2 Years ago I formed a PTO for our school. We incorporated, since we elect officers. Typically an LLC is a "partnership" and since our school is only a K-2 that was not a viable option.
We followed the instructions step-by-step on the Corp. Commission website and had no problem getting inc.
Our biggest problem was that the 501c3 was never filed and 24 months later we are now filing for this.
Good luck. Arizona is actually very easy to incorporate in and not too expensive. Most expense was the advertising in the local newspaper. We found the Jewish Newspaper to be the cheapest.
TheMetzyMom- I am also from AZ and trying to figure out how to corporate our new PTO. Did you go LLC or INC.? We joined the NPN too, just a little nervous about filling in the papers. Any suggestions from you would be really appreciated!
Incorporation in AZ is easy and simplified. Go to the Arizona Corporation Commission pages and you can find all the documentation you need.
Much like you though, I am finding that our PTO never filed the 501c3 papers and we have missed that 18 month grace period. Please forward any info you find to me. I am in AZ as well, we probably have some tales we can cry in the heat over. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Not in AZ, but the basic procedure is pretty similar everywhere. Sounds like it might be best for you to pretty much just start from scratch--contact whoever regulates corporations in AZ and find out what their requirements are (try digging around here: www.sosaz.com/).
Check your current bylaws and see what changes you need to make to be in compliance with AZ requirements and to satisfy whatever other concerns you have. If you're financial records are really messed up, close the old bank accounts and open up new ones. Call the IRS and get a new tax ID number. Then file for tax exempt status. (Honestly, that sounds like the least of your worries right now...!)
This is just a quick laundry list--it's going to take some time to do all this and your situation could be complicated enough to warrant a different approach. Sounds like you have your work cut out for you over the summer.
Who has gone through getting 501c3 status in AZ? Long story short: Told them to incorporate and file for 501c3 status. Told them to strengthen the bylaws. Told them lots of things. Got ignored. Treasurer stole money for 2 years. I was recently elected prez, found the embezzlement, reported the embezzlement and am pressing charges against the embezzler, and am currently the only officer with no board, no tax status, no money, past due bills to pay, no check register or records from the last two years (the records from the year prior when I was prez are in immaculate shape though)... HELP!!!
Bright Side: The principal is behind me on all issues and I have all of you beside me, to guide me... HELP!!!
