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A Brief Note On Non Profit Tax Compliance Essay

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Non-Profit Tax Compliance
Unlike for-profit businesses, the focus of a nonprofit is not on gaining profits for shareholders and owners, but to fulfil a charitable mission for the benefit of the public. Because of this mission focus, the IRS has recognized these organizations as exempt from the federal income tax that is placed on for-profit businesses and individuals. This recognition is not automatic and is not guaranteed. Nonprofit organization must still follow the rules and regulations set forth by the IRS and the U.S. Government regarding tax compliance. If these rules are not followed, a nonprofit organization could lose their tax exempt status.
A charitable focus does not mean that money is not involved. In fact, nonprofit organizations added an estimated $905.9 billion to the U.S. economy in 2013, while revenues and expenses totaled over $1.73 trillion (McKeever, 2015). Private giving to nonprofit agencies from foundations, businesses, and individual equaled $358.38 billion dollars (McKeever, 2015). If a nonprofit organization loses its tax exempt status, then private donations are no longer tax deductible which decreases the benefit to contributors (I.R.C. §170(a)(1)). The loss of a tax exempt status can be detrimental to an organization. Knowledge of the rules and requirements related to tax exempt status is essential for any tax exempt organization. This paper focuses on the most common form of tax exempt organizations, and how those organizations can obtain and

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