Other 1318009: IRS revokes an organization’s tax-exempt status

Plain-English summary

The IRS revoked the organization’s exemption from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3), effective January 1, 20XX. The letter says the organization operated for a substantial non-exempt purpose by providing debt negotiation and debt settlement services. The attached examination narrative says the organization had been inactive, had ceased its charitable activities, and agreed to revocation, while discussing section 501(c)(4) requirements. Because the release contains both section 501(c)(3) and section 501(c)(4) references, this summary preserves that distinction without resolving the inconsistency. The IRS also stated that contributions would no longer be deductible under section 170 and that the organization would need to file Form 1120 returns.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Whether the organization operated exclusively for exempt purposes and qualified for exemption under the provisions discussed in the release.
• Outcome: Exemption revoked.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 501, 170, 6104(c), 7428; Treas. Reg. §§ 1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(3), 1.501(c)(3)-1(d)(2), 1.501(c)(4)-1(a)(1), 1.501(c)(4)-1(a)(2).

Full text (IRS public release)

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service
TE/GE EO Examinations
1100 Commerce Street 501.03-00
Dallas, TX 75424

TAX EXEMPT AND
GOVERNMENT ENTITIES
DIVISION

January 23, 2012

Number: 201318009
Release Date: 5/3/2013

LEGEND
ORG = Organization name XX = Date Address = address
ORG Person to Contact:
ADDRESS Identification Number:
Contact Telephone Number:
In Reply Refer to: TE/GE Review Staff
EIN:

CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT

LAST DATE FOR FILING A PETITION
WITH THE TAX COURT: April 23, 20XX

Dear

This is a Final Adverse Determination Letter as to your exempt status under section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your exemption from Federal income tax under
section 501(c)(3) of the code is hereby revoked effective January 1, 20XX. You have agreed
to this change per signing of the Form 6018, dated May 14, 20XX.

Our adverse determination was made for the following reasons:

Inurement and/or private benefit of an IRC Section 501(c)(3)’s assets in
any form or amount is prohibited. ORG has not been operating
exclusively for exempt purposes within the meaning of Internal Revenue
Code section 501(c)(3). ORG also is not a charitable organization within
the meaning of Treasury Regulations section 1.501(c)(3)-1(d). You are not
an organization which operates exclusively for one or more of the exempt
purposes which would qualify it as an exempt organization. You operate
substantially for a non-exempt purpose; the providing of private rather
than public benefits.

You failed to meet the requirements of IRC section 501(c)(3) and Treas. Reg. section 1.501
(c)(3) -1(d) in that you failed to establish that you were operated exclusively for an exempt

1100 Commerce Street Dallas, TX 75242

purpose. Rather, you were operated for a substantial non-exempt purpose; providing debt
negotiation and debt settlement services.

Contributions to your organization are no longer deductible under section 170 of the
Internal Revenue Code. You are required to file Federal income tax returns on Form 1120.
These returns should be filed with the appropriate Service Center for the year ending
December 31, 20XX, and for all years thereafter.

Processing of income tax returns and assessment of any taxes due will not be delayed should
a petition for declaratory judgment be filed under section 7428 of the Internal Revenue
Code.

If you decide to contest this determination in court, you must initiate a suit for declaratory
judgment in the United States Tax Court, the United States Claim Court or the District
Court of the United States for the District of Columbia before the 91st day after the date this
determination was mailed to you. Contact the clerk of the appropriate court for the rules for
initiating suits for declaratory judgment.

You also have the right to contact the office of the Taxpayer Advocate. However, you
should first contact the person whose name and telephone number are shown above since
this person can access your tax information and can help you get answers.

You can call and ask for Taxpayer Advocate assistance. Or you can contact the Taxpayer
Advocate from the site where the tax deficiency was determined by calling or writing:

Taxpayer Advocate assistance cannot be used as a substitute for established IRS procedures,
formal appeals processes, etc. The Taxpayer Advocate is not able to reverse legal or
technically correct tax determinations, nor extend the time fixed by law that you have to file
a petition in the United States Tax Court. The Taxpayer Advocate can, however, see that a
tax matter that may not have been resolved through normal channels gets prompt and
proper handling.

We will notify the appropriate State Officials of this action, as required by section 6104(c) of
the Internal Revenue Code.

If you have any questions, please contact the person whose name and telephone number are
shown in the heading of this letter. .

Sincerely yours,
Renee B. Wells

Acting, Director EO
Examinations

Attached:
Pub 892 and 3498

1100 Commerce Street Dallas, TX 75242

Form 886 A Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule No. or
Explanation of Items Exhibit #1
Name of Taxpayer Year/Period Ended
ORG
EIN: 12/31/20XX
LEGEND
ORG = Organization name XX = Date XYZ = State CEO = CEO
ISSUES:

Whether an organization that has been inactive for several years, has ceased all charitable
activities is compliant with existing 501(c)(4) regulations?

FACTS:

On May 14, 20XX CEO executive director, said the E/O has no assets and has ceased all
activities because he was unable to make any money. CEO said that he was planning to dissolve
but had not begun the process, although a letter has been sent to the XYZ attorney General’s
Office. I asked CEO if he would agree to revocation, he said that he would. I further explained
to the taxpayer that he would be required to file "for-profit" Form 1120 Corporate Income Tax
returns for the audited tax year 20XX and a final return for tax year 20XX. On May 20, 20XX I
received the appropriate signed agreed revocation Forms 6018-A, as well as Forms 1120 for
tax year 20XX and a final return for tax year 20XX.

LAW:

Section 501 of the Code provides for the exemption from federal income tax of corporations
organized and operated exclusively for promotion of Social Welfare, provided that no part of the
net earnings inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. See § 1.501(c)(3)-
1(d)(2) and in § 1.501(c)(4)-1(a)(1)&(2) of the Income Tax Regulation

Section 1.501(c)(3)-1(d)(2) of the Income Tax Regulations defines the term “charitable” as used
in § 501(c)(3) as including the relief of the poor and distressed or of the underprivileged, and
the promotion of social welfare by organizations designed to lessen neighborhood tensions, to
eliminate prejudice and discrimination, or to combat community deterioration. The term
“charitable” also includes the advancement of education.

Section 1.501(c)(4)-1(a)(2) of the Income Tax Regulations provides that an organization operates
exclusively for the promotion of social welfare if it is primarily engaged in promoting in some
way the common good and general welfare of the people of the community. An organization
embraced within this section is one which is operated primarily for the purpose of bringing about
civic betterment and social improvements.

A “social welfare” organization will qualify for exemption as charitable organization if it falls
within the definition of “charitable” set for in paragraph (d)(2) of § 1.501(c)(3)-1 (defined above)
and is not an “action” organization as set forth in paragraph(c)(3) of § 1.501(c)(3)-1 (defined
below).

Form 886-A (rev.4-68) Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service
Page: -1-

Form 886 A Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule No. or
Explanation of Items Exhibit #1
Name of Taxpayer Year/Period Ended
ORG
EIN: 12/31/20XX

Section 1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(3) of the Income Tax Regulations outlines an “action organization is not
operated exclusively for exempt purposes if it is an action organization defined in subdivisions
(ii); (iii) or (iv) of this subparagraph.

(ii) an organization is an action organization if a substantial part of its activities
is attempting to influence legislation by propaganda or otherwise.

(iii) An organization is an “action” organization if it participates or intervenes,
directly or indirectly, in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to
any political candidate for public office.

(iv) An organization is an action organization if it has the following two
characteristics (a) Its main or primary objective or objectives (as distinguished
from its incidental or secondary objectives) may be attained on by legislation or
a defeat of proposed legislation and (b) it advocates, or campaigns for, the
attainment of such main or primary objective or objectives as distinguished
from engaging in non-partisan analysis, study, or research and making the
results thereof available to the public.

Legal Precedent:

An organization must not engage in substantial activities that fail to further an exempt purpose.
In Better Business Bureau of Washington, D.C. v. U.S., 326 U.S. 279, 283 (1945), the Supreme
Court held that the “presence of a single . . . [nonexempt] purpose, if substantial in nature, will
destroy the exemption regardless of the number or importance of truly . . . [exempt] purposes.”

GOVERNMENT’S POSITION:

The organization had not operated for exempt purposes and has ceased all charitable activities for
several years. Additionally it was the executive director decision to dissolve. In lieu of
dissolution CEO decided to an agreed revocation of his organization’s exemption by signing the
appropriate Forms 6018-A. We are in agreement with CEO’s decision to revoke his
organization’s 501(c)(4) exemption.

TAXPAYER’S POSITION:

CEO, executive director, informed me of his intention to dissolve because his organization was
unable to provide the necessary charitable services and has not been able to generate income.
According to CEO the organization had been inactive for several years. CEO agreed to revoke
his organizations exempt status by signing Form 6018-A “Consent to Proposed Action”. CEO
submitted the appropriate signed documents which were secured by TEGE on May 20, 20XX.

CONCLUSION:

Form 886-A rev.4-68) Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service
Page: -2-

Form 886 A Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Schedule No. or
Explanation of Items Exhibit #1
Name of Taxpayer Year/Period Ended
ORG ;
EIN: 12/31/20XX

ORG’s executive director-has agreed to revocation by signing Form 6018-A. In addition the
organization has ceased all charitable activities and has not operated exclusively for charitable
purposes for several years. As a result ORG does not qualify for exemption from federal income
tax as an organization described in § 1.501(c)(4) of the Income Tax Regulations.

Based on the facts presented above, it is recommended that ORG’s 501(c)(4) exempt status be
Terminated effective January 1, 20XX.

Form 886-A rev.4-68) Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service
Page: -3-