In some areas, the law requires that an organization notify the Internal Revenue Service or receive an advance determination before undertaking a transaction resulting in certain tax consequences. Thus, an exempt organization must request a private letter ruling or determination with respect to the following issues:
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Advance approval of scholarship programs, and certain other grant-making procedures, of private foundations (Internal Revenue Code section 4945(g))
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Determinations about application of the neighborhood land rule (Code section 514(b)(3))
Voluntary termination of a private foundation’s status, except by transferring assets to, or operating as, a public charity -
Status as an exempt operating foundation (Code section 4940(d))
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Establishment of a set-aside under the "suitability test" (Code section 4942(g)(2))
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Extension of disposal period for certain excess business holdings (Code section 4943(c)(7))
- Certain changes in an organization's accounting methods and periods See Publication 4221-PF PDF, for a general discussion of accounting methods and periods. See also Code section 446(e).
- Advance approval of private foundation’s voter registration activities (Code section 4945(f))
- Status as an organization described in section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(9), or 501(c)(17). (Code section 508(a).
A private foundation must also notify the IRS when it intends to voluntarily terminate its private foundation status under Code section 507(a)(1).
Additional information
- Publication 4221-PC PDF, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Public Charities
- Publication 4221-PF PDF, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Private Foundations
- Publication 4221-NC PDF, Compliance Guide for Tax-Exempt Organizations (Other than Charities)
- Revenue Procedure 2016-4 (or latest update)
- Form 8940 for Miscellaneous Determination Requests
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