Other 1318025: IRS revokes an organization's tax exemption for filing failures

Plain-English summary

The IRS proposed revoking an organization's exemption under section 501(c)(4) because it did not respond to IRS correspondence or file required Forms 990 for the relevant tax periods. The examination report also cited recordkeeping and information-return requirements under sections 6001 and 6033. The IRS concluded that the organization had not established that it continued to meet the conditions for exemption. Its exempt status was revoked effective January 1, 20XX, and Form 1120 returns were required for tax periods ending on or after December 31, 20XX.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Whether the organization continued to qualify for exemption under section 501(c)(4).
• Outcome: Revocation.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 501(c)(4), 6001, 6033; Treas. Reg. §§ 1.6001-1(a), 1.6001-1(c), 1.6001-1(e), 1.6033-1(h)(2); Rev. Rul. 59-95.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury

TE:GE EO Examinations
1100 Commerce Street
Dallas, Texas 75242

Taxpayer Identification Number:

Date: May 28, 2008

Form:

Number: 201318025
Release Date: 5/3/2013

Tax Year(s) Ended:

Person to Contact/ID Number:

ORG
ADDRESS Contact Numbers:
UIL: 501.04-00 Telephone:

Fax:

CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Dear ;
We have enclosed a copy of our report of examination explaining why we believe revocation of your

organization's exempt status is necessary.

If you do not agree with our position you may appeal your case. The enclosed Publication 3498, 7. he
Examination Process, explains how to appeal an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) decision. Publication 3498
also includes information on your rights as a taxpayer and the IRS collection process.

If you request a conference, we will forward your written statement of protest to the Appeals Office and they
will contact you. For your convenience, an envelope is enclosed.

If you and Appeals do not agree on some or all of the issues after your Appeals conference, or if you do not
request an Appeals conference, you may file suit in United States Tax Court, the United States Court of Federal
Claims, or United States District Court, after satisfying procedural and jurisdictional requirements as described
in Publication 3498.

Letter 3610 (Rev. 11-2003)
Catalog Number: 34801V

You may also request that we refer this matter for technical advice as explained in Publication 892, Exempt
Organization Appeal Procedures for Unagreed Issues. If a determination letter is issued to you based on
technical advice, no further administrative appeal is available to you within the IRS on the issue that was the
subject of the technical advice.

If you accept our findings, please sign and return the enclosed Form 6018, Consent to Proposed Adverse
Action. We will then send you a final letter revoking your exempt status. If we do not hear from you within 30
days from the date of this letter, we will process your case on the basis of the recommendations shown in the
report of examination and this letter will become final. In that event, you will be required to file Federal income
tax returns for the tax period(s) shown above. File these returns with the Ogden Service Center within 60 days
from the date of this letter, unless a request for an extension of time is granted. File returns for later tax years
with the appropriate service center indicated in the instructions for those returns.

You have the right to contact the office of the Taxpayer Advocate. Taxpayer Advocate assistance is not a
substitute for established IRS procedures, such as the formal appeals process. The Taxpayer Advocate cannot
reverse a legally correct tax determination, or extend the time fixed by law that you have to file a petition in a
United States 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. You may call toll-free 1-877-777-4778 and
ask for Taxpayer Advocate Assistance. If you prefer, you may contact your local Taxpayer Advocate at:

If you have any questions, please call the contact person at the telephone number shown in the heading of this
letter. If you write, please provide a telephone number and the most convenient time to call if we need to
contact you.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Marsha A. Ramirez
Director, EO Examinations

Enclosures:
Publication 892
Publication 3498
Form 6018

Report of Examination
Envelope

Letter 3610 (Rev. 11-2003)
Catalog Number: 34801V

Form 886 A Department of the Treasury - Interna] Revenue Service Schedule No. or
Explanation of Items Exhibit
Name of Taxpayer Year/Period Ended
ORG 20XX12
LEGEND
ORG = Organization name XX = Date
Issue:

Whether ORG qualifies for exemption under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue
Code (Code).

Facts:

Exhibit A provides copies of the Internal Revenue Service correspondence requesting that
Exempt Organization contact the Service or file the Form 990 for the tax period ending
20XX12. Exempt Organization failed to respond to the Internal Revenue Service
correspondence or file the Forms 990 for the tax period ending 20XX12 and beyond.

Law:

IRC Section 6001 of the Code provides that every person liable for any imposed by the
IRC, or for the collection thereof, shall keep adequate records as the Secretary of the
Treasury or his delegate may from time to time prescribe.

IRC Section 6033(a)(1) provides, except as provided in section 6033(a)(2), every
organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) shall file an annual return, stating
specifically the items of gross income, receipts and disbursements, and such other
information for the purposes of carrying out the internal revenue laws as the Secretary
may by forms or regulations prescribe, and keep such records, render under oath such
statements, make such other returns, and comply with such rules and regulations as the
Secretary may from time to time prescribe.

Treas. Reg. Section 1.6001-1(a) in conjunction with Treas. Reg. Section 1.6001-1(c)
provides that every organization exempt form tax under IRC Section 501 (a) and subject to
the tax imposed by IRC Section 511 on its unrelated business income must keep such
permanent books or accounts or records, including inventories, as are sufficient to
establish the amount of gross income, deduction, credits, or other matters required to be
shown by such person in any return of such tax. Such organization shall also keep such
books and records as are required to substantiate the information required by IRC section
6033.

Treas. Reg. Section 1.6001-1(e) states that the books or records required by this section
shall be kept at all time available for inspection by authorized internal revenue officers or
employees, and shall be retained as long as the contents thereof may be material in the
administration of any internal revenue law.

Form 886-Acrev.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
Name of Taxpayer Year/Period Ended
ORG 20XX12

Treas. Reg. Section 1.6033-1(h)(2) of the Treas. Regs. provides that every organization
which has established its right to exemption from tax, whether or not it is required to file an
annual return of

information, shall submit such additional information as may be required by the district
director for the purpose of enabling him to inquire further into its exempt status and to
administer the provisions of subchapter F (section 501 and the following), chapter 1 of the
Code and section 6033.

Rev. Rul. 59-95, 1959-1 C.B. 627, concerns an exempt organization that was requested to
produce a financial statement and statement of its operations for a certain year. However,
its records were so incomplete that the organization was unable to furnish such
statements. The Service held that the failure or inability to file the required information
return or otherwise to comply with the provisions of section 6033 and the regulations which
implement it, may result in the termination of the exempt status of an organization
previously held exempt, on the grounds that the organization has not established that it is
observing the conditions required for the continuation of exempt status.

In accordance with the above cited provisions of the Code and regulations under IRC
Sections 6001 and 6033, organizations recognized as exempt form federal income tax
must meet certain reporting requirements. These requirements relate to the filing of a
complete and accurate annual information ( and other required federal tax forms) and the
retention of records sufficient to determine whether such entity is operated for the
purposes for which it was granted tax-exempt status and to determine its liability for any
unrelated business income tax.

Conclusion: It is the IRS’s position that the organization failed to meet the reporting
requirements under IRC Sections 6001 and 6033 to be recognized as exempt from federal
income tax under IRC Section 501 (c) (4). Accordingly, the organization’s exempt status
is revoked effective January 1, 20XX.

Form 1120 returns should be filed for the tax periods ending on or after December
31, 20XX.

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