Yes, you really can just call the IRS for advice, even if you think you're asking a "dumb" question. They are really helpful, and the absolute best authority when you have a question like this. The exempt organization (i.e. non-profit) help line is 1-877-829-5500.

The IRS's website is also very good. It's www.irs.gov . I searched the Charities/Non-profits section for 5019c(3) and didnt get any hits. What do you think it is? Maybe it's got another name.

We have a budget of $1,500 set aside for staff appreciation, out of a total budget of $30,000. We use that money for lunches and small gifts for our teachers and staff. There's no problem with the IRS on this. The IRS gets testy if people personally gain in a substantial way from the non-profit status of an organization in a way that is inconsistent with the organization's founding purpose. But you can give tokens of appreciation. But don't take our word for it. Call the IRS. Ask them not only for an answer, but also for the number of the Publication that addresses your concerns. The IRS has hundreds of free publications that address virtually every tax/irs situation. If you know the number, you can download it off the internet or have it mailed to your home free of charge. Nothing has more authority than an official IRS publication!

p.s. Does your PTO carryover money from year to year? When I heard concerns from your members that your non-profit can't give thank you gifts, it made me wonder if they also are under the (mistaken) impression that a non-profit can't keep money in the bank year to year. just wondering.

Tim can you help me. How can I find help reading them correctly?? What is 5019c(3).

I need firm and solid suggestions to bring to the group??

I do just call the IRS and ask them all the quesions??

Is there someone at PTO today I can call and speak with??

How do they do them and where can i find these creative solutions. is there someonw I can talk to?? I need facts and firm suggestions to bring to the table so we can move on and do more good work than just fight about this stuff.

what is 5109c(3)??

Tim can you help direct me to someone??

PTMOM

Ptmom;133331 wrote: Terri Dix I am not sure i understand what "dependent" means.

I think by "dependent", the poster just means sort of the opposite of independent. Many groups operate as fairly informal outcroppings (or clubs, of sorts) of their school.

That said, I actually think that the problem isn't that the 501c3 regs are too restrictive. It's more that your group is reading them wrong. Tons of good groups are 501(c)(3), and they do a great job with just the kind of initiatives you're wanting to do.

Tim

Terri Dix I am not sure i understand what "dependent" means. I would love to stop discussin on these topics.

JHB how do you handle gifts? do you have an account for that or what??

First, this is another example of how a 501C3 is not always the route to go.

Second, I agree with JHB, being a non profit should not prohibit you from recognizing your staff. How we handle the needy families in our school is that we set aside a certain dollar amount every year for the counselor. When the counselor determines a need she requests funds. We pay her (the school) and then the school issues the check to the family.

Being "dependent" offers our PTO many advantages. We never have to deal with "fighting" among the parent group to get things accomplished.