[AGA-mcm] I can't understand how their minds work; what's the matter don't they watch Les Crane

["S. Hieber" <shieber@yahoo.com>]

Good News basd news:

Good news: We have heard from the IRS re our application to
be recognized as a tax-exempt organization.

Bad news: we haven't been approved

Good news: we haven't been denied

Bad news: they want more info

Good news: I'll provide it but you can help

Bad news good news, who knows news: they are considering us
under a section of the code under which we did not apply --
well, at least they are flexible!

Here's the deal:

They want more info or our request for tax-exdempt status
is kaput. Specifically they are contemplating recognizing
status under 501(c)4 instead of 501(c)7, under which we had
been told to apply or 501(c)3 under which, I believe, we
had origianlly applied.

501(c)# applies to charities, including welfare,
educational, and other such orgs.

501(c)7 applies to social groups, such as fraternities and
clubs organized for nonbusiness purposes.

Basically, 501(c)4 applies to nonprofit organizations that
promote the community welfare through activities that are
charitable, educational or recreational.

Okay, I can't tell the the diff sections apart either but
this is the new *simplified* tax code written under Reagan
and rewritten under Bush1.

To advance our applicaton further, certain info *must be
received* by the IRS by January 18* or they will deny the
application -- and I assume stiff penalties may follow.

They want a chronology and description of activities for
the year.

Rather than leave this up to my memory, please post all the
relevent items you can think of and the dates. And
remember, it's worth a small fortune to the AGA to get this
right -- and a small fortune is as much or more than the
AGA might hope to afford.  If you post onto the Advisory
Committee List, you won't have to wonder if something you
are thinking of has already been thought of.

My guess is that the educational bent is the best thing we
have going for us in these regards. Except for the Tshirts,
educational attaches to almost everything we do. But your
guess is as good as mine (I bet you were saying that to
yourself already ;-)  )

I plan to prepare and mail a responding statement by Jan
10.

For those that prefer raw data, the text of their specific
request is included below.


Thanks for you help,
sh


IRS text:

"
We are considering your application for tax-exempt status
and find that it is incomplete. We need the following
information over the signature of one of your principal
officers.

Please submit a chronology and description of your
organization?s activities for the past year.

It appears you may qualify as an organization exempt from
Federal income tax as a civic league or organization under
Code section 501(c)(4). (If organization?s activities are
open for public). A civic league is an organization
operated primarily for the promotion of the common good and
general welfare of the people of the community (such as by
bringing about civic and social improvements).

If you agree, submit a statement, with all additional
information requested. 
"


=====
Christel Kassellman, 
author of the best current authoritative text on aquatic plants 
will be a featured speaker at 
The Northeast Council of Aquarium Societies 30th Annual Convention.
March 18-20, 2005 at the Marriott Hotel, Farmington, CT
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