Some entities eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions may not be listed in Tax Exempt Organization Search (Pub. 78 data). Churches and certain affiliated organizations Tax Exempt Organization Search (Pub. 78 data) is based on information received in applications seeking recognition of exemption under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Churches, their integrated auxiliaries, conventions or associations of churches, and public charities whose annual gross receipts are normally not more than $5,000 may be treated as tax-exempt without filing an application. Also, many churches are included in group exemptions (see below). Thus, they may not be listed in Tax Exempt Organization Search (Pub. 78 data). Group exemption subordinate organizations Subordinate units that are included in group exemption letters are not listed separately in Tax Exempt Organization Search (Pub. 78 data). However, the listing for the central organization indicates that contributions to subordinate units covered by the group exemption are also deductible. For more information about group exemption requirements and procedures, see Publication 4573, Group Exemptions PDF. Governmental units (including Indian tribal governments) Contributions to an organization described in section 170(c)(1) for exclusively public purposes will be allowed regardless of whether the organization has received a letter confirming its status. Section 170(c)(1) describes states, possessions of the United States, political subdivisions of the foregoing, the United States, and the District of Columbia. Indian tribal governments are treated as states for purposes of deductibility of contributions under section 170(c)(1) of the Code, pursuant to section 7871(a)(1)(A). Revenue Procedure 2008-55 contains a list of Indian tribal governments recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tribal governments for purposes of section 7871. A subdivision of an Indian tribal government may be treated as a political subdivision of a state for these purposes if the Service has determined that the entity qualifies as a political subdivision of an Indian tribal government under section 7871(d). Revenue Procedure 84-36 PDF lists subdivisions of Indian tribal governments that are treated as political subdivisions of states. Additional information Charitable contribution deductions - general rules for how much an individual can deduct Tax Exempt Organization Search - search for charities
