however they differ slightly in their tax benefits. Both types of organization are exempt from federal income tax, however a 501(c)3 may allow its donors to write off donations whereas a 501(c) does not.
In order to become a tax-exempt nonprofit, one must file for tax-exempt status. This is a difficult process and professional help is often recommended. The most common way to become a tax-exempt nonprofit is by establishing the organization as a section 501(c)(3) entity with the IRS.
To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual.