[Lswtalk] Sidenote: Issues found while working on bylaws

[Beverly Laughlin]

I'm not positive, but I think that information might be available as part of
our files at the Secretary of State's Office.  We can always ask them if we
can't find it internally.

Beverly

-----Original Message-----
From: lswtalk-bounces at beau.org [mailto:lswtalk-bounces at beau.org] On Behalf
Of Erin Chesnutt
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2014 11:50 AM
To: lswtalk at beau.org
Subject: [Lswtalk] Sidenote: Issues found while working on bylaws

I spent a few hours this morning going through the many files hanging around
here with any kind of LSW designation.  So far, I have found no mention of
when we did file for 501(c)(3) status, only that we had the intention of
doing so.  Our Articles of Incorporation make mention several times of the
organization acting in accordance to laws pertaining to 501(c)(3)s, but
never states that we held that status, ourselves.

Having said that, I'm positive that there are still files around here that
I've missed and I'll keep looking as I am able. In the meantime, aAre we
certain that we ever actually filed and became exempt in the 
first place?   Jessica, did you have to show some sort of proof of that 
status in the process of becoming bonded, by chance?

On a positive note, when I get the time (nice and non-committal, right?),
I've got lots of documents to scan and upload to the server space we've
cleared for LSW document digital archiving!

Erin


All,
I got in touch with Rob who, among other things, told me that 501c(3)
organizations are required to file an annual information return. Failure to
do so for 3 consecutive years results in immediate revocation of
501(c)(3) status.

I did a little digging based on this and found that our organization would
be required to annually file Form 990-N which is an e-postcard, according to
the IRS's description. More info on that here :
http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Annual-Electronic-Filing-Requirem
ent-for-Small-Exempt-Organizations-Form-990-N-%28e-Postcard%29

I used the Exempt Organization Select Check tool from IRS to see if we are
still listed as a tax-exempt organization; I don't see our name on their
list.  I also don't see our name on the revoked list, but I think that
database only covers the past x years.

Has someone been filing this and I'm just looking in the wrong places?

If our status has, indeed, been revoked, then we seem to be looking at
filing another form and paying a user fee to get reinstated. I believe our
annual gross receipts from the past 4 years falls under $10,000. If so, the
user fee would be $400. If not, it looks like it would be $850.  More on
that here:
http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Reinstatement-of-Tax-Exempt-Statu
s-after-Automatic-Revocation.

It seems to me that if we want to move forward with granting a scholarship,
we need to get this in order sooner rather than later. It feels hinky (nice
word, yes?) to me, otherwise.



Thank you,

Erin N Chesnutt, MLIS
Director
Beauregard Parish Library

337-463-6217
echesnut at beau.org

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