Every new Kiwanis club should be aware of these details. You must 1) get an EIN, 2) incorporate in your state, and 3) register with the IRS for tax exempt status. FYI, for members who want to know.
EIN (Employer Identification Number) – This is the equivalent of the Social Security number for corporations or taxable entities other than individuals. You obtain one for your club by filing with the IRS. See https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/How-to-Apply-for-an-EIN An EIN is usually required before you can open a bank account. (Procedures to apply for an EIN have recently been revised. Contact Kiwanis International for the most recent update.)
Incorporation. Kiwanis clubs incorporate in their state by filing Articles of Incorporation, usually with the Secretary of State in your state capital. Incorporation protects club members from lawsuits, and it allows filing with the IRS for exemption from Federal income taxes. In some states incorporation allows exemption from sales taxes. Clubs must decide if they want to be 501(c)3 or 501(c)4.
501(c)4 clubs are tax exempt but donations to them are not tax deductible. The IRS calls them Social Welfare organizations.
Some Kiwanis clubs have both 501(c)3 foundations for charitable giving and 501(c)4 corporations. Because they are difficult to get, if you have a 501(c)3, it’s best to maintain it; new clubs often choose 501(c)4.
In 2018, Kiwanis International issued guidelines for 501(c)3 foundations to comply with new federal regulations. Check with KI Member Services for the latest info.
Kiwanis International has a blanket registration for 501(c)4 with the IRS. Your club can be added under this registration once you have an EIN and incorporation papers. Contact the Finance Department at Kiwanis International (1-800-Kiwanis) for details. As an alternative, the letter you receive from the IRS assigning your EIN has instructions (in the fine print) to register your 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 with the IRS. (File Form 1023 or Form 1024) Registration must be completed to make your tax exempt status official.
In the St. Louis area, Region IV maintains Kiwanis Gateway Foundation as a 501(c)3. If your club is not 501(c)3, but a donor requires one, you can arrange for donation to the Gateway Foundation, who will then distribute funds to charities of your choice (for a modest 0.5% service fee). For details contact the current Region IV Trustee.
Then your club is required to file corporate income tax forms (which limit the deductions of charitable contributions to a fraction of your taxable income).
For years, 501(c)4 clubs were not required to file income tax forms. Congress changed the law in 2006. Some clubs were slow to comply with the new requirement. They may learn they have been revoked when they first attempt to file Form 990N. If revoked, you must file a long 17 page form (including 4 yrs of financial data) with the IRS and pay fees of $400 or $850 to be reinstated. The Finance Department at Kiwanis International has a webinar on how to get reinstated. They can assist you. Contact Kiwanis International’s Finance Department by email at [email protected].
The return typically certifies that your corporation still exists and reports its current mailing address and the names of officers and directors. The return can be filed on paper but in some states online filings are accepted. You will be notified by mail at your address of record when the return is due. Most are due annually, but Missouri allows two year fillings.
By-Laws. Your club is governed by its Board of Directors by procedures specified in your By-Laws. If important issues are to be decided, consult your By-Laws for requirements. Your club Secretary has a copy of your By-Laws, or you can obtain a copy from Kiwanis International.
Who can sign a legal contract for a Kiwanis club? Under state law, anyone authorized by the club Board of Directors.
Insurance. $22/member of the annual dues paid to Kiwanis International for your club provides liability insurance for your members, officers and directors. Your club Secretary receives an Insurance booklet with the latest details every year. It includes a Certificate of Insurance (sometimes requested by landlords at your events or fundraisers). It also contains sample forms for Liability Release, Hold Harmless Agreement, Waiver of Subrogation, an Incident Investigation Report, a Loss Prevention Worksheet, and Kiwanis contacts for follow-up. For more about risk management see https://www.kiwanis.org/members/risk-management/
These guidelines are not intended as legal or tax advice. For assistance, contact a professional.
Kiwanis Club Gift Tax Exemption
From instructions for the Gift Tax Form, Form 709, p 3.
“The gift tax does not apply to a transfer to any civic league or other organization described in section 501(c)(4)”
Most Kiwanis clubs are 501(c)(4). Gifts to them are exempt from gift taxes.
The annual gift tax exemption is $18,000 (but increases annually with inflation). Gifts to any individual over that number are supposed to be reported on Form 709.
This matters mostly to those who might be over the estate tax exemption and are looking to reduce their liability to the 40% (and up) federal estate tax.
This has no effect on the deductibility of donations, but does matter to those concerned about estate taxes.
Tax Exemption Guidelines
Tax Exempt Guidelines
Every new Kiwanis club should be aware of these details. You must 1) get an EIN, 2) incorporate in your state, and 3) register with the IRS for tax exempt status. FYI, for members who want to know.
EIN (Employer Identification Number) – This is the equivalent of the Social Security number for corporations or taxable entities other than individuals. You obtain one for your club by filing with the IRS. See https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/How-to-Apply-for-an-EIN
An EIN is usually required before you can open a bank account. (Procedures to apply for an EIN have recently been revised. Contact Kiwanis International for the most recent update.)
New clubs are required to file Form 8976, Notice of Intent to Operate Under Section 501(c)(4), with the IRS within 60 days. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/electronically-submit-your-form-8976-notice-of-intent-to-operate-under-section-501c4
Incorporation. Kiwanis clubs incorporate in their state by filing Articles of Incorporation, usually with the Secretary of State in your state capital. Incorporation protects club members from lawsuits, and it allows filing with the IRS for exemption from Federal income taxes. In some states incorporation allows exemption from sales taxes. Clubs must decide if they want to be 501(c)3 or 501(c)4.
501(c)4 clubs are tax exempt but donations to them are not tax deductible. The IRS calls them Social Welfare organizations.
501(c)3 clubs are official charities recognized by the IRS. They are tax exempt and donations to them are tax deductible. They usually have the word “Foundation” in their name. In recent times, it has been difficult to get 501(c)3 applications approved. Usually approval requires an educational (or historical preservation) mission for the organization. Kiwanis International applied and was denied. See IRS Publication 557 or https://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/Exemption-Requirements-Section-501(c)(3)-Organizations
Some Kiwanis clubs have both 501(c)3 foundations for charitable giving and 501(c)4 corporations. Because they are difficult to get, if you have a 501(c)3, it’s best to maintain it; new clubs often choose 501(c)4.
In 2018, Kiwanis International issued guidelines for 501(c)3 foundations to comply with new federal regulations. Check with KI Member Services for the latest info.
Kiwanis International has a blanket registration for 501(c)4 with the IRS. Your club can be added under this registration once you have an EIN and incorporation papers. Contact the Finance Department at Kiwanis International (1-800-Kiwanis) for details. As an alternative, the letter you receive from the IRS assigning your EIN has instructions (in the fine print) to register your 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 with the IRS. (File Form 1023 or Form 1024) Registration must be completed to make your tax exempt status official.
In the St. Louis area, Region IV maintains Kiwanis Gateway Foundation as a 501(c)3. If your club is not 501(c)3, but a donor requires one, you can arrange for donation to the Gateway Foundation, who will then distribute funds to charities of your choice (for a modest 0.5% service fee). For details contact the current Region IV Trustee.
Income Taxes. All Kiwanis clubs are required to file annual income tax returns, usually in February using Form 990. 501(c)4’s can file Form 990N on line through the IRS website, irs.gov. See https://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Annual-Electronic-Filing-Requirement-for-Small-Exempt-Organizations-Form-990-N-e-Postcard. Also see a recent summary from MO-ARK.
Once you register with the IRS, they will send you an annual reminder. If you fail to file for three consecutive years, the IRS will revoke your tax exempt status. See: https://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Automatic-Exemption-Revocation-for-Non-Filing:-Organization-Not-Filing-Exemption-Application-Will-Not-Be-on-List-of-Revoked-Organizations
Then your club is required to file corporate income tax forms (which limit the deductions of charitable contributions to a fraction of your taxable income).
For years, 501(c)4 clubs were not required to file income tax forms. Congress changed the law in 2006. Some clubs were slow to comply with the new requirement. They may learn they have been revoked when they first attempt to file Form 990N. If revoked, you must file a long 17 page form (including 4 yrs of financial data) with the IRS and pay fees of $400 or $850 to be reinstated. The Finance Department at Kiwanis International has a webinar on how to get reinstated. They can assist you. Contact Kiwanis International’s Finance Department by email at [email protected].
All corporations doing business in Missouri or Arkansas must file an annual registration report. This one-page report contains a minimal amount of information, but failure to file the report will result in administrative dissolution of a domestic corporation’s charter. Missouri report is due by August 30th. The information can be accessed by clicking here: https://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/generalInfo#annualReports Arkansas report is due by August 1st. The information can be accessed by clicking here: https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/nonprofit-charitable-entities/
The return typically certifies that your corporation still exists and reports its current mailing address and the names of officers and directors. The return can be filed on paper but in some states online filings are accepted. You will be notified by mail at your address of record when the return is due. Most are due annually, but Missouri allows two year fillings.
By-Laws. Your club is governed by its Board of Directors by procedures specified in your By-Laws. If important issues are to be decided, consult your By-Laws for requirements. Your club Secretary has a copy of your By-Laws, or you can obtain a copy from Kiwanis International.
Who can sign a legal contract for a Kiwanis club? Under state law, anyone authorized by the club Board of Directors.
Insurance. $22/member of the annual dues paid to Kiwanis International for your club provides liability insurance for your members, officers and directors. Your club Secretary receives an Insurance booklet with the latest details every year. It includes a Certificate of Insurance (sometimes requested by landlords at your events or fundraisers). It also contains sample forms for Liability Release, Hold Harmless Agreement, Waiver of Subrogation, an Incident Investigation Report, a Loss Prevention Worksheet, and Kiwanis contacts for follow-up. For more about risk management see https://www.kiwanis.org/members/risk-management/
These guidelines are not intended as legal or tax advice. For assistance, contact a professional.
Kiwanis Club Gift Tax Exemption
From instructions for the Gift Tax Form, Form 709, p 3.
“The gift tax does not apply to a transfer to any civic league or other organization described in section 501(c)(4)”
Most Kiwanis clubs are 501(c)(4). Gifts to them are exempt from gift taxes.
The annual gift tax exemption is $18,000 (but increases annually with inflation). Gifts to any individual over that number are supposed to be reported on Form 709.
This matters mostly to those who might be over the estate tax exemption and are looking to reduce their liability to the 40% (and up) federal estate tax.
This has no effect on the deductibility of donations, but does matter to those concerned about estate taxes.
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