Application for 501(c)3 Tax Exempt Status for Your Church
 

    This process is two fold in that materials have to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service in addition to the State
(New Jersey in this particular instance.)  Churches are automatically tax exempt but in order to qualify for Sales Tax Exemption and to allow for members to deduct their contibutions, the 501(c)3 application process should be executed.

    This information is provided as a point of reference and is not intended to provide parties with legal information.  It is imperative that parties utilizing this information make sure that they are in complaince with applicable federal and/or state mandates with respect to the filing of an application for 501(c)3 status.

Do you meet the qualifications to file as a 501(c)3 Tax Exempt Organization?
http://www.irs.treas.gov/prod/forms_pubs/pubs/p55703in.htm

The sequence of events with respect to your filing:

1.    File Public Records Form with Commercial Recordings with the State of New  Jersey, Pages 21 and 22 of the NJ-REG (see NJ Business Gateway Services)
2.   Application for Employer Identification Number (SS-4)
        After completion, you may telephone the IRS at the number provided.  They will immediately assign you an Employer Identification Number and ask you to fax or mail the completed form.  (see Federal Forms)
3.    Form 8718, User Fee for Exempt Organization Determination Letter Request  (see Federal Forms)
4.    Exempt Application, Form 1023, including Projected Budget, By-Laws and Constitution (see Federal Forms)
5.    File REG Form 1E, Application for Exempt Organization Permit (see NJ Business Gateway Services)
5.    File NJ-REG FORM, Pages 15, 16 and 17 (see NJ Business Gateway Services)

Federal Publications
http://www.irs.gov/forms_pubs/pubs.html
 

Federal Forms
http://www.irs.gov/forms_pubs/forms.html
 

Types of Exempt Organizations
http://www.irs.gov/forms_pubs/forms.html
 

Religious Organizations
http://www.irs.gov/bus_info/eo/char-orgs.html
http://www.irs.gov/bus_info/eo/eo-appl.html
 

Application for Employer Identification Number
http://www.irs.gov/cgi/search
 

New Jersey Business Gateway Services
http://www.state.nj.us/njbgs/
http://www.state.nj.us/njbgs/bgsclientreg.htm
 

Annual Filing Requirement

http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/bus_info/eo/file-req.html

IRS Customer Service for Tax Exempt Organizations

http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/bus_info/eo/eo-custsrv.html
 

IRS Continuing  Education for the Tax Exempt Professional
http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/plain/bus_info/eo/cpe.html
 

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Tax Exempt Organizations

http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/plain/bus_info/eo/eo-faqs.html

The Tax Exempt Organizations Page
http://www.law.onu.edu/faculty/haight/exempt_orgs.html

Suggested Reading List

http://www.omega23.com/Reference/k24k10_tax_exempt_law.html
http://www.proedsvc.com/0225d.htm

Points of Reference:

http://www.nonprofits.org
http://www.icnl.org
http://www.allexperts.com
http://www.ncnb.org
http://www.charitiestoday.com
http://www.payroll-taxes.com
http://www.propub.com
http://www.americanpayroll.org/ppls.html
http://www.quickbooks.com
http://gilbert.org
http://www.servantkeeper.com
http://www.brotherskeeper.com
http://www.nonprofit.gov
http://www.not-for-profit.org
http://www.supportcenter.org
http://www.njnonprofits.org
http://www.njnahro.com
http://www.nptimes.com
http://www.taxexemptlaw.com
http://www.state.nj.us/dca/programsbook/dcs.htm
http://www.nhi.org
http://www.nlihc.org
http://www.tenant.net