Obtaining tax-exempt status is both a burden and a blessing. The application process that is required to be approved by the Internal Revenue as a tax-exempt organization and to receive Internal Revenue Service 501(c) (3) public charity status is both challenging and time consuming. (The IRS estimates that it will take in excess of 100 hours to complete the application.)
Before it approves an organization’s tax status, the IRS wants to have an in-depth knowledge of that organization. The completed IRS application is the equivalent of a very detailed business plan with financial statements, budgets, and proposed fundraising information. The IRS also requires the organization to submit copies of its bylaws, articles of incorporation, and examples of its fundraising solicitations, contracts, religious information (if a church), and possibly other additional information.
Stuart Sobel Consulting will work with your organization to create all of the documents that are needed to satisfy governmental authorities. We will provide model articles of incorporation and bylaws to help you get started. Using interviews with you, and where necessary, working with your board through phone conversations and meetings, we are able to secure the information that is needed to quickly prepare the IRS applications and submit them for approval. If the IRS has questions or desires more information, we are available to provide assistance.
Stuart Sobel Consulting strives to maintain high ethical standards. Since we believe that there is more to becoming a successful nonprofit organization than just filling out the IRS forms, we will be honest with you from the outset about any possible problems that we envision with the IRS approval process and show you how they can be corrected before you file your application. Stuart Sobel Consulting has never had an application denied.