Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2017 19:42:35 -0500 From: Russ Hanson <russhanson@grantsburgtelcom.net> Subject: 501 c 3 application filled in online July 1, approved July 27 Message-ID: <f7a90061ebc0bd2df0e0f89a4634e95c@mail.airstreamcomm.net>
The Sterling Eureka and Laketown Historical Society was organized in
2002 as a sub-chapter of the Polk County WI historical Society. We lost
that status in 2012 when sub-chapters were no longer allowed.
We had planned to apply for 501c3 status, but as a small organization
decided to not do it then.
Recently in response to the possibility of a large gift, we decided to
apply. The whole application was done online, two sets of forms, the
first to assure the IRS we were under $50,000 per year, not gambling,
not political....
As we qualified for that, we then filled out the full application
(about 2 hours online). As we had EIN, appropriate bylaws (adopted from
standard ones we got through the county in 2002), etc., it was quite
straight forward, and actually not difficult to answer the questions.
It required creating a personal account (I did it) so I could use a
credit card to pay the $275 fee (for our under $50,000 level) and I
submitted it online July 1, 2017.
On July 27, 2017, I received via regular mail the letter of approval
and a note that says we need to file the short form yearly report for
the past few years.
In checking with the rules/regs as we are now approved, if we do go
over 50,000 per year in the future we just have to file a different
yearly form instead of the post card version -- no new application.
So, easy, all online, fast, and a reasonable experience and cost for
us. I am not a lawyer, nor have any special knowledge of organizations
or filling out forms. I did not have to attach bylaws nor yearly
financial figures, although the yearly figures will be submitted through
3 years of filling out the postcard forms.
If you are a small organization and have been hesitating about doing
this application, I would advice you try it. The new process aimed at
small groups is intended to make it easy for us to succeed.
Russ Hanson
President Sterling Eureka and Laketown Historical Society
NW Wisconsin along the St Croix River of Polk County