What do I need to do now? I have been running my nonprofit for a year now but have heard that I can easily turn it into a 501 c 3 so my donors can get a tax write off. I do not know who to contact to take the nonprofit to the next level or what the next steps would be. I don't want to incur a lot of costs in the process. Where do I start?

You start with filing the paperwork with the IRS.

http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96109,00.html

Application for Recognition of Exemption

To apply for recognition by the IRS of exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Code, use Form1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1023.pdf and its instructions http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1023.pdf .

The application must be complete and accompanied by the appropriate user fee. See Application Process for a step-by-step review of what an organization needs to know and to do in order to apply for recognition by the IRS of tax-exempt status. Frequently asked questions about applying for exemption generally, and Form 1023 specifically, are also available. You may also want to take our on-line mini-course about applying for exemption.

The organization should also request an employer identification number, even if it does not have any employees. See Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, and its related instructions to learn how to obtain an EIN. You may also obtain an EIN via telephone, by calling 1-800-829-4933, or by applying online.

Except for churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and public charities whose annual gross receipts are normally less than $5,000, organizations will not be treated as described in section 501(c)(3) unless they notify the IRS by applying for recognition of section 501(c)(3) status. Generally, organizations required to apply for recognition of exemption must notify the Service within 27 months from the date of their formation to be treated as described in section 501(c)(3) from the date formed. When the IRS determines that an organization qualifies for exemption under section 501(c)(3), it will also be classified as a private foundation, unless it meets the requirements to be treated as a public charity.

A charitable organization must make available for public inspection its approved application for recognition of exemption with all supporting documents and its last three annual information returns. The organization must provide copies of these documents upon request without charge (other than a reasonable fee for reproduction and copying costs). Penalties are provided for failure to comply with these requirements. For more information, see our frequently asked questions, the final regulations published in Internal Revenue Bulletin 1999-17, or Disclosure Requirements.

Additional information:

On-line Minicourse - Applying for Exemption http://www.irs.gov/app/scripts/exit.jsp?dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stayexempt.org%2Fmi ni-courses%2Fapplyfortaxexempt%2Fplayer.html

Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p557.pdf

Publication 4220, Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4220.pdf

Publication 1635, Understanding Your EIN http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1635.pdf http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4573.pdf

Publication 4573, Group Exemptions