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ExpressTaxExempt Blog

Showing posts with label section501(c)(3). Show all posts
Showing posts with label section501(c)(3). Show all posts

Revenue, Expenses, & Grants from Program Services

The IRS requires large and mid-size exempt organizations to describe three of their most major program services when reporting Form 990 or 990-EZ tax returns.

These services typically measure or rank by the total expenses spent by the organization. If a tax-exempt group has less than three program services, they can just describe the activities of each available service.

Descriptions of program services can include many variables such as how many clients the organization served, days of care provided, publications issued, or the number of sessions held. Along with stating the objective of the service, the IRS also needs to know all revenue, expense, and grant amounts associated with each program.

Revenue
Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations are responsible for reporting any income coming directly from activities of each program service. Fees for services or sales from goods related to each activity are all considered revenue. These amounts should include the program service revenue listed on Part VIII, Column A, Line 2 of the 990 form; it can also contain other amounts from Part VIII, Line 1 through 3 such as related or exempt function revenue.

Important: Revenue should also include any unrelated business income from activities exploiting an exempt function - advertising in a journal would be an example. You shouldn’t combine any charitable contributions and grants as revenue coming from program services.

Expenses & Grants
For each program service listed on Part III, Line 4a through 4c, 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations have to enter total expenses that you reported on Part IX, Column B, Line 25. And list the total grants and allocations within those expenses that are marked on Part IX, Column B, Line 3 through 11 of the 990 form.

Other Program Services
If you have more than three significant program services, you can continue to report on the Schedule O. The IRS won’t require a detailed description of these other services like it did the first three. But you are responsible for listing the total revenues and expenses - including grants - exactly how you did with your organization’s larger program services.

With IRS-authorized ExpressTaxExempt, organizations can easily enter information about their program services in minutes. Our 990 form e-file application also generates any additional services onto your Schedule O and allows you to enter revenue, expenses and grant amounts for each entry.

Speak with your local tax professional or advisor if you have any detailed questions about your organization’s program services. For any questions or assistance with reporting your program activities with our e-file service, contact our US-based customer support team at 704.839.2321 or email us with support@expresstaxexempt.com.



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How to File a Schedule F for Foreign Activities

Any exempt organization with activities conducted outside the United States need to report information about those international actions on their IRS Form 990.

Activities can include grants and other assistance, program-related investments, fundraising activities, program services, and more.

Reporting this type of information is done using Schedule F and is for various geographic locations like Antarctica, Central America and the Caribbean, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and much more.

Here are some helpful guidelines to follow from the IRS when filing a Schedule F:

Part I - General Information on Activities Outside the United States
The first section of Schedule F is for organizations with aggregate revenues or expenses greater than $10,000 from grantmaking, fundraising, business, investment, or program services outside of the United States. The IRS doesn't require any expenditure from services provided in U.S. for recipients inside and outside the U.S.

For Line 1, indicate whether the organization maintains records to substantiate the following:

  • The monetary value of its grants and other assistance
  • The recipients’ eligibility for grants or assistance
  • The selection criteria used to award grants or assistance

Responses to Line 2 will go on Part V of the Schedule F. You should describe the organization’s procedures for monitoring the use of grants and assistance outside of the U.S. - this can include details from periodic reports and accountings, field investigations, or third-party audits.

Line 3 requires you to enter details for each type of activity conducted any time during the filling year for each region. If the organization has many activities per area, list each one separately for the same location name. Report any investments by regions as well; however, they should be separate from other activities listed in the same area. And you can list all investments from a particular region as a single entry.

It is not necessary to report any foreign investments indirectly held through a pass-through entity in the U.S. because the entity is not physically in a foreign location. You also won’t need to list any investments from entities located overseas that trade on a U.S. stock exchange.

Important: Listing funds transferred to a non-interest bearing account outside of the United States for program services is not necessary for Line 3; however, once those funds are used, the IRS requires you to list them on Line 3, Column F.

Complete the chart for Line 3 as follows

  • Column A - List each region in which your organization conducts its foreign activity
  • Column B - List the number of offices in each region
  • Column C - List the number of employees, agents, and independent contractors in each region
  • Column D - List the type of activity conducted in the region (i.e. fundraising, program services, etc.)
  • Column E - Give a description of the particular type of service for any program services listed in Column D
  • Column F - List total expenditures and investments in each region

With Lines 3a through 3c for Column B, report the total number of offices in foreign locations maintained by the organization during the tax year - don’t count any one office more than once. You’ll also enter the total number of employees and the overall sum of expenditures and investments on Lines 3a through 3c for their respective columns.

Part II - Grants and Other Assistance to Organizations or Entities Outside the United States
Exempt organizations with any recipients outside of the U.S. that have received grants or assistance of at least $5,000 need to be reported in this section. On Line 1, you need to list those recipients in the chart provided. Enter each organization or entity on separate lines. If you require more space for additional beneficiaries, you can attach duplicate copies as needed.

In this section, list cash or noncash grants and assistance based on the accounting method from your organization’s financial statements - you’ll need to describe this process later on in Part V. You should also report grants no matter the source of the funds or whether the organization chose the recipient.

Important: Completing Columns A or B in the chart isn’t necessary.

Finish the rest of the chart for Line 1 as follows

  • Column C - Enter the region where the principal foreign office of the recipient organization is or where grant funds are getting used
  • Column D - Describe the purpose of grant funds with specific terms like general support, school, construction, or medical supplies rather than broad words like educational or religious
  • Column E - Enter the total dollar amount of cash grants, in U.S. dollars, for each recipient
  • Column F - Describe how your organization disburses cash for each recipient (i.e. cash payment, check, money transfer, etc.)
  • Column G - Enter the Fair Market Value of noncash properties in U.S. dollars
  • Column H - Enter a description for any noncash goods or assistance listed
  • Column I - Describe the method of valuation for noncash properties

On Line 2, report the total number of recipients from your list on Line 1 that is either recognized as a charity by the foreign country, recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS, or has provided a section 501(c)(3) equivalency letter. With Line 3, enter the total number recipients that are not classified as described in Line 2.

Part III - Grants and Other Assistance to Individuals Outside the United States
Similar to Part II, this section is for exempt organizations who have given at least $5,000 in grants and assistance directly to foreign individuals or foreign groups for the benefit of a particular foreign individual.

You need to complete the chart in Part III the same way you did for Part II, Line 1. Be aware that for Part III, Column A, you’re going to use the same terms that you used for Part II, Line 1, Column D. The IRS also needs an explanation in Part V for any estimated numbers you come up with for Part III, Column C.

Part IV - Foreign Forms
Any exempt organization filing a Schedule F must complete Part IV by answering each question from Line 1 to Line 6. It could be possible to answer each question as “No,” if applicable. But for any question answered “Yes,” the IRS requires you to the file the additional form listed with the question.

Part V - Supplemental Information
The final section within Schedule F is for you to provide detailed explanations for the following parts you answered earlier:

  • Part I, Line 2 - Methods for monitoring the use of your organization’s grants and assistance outside the U.S.
  • Part I, Line 3, Column F - Methods used for accounting expenditures on the organization’s financial statements
  • Part II, Line 1 and Part III - Methods used for accounting cash grants and noncash assistance on the organization’s financial statements
  • Part III, Column C - Methods used to estimate the number of recipients

You can also supply any other explanations or descriptions as needed, but for anything written in Part V, you should write out the corresponding part and line of the schedule. For any tax-intensive questions regarding your organization’s activities outside of the U.S., we recommend speaking with a certified professional or contacting the IRS directly at 877.829.5500.


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Can Religious Organizations Become Tax-Exempt?

In Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, one of the exempt purposes that is specified is “religious.” Because of constitutional issues, Treasury Regulation doesn't have a precise definition of "religious" like other functions such as charitable, educational, or scientific.

According to the IRS, the First Amendment typically prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from judging what can or cannot be a religion. As far as tax-exempt groups are concerned, the IRS lists the following as 501(c)(3) religious organizations:

  • Churches
  • Nondenominational ministries
  • Integrated auxiliaries of churches
  • Conventions and associations of churches
  • Interdenominational and ecumenical organizations
  • Other entities with the principal purpose of studying or advancing religion

The IRS also grants 501(c)(3) exemption status for religious organizations that primarily participates in the following activities:

  • Distributing a newspaper devoted to religious news, articles, or editorials
  • Organizing religious retreats for diverse Christian denominations where members use recreational facilities for limited amount of time and free of charge

Because 501(c)(3) regulations state that organizations must operate exclusively for one or more exempt purposes, it is possible for religious groups to not qualify for exemption status if they significantly endorse a nonexempt purpose. For instance, the following activities can cause a religious organization to be ineligible for tax exempt status:

  • Producing literature for profit that has little to no connection with the religious beliefs of the organization
  • Conducting a religious retreat facility that caters to recreational and social activities rather than religious

It’s also common for organizations to have activities to serve more than just one purpose. For religious groups, they can also qualify for 501(c)(3) status as an organization operating primarily for educational or charitable purposes.

Churches are typically different from other types of religious organizations - the federal government automatically recognizes them as tax-exempt without reviewing a Form 1023. But there are various conditions that the IRS considers when determining a church for federal tax purposes. These are, but not limited to

  • An established place of worship
  • A formal code of doctrine and discipline
  • A recognized belief and form of worship
  • A regular congregation of religious services
  • A distinct legal existence of the organization
  • An organization comprised of ordained ministers
  • A precise and accurate clerical government and religious history
  • A membership system exclusive of any other churches or denomination

Like many other tax-exempt organizations, the IRS still requires churches to follow standard 501(c)(3) regulations such as no private inurement and no significant lobbying. The main difference between churches and other tax-exempt groups is that churches are not required to file an annual 990 form. For churches that choose to submit a nonprofit tax return, your gross receipts will determine which 990 form to file.


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Political Participation from Exempt Organizations

According to the IRS, political and legislative activities are two separate types of operations within exempt organizations. Each has their set of rules and consequences based on the following criteria:
  • The scope or amount of the activity conducted
  • The type of operated activity - Political or Lobbying
  • The type of tax-exempt organization - Section 501(c)(3) or Private Foundations

Restrictions on Political Activities
The Internal Revenue Code strictly prohibits your typical section 501(c)(3) organizations in taking part in any political campaigns with a candidate running for an elective public office. Furthermore, any contributions to political campaign funds for an electoral candidate violates IRS policy and can lead to loss of exemption status.

While the IRS approves certain activities and expenditures that are mildly political, there are also specific types of exempt organizations that are allowed to participate in political campaigns fully - their involvement is carefully regulated as well.

Restrictions on Political Contributions
Exempt organizations like trade associations, labor unions, or similar groups can contribute to a political candidate, campaign committee, or newsletter fund; however, these donations are not tax deductible. Any expenses such as an advertisement or admission benefiting a political party or candidate are also non-deductible.

These tax-exempt organizations involved in politics and lobbying are also ineligible for getting tax-deductible, charitable contributions - this means that if a taxpayer donates to organizations like these, the amount isn't considered deductible for the taxpayer’s personal tax return.

Monetary Limits
There’s only so much the law allows organizations to contribute towards a political cause. Both parties - the one giving and the one receiving - are equally responsible for not exceeding past the limits.
An organization can donate a maximum of:
  • $100 in cash to any political committee
  • $33,400 per calendar year to a national party committee
  • $10,000 per calendar year to a state or local party committee
  • $5,000 per calendar year towards a political action committee
  • $2,700 per election to a federal candidate or campaign committee

If your tax-exempt organization is eligible to participate in lobbying activities or give political contributions, you are required to submit a Schedule C along with your IRS Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. With ExpressTaxExempt.com, schedules are automatically generated based on your form interview answers - the information you enter loads onto the proper schedule and is transmitted with your 990 form directly to the IRS.

For any questions or help with your e-filing experience, call our U.S. - based, customer support team at 704.839.2321, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST or reach us 24/7 with support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.


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Tax Tips for Nonprofit Volunteers

Volunteers are an indispensable aspect of any nonprofit organization or charity. They help complete the daily tasks required, which allows your organization to continue reaching its mission or goal.

Many of you may already have a process in place for recruiting volunteers - email blasts, social media, sign-up events, and others.

But the key to secure potential volunteers is transparency. From the start, let your prospects know what you’re aiming to achieve and how they can assist. Another way to entice is explaining the benefits of volunteering. One of the many incentives for people donating services are the tax deductions.

Here are a few tips and guidelines from the IRS about claiming credits from services to charity.

Qualified Organization
Before your volunteers can deduct any service costs, the nonprofit or charity must be officially recognized by the IRS as a Section 501(c)(3) exempt organization - this leads right back to being transparent with your potential helpers. You’re obligated to explain whether your nonprofit is officially tax-exempt, waiting on approval, or haven’t even registered. Church and government organizations are automatically qualified.

Out-of-Pocket Spending
Volunteers can deduct traveling costs necessary to donate their services. All costs must meet the following criteria for eligibility:
  • Unreimbursed expenses
  • Fees accrued due to given services
  • No living, family, or personal expenses
  • Costs directly related to donated services

Substantial & Authentic Work
Your volunteers must perform work that is “real and valuable” to the organization. Any travel expenses are ineligible for tax credits if the volunteer duties were minimal or have no impact or significant importance with your nonprofit or charity.

Value of Services & Time
According to the IRS, volunteers can’t deduct the value of their donated services - what this means is that they can’t claim what they would typically charge for a particular service. For example, let’s say a caterer volunteers to feed your fundraising event or gala - they’re ineligible to write-off the usual amount they would’ve charged to cater such an event; however, the cost of supplies, utilities, and travel for the event are approved deductions.

Claims on Travel Costs
Travel expenses that volunteers can deduct includes
  • Car expenses
  • Lodging costs
  • Meal expenses
  • Train, air, and bus transportation
  • Other transportation costs needed for local travel
Check with your community’s tax professional or CPA about how you can further explain the tax incentives for nonprofit volunteers. And once you’ve got your volunteer situation complete, visit us at ExpressTaxExempt.com for all your federal e-filing needs.

With our services, you can e-file IRS Form 990-N (e-Postcard), 990-EZ, 990 (long), and Extension Form 8868 for an automatic, 3-month tax extension. Time is starting to wind down for those of you who extended your IRS deadline to November 15 - e-file right now with ExpressTaxExempt.com to avoid any late filing fees.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the e-filing process, our U.S. - based customer support is ready to help out. Call us at 704.839.2321, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, or email us at your convenience with support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.


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IRS Lowers Nonprofit Applications

Outstanding news for organizations trying to seek tax-exemption status - the Internal Revenue Service reduced its processing fee for Form 1023-EZ, Streamlined Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The change, implemented this past July 1, slashes the original application fee from $400 to $275.

What is Form 1023-EZ
The EZ version of IRS Form 1023 was introduced back in 2014 as a quicker and simpler process for small organizations applying for exemption status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Tax Code. This shorter 3-page form made it possible for the IRS to cut down the backlog of the tens of thousands of organizations seeking tax-exemption each year.

If your organization makes less than $50,000 and have assets less than $250,000, the short application form is the best way to go. You can also learn more about what the form requires with our easy blog: Section 501(c)(3) Applications

How To Pay
The IRS states that organizations can pay their processing fees through Pay.gov when filing the application. You’ll need to provide either bank account information or a valid credit card or debit card to process the payment.

IRS Compliance
After your organization applies and receives exemption status, the next thing to do is preserve your tax-exemption by e-filing the required form each year with the IRS. Because your gross receipts are less than $50,000, you’ll need to e-file IRS Form 990-N (e-Postcard), and no other service makes that easier than ExpressTaxExempt.com.

With ExpressTaxExempt.com, all you need to enter is basic organization details, select your tax year period, and confirm your organization makes less than $50,000. Afterward, you can authorize and transmit to the IRS along with receiving real-time, email notifications of your filing status. And the best part - the process takes only minutes to complete.

If you’re nowhere near a computer, that’s not a problem. Our FREE downloadable ExpressTaxExempt Mobile app, for iOS and Android devices, allows you to e-file anywhere there is Wi-Fi access for smartphones and tablets. And the process is no different - complete your filing within minutes.

As easy as we’ve made it, we still understand the severity that comes with federal tax filings. If you have any questions or need assistance with your e-filing experience, contact our U.S. - based support team in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We’re available at 704.839.2321, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. We also offer 24/7 email messaging with support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.


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5 Summer Fundraising Tips for Nonprofits

We’re right in the middle of these long days of summer, and with the weather being warm, exempt organizations are becoming warmer as this season is one of the most excellent time of the year to bring in contributions for your nonprofit or charity cause.

Break from the monotony of traditional fundraising tactics and take full advantage of these summer days with even more interaction with your community. Here are five simple strategies to earn more donations by using Summer to its full potential!

Embrace the Outdoors

When you think of Summer, you think of being outside - literally; people spend a great deal of their leisure time outside during the Summer. For you, this is a perfect opportunity to construct an outdoor activity as a fundraising campaign. You can set up a lemonade or ice cream stand for donations. A more simple and quick idea could be handing out bottles of ice-cold water on a hot day at the park for a small monetary gift towards your cause.

Make a Specific Request
If you need volunteers, contributions, or whatever is necessary, make sure your “call-to-action” is clear like blue summer skies. You want to be as transparent as possible with those who are getting involved with your organization. Be open with your mission goals, the use of donations, and how people can volunteer if they want.

Work with the Community

To be for the people, it makes sense to be with the people. With the summer season, there comes summer gatherings like pool parties, sporting events, and barbecues. How about hosting a summer festival with the proceeds going towards your exempt organization? If you happen to find any other city-sponsored activities in your area, see how your organization can become a part of it and use that platform to inform people about giving towards your leading cause.

Use your Creativity
There are no limits with whatever you can come up with - you can reshape a summer chore into an opportunity to fundraise. You could organize a small group of volunteers to mow lawns or wash cars for donations. With the proper resources, you could even put together an afternoon program for children where parents can contribute for how long their child is there. The possibilities are nearly endless for those serious enough.

Enjoy Yourselves
Though the point of these suggestions is to bring in money to your exempt organization, the primary goal should always be to have fun outside and be among those within the community. Just one fun summer activity can accomplish so much and bring positive recognition to your mission - ever thought about how a water balloon fight could be a fundraiser?

Once you've gathered all your donations, be sure to visit us at ExpressTaxExempt.com so you can quickly and easily bulk upload your contributors and amounts from fundraising events - these are figures required on your IRS Form 990/990-EZ. And if you need more time file, we also offer IRS Form 8868 for automatic tax extensions.

Contact our live, US-based customer support in Rock Hill, South Carolina, for any questions or assistance with e-file your exempt organization’s tax return. We’re available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST at 704.839.2321 - email us 24/7 with support@ExpressTaxExempt.com.


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Start Your Nonprofit




You may have been thinking lately that even though it’s a new year, there really hasn’t been anything new about it. You’re still doing the same things as last year, or still catching up from last month because of the holidays. 

There’s a popular meme spreading around social media now that states, “My New Year Officially Begins February 1st.” And while it’s meant to be funny, it can actually be a legit statement - just because they’re called “New Year’s Resolutions,” doesn’t mean they have to happen at the start of the year. You can change things for yourself at any time of year.

So let’s say this is the year you want to start your nonprofit, but you’re already falling a month behind. With everything it takes to build a nonprofit, you might as well try again next year, right? Wrong. After researching what’s needed for a nonprofit, you can basically break it down into three major goals.

Goal 1 - Get Started
You already have a vision of how and why your organization operates. You have friendly supporters and a small group of like-minded advisors providing direction similar to a board. Get with these people and write-up the mission statement for your nonprofit. It should detail the work your organization does and why it’s important, and encompass the basics of your board of directors like first principles, key duties, accountability, etc.

Your statement needs to be as complete as possible - not a task done very quickly. You could allow yourself from the first of January to the last day of April to finish. You may not need the entire four months, but you’ll still have ample time if you get started late.

Goal 2 - State Incorporation
Your organization will need to be created within the your state’s laws - these are essentially the same laws and regulations that apply to any business operation; however, specific terms and conditions could differently affect your nonprofit, which could cause delays. Like creating the mission statement, this isn’t a job completed overnight. From May to the end of August, two months can be for finishing all the paperwork, while the other two are for processing. Or you could personally allocate the division of time based on your specific situation.

Goal 3 - Apply for Exemption Status
The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) allows corporations with specific purposes to apply for tax-exempt status. If approved, these corporations typically become recognized as Section 501(c)(3) organizations. You’ll need to file Form 1023, but to properly complete the form, you need to have the first two goals accomplished.

The last four months of the year should be more than enough time to have your exemption application filed and processed. Before filing, you’ll need to already have the following:
  • Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Organizing Document (Article of Incorporation, Trust Agreement, or Articles of Association, Constitution, Bylaws or Other Similar Organizing Documents
  • Section 501(c)(3) Purpose and Dissolution Clause Verification (Included in Organizing Document)
  • Form 2848, Authorized Representative Verification (if applicable)
  • Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization

Keep in mind that these estimated time periods are to coincide with a fictional resolution of starting a nonprofit within a year - depending on your state requirements, or how long it takes your tax professional to handle your forms, it could take a much longer time than depicted in this scenario.

Getting your nonprofit recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization is only half the battle - the rest is maintaining your status. Let us help you get your required 990 forms transmitted to the IRS. With ExpressTaxExempt, our simple “Q&A” format allows you to successfully complete your tax return by answering interview-style questions - no photocopies or blank PDFs of complicated IRS forms here. Our live support team in Rock Hill, South Carolina are professionals with the e-filing process. If you have any questions or need assistance, call at (704) 839-2321. We’re available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, or email us at support@expresstaxexempt.com.


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The Volunteer Experience




For many nonprofit organizations, volunteers are an essential part of the day-to-day operations. In some ways, volunteers can prove to be just as vital as donors, if not more. You may have the resources to offer a service, but volunteers are your means of properly executing that service. Whether your nonprofit is small or large, any exempt organization can benefit from having volunteers. But are your volunteers benefiting from your organization?

Do your volunteers know what to do once they arrive to help? Are they showing up during a set schedule, or are they allowed to come and go? Do they regularly feel that there’s nothing to do, or are they unsure what to work on next? The experience your volunteers have with your organization can greatly impact future volunteering, monetary support, and even your nonprofit’s reputation.

Here are a few ways you can easily enhance the experience of your organization’s volunteers:

Organization Website
It all starts by getting volunteer information to those who are interested. As soon as a viewer enters your web page, they should be able to get that information effortlessly. Your volunteer registration form should ask the following information:
  • Contact name/info
  • Reason for volunteering
  • Any physical constraints
  • Education or special training
  • Professional/volunteer experience
  • Personal interest or hobbies

What may seem like extraneous information will actually help you give volunteers tasks based on their set of skills. When the volunteer is excited with what they’re doing, it’s more likely they’ll continue with their support. But signing up isn’t the only important thing. Make sure your website displays volunteering impact, available opportunities, coordinator contact info, guidelines, and release forms. Videos, photos, or testimonials from previous volunteers would be a nice touch as well.

Schedule, Communicate, & Prepare
After your volunteer has registered, communicate with them on a regular basis. They should know where to be, what to bring, and what to expect. You can personally ensure that your volunteers understand the guidelines, know their schedules, and are aware of their duties and responsibilities.

Volunteer Day (V-Day)
The most critical part of the entire experience - this should be no different than the first day of a new employee, board member, or important donor. Here a some suggested guidelines:
  • Provide distinct instruction and expectation before volunteers arrive
  • Have a leadership member greet volunteers and escort them to the volunteering area (room, section, hub, etc.)
  • Have the volunteer coordinator share details of the organization - including the need for volunteers
  • Demonstrate what volunteers will be doing over the course of their scheduled time
  • Let volunteers work
  • Allow the necessary work breaks
  • Take a photo or video of volunteers working
  • Allow the volunteers to mitigate back in the volunteer area
  • Inquire about today’s experience, thank volunteers for their time, and let them leave

Recognition - The Follow-Up
Within 24 hours, you should follow up with your volunteers with either a “Thank You” call or email. Any photos or videos can be posted on social media along with public acknowledgement of the group and volunteer support. Even if you already asked, you may still want to inquire about their experience. Sending electronic surveys to your volunteers can provide feedback or insight.

Follow-ups can also be used to request donations. Studies have shown that volunteers give ten times more in donations than non-volunteers - a reason why your volunteer experience should be top-notch to begin with. Any volunteering program your organization has in place should be as crucial as bringing in new donors. Not only does it reflect upon your organization’s reputation, but those volunteers could become your next major donors. And while you’re focused on that, let us make filing your tax-exempt returns as easy as possible.

With ExpressTaxExempt, our built-in audit check scans your information entered for any possible errors that could cause a rejection - so you can transmit an accurate form the first time around. If your 990 form is still rejected, you can make corrections and re-transmit it at no extra charge.

Look no further for the most comprehensive help in the industry to assist with your e-filing process. Our live technical support team in Rock Hill, South Carolina is available for any questions or assistance with e-filing our tax-exempt forms. Contact us at (704) 839-2321, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. We also offer 24/7 support through email at support@expresstaxexempt.com.




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Nonprofit Showcase (Halfway There Rescue)


As there is a need to help our fellow man, there is also an urgency to help the animals that coexist with us on this beautiful planet. While all animals on Earth are important indeed, it’s the companion animals that the majority of people interact or have had experience with. Known also as pets, these animals - such as dogs or cats - can provide physical and emotional benefits like daily exercise and social interaction.

In the Charlotte, North Carolina area, there are dogs and cats, within overcrowded shelters, longing for the love from a happy, permanent home. Halfway There Rescue has embodied that situation and made it their mission to rescue, foster, transport, and provide homes for neglected companion animals.

Founded by Rock Hill’s own dog rescue enthusiast, Sarah Lewis, Halfway There Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is operated entirely through the resounding efforts of volunteers. Since February 2012, they have helped nearly 2,000 dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens find happy, loving homes - all with no paid staff or owned facilities.

Halfway There Rescue serves both states of the Carolinas; their primary outreach is within Mecklenburg, York, Lancaster, and Chester counties. The organization has established direct relationships with shelters and animal control centers to bring in dogs and cats before euthanization. In rare situations, Halfway There Rescue may obtain owner surrenders; however, work is typically done through shelter systems.

“Adoption is the loving option,” and the awesome volunteers of Halfway There Rescue make it possible for the Carolinas to take home these adorable, loving creatures as one of their own. Through its exemplary efforts and humane contributions, Halfway There Rescue shines as our nonprofit showcase of the month.

Information about how you can volunteer or adopt can be found on the Halfway There Rescue website.

Nonprofits can be geared towards humans or animals - either way ExpressTaxExempt has your exempt organization covered with tax-exempt federal filings required by the IRS. We offer simple solutions to e-file your 990 form quickly, accurately, and securely. You won’t even have to leave your furry companion to sit in front of a computer - download our FREE mobile app to transmit a Form 990-N (e-Postcard) or Extension Form 8868 wherever you and your companion may be.

Our tax forms are made easy, but let us make your e-filing experience as pleasant as possible. Contact our live support team - located in Rock Hill, South Carolina - at (704) 839-2321, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.EST or email us 24/7 at support@expresstaxexempt.com.





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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers related to e-filing IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-N (e-Postcard), Form 1120-POL and Extension Form 8868 with our Frequently Asked Questions.

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