Federal and state tax laws and policies govern many of the operations of charitable nonprofits. 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organizations typically are exempt from paying income and property taxes and donations to their work are deductible on federal and most state tax returns. Policymakers regularly review and propose changes to exemptions, operational rules, and giving incentives.
The tax laws may encourage individuals and businesses to give to charitable organizations whose missions they support by providing an itemized deduction or tax credit.
Charitable nonprofits may “not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.”
The expiration of key provisions of the 2017 tax law at the end of 2025 sets the stage for one of the most consequential tax debates in a generation.
The federal estate tax is an essential source of revenue for the federal government and serves as an incentive for wealthier individuals to give back to their communities through charitable nonprofit organizations.
The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 22, 2017, included numerous provisions that affect the work of nonprofits and the people and communities we serve.
When tax-exempt charitable nonprofits earn income through an activity that is unrelated to their exempt purposes and the activity is “regularly carried on,” the revenue from the act may be taxable income for “unrelated business income taxation."
Some municipalities attempt to impose discriminatory taxes or fees on nonprofits, or demanding so-called “voluntary” payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs).
Volunteers who drive their vehicles when they perform work on behalf of a nonprofit are restricted in tax law to deducting only 14 cents per mile.
A Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) measure is a state budget and tax-policy process that limits growth of state and local revenues to a restrictive formula, such as capping total spending and taxing to the rate of inflation plus change in population.
Most charitable nonprofits that are recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt have an obligation to file IRS Form 990, which is an annual information return to be filed with the IRS within 5 months and 15 days after the close of the fiscal year.
It will likely be a shock and perhaps deeply discouraging to learn that your nonprofit’s tax-exempt status has been revoked. There are some immediate steps to consider before rolling up your sleeves to re-apply for tax-exemption.