Exemption denied because applicant supplied no organizing document

Plain-English summary

An applicant for section 501(c)(3) status stated that it was not a corporation, limited liability company, unincorporated association, or trust. It did not submit an organizing document, bylaws, or proof that it was legally organized, despite follow-up requests from the IRS. Without articles limiting its purposes and dedicating its assets to exempt purposes, the applicant could not satisfy the organizational test. The IRS also explained that gaps in the administrative record are resolved against an applicant that bears the burden of establishing exemption. It denied recognition of exempt status, and the denial became final when no protest was filed.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Can an applicant qualify under section 501(c)(3) without an organizing document or proof of legal organization?
• Outcome: denied
• Key authorities: IRC § 501(c)(3); Treas. Reg. § 1.501(c)(3)-1(a), (b); Rev. Proc. 2017-5; Universal Life Church; La Verdad; New Dynamics Foundation

Full text (IRS public release)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 2508
IRS Cincinnati, OH 45201
Date: August 28, 2017

Employer ID number:
Number: 201747008

Release Date: 11/24/2017 Contact person/ID number:

Contact telephone number:
Form you must file:

Tax years:

UIL: 501.03-00, 501.03-30

Dear

This letter is our final determination that you don’t qualify for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code (the Code). Recently, we sent you a proposed adverse determination in response to your
application. The proposed adverse determination explained the facts, law, and basis for our conclusion, and it
gave you 30 days to file a protest. Because we didn’t receive a protest within the required 30 days, the proposed
determination is now final.

Because you don’t qualify as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, donors can’t
deduct contributions to you under Section 170 of the Code. You must file federal income tax returns for the tax
years listed at the top of this letter using the required form (also listed at the top of this letter) within 30 days of
this letter unless you request an extension of time to file.

We’ll make this final adverse determination letter and the proposed adverse determination letter available for
public inspection (as required under Section 6110 of the Code) after deleting certain identifying information.
Please read the enclosed Notice 437, Notice of Intention to Disclose, and review the two attached letters that
show our proposed deletions. If you disagree with our proposed deletions, follow the instructions in the Notice
437 on how to notify us. If you agree with our deletions, you don’t need to take any further action.

We’ll also notify the appropriate state officials of our determination by sending them a copy of this final letter
and the proposed determination letter (under Section 6104(c) of the Code). You should contact your state
officials if you have questions about how this determination will affect your state responsibilities and
requirements.

Letter 4038 (Rev. 7-2014)
Catalog Number 47632S


If you have questions about this letter, you can contact the person listed at the top of this letter. If you have
questions about your federal income tax status and responsibilities, call our customer service number at
1-800-829-1040 (TTY 1-800-829-4933 for deaf or hard of hearing) or customer service for businesses at
1-800-829-4933.

Sincerely,

Stephen A. Martin
Director, Exempt Organizations
Rulings and Agreements

Enclosures:

Notice 437

Redacted Letter 4036, Proposed Adverse Determination Under IRC Section 501(c)(3)
Redacted Letter 4038, Final Adverse Determination Under IRC Section 501(c)(3) - No Protest

Letter 4038 (Rev. 7-2014)
Catalog Number 47632S


Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Cincinnati, OH 45201
Date: April 28, 2017

Employer ID number:
Contact person/ID number:
Contact telephone number:

Contact fax number:

UIL:
501.03-00
501.03-30

Dear

We considered your application for recognition of exemption from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). Based on the information provided, we determined that you don’t qualify
for exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code. This letter explains the basis for our conclusion. Please
keep it for your records.

Issues
Do you qualify for exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code? No, for the reasons stated below.

Facts

In your Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code, you stated you are not a corporation, limited liability company, unincorporated association, or a trust.
You did not provide a copy of your organizing document with your application. You also did not provide a
copy of your bylaws or any other similar document. You responded to our first Letter 1312 and explained that
you were working on expediting the Articles of Organization. You did not respond to our second Letter 1312.
No organizing document has been provided to date.

Law

Section 501(c)(3) of the Code provides for the recognition of exemption of organizations that are organized and
operated exclusively for religious, charitable or other purposes as specified in the statute. No part of the net
earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

Treasury Regulation Section 1.501(c)(3)-1(a)(1) states that, in order to be exempt as an organization described
in section 501(c)(3) of the Code, an organization must be both organized and operated exclusively for one or
more of the purposes specified in such section. If an organization fails to meet either the organizational test or
the operational test, it is not exempt.

Treas. Reg. Section 1.501(c)(3)-1(b)(1)(i) provides that an organization is organized exclusively for one or
more exempt purposes only if its articles of organization:

(a) Limit the purposes of such organization to one or more exempt purposes; and


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(b) Do not expressly empower the organization engage, otherwise than as an insubstantial part of its
activities, in activities that in themselves are not in furtherance of one or more exempt purposes.

Treas. Reg. Section 1.501(c)(3)-1(b)(4) holds that an organization is not organized exclusively for one or more
exempt purposes unless its assets are dedicated to an exempt purpose. An organization’s assets will be
considered dedicated to an exempt purpose, for example, if, upon dissolution, such assets would, by reason of a
provision in the organization’s articles or operation of law, be distributed for one or more exempt purposes.

Revenue Procedure 2017-5, 2017-1 I.R.B. 2321, Section 6 (and its predecessors) provides that a favorable
determination letter or ruling will be issued to an organization only if its application and supporting documents
establish that it meets the particular requirements of the section under which exemption from federal income tax
is claimed. Section 3 states that a determination letter or ruling on exempt status is issued based solely upon the
facts and representations contained in the administrative record. The applicant is responsible for the accuracy of
any factual representations contained in the application.

In Universal Life Church v. United States, 372 F. Supp. 770 (E.D. Cal. 1974), the court concluded that “one
seeking a tax exemption has the burden of establishing his right to a tax-exempt status.”

In La Verdad v. Commissioner, 82 T.C. 215 (1984), the administrative record did not demonstrate that the
organization would operate exclusively in furtherance of an exempt purpose. Therefore, denial of organization’s
request for tax-exempt status was reasonable.

New Dynamics Foundation v. United States, 70 Fed. Cl. 782 (2006), was an action for declaratory judgment
that the petitioner brought to challenge the denial of his application for exempt status. The court, in finding that
the actual purposes displayed in the administrative record supported the Service’s denial, stated “It is well-
accepted that, in initial qualification cases such as this, gaps in the administrative record are resolved against the
applicant.” The court noted that if the petitioner had evidence that contradicted these findings, it should have
submitted it as part of the administrative process. The court also highlighted the principle that exemptions from
income tax are matters of legislative grace.

Application of law

A ruling on exempt status is based solely on facts and representations in the administrative file. You have not
provided supporting documentation to establish you meet the requirements of Section 501(c)(3) of the Code.
Section 501(c)(3) sets forth two main tests for qualification for exempt status. As stated in Treas. Reg.
1.501(c)(3)-1(a)(1), an organization must be both organized and operated exclusively for purposes described in
Section 501(c)(3).

You did not provide an organizing document or proof that you are legally organized. As a result, you have not
satisfied the organizational test described in Treas. Reg. Sections 1.501(c)(3)-1(b)(1)(i) and 1.501(c)(3)-1(b)(4).

You have not submitted sufficient information establishing you are organized exclusively for 501(c)(3)
purposes. (See Universal Life Church, La Verdad, and New Dynamics Foundation) You failed to provide an
organizing document. Therefore, there is not sufficient documentation to establish that you are exempt from
taxation as required by Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and Revenue Procedure 2017-5. As in Universal, you
have the burden of establishing that you qualify for tax exemption.

Letter 4036 (Rev. 7-2014)
Catalog Number 47630W


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In La Verdad and New Dynamics, it was established that an organization must establish, through its
administrative record, that it meets the requirements for exemption. Because you failed to provide sufficient
details in your initial application and the additional documentation you provided did not meet the statutory and
regulatory requirements for exemption, you have not established that you meet the requirements for exemption
under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code. As provided in New Dynamics, any gaps in the administrative record will
be resolved against the applicant. You did not provide supplemental information; therefore, we are unable to
determine that you qualify for exemption.

Conclusion

Based on the information submitted, you have failed to establish that you are organized exclusively for exempt
purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and the related income tax regulations.
Therefore, based on the administrative record, you fail to qualify for exemption under Section 501(c)(3).

If you don’t agree
You have a right to file a protest if you don’t agree with our proposed adverse determination. To do so, you
must send a statement to us within 30 days of the date of this letter. The statement must include:

• Your name, address, employer identification number (EIN), and a daytime phone
number

• A copy of this letter highlighting the findings you disagree with
• An explanation of why you disagree, including any supporting documents
• The law or authority, if any, you are relying on

• The signature of an officer, director, trustee, or other official who is authorized to sign for the
organization, or your authorized representative

• One of the following declarations:

For an officer, director, trustee, or other official who is authorized to sign for the organization:
Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I examined this protest statement, including

accompanying documents, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, the statement contains all
relevant facts and such facts are true, correct, and complete.

For authorized representatives:

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I prepared this protest statement, including
accompanying documents, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, the statement contains all
relevant facts and such facts are true, correct, and complete.

Your representative (attorney, certified public accountant, or other individual enrolled to practice before the
IRS) must file a Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, with us if he or she hasn’t
already done so. You can find more information about representation in Publication 947, Practice Before the
IRS and Power of Attorney.

Letter 4036 (Rev. 7-2014)
Catalog Number 47630W


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We’ll review your protest statement and decide if you provided a basis for us to reconsider our determination. If
so, we'll continue to process your case considering the information you provided. If you haven’t provided a
basis for reconsideration, we’ll forward your case to the Office of Appeals and notify you. You can find more
information about the role of the Appeals Office in Publication 892, How to Appeal an IRS Decision on Tax-
Exempt Status.

If you don’t file a protest within 30 days, you can’t seek a declaratory judgment in court at a later date because
the law requires that you use the IRS administrative process first (Section 7428(b)(2) of the Code).

Where to send your protest
Please send your protest statement, Form 2848, if needed, and any supporting documents to the applicable
address:

U.S. mail: Street address for delivery service:
Internal Revenue Service Internal Revenue Service

EO Determinations Quality Assurance EO Determinations Quality Assurance
Room 7-008 550 Main Street, Room 7-008

P.O. Box 2508 Cincinnati, OH 45202

Cincinnati, OH 45201

You can also fax your statement and supporting documents to the fax number listed at the top of this letter. If
you fax your statement, please contact the person listed at the top of this letter to confirm that he or she received
it.

If you agree

If you agree with our proposed adverse determination, you don’t need to do anything. If we don’t hear from you
within 30 days, we’ll issue a final adverse determination letter. That letter will provide information on your
income tax filing requirements.

You can find all forms and publications mentioned in this letter on our website at www.irs.gov/formspubs. If
you have questions, you can contact the person listed at the top of this letter.

Sincerely,

Stephen A. Martin
Director, Exempt Organizations
Rulings and Agreements

Enclosure:
Publication 892

Letter 4036 (Rev. 7-2014)
Catalog Number 47630W