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IR-2005-93
September 6,
2005
IRS Expedites Charity Applications, Urges Use
of Existing Charities |
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WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service will
provide an expedited review and approval process for new
organizations seeking tax-exempt status in order to
provide relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
However, the agency encourages people to use existing
organizations currently working on immediate aid
efforts.
New organizations should apply for
tax-exempt status by filing IRS Form 1023 and write at the top
of the form “Disaster Relief, Hurricane Katrina.” The
IRS will give such applications expedited attention to
ensure they meet legal requirements.
“We want to
make sure we do all we can to help new charitable
organizations get up and running so they can begin
providing the assistance the victims of this terrible
disaster so desperately need,” said IRS Commissioner
Mark W. Everson. “Just as we did after September 11,
2001, we will put these applications at the head of the
queue and turn them around promptly.”
Use of
existing charitable organizations is encouraged because
such organizations, including churches, are frequently
able to administer relief programs more efficiently than
newly formed organizations, because they already have
fund-raising and distribution infrastructure in
place.
The web site of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Government’s main
Web portal at FirstGov.gov offer lists of
organizations that provide support to victims of
Hurricane Katrina.
However, the IRS anticipates
new charities will form to address the numerous and more
specific needs of the disaster victims. The IRS will
continually update its on-line search feature that
allows taxpayers to determine if a charity has
IRS-approved tax-exempt status.
In addition to
Form 1023 for applying for recognition for tax
exemption, the IRS also offers Publication 3833, Disaster
Relief: Providing Assistance Through Charitable
Organizations, which provides guidance on the
application process.
Links:
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