Organizations wishing to apply for recognition of exemption from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) must complete Form 1024-A. Learn about the requirements and attachments needed to file this form, and how to submit it electronically to the IRS.
What is Form 1024-A?
Form 1024-A is the form used when applying for recognition of exemption from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applying to the IRS for recognition of tax-exempt status can provide recognition of legal status, potential exemption from certain state taxes, the ability of donors to receive charitable deductions in some cases, and nonprofit mailing privileges. Most organizations operating under section 501(c)(4) must notify the IRS within 60 days of formation, but filing Form 1024-A is not necessary (except in certain cases). Form 1120-H is used when certain homeowners’ associations under section 528 wish to receive tax benefits without seeking tax-exempt status from the IRS. To file Form 1024-A, applicants must register with Pay.gov, complete Parts I to IX of the form, and submit one or more attachments in a single PDF document. Filed within 27 months of formation, Form 1024-A can provide recognition of exempt status from the applicant’s date of formation. As of January 4, 2021, payment and filing have to be completed through Pay.gov.
IRS Form 1024-A – Who Needs to Fill It Out?
The IRS Form 1024-A is required to apply for recognition of section 501(c)(4) exemption. Organizations may also wish to file Form 1024-A to receive a determination letter of IRS recognition of their 501(c)(4) status in order to obtain certain benefits such as public recognition of tax-exempt status, possible exemption from certain state taxes, advance assurance to donors of deductibility of contributions, and nonprofit mailing privileges. Most organizations operating under this section must submit Form 8976 within 60 days of formation. To apply, organizations must register for an account on Pay.gov, enter “1024-A” or “1024” in the search box, then complete and submit the form, along with any required attachments. A group exemption cannot be applied for using Form 1024-A, although any subordinate organizations can use it to leave the group.
Step-by-Step: Form 1024-A Instructions For Filling Out the Document
To apply for recognition of exemption from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4), you must file Form 1024-A. Completing this form may provide you with some benefits such as public recognition of tax-exempt status, exemption from certain state taxes, deductible charitable contributions for donors, and non-profit mailing privileges. Form 8976 needs to be filled within 60 days of formation to notify the IRS. For tax benefits for certain homeowners’ associations under section 528, file Form 1120-H instead of Form 1024-A. To apply for a group exemption, refer to Pub. 557. To leave a group exemption, a subordinate organization must submit Form 1024-A and notify the parent organization before filing. Provide required information in Parts I-IX and upload attachments (organizing documents, amendments, bylaws, POA, TIA, responses and expedite request). To have exemption recognized from legal date of formation, Form 1024-A should be filed within 27 months. As of January 4, 2021, the IRS requires Form 1024-A applications must be submitted electronically at Pay.gov.
Below, we present a table that will help you understand how to fill out Form 1024-A.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Download Form 1024-A. |
| 2 | Complete Form 1024-A. |
| 3 | Submit Form 1024-A electronically at Pay.gov. |
| 4 | Provide required information in Parts I-IX of the form. |
| 5 | Upload attachments, including organizing documents, amendments, bylaws, POA, TIA, responses, and expedite request. |
| 6 | If applying for recognition of exemption from the legal date of formation, file Form 1024-A within 27 months. |
| 7 | For tax benefits for certain homeowners’ associations under section 528, file Form 1120-H instead of Form 1024-A. |
| 8 | To apply for a group exemption, refer to Pub. 557. |
| 9 | To leave a group exemption, a subordinate organization must submit Form 1024-A and notify the parent organization before filing. |
| 10 | Form 8976 needs to be filled within 60 days of formation to notify the IRS. |
Do You Need to File Form 1024-A Each Year?
Generally, no – most organizations operating under section 501(c)(4) are not required to, except in certain circumstances. However, filing Form 1024-A is still recommended, as it can provide certain benefits like public recognition of tax-exempt status, state tax exemptions, advance assurance to donors of deductibility of donations, and non-profit mailing privileges. All applicants must complete Parts I through IX of the form, as well as the mandatory attachment(s). Additionally, filing online at Pay.gov is now required. Submission of the form within 27 months of formation is recommended to ensure the date of formation remains the effective date of recognition of exempt status.
Official IRS Form 1024-A
Revised Version
The current iteration of Form 1024-A necessitates electronic submission exclusively via Pay.gov. The latest version of the form is accessible on the Pay.gov website.
To initiate the submission of Form 1024-A, the following steps are required:
- Create an account on Pay.gov.
- Utilize the search function by entering “1024-A” in the search box and selecting Form 1024-A.
- Proceed to fill out the form.
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