Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta
In a notable policy shift, the IRS has announced a narrow exception to the Johnson Amendment, allowing houses of worship to speak about political candidates during religious services without risking their tax-exempt status. However, the broader prohibition on political endorsements remains fully in effect for all other 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including faith-based organizations that are not …
Launching a charitable program can be an exciting endeavor—but navigating the legal and administrative requirements of forming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation can be daunting. If the charitable initiative is modest in scale or still in the early planning stages, a fiscal sponsorship can offer a practical alternative. By partnering with an existing nonprofit, an individual …
Recent discussions within the federal government have raised concerns in the nonprofit sector about expanding executive authority to revoke 501(c)(3) status. Proposals have ranged from targeting organizations suspected of promoting terrorism to nonprofits misaligned with an administration’s political priorities. These conversations have understandably sparked anxiety among some nonprofit leaders. However, it’s important to clarify that …
Are you looking to make your organization more self-sustaining? Curious to learn about revenue streams beyond donations and grants? Then this webcast is for you… Generating income is a constant struggle for 501(c)(3) organizations. Revenue sources ebb and flow, so revenue source diversification is important. As a result, 501(c)(3)s often explore new ways to generate …
Picture this: your nonprofit has been diligently working towards its mission, making a positive impact in your community, and enjoying the benefits of tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. But one day you receive a letter from the IRS telling you that your organization’s 501(c)(3) status has been revoked. What …
Many tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that provide health insurance coverage to their employees can qualify for a special IRS tax credit. The maximum credit is 35% of premiums paid by eligible tax-exempt employers. To be eligible, tax-exempt employers must have fewer than 25 full-time employees, whose average annual wages are less than $61,400 (as of 2023)*, …
What happens when a member of your organization receives an honorarium? Should the payment go to the individual or to the nonprofit? Well, it depends. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Kathryn Hecker and Felix Swierski with Arnall Golden Gregory will explore these questions and provide guidance on receiving or paying honoraria. While an …
As a 501(c)(3), there is a limit on the amount of lobbying your organization can do and an absolute prohibition on any political campaign activity. This webcast will answer the following questions: Speaker: Douglas Chalmers, Managing Member, Chalmers, Adams, Backer & Kaufman, LLC Open Slides in New Tab For more information about grassroots advocacy and …
Keep your corporate registration in good standing by renewing it annually. Georgia nonprofits must renew their registration with the Office of Secretary of State every year, between January 1 – April 1. You must renew during this window regardless of when you filed your initial registration (for example, if you registered with the Secretary of …
So, you’re thinking of starting your own nonprofit organization. It’s certainly an admirable endeavor; however, the road to receive and maintain 501(c)(3) status can be long and somewhat complicated. In this webinar, our speakers will review: Speaker: Cara Mitchell, Associate General Counsel, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Felix Swierski, Associate, Arnall Golden Gregory Open Slides …
Despite being exempt from federal income tax in most cases, 501(c)(3) organizations still have to pay many taxes. For example, tax-exempt nonprofits may find themselves paying personal property taxes in Georgia on items like machinery and computers under certain circumstances. This article by Becky Gula and Vianca Orina with DLA Piper discusses how personal property is taxed …
A local business approaches your nonprofit with a simple plan – for every customer your nonprofit sends its way, it will donate either a percentage of its profits or give you a flat referral fee. It seems like a win-win situation. Your nonprofit gets funding to support its mission, and the business gets a new …
501(c)(3)s have rules and restrictions around political activity, lobbying and advocacy. With that in mind, how can a nonprofit get involved in next month’s election or be more active in the future? In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Robyn Miller, Senior Corporate & Tax Counsel with PBPA, speaks with us about the difference between …
501(c)(3)s are prohibited from engaging in political activity, but what about the leaders of the organization? What happens when a board member runs for political office? Or a nonprofit ED is invited to speak at a political rally for a personal friend? Individuals running a nonprofit have their own personal views and political activity, but …
Nonprofit organizations often collaborate with other nonprofits in order to maximize their impact. If your 501(c)(3) nonprofit works in partnership with other nonprofits, you may end up working alongside a 501(c)(4) organization. Whether your nonprofit works with a (c)(4) as part of an established coalition or on an ad hoc basis, it is important to …
“I Want To See Your 990!” How should a nonprofit respond when an individual demands copies of its filings? 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are legally required to disclose certain information. This article outlines what information 501(c)(3)s must make publicly available, recommendations for handling requests for information, and potential penalties if a nonprofit does not respond to a request …
Start the year off right by submitting IRS filings, completing local renewals and sending out donor acknowledgements on time. This Article includes a checklist of common items that most Georgia nonprofits should have on their legal maintenance “to do” list for January, including W-2s, donor acknowledgements, and Georgia Secretary of State corporate renewals.
You may be familiar with the fact that even tax-exempt organizations have to pay tax on income from an activity that is regularly carried on if it is not substantially related to the organization’s exempt purpose. This is known as “unrelated business income tax” or UBIT. Under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), …
Georgia has indefinitely extended sales and use tax exemptions for nonprofit volunteer health clinics, nonprofit health centers and qualified food banks. Read this article to learn more about applying for sales and use tax exemption letters of authorization.
In Georgia, most §501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations ARE NOT exempt from paying sales and use tax in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Revenue (GA DOR) realized that many tax-exempt organizations are not aware of their sales tax obligations especially regarding their fundraising activities. So, on July 2, 2020, the GA DOR issued a comprehensive bulletin on …
Does your nonprofit make online sales to customers in other states? Until recently, states were not able to require out-of-state retailers to collect and remit sales tax solely for online sales. This article reviews recent changes in the law that permit states, within certain limits, to require out-of-state retailers to collect and remit sales tax …
A candidate forum is an event where candidates running for elected office are invited to discuss their views and positions. Hosting a candidate forum can provide §501(c)(3) organizations with a meaningful and informative way to engage with voters and political candidates. As with all election-related activity, organizations must remain unbiased and nonpartisan. This article is …
The United States political system relies on the involvement and participation of its citizens in the election process. Historically, many groups have faced barriers to full participation in this system. §501(c)(3) organizations often wish to host and promote voter registration drives to increase voter participation in the communities and populations that they serve. It is …
The U.S. political system relies on the involvement and participation of its citizens in the election process. Certain groups—such as the elderly, disabled, and poor who may lack transportation face particular challenges to participating in this process. Get-Out-the-Vote (“GOTV”) initiatives aim to increase voter participation by reminding voters of the date and location of their …