Do you still need help? I'm in Ohio and I can walk you through everything step by step if you want. It cost us $125 to Incorporate with the state (do this first thru the secretary of ste's office) and $150 to file form 1023 with the IRS. You also need to file an SS-4 form to get your EIN (employer identification number). We are a small pto with less than $10,000.00 of income.
One thing to remember is that the irs considers your date of incorporation as the date the pto was formed, no matter how long your pto has been in existence. This can be really helpful!
Email me or post if you have any questions.
Dave,
I don't know about the new career field, but when I finished our application I had a tremendous feeling of accomplishment! Not to mention that I gathered more information about our organization than had ever been done.
You are in OH! there is another poster from there that you need to talk to I hope he posts something to you. Ohio seems to have some interesting sales taxes laws you need to be aware of and that may be why you keep getting bounced - you dont know the questions to ask and they sure arent going to volunteer the information.
Otherwise obtaining your IRS tax exemption is lenghty and tme consuming - you will learn a whole new career field while enjoying the process - but it is not as painful as some might think. You do need to get your ducks lined up first though.
Joining the NPN to get the guide is a great idea and under useful resources here there is a lot of information.
Good luck and if you need anything just ask everyone here will help.
campbem,
I don't know about Ohio, but in CT, it was necessary to obtain federal non-profit status before state tax exemption. Remember that they are different and not necessarily mutually INCLUSIVE.
Critter's right--the NPN guide (which I have seen [img]smile.gif[/img] ) is your best bet. But, you can also click on the "useful resources" section at the left, and look at the pieces on starting a nonprofit. You'll get lots of expert help there.
Your PTO might want to join PTOToday's National PTO Network (NPN), especially to get the Start Up guide which steps you through the questions you have (though in all honesty, I have not personally seen the guide).
For a quick overview, read the Treasurer's Column in the October issue of PTOToday magazine which also covers the topic (and which I have indeed read personally).
