Pottsville - Yes, we filed after the PTO had been in existence for 5 or 6 years, and making over the threshhold. There was no fine.
We filed as an "exempt organization that has had annual gross receipts averaging more than $10,000 during the preceeding 4 years..." (item 3.b., form 8718). Talk to the IRS reps. Tell them your situation and they will advise you accordingly. Good luck!
Has anyone tried to file the 501(c)3 after several years of existence and earning over the threshold? Did the IRS fine you? We are trying to file, but some members are concerned that we are going to be penalized. Please help. :confused:
I agree with Critter, our PTO has never filed for
non-profit until this year. And with the help of this forum and IRS we did it on our own. Work closely with the treasurer to fill out the financial part of it. It's hard work but once it's done it's done and never has to be messed with again. Just the continuous filing of 990.
Good Luck and if anyone on the forum can I am sure that they will help you. If got all of our forms off the internet.
I have been involved in PTO for 7 years, 3 1/2 as an officer. It never occurred to me or anyone else I know of that the PTO should file for non-profit status until we began reading about it ON THIS FORUM. Everyone assumed -- the principal included -- that since we had a tax id number, we were tax exempt and non-profit.
We have since filed Form 1023 and received our determination letter after only one followup by the IRS. We did it ourselves, with help from the IRS, on the internet and through this forum. We did not need to hire a professional.
Take a good long look at Form 1023. It's not rocket science, but it is a lot of work, especially if the PTO's records are scattered or non-existent. You need both a Constitution AND Bylaws (go figure!), programs have to be explained and justified, numbers for several years must be provided and tie out. It's easy for me to understand why a PTO might not be 501c3:
1. It's hard work to complete the form
2. No one has ever really demanded it before
3. No one really knew it was the right thing to do
I'd like to thank PTO Today for bringing this important issue to the forefront of PTO agendas. If you think it's the right thing to do for your PTO, volunteer to help out with the application process. I bet the officers would appreciate it.
We are just starting this whole process ourselves. Found out this past fall that we aren't nonprofit status. I have been president and have been using a number that was given to me. Have been going to school board meetings for two years now. Just happen to bring up nonprofit status with someone there and they informed me that we weren't really nonprofit. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN. I finally got everyone to agree to go for the nonprofit status. This helps in getting grants etc. Amazes me. By the way still no one can tell me where the bylaws are. This is the start of my third year and finally have decided to start over with bylaws etc. I still cannot believe that they voted me in again.
Dear lacrosse mom,
I have talked to the state and the IRS. We have a EIN number and have not filed for non-profit. I talked to a CPA and he told me to fill out Form 1023 and mail it in. I am depending on people who know what to do. I was just frustrated that my PTO had never filed for NON-profit status. PLEASE ANYONE READING THIS FILL OUT THE CORRECT PAPERWORK TO SAVE FUTURE OFFICERS THE HEADACHE OF HAVING TO CORRECT THE SITUATION!
