I Want WLHS to be a 501(c)(4)
I want to be careful that what I am saying is accurate and fair. Questions have been asked as to whether We Love Harbor Springs is a 501(c)(4) non-profit because the IRS has no record of their organization. (Receipt #1)
To be absolutely clear -I really want WLHS to be a federally recognized 501(c)(4). If they are a 501(c)(4) non-profit, it is clear what rules they are supposed to follow. That makes things easier for everyone.
Things have gotten a bit muddled as to what is being asked from WLHS to prove their non-profit status. So, I want to simplify things (I hope).
These are the public documents we are asking WLHS to show the community:
A form from the IRS calls a "Determination Letter."
The organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) as assigned by the IRS.
For most vendors, these two pieces of information are all that are needed to prove IRS non-profit status for a sales-tax exemption.
I assume WLHS used these pieces of documentation so they didn't have to pay sales taxes when they bought the streamers and balloons for last year's election victory party.
All kidding aside, these are letters many of us have seen or used:
If you go to pick up pizza at Turkey's for the church youth group, you take the church's tax-exempt letters and its EIN. And when they ring you up, they don't charge you taxes-because the church is a recognized non-profit.
If you are grabbing a new camp stove for the Scout Troop at ACE Hardware, you take your tax-exempt letters and the Troop's EIN. And when they check you out, they don't charge you taxes-because the Scouts are a recognized non-profit.
Again, I want WLHS to have these letters. And it should be easy to make them public.
WHEN they publicly post or (send for me to post) their:
IRS "Determination Letter"
Employer Identification Number (EIN) assigned by the IRS
THEN, I will apologize publicly and declare loudly that they are a legitimate 501(c)(4) non-profit subject to all the rules and regulations that designation entails.
WLHS have said (through several people) that they have filed for an extension for their Form 990, which is basically their Income Tax form. Lots of people ask for extensions to file their tax paperwork.
But regardless of the status of their tax returns, they should have, like all non-profits, the documentation listed above. These are public documents, and the IRS posts them on their website.
Churches, Scout Troops, schools, the American Legion, the Friendship Center, and the Harbor Springs Food Pantry, are all non-profits whose documentation can be found on the IRS website. (Receipt #2)
It really should be easy for WLHS to produce these tax-exempt documents, and I hope this post makes the request more clear for all involved.
I am happy to be wrong about this and will correct the record if I am. I hope We Love Harbor Springs is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. It shouldn’t be hard to determine.
Enjoy your day and thanks for all you are doing for our little town!