Why is there so much controversy on this PTO-PTA issue? Are we really so different? My school is PTO and my sister's is PTA. I'd say we do exactly the same things.
1. We raise more than $25,000 per year and we are STILL tax exempt. The $25,000 number is a limit for having to file. It doesn't affect your tax exempt status.
2. When we have a question about taxes or filing or tax exempt status, we go to one of the 4 accountants in our PTO or to one of the 3 accountant husbands of members. I'd bet that almost every PTO OR PTA has at least one accountant available.
3. There is one big advantage of not being a PTA -- we don't have to worry that the National PTA is actively lobbying for positions we don't necessarily agree with. We are quite active in support of our school and there's no conflict over divisive coservative/liberal politics. It's much easier to be unified when we're not fighting over issues that we really don't have a say in anyway.
In answer to your other question, our group is a non-profit and we follow all the rules that go along with being one.
Seems to me like PTAs worry a lot about PTOs. Until I read your post, I've never thought much about the PTA.
Regarding the treasurer and reporting that is required. If you are an organization who is considered 501c3 you would be tax exempt(federal) for any income under $25,000. Above that amount any organization who has that status must file a tax return.
The $25,000 would apply to your gross reciepts and would encompass all money flowing through your account no matter what the purpose was. The benefit of being a PTA would be that you would have this infomation available to you and have the opportunity to attend a workshop or have someone from PTA assist you if you have questions, assist with an audit etc.
Let me pose this question to all the P.T.O groups? Are you truely a tax exempt organization under the law (federal) Do you use the school's tax exempt #? Who would you call for assistance regarding a Treasurer's question? Do you let district monies flow through your account?
Being a P.T.O. has no advantages other than involvement at that school and sometimes branching out into the district on occation. Being a PTA has many advantages, those that choose to take advantage of what is offered receive more back than they ever can imagine.
In my PTA experience, we've never had to send our budgets in for approval. I do think that the PTA has the right to check your books, but they'v enever checked ours.
TIM SORRY FOR THE CONFUSSION. I AM A PTA COUNCIL V.P FOR A TOWN IN CT NOT FOR THE WHOLE STATE. THIS IS ONLY MY 2ND YEAR SO I AM LEARNING AS I GO. LIKE MOST OTHER PTA PEOPLE.
Hi Paul. Thanks for "jumping in." From your signature, it seems you're a PTA official. I hope you'll add your expertise here as often as you'd like.
In answer to your questions:
1. No, PTOtoday has no plans to be a membership organization. Our goal is to provide information and resources to help parent groups -- all parent groups -- do their important work well. We don't know if we'll be hosting a "PTO Show," but we will if parent group leaders think it will help them do their jobs more effectively.
2. On your PTA treasurer question, I'm not quite sure about reporting requirements -- I'd check with your PTA officers. Seems to me that both PTA and PTo treasurers have to answer first to their members. Nearly every parent group I've seen share income and expense reports monthly.
