Difference between revisions of "US tax exempt status for foreign NGOs"
From NGO Handbook
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Foreign NGO's are encouraged to apply for recognition of tax-exempt status by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (better known as a 501(c)(3) letter). The following information guides you through the process of applying. Please note: This recognition by the IRS qualifies you as a charitable organization in the United States. For Foundation and Trust grants, it makes you a qualifying organization. For individuals and businesses, a donation to you is not tax deductible because the money is being sent to a foreign charity. Only contributions used in the U.S. are considered tax deductible. | Foreign NGO's are encouraged to apply for recognition of tax-exempt status by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (better known as a 501(c)(3) letter). The following information guides you through the process of applying. Please note: This recognition by the IRS qualifies you as a charitable organization in the United States. For Foundation and Trust grants, it makes you a qualifying organization. For individuals and businesses, a donation to you is not tax deductible because the money is being sent to a foreign charity. Only contributions used in the U.S. are considered tax deductible. | ||
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The IRS maintains a website where the application process is outlined (www.irs.gov). Click on the section for "Charities and Non- Profits" found in the left-hand column. You can then go to the section "[http://www.irs.gov/charities/content/0,,id=96986,00.html "Frequently asked questions about tax-exempt status]," or to an overview of "[http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=136196,00.html | The IRS maintains a website where the application process is outlined (www.irs.gov). Click on the section for "Charities and Non- Profits" found in the left-hand column. You can then go to the section "[http://www.irs.gov/charities/content/0,,id=96986,00.html "Frequently asked questions about tax-exempt status]," or to an overview of "[http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=136196,00.html | ||
Applying for exemption: Procedure for applying]." These portions of the website will guide you through the application process for recognition by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. All publications and forms can be downloaded from the www.irs.gov site. All forms must be completed in English! If you are submitting copies of documents (constitution, bylaws or other documents), they must be notarized by a legal official. The original documents may be in a native language, but an exact translation (in English) of each document must also be provided. | Applying for exemption: Procedure for applying]." These portions of the website will guide you through the application process for recognition by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. All publications and forms can be downloaded from the www.irs.gov site. All forms must be completed in English! If you are submitting copies of documents (constitution, bylaws or other documents), they must be notarized by a legal official. The original documents may be in a native language, but an exact translation (in English) of each document must also be provided. | ||
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1. Download Publication 557, the complete instructions for the application process. It can be found on the irs.gov site [http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p557.pdf here]. | 1. Download Publication 557, the complete instructions for the application process. It can be found on the irs.gov site [http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p557.pdf here]. | ||
Revision as of 12:53, 14 January 2009
Foreign NGO's are encouraged to apply for recognition of tax-exempt status by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (better known as a 501(c)(3) letter). The following information guides you through the process of applying. Please note: This recognition by the IRS qualifies you as a charitable organization in the United States. For Foundation and Trust grants, it makes you a qualifying organization. For individuals and businesses, a donation to you is not tax deductible because the money is being sent to a foreign charity. Only contributions used in the U.S. are considered tax deductible.
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