Tax-exempt status revoked for failing the operational test
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This page covers one taxpayer's ruling from 2023, which can't be cited as precedent. Ezel answers your situation under the current Code and IRS guidance, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The IRS revoked an organization's recognition as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). The final determination states that the organization failed the operational test because it could not show that it operated for one or more exempt purposes. The revocation made contributions no longer deductible under section 170 and generally required the organization to file federal income tax returns and pay any applicable tax. The release also includes the earlier proposed-revocation letter, which explained the organization's options to agree, submit information, seek review, or protest. The final letter gave 90 days to seek declaratory judgment in the Tax Court, Court of Federal Claims, or U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia under section 7428.
Ruling snapshot
- Question: Did the organization continue to qualify for exemption under IRC § 501(c)(3)?
- Outcome: Revocation
- Key authorities: IRC §§ 501(a), 501(c)(3), 170, and 7428
Full text (IRS public release)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Date:
09/07/2023
Tax Exempt and Government Entities Taxpayer ID number (last 4 digits):
Form:
Release Number: 202348012 Tax periods ended:
Release Date: 12/1/2023
UIL Code: 501.03-00 Person to contact:
Name:
ID number:
Telephone:
Fax:
Last day to file petition with United States
Tax Court: 12/06/2023
CERTIFIED MAIL - Return Receipt Requested
Dear :
Why we are sending you this letter
This is a final determination that you don’t qualify for exemption from federal income tax under Internal
Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(a) as an organization described in IRC Section 501(c)(3), effective .
Your determination letter dated , is revoked.
Our adverse determination as to your exempt status was made for the following reasons: Organization fails the
operational test because you could not demonstrate that you operated for one or more exempt purposes as
required by IRC Section 501(c)(3).
Organizations that are not exempt under IRC Section 501 generally are required to file federal income tax returns
and pay tax, where applicable. For further instructions, forms and information please visit IRS.gov.
Contributions to your organization are no longer deductible under IRC Section 170.
What you must do if you disagree with this determination
If you want to contest our final determination, you have 90 days from the date this determination letter was
mailed to you to file a petition or complaint in one of the three federal courts listed below.
How to file your action for declaratory judgment
If you decide to contest this determination, you can file an action for declaratory judgment under the provisions
of Section 7428 of the Code in either:
- The United States Tax Court,
- The United States Court of Federal Claims, or
- The United States District Court for the District of Columbia
You must file a petition or complaint in one of these three courts within 90 days from the date we mailed this
determination letter to you. You can download a fillable petition or complaint form and get information about
filing at each respective court's website listed below or by contacting the Office of the Clerk of the Court at one
of the addresses below. Be sure to include a copy of this letter and any attachments and the applicable filing fee
with the petition or complaint.
You can eFile your completed U.S. Tax Court petition by following the instructions and user guides available
on the Tax Court website at ustaxcourt.gov/dawson.html. You will need to register for a DAWSON account to
do so. You may also file your petition at the address below:
Letter 6337 (Rev. 8-2022)
Catalog Number 74808E
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Date:
05/25/2023
Tax Exempt and Government Entities Taxpayer ID number:
Form:
Tax periods ended:
Person to contact:
Name:
ID number:
Telephone:
Fax:
Manager's contact Information:
Name:
ID number:
CERTIFIED MAIL — Return Receipt Requested Telephone:
Response due date:
June 26, 2023
Dear :
Why you’re receiving this letter
We enclosed a copy of our audit report, Form 886-A, Explanation of Items, explaining that we propose to revoke
your tax-exempt status as an organization described in Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3).
If you agree
If you haven't already, please sign the enclosed Form 6018, Consent to Proposed Action, and return it to the
contact person shown at the top of this letter. We'll issue a final adverse letter determining that you aren't an
organization described in IRC Section 501(c)(3) for the periods above.
After we issue the final adverse determination letter, we'll announce that your organization is no longer eligible
to receive tax deductible contributions under IRC Section 170.
If you disagree
-
Request a meeting or telephone conference with the manager shown at the top of this letter.
-
Send any information you want us to consider.
- File a protest with the IRS Appeals Office. If you request a meeting with the manager or send additional
information as stated in 1 and 2, above, you'll still be able to file a protest with IRS Appeals Office after
the meeting or after we consider the information.
The IRS Appeals Office is independent of the Exempt Organizations division and resolves most disputes
informally. If you file a protest, the auditing agent may ask you to sign a consent to extend the period of
limitations for assessing tax. This is to allow the IRS Appeals Office enough time to consider your case.
For your protest to be valid, it must contain certain specific information, including a statement of the
facts, applicable law, and arguments in support of your position. For specific information needed for a
valid protest, refer to Publication 892, How to Appeal an IRS Determination on Tax-Exempt Status.
Fast Track Mediation (FTM) referred to in Publication 3498, The Examination Process, generally doesn’t
apply now that we've issued this letter.
Letter 3618 (Rev. 8-2019)
Catalog Number 34B08F
- Request technical advice from the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt Government Entities)
if you feel the issue hasn’t been addressed in published precedent or has been treated inconsistently by the
IRS.
If you’re considering requesting technical advice, contact the person shown at the top of this letter. If you
disagree with the technical advice decision, you will be able to appeal to the IRS Appeals Office, as
explained above. A decision made in a technical advice memorandum, however, generally is final and
binding on Appeals.
If we don't hear from you
If you don't respond to this proposal within 30 calendar days from the date of this letter, we'll issue a final
adverse determination letter.
Contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Office is a taxpayer right
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that can help protect your
taxpayer rights. TAS can offer you help if your tax problem is causing a hardship, or you've tried but haven't
been able to resolve your problem with the IRS. If you qualify for TAS assistance, which is always free, TAS
will do everything possible to help you. Visit www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov or call 877-777-4778.
Additional information
You can get any of the forms and publications mentioned in this letter by visiting our website at
www. irs.gov/forms-pubs or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
If you have questions, you can contact the person shown at the top of this letter.
Sincerely,
for Lynn A. Brinkley
Director, Exempt Organizations Examinations
Enclosures:
Form 886-A, Pub 892, Pub 3498
Form 6018
Letter 3618 (Rev. 8-2019)
Catalog Number 34809F
United States Tax Court
400 Second Street, NW
Washington, DC 20217
ustaxcourt.gov
The websites of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia contain
instructions about how to file your completed complaint electronically. You may also file your complaint at one of
the addresses below:
US Court of Federal Claims
717 Madison Place, NW
Washington, DC 20439
uscfc.uscourts.gov
US District Court for the District of Columbia
333 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
dcd.uscourts.gov
Processing of income tax returns and assessments of any taxes due will not be delayed if you file a petition for
declaratory judgment under IRC Section 7428.
Information about the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service
The IRS office whose phone number appears at the top of the notice can best address and access your tax
information and help get you answers. However, you may be eligible for free help from the Taxpayer Advocate
Service (TAS) if you can't resolve your tax problem with the IRS, or you believe an IRS procedure just isn't
working as it should. TAS is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects
taxpayer rights. Contact your local Taxpayer Advocate Office at:
Internal Revenue Service
Taxpayer Advocate Office
Or call TAS at 877-777-4778. For more information about TAS and your rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights,
go to taxpayeradvocate.IRS.gov. Do not send your federal court pleading to the TAS address listed above.
Use the applicable federal court address provided earlier in the letter. Contacting TAS does not extend the time
to file an action for declaratory judgment.
Where you can find more information
Enclosed are Publication 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer, and Publication 594, The IRS Collection Process, for
more comprehensive information.
Find tax forms or publications by visiting IRS.gov/forms or calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). If you
have questions, you can call the person shown at the top of this letter.
If you prefer to write, use the address shown at the top of this letter. Include your telephone number, the best
time to call, and a copy of this letter.
You may fax your documents to the fax number shown above, using either a fax machine or online fax service.
Protect yourself when sending digital data by understanding the fax service's privacy and security policies.
Letter 6337 (Rev. 8-2022)
Catalog Number 74808E
Keep the original letter for your records.
Sincerely,
Lynn A. Brinkley
Director, Exempt Organizations Examinations
Enclosures:
Publication 1
Publication 594
Publication 892
Letter 6337 (Rev. 8-2022)
Catalog Number 74808E
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