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On July 1, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (“I.R.S.”) introduced a new, shorter application form to help small public charities apply for recognition of tax-exempt status, under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”), more easily.

Ruchelman P.L.L.C. used the new Form 1023-EZ, Streamlined Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, for a client and received recognition of tax-exempt status in less than three weeks. Recognition of tax-exempt status ordinarily can take months, if not years (in the case of charities operating abroad). Prior to the introduction of Form 1023-EZ, expedited processing was available only under certain circumstances, generally in the case of a mass disaster (e.g., terrorist attack, hurricane, etc.).

The new procedures may reduce the need for small charities to engage in fiscal sponsorships with larger public charities. Under a fiscal sponsorship, the larger charity agrees to sponsor the start-up charity, receiving and administering charitable contributions on behalf of the sponsored organization, for a fee.

The new Form 1023-EZ, is three pages long, compared with the standard 26-page Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Most small organizations (which the I.R.S. estimates to be as many as 70% of all applicants) qualify to use the new streamlined form. Most organizations with gross receipts of $50,000 or less and assets of $250,000 or less are eligible. These are the same organizations that are eligible to file an “ePostcard” annual return on Form 990-N.

The Form 1023-EZ must be filed using pay.gov (the secure electronic portal for making payments to Federal Government Agencies) and a $400 user fee is due at the time the form is submitted.