Need help getting a TAX ID number for our Pack

[SemperParatus]

A non-profit organization does not have a federal 'tax-exempt number' (it may have a state exemption number used for sales tax purposes only). From the federal perspective, it receives an Employer Identification Number (so that it can file payroll returns, 990s, etc.) and a determination letter from the IRS that grants tax-exempt (Sec 501©) and public charity/private foundation (Sec 170) status. Note, it is the public charity/private foundation status that enables for people to make deductible charitable donations to the organization (not the tax-exempt status). So, asking a nonprofit organization for its federal tax exempt number you will get the answer that there is none, because there is none. Ask them for their federal employer identification number - that is what donors/grantmakers typically need. In the case of organizations that are not easily identified as a public charity/private foundation (e.g, not churches) it would be appropriate to ask for a copy of the IRS determination letter as well. It is very likely that your church does not have such a determination letter since they would fall under the group exemption that is granted to large denominational churches (Catholic dioceses, Lutheran synods, Presbyterian USA, etc.).

[acco40]

As others have said, getting a tax ID number is easy and does not equate with 501© (tax exempt) status.

 

One word of warning - if you establish a tax ID number and don't use your COs, make sure your checking account does not generate income (interest). If so, there is a tax liability.

[Vicki]

Semper wrote >It is very likely that your church does not have such a determination letter since they would fall under the group exemption that is granted to large denominational churches (Catholic dioceses, Lutheran synods, Presbyterian USA, etc.). >

 

Without wanting to seem to be picking nits here - if a denomination has applied for 501©(3) status and been granted that status, there is a determination letter. Presbyterian USA specifically has one - you just have to ask the denominational HQ to send it to you. Churches do not have to apply for 501©(3) status, it is imputed and those that don't would not have such a letter. Usually this doesn't cause a problem for your average donor...

 

Vicki

[JackG]

Wow, A lot of misinformation here! Here's what the BSA says about Federal Identification numbers on scouting.com:

 

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/mission/pdf/Fiscal_Policies_Procedures_BSA_Units.pdf

 

Yes, you certainly can file for a Federal tax identification number from the IRS. And you don't need to have employees, nor are you necessarily required to file any tax forms yearly to the IRS, depending on the Troop's (Pack's) chartering organization tax status. In other words, if the CO's status is a 501c3, you will not need to file a return (990 or 990EZ). Paying sales taxes is an issue you'll need to bring up with your own state taxing authority.

 

You can open up a bank account under your CO's Federal ID number if you wish, but sometimes the CO may not want to be bothered with you using their tax number, since they will need to come forward each and every time someone new needs to be added to a bank account, or another parent taken off for children who have aged out, or bridged.

 

But the most definitive statement I can make here is DO NOT USE A PARENT'S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT FOR A TROOP OR PACK!

[RememberSchiff]

Wow' date=' A lot of misinformation here! Here's what the BSA says about Federal Identification numbers on scouting.com:[/quote']

 

Don't judge them too harshly, times and rules were different 10+ years ago. Ten years from now, I imagine our scout units will be required to file tax returns separately.

[packsaddle]

I really miss Vicki.

[NJCubScouter]

I really miss Vicki.

 

Miss Vicki... wasn't that Tiny Tim's wife? (Tiny Tim the "singer" from the 1960's, not Tiny Tim the Dickens character. I think Tiny Tim and Miss Vicki got married on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In", or something like that.)

[Hueymungus]

you will have to use YOUR Social Security Number in order to get a TIN for your pack!!

 

I had to do it for our Pack (we are chartered to our parents, not to an organization) Just make sure that when you leave the pack that you have the TIN information changed to someone else's SSN.

 

And now you have just equated all the money that comes into the Pack to your SSN#. Hello Tax Audit Time.

 

Also, for those Charter Orgs who do not know what it is to be a Charter Org..they need Training. Get with your Council CFO or DE and talk to them about Taxes & EINs. Each Non-Profit/For-Profit has a Tax ID#. The person your talking to more than likely has not clue of what they are talking about....

 

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CD0QFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scouting.org%2Ffilestore%2Fmission%2Fpdf%2FFiscal_Policies_Procedures_BSA_Units.pdf&ei=BLRvVJ2RIozpoASF8YLADg&usg=AFQjCNEzmrMdCVKB8CTlzKKQEYf0KvvBxA&bvm=bv.80185997,d.cGU