New Simpler 501c3 Application for Small Charities

In July 2014, the Internal Revenue Service introduced a new, shorter application form to help small charities apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status more easily.

The new Form 1023-EZ is three pages long, compared with the standard 26-page Form 1023. Most small organizations, including as many as 70 percent of all applicants, qualify to use the new streamlined form. Most organizations with gross receipts of $50,000 or less and assets of $250,000 or less are eligible.

Previously, all groups — regardless of size — went through the same lengthy application process regardless of size. This process created long delays for all organizations seeking to receive tax-exempt status.

According to the IRS: “The change will allow the IRS to speed the approval process for smaller groups and free up resources to review applications from larger, more complex organizations while reducing the application backlog. Currently, the IRS has more than 60,000 501(c)(3) applications in its backlog, with many of them pending for nine months. . . . We believe that many small organizations will be able to complete this form without creating major compliance risks.”

A reduced fee accompanies the streamlined application.  Whereas larger groups required to use the standard Form 1023 must pay a filing fee of $850, smaller groups entitled to use Form 1023-EZ must pay only $400. For either application, the fee is due at the time application is made.

For more information on charitable organizations, call us at 214-361-5600 or contact [email protected]