Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.
How to Lose Tax-Exempt Status Engage in Political Campaign Activity. 501(c)(3) nonprofits are allowed to have some involvement in the political process. Excessive Lobbying. Private Benefit or Inurement. Operating for a Non-Exempt Purpose. Failing to File Annual Reports (Form 990)
Earning too much income generated from unrelated activities can jeopardize an organization's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. This income comes from a regularly carried- on trade or business that is not substantially related to the organization's exempt purpose.
Historically, the IRS denies a very small number of 501(c)(3) applications (less than 1%). It is much more likely that they will ask you questions that seem too hard to answer. As many as 10% of applicants simply give up on their applications for this reason.
Most organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) are required to notify the IRS that they are operating under Section 501(c)(4) within 60 days of formation by filing Form 8976, Notice of Intent to Operate Under Section 501(c)(4). If an organization doesn't submit a timely notification, a penalty will be assessed.
If an organization does not file its Form 990 for three (3) consecutive years, the organization's 501(c)(3) status will be revoked.
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.
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.
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.
In addition to submitting Form 8976, organizations operating as 501(c)(4) organizations may also choose to file Form 1024-A, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, to request recognition of tax-exempt status.