Exempt organizations rulings and determinations letters

 

A ruling or determination letter will be issued to your organization if its application and supporting documents establish that it meets the particular requirements of the section under which it is claiming exemption. However, the IRS will not ordinarily issue rulings or determination letters recognizing exemption if an issue involving the organization's exempt status is pending in litigation or is under consideration within the IRS.


Advance ruling: A ruling or determination letter may be issued in advance of operations if your organization can describe its proposed operations in enough detail to permit a conclusion that it will clearly meet the particular requirements of the section under which it is claiming exemption. A restatement of the organization's purpose or a statement that it will be operated in furtherance of that purpose will not satisfy this requirement. The organization must describe fully the activities in which it expects to engage. This includes standards, procedures, or other means adopted or planned by the organization for carrying out its activities, expected sources of funds, and the nature of its contemplated expenses.

Adverse determination: A proposed adverse ruling or determination letter will be issued to an organization that has not provided sufficiently detailed information to establish that it qualifies for exemption or if the information provided establishes that it does not qualify for exemption. An organization can appeal PDF a proposed adverse ruling or determination letter.

Public disclosure: An exemption determination letter is subject to public disclosure.


Return to life cycle of a public charity

Return to life cycle of a private foundation

Return to life cycle of a social welfare organization

Return to life cycle of a labor organization

Return to life cycle of an agricultural or horticultural organization