RS issues guidance on how organizations can apply to reinstate their tax-exempt status

IR 2011-63 ; Rev Proc 2011-36, 2011-25 IRB ; Notice 2011-43, 2011-25 IRB ; Notice 2011-44, 2011-25 IRB

In a news release and accompanying Revenue Procedure and Notices, IRS has announced that approximately 275,000 organizations lost their tax-exempt status due to their failure to file legally required annual reports for three consecutive years. Although IRS believes that many of these organizations are now defunct, it provided special procedures, including a reduced application fee for eligible small organizations, to help any existing organizations apply for reinstatement of their exempt status.

Background. Most organizations that are exempt from tax under Code Sec. 501(a) are required under Code Sec. 6033(a) to file annual information returns. For small organizations, the law imposed a filing requirement for the first time in 2007. Under Code Sec. 6033(j) , an exempt organization's failure to file information returns for three consecutive years will result in the revocation of the organization's exempt organization status under Code Sec. 501(a) .

Over the past few years, IRS had attempted to inform organizations of their responsibilities, including mailing over 1 million notices to organizations that had not filed and special relief giving smaller organizations an additional five months to file.

New guidance. IRS issued the following Revenue Procedure and Notices to help organizations apply for reinstatement of their tax-exempt status, including retroactive reinstatement:

Rev Proc 2011-36 , which modifies Rev Proc 2011-8, 2011-1 IRB 237 , provides for a reduced user fee for certain small organizations (i.e., with annual gross receipts of $50,000 or less for 2010) whose exempt status was revoked under Code Sec. 6033(j) to apply and reinstate their tax-exempt status. Instead of the typical $400 or $850 fee, eligible small organizations only have to pay $100.

Rev Proc 2011-36 is effective June 9, 2011, and the reduced fee applies to eligible organizations' applications to reinstate their tax-exempt status that are postmarked no later than Dec. 31, 2012.

Notice 2011-43 provides transitional relief for certain small organizations that lost their tax-exempt status because they failed to file a required annual electronic notice (Form 990-N e-Postcard) for tax years beginning in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Eligible organizations that apply for reinstatement of their tax-exempt status by Dec. 31, 2012 will be treated by IRS as having established reasonable cause for their filing failures, and their tax-exempt status will be reinstated retroactive to the date it was revoked.

Notice 2011-44 provides instructions on how organizations that lost their tax-exempt status under Code Sec. 6033(j) should go about requesting retroactive reinstatement. The request should include the following:

... a written statement setting forth all of the facts that support its claim for reasonable cause for failing to file a required return or notice in each of the three consecutive years and over the entire consecutive three-year period;
... a written statement describing the safeguards the organization has put into place to ensure that the organization will not fail to file returns or notices in the future;
... evidence to substantiate all material aspects of the written statements described above;
... properly completed and executed paper annual information returns for all tax years during and after the consecutive three-year period that the organization was required, but failed, to file an annual information return;
... properly completed and executed Forms 990-EZ for all taxable years during and after the consecutive three-year period that the organization was eligible to file a Form 990-N e-Postcard but failed to file either a Form 990-N e-Postcard or an annual information return; and
... an original declaration, dated and signed under penalties of perjury by an officer, director, trustee, or other official who is authorized to sign for the organization in the provided form.
IRS also requested comments regarding Notice 2011-44 and suggestions for future guidance regarding Code Sec. 6033(j) .

News Release 2011-63, 06/08/2011, IRC Sec(s).

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IRS Identifies Organizations that Have Lost Tax-Exempt Status; Announces Special Steps to Help Revoked Organizations

The Internal Revenue Service today announced that approximately 275,000 organizations under the law have automatically lost their tax-exempt status because they did not file legally required annual reports for three consecutive years. The IRS believes the vast majority of these organizations are defunct, but it also announced special steps to help any existing organizations to apply for reinstatement of their tax-exempt status.

Congress passed the Pension Protection Act (PPA) in 2006, requiring most tax-exempt organizations to file an annual information return or notice with the IRS. For small organizations, the law imposed a filing requirement for the first time in 2007. In addition, the law automatically revokes the tax-exempt status of any organization that does not file required returns or notices for three consecutive years.

For several years, the IRS has made an extensive effort to inform organizations of the changes in the law through multiple outreach and education avenues, including mailing more than 1 million notices to organizations that had not filed. In addition, last year the IRS published a list of at-risk groups and gave smaller organizations an additional five months to file required notices and come into compliance. About 50,000 organizations filed during this extension period. Overall, the IRS believes the vast majority of small tax-exempt organizations are now in compliance with the 2006 law.

“During the past several years, the IRS has gone the extra mile to help make tax-exempt groups aware of their legal filing requirement and allow them additional time to file,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “Still, we realize there may be some legitimate organizations, especially very small ones, that were unaware of their new filing requirement. We are taking additional steps for these groups to maintain their tax-exempt status without jeopardizing their operations or harming their donors.”

As part of this, the IRS issued guidance today on how organizations can apply for reinstatement of their tax-exempt status, including retroactive reinstatement. In addition, the IRS announced transition relief for certain small tax-exempt organizations - those with annual gross receipts of $50,000 or less for 2010 - that were made subject to the new “postcard” filing under the PPA. The relief allows eligible small organizations to regain their tax-exempt status retroactive to the date of revocation and pay a reduced application fee of $100 rather than the typical $400 or $850 fee. Full details are available in  Notice 2011-43,   Notice 2011-44 and   Revenue Procedure 2011-36, issued today.

If an organization appears on the list of organizations whose tax-exempt status has been automatically revoked it is because IRS records indicate the organization had a filing requirement and did not file the required returns or notices for 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The list of organizations whose tax-exempt status has been revoked for failing to meet their filing requirement, which will be available on the IRS website at www.IRS.gov, includes each organization's name, Employer Identification Number (EIN) and last known address. It is searchable by state. It also includes the effective date of the automatic revocation and the date it was posted to the list. The IRS will update the list monthly to include additional organizations that lose their tax-exempt status.

The vast majority of tax-exempt groups file their required returns and are unaffected by the revocation listing. In addition, the IRS believes the vast majority of the newly revoked groups are no longer in existence and need to be removed from the tax-exempt listing as the 2006 law requires.

This listing should have little, if any, impact on donors who previously made deductible contributions to auto-revoked organizations because donations made prior to the publication of an organization's name on the list remain tax-deductible. Going forward, however, organizations that are on the auto-revocation list that do not receive reinstatement are no longer eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions, and any income they receive may be taxable.

Publication on the list of organizations whose tax-exempt status has been revoked serves as notice to donors and others that they may no longer rely on a prior listing in IRS Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations, as an indication of an organization's tax-exempt status or its eligibility to receive tax-deductible contributions. An updated version of Publication 78 with current listings will be published on the IRS website later this week. Nor can donors rely on an IRS determination letter issued to the organization prior to the date of automatic revocation.

Existing organizations that seek to have their tax-exempt status reinstated must complete an application and pay a user fee regardless of whether they were originally required to file such an application. More information on the reinstatement process, including retroactive reinstatement, can be found on IRS.gov.


Rev. Proc. 2011-36, 2011-25 IRB, 06/08/2011, IRC Sec(s).

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1. Purpose And Scope

.01. This revenue procedure modifies section 6.07 of   Rev. Proc. 2011-8, 2011-1 I.R.B. 237, to provide for a reduced user fee for applications for reinstatement of tax-exempt status filed by certain small organizations following automatic revocation of their tax-exempt status under   section 6033(j) of the Internal Revenue Code.

.02. This revenue procedure is effective as of the date stated in section 5 and shall be effective only for applications made by certain small organizations that are postmarked no later than December 31, 2012.

.03. The reduced user fee described in section 3 of this revenue procedure shall apply only to small organizations that normally have annual gross receipts of not more than $50,000 in their most recently completed taxable year and that are otherwise eligible for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43, this Bulletin.

.04. All organizations not eligible for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43 must refer to the user fee schedule in section 6.07 of   Rev. Proc. 2011-8 or its successor.

2. Background

The tax-exempt status of an organization that is described in   section 6033(a)(1) or   section 6033(i) of the Code and fails to file a required annual return or notice for three consecutive years is automatically revoked as of the date set for the filing of the third annual return or notice.   I.R.C. § 6033(j)(1). An organization that has had its tax-exempt status automatically revoked and wishes to have its tax-exempt status reinstated is required to apply for reinstatement of tax-exempt status, even if it was not originally required to make such an application.   I.R.C. § 6033(j)(2).   Notice 2011-43 provides transitional relief for certain small organizations that have lost their tax-exempt status for failing to file required annual notices for taxable years beginning in 2007, 2008, and 2009. For more information about how to apply for transitional relief and reinstatement of tax-exempt status, see   Notice 2011-43, this Bulletin.

3. User Fee

The amount of the user fee payable with respect to an application for reinstatement of tax-exempt status postmarked no later than December 31, 2012 by an organization eligible for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43 is $100.

4. Effect On Other Revenue Procedures

Section 6.07 of   Rev. Proc. 2011-8 is modified only with respect to applications for reinstatement of tax-exempt status filed by organizations that qualify for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43.

5. Effective Date

This revenue procedure is effective June 9, 2011.

6. Drafting Information

The principal author of this revenue procedure is Matthew Giuliano of the Exempt Organizations, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. For further information regarding this revenue procedure, please contact the TE/GE Customer Service office at (877) 829-5500 (a toll-free call).

Rev. Proc. 2011-36, 2011-25 IRB, 06/08/2011, IRC Sec(s).

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1. Purpose And Scope

.01. This revenue procedure modifies section 6.07 of   Rev. Proc. 2011-8, 2011-1 I.R.B. 237, to provide for a reduced user fee for applications for reinstatement of tax-exempt status filed by certain small organizations following automatic revocation of their tax-exempt status under   section 6033(j) of the Internal Revenue Code.

.02. This revenue procedure is effective as of the date stated in section 5 and shall be effective only for applications made by certain small organizations that are postmarked no later than December 31, 2012.

.03. The reduced user fee described in section 3 of this revenue procedure shall apply only to small organizations that normally have annual gross receipts of not more than $50,000 in their most recently completed taxable year and that are otherwise eligible for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43, this Bulletin.

.04. All organizations not eligible for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43 must refer to the user fee schedule in section 6.07 of   Rev. Proc. 2011-8 or its successor.

2. Background

The tax-exempt status of an organization that is described in   section 6033(a)(1) or   section 6033(i) of the Code and fails to file a required annual return or notice for three consecutive years is automatically revoked as of the date set for the filing of the third annual return or notice.   I.R.C. § 6033(j)(1). An organization that has had its tax-exempt status automatically revoked and wishes to have its tax-exempt status reinstated is required to apply for reinstatement of tax-exempt status, even if it was not originally required to make such an application.   I.R.C. § 6033(j)(2).   Notice 2011-43 provides transitional relief for certain small organizations that have lost their tax-exempt status for failing to file required annual notices for taxable years beginning in 2007, 2008, and 2009. For more information about how to apply for transitional relief and reinstatement of tax-exempt status, see   Notice 2011-43, this Bulletin.

3. User Fee

The amount of the user fee payable with respect to an application for reinstatement of tax-exempt status postmarked no later than December 31, 2012 by an organization eligible for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43 is $100.

4. Effect On Other Revenue Procedures

Section 6.07 of   Rev. Proc. 2011-8 is modified only with respect to applications for reinstatement of tax-exempt status filed by organizations that qualify for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43.

5. Effective Date

This revenue procedure is effective June 9, 2011.

6. Drafting Information

The principal author of this revenue procedure is Matthew Giuliano of the Exempt Organizations, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. For further information regarding this revenue procedure, please contact the TE/GE Customer Service office at (877) 829-5500 (a toll-free call).

Rev. Proc. 2011-36, 2011-25 IRB, 06/08/2011, IRC Sec(s).

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1. Purpose And Scope

.01. This revenue procedure modifies section 6.07 of   Rev. Proc. 2011-8, 2011-1 I.R.B. 237, to provide for a reduced user fee for applications for reinstatement of tax-exempt status filed by certain small organizations following automatic revocation of their tax-exempt status under   section 6033(j) of the Internal Revenue Code.

.02. This revenue procedure is effective as of the date stated in section 5 and shall be effective only for applications made by certain small organizations that are postmarked no later than December 31, 2012.

.03. The reduced user fee described in section 3 of this revenue procedure shall apply only to small organizations that normally have annual gross receipts of not more than $50,000 in their most recently completed taxable year and that are otherwise eligible for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43, this Bulletin.

.04. All organizations not eligible for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43 must refer to the user fee schedule in section 6.07 of   Rev. Proc. 2011-8 or its successor.

2. Background

The tax-exempt status of an organization that is described in   section 6033(a)(1) or   section 6033(i) of the Code and fails to file a required annual return or notice for three consecutive years is automatically revoked as of the date set for the filing of the third annual return or notice.   I.R.C. § 6033(j)(1). An organization that has had its tax-exempt status automatically revoked and wishes to have its tax-exempt status reinstated is required to apply for reinstatement of tax-exempt status, even if it was not originally required to make such an application.   I.R.C. § 6033(j)(2).   Notice 2011-43 provides transitional relief for certain small organizations that have lost their tax-exempt status for failing to file required annual notices for taxable years beginning in 2007, 2008, and 2009. For more information about how to apply for transitional relief and reinstatement of tax-exempt status, see   Notice 2011-43, this Bulletin.

3. User Fee

The amount of the user fee payable with respect to an application for reinstatement of tax-exempt status postmarked no later than December 31, 2012 by an organization eligible for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43 is $100.

4. Effect On Other Revenue Procedures

Section 6.07 of   Rev. Proc. 2011-8 is modified only with respect to applications for reinstatement of tax-exempt status filed by organizations that qualify for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43.

5. Effective Date

This revenue procedure is effective June 9, 2011.

6. Drafting Information

The principal author of this revenue procedure is Matthew Giuliano of the Exempt Organizations, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. For further information regarding this revenue procedure, please contact the TE/GE Customer Service office at (877) 829-5500 (a toll-free call).

Notice 2011-44, 2011-25 IRB, 06/08/2011, IRC Sec(s).

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Purpose

This notice provides guidance with respect to applying for reinstatement of tax-exempt status and requesting retroactive reinstatement under   sections 6033(j)(2) and   (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (“ Code” ) for an organization that has had its tax-exempt status automatically revoked under  section 6033(j)(1) of the Code. The Treasury Department (“ Treasury” ) and the Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS” ) intend to issue regulations under  section 6033(j) that will prescribe rules relating to the application for reinstatement of tax-exempt status under   section 6033(j)(2) and the request for retroactive reinstatement under   section 6033(j)(3). To assist in the drafting of these regulations, Treasury and the IRS solicit comments on the issues addressed in this notice.

In this Bulletin, the IRS has also published   Notice 2011-43, which provides transitional relief for certain small organizations (those that normally have annual gross receipts of not more than $50,000 in their most recently completed taxable year) that have lost their tax-exempt status because they failed to file an annual electronic notice for taxable years beginning in 2007, 2008, and 2009.   Notice 2011-43 sets forth the criteria for qualifying for the transitional relief and instructions on how qualifying organizations can apply for reinstatement of tax-exempt status retroactive to the date such status was automatically revoked.

Background

In general,   section 6033(a)(1) requires an organization exempt from taxation under   section 501(a) to file an annual information return, such as a Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, a Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, or a Form 990-PF, Return of Private Foundation or   Section 4947(a)(1) Nonexempt Charitable Trust Treated as a Private Foundation . Several categories of tax-exempt organizations, including most organizations (other than private foundations or   section 509(a)(3) supporting organizations) whose annual gross receipts are normally not more than $50,000 ($25,000 for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2010), are not required to file an annual information return. See   I.R.C. § 6033(a)(3);   Rev. Proc. 2011-15, 2011-3 I.R.B. 322.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006, Pub. L. No.109-280, 120 Stat. 780,   § 1223 (2006) (“ PPA” ), added   sections 6033(i) and   (j) to the Code, both of which became effective for taxable years beginning after 2006.   Section 6033(i) added an annual notification requirement for tax-exempt organizations that, pursuant to   section 6033(a)(3)(A)(ii) or (a)(3)(B), are not required to file an annual information return under   section 6033(a)(1) because their gross receipts fall below certain thresholds. An organization satisfies the annual notification requirement under   section 6033(i) by filing an annual electronic notice, also known as a Form 990-N e-Postcard. The annual notification requirement is also deemed satisfied if an organization files a complete Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See   Treas. Reg. § 1.6033-6(c)(4).

  Section 6033(j)(1) automatically revokes the tax-exempt status of any organization described in   section 6033(a)(1) that fails to file a required annual return for three consecutive years or any organization described in   section 6033(i) that fails to file an annual return or notice for three consecutive years. Revocation under   section 6033(j)(1) is effective on and after the date set by the Secretary for the filing of the third annual return or notice.

  Section 6033(j)(1) also requires the Secretary to publish and maintain a list of all organizations that have had their tax-exempt statuses revoked under  section 6033(j)(1) (“ revocation list” ). The IRS is publishing such a revocation list on the IRS website (http://www.irs.gov), which it will update monthly. The IRS is also mailing a letter to the last known address of each organization on the revocation list to notify the organization that its tax-exempt status has been revoked under   section 6033(j)(1) (“ IRS revocation letter” ).

  Section 7428(b)(4), as added by the PPA, provides that an organization may not bring a declaratory judgment action challenging automatic revocation under   section 6033(j)(1).

  Section 6033(j)(2) provides that any organization that has had its tax-exempt status automatically revoked under   section 6033(j)(1) must apply with the IRS in order to obtain reinstatement of its tax-exempt status, regardless of whether the organization was originally required to apply for recognition of its tax exemption. If the application for reinstatement of tax-exempt status is approved, the effective date of the organization's reinstated tax-exempt status generally will be the date the organization filed its application for reinstatement. However,   section 6033(j)(3) provides that if, upon application for reinstatement, an organization “ can show to the satisfaction of the Secretary evidence of reasonable cause for the failure described in [  section 6033(j)(1)], the organization's exempt status may, in the discretion of the Secretary, be reinstated effective from the date of the revocation.”

Effective Date Of Automatic Revocation

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006, the tax-exempt status of any organization that fails to file an annual information return required under   section 6033(a)(1) or an electronic notice required under   section 6033(i) for three consecutive years is automatically revoked pursuant to  section 6033(j)(1) on and after the date set by regulation for the filing of the third annual return or notice, without regard to any extension of time for filing.   Sections 1.6033-2(e) and   1.6033-6(f) of the Treasury Regulations generally require annual returns and notices, respectively, to be filed on or before the 15th day of the fifth month following the close of the period for which the return or notice is required to be filed. When the filing deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday the deadline may be timely satisfied if the filing is made on the next business day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday. See   I.R.C. § 7503. Thus, for example, in the case of an organization reporting on a calendar-year basis that did not file a required annual return or notice for 2007, 2008, or 2009, the revocation under   section 6033(j)(1) would be effective as of May 17, 2010, given that May 15, 2010 fell on a Saturday.

Application For Reinstatement Of Tax-Exempt Status

An organization seeking reinstatement of its tax-exempt status under   section 6033(j)(2) must apply using the same forms that are filed by all other applicants for tax exemption. Thus, an organization seeking reinstatement of its tax-exempt status under   section 501(c)(3) must submit Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under   Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Most other organizations seeking reinstatement of tax-exempt status must submit Form 1024, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under   Section 501(a). Any organization that seeks reinstatement of its tax-exempt status must submit the appropriate application regardless of whether the organization was originally required to apply with the IRS for recognition of tax exemption. For example, if the tax-exempt status of a subordinate organization included in a group exemption letter is automatically revoked under   section 6033(j)(1), the subordinate organization must submit an application for reinstatement of its tax-exempt status on its own behalf. In addition, all organizations seeking reinstatement of tax-exempt status must pay the appropriate user fee. See   Rev. Proc. 2011-8, 2011-1 I.R.B. 237, section 6.07 or its successor. (Small tax-exempt organizations described in   Notice 2011-43 are eligible for a reduced user fee described in   Rev. Proc. 2011-36, this Bulletin.)

To facilitate processing of applications for reinstatement of tax-exempt status, organizations should write “ automatically revoked” on the top of the application form and on the envelope. For information on where to mail the application for reinstatement of tax-exempt status, see the Instructions for Form 1023 or Form 1024 (whichever is applicable).

Retroactive Reinstatement

.01 Request for Retroactive Reinstatement

An organization (other than a small organization that qualifies for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43) seeking to have its tax-exempt status reinstated effective from the date of automatic revocation pursuant to   section 6033(j)(3) must submit a request for retroactive reinstatement with its application for reinstatement of tax-exempt status. The request for retroactive reinstatement must include the following:

(1) A written statement setting forth all of the facts that support its claim for reasonable cause for failing to file a required return or notice in each of the three consecutive years and over the entire consecutive three-year period, including a detailed description of all the facts and circumstances that led to each failure and the continuous failure, the discovery of the failures, and the steps taken to avoid or mitigate the failures;
(2) A written statement describing the safeguards the organization has put into place to ensure that the organization will not fail to file returns or notices in the future;
(3) Evidence to substantiate all material aspects of the written statements described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this section;
(4) Properly completed and executed paper annual information returns (Forms 990, Forms 990-EZ, or Forms 990-PF, whichever is applicable) for all taxable years during and after the consecutive three-year period that the organization was required, but failed, to file an annual information return;
(5) Properly completed and executed Forms 990-EZ for all taxable years during and after the consecutive three-year period that the organization was eligible to file a Form 990-N e-Postcard but failed to file either a Form 990-N e-Postcard or an annual information return; and
(6) An original declaration, dated and signed under penalties of perjury by an officer, director, trustee, or other official who is authorized to sign for the organization in the following form:
I, ____________ (Name), ______________ (Title) declare, under penalties of perjury, that I am authorized to sign this request for retroactive reinstatement on behalf of [Name of Organization], and I further declare that I have examined this request for retroactive reinstatement, including the written explanation of all the facts and information pertaining to the claim for reasonable cause and the evidence to substantiate the claim for reasonable cause, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, this request is true, correct, and complete. .02 Reasonable Cause Standard

Because the failure described in   section 6033(j)(1) involves a repeated and continuous failure to file annual returns or notices for a consecutive three-year period, an organization seeking retroactive reinstatement under   section 6033(j)(3) must demonstrate that it had reasonable cause for failing to file a return or notice not only for each of the three years but also over the entire three-year period. Thus, for example, showing reasonable cause for failing to file a required return or notice for the first of the three years by the date it was due would be insufficient; an organization also would have to show reasonable cause for not filing that return or notice at any later time during the three-year period and for not filing required returns or notices for the second and third years of the three-year period.

In order to establish reasonable cause under   section 6033(j)(3), an organization requesting retroactive reinstatement must provide evidence that it exercised ordinary business care and prudence in determining and attempting to comply with its reporting requirements under   section 6033 for each of the three years and over the entire three-year period, but was nevertheless unable to file the required returns or notices for three consecutive years. In determining whether the organization establishes reasonable cause, the IRS will take into account all pertinent facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following factors that weigh in favor of finding reasonable cause (with no single factor being either necessary or determinative):

(1) The organization's failure was due to its reasonable, good faith reliance on erroneous written information from the IRS, stating that the organization was not required to file a return or notice under   section 6033, provided the IRS was made aware of all relevant facts.
(2) The failure to file the returns or notices arose from events beyond the organization's control (“ impediment” ) that made it impossible for the organization to file returns or notices for each of the three years at issue and over the entire three-year period.
(3) The organization acted in a responsible manner by undertaking significant steps to avoid or mitigate the failure to file the required returns or notices and to prevent similar failures in the future, including, but not limited to—
(a) Attempting to prevent an impediment or a failure, if it was foreseeable;
(b) Acting as promptly as possible to remove an impediment or the cause of the reporting failure, once the failure was discovered; and
(c) After the failure was discovered, implementing sufficient safeguards to ensure future compliance with the reporting requirements under  section 6033.
(4) Aside from the three consecutive years in which the organization failed to file returns or notices, the organization has an established history of complying with its reporting requirements (if any) under   section 6033 and/or any other applicable reporting or other requirements under the Code.
In determining whether reasonable cause exists, the IRS will only consider a factor on the above list or any other factor (such as the fact that substantially all of an organization's activities are performed by volunteers) if the organization shows to the satisfaction of the IRS evidence to substantiate the factor. .03 Timing of Request for Retroactive Reinstatement

Except for small organizations that qualify for the transitional relief described in   Notice 2011-43, the IRS will, in exercising the discretion granted under  section 6033(j)(3), consider an organization's request for retroactive reinstatement only if it submits such a request, together with a properly completed and executed application for reinstatement of its tax-exempt status, within 15 months of the later of the date of the IRS revocation letter or the date on which the IRS posts the name of the organization on the revocation list available on the IRS website (or otherwise provides notice of the revocation to the public).

Subsequent Automatic Revocations

An organization whose tax-exempt status has been automatically revoked and reinstated may have its tax-exempt status automatically revoked a second time under   section 6033(j)(1) only if it fails to file returns or notices for another three consecutive taxable years, beginning with the taxable year the IRS approves its application for reinstatement of tax-exempt status. For example, if an organization reporting on a calendar year basis has its tax-exempt status automatically revoked for failing to file required returns or notices for 2007, 2008, and 2009 and receives a determination letter recognizing the reinstatement of its tax-exempt status dated September 1, 2011, the organization's tax-exempt status will not be automatically revoked a second time for failing to timely file a return or notice for 2008, 2009, and 2010. However, the organization's tax-exempt status will be automatically revoked a second time if the organization fails to timely file a return or notice for 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Paperwork Reduction Act

The collection of information contained in this notice has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) and approved under OMB control number 1545-2206.

The collection of information in this notice is in   section 5. In order to have its tax-exempt status retroactively reinstated under   section 6033(j)(3), an organization must show to the satisfaction of the IRS evidence that it exercised ordinary business care and prudence in determining and attempting to comply with its reporting obligations under   section 6033 for each of the three years (and over the entire three-year period) that it failed to meet such requirements. This information is necessary for inspection by the IRS in determining whether reasonable cause exists. The collection of information is required to meet the reasonable cause standard under   section 6033(j)(3). The likely respondents providing the information required in   section 5 of this notice are tax-exempt organizations that have had their tax-exempt statuses automatically revoked under   section 6033(j)(1), have applied for reinstatement of such status under   section 6033(j)(2), and are seeking that such reinstatement be made retroactive to the date of revocation under  section 6033(j)(3).

Estimated total annual reporting burden: 2,917 hours.

Estimated average annual burden per respondent: 1 hour.

Estimated number of respondents over the next three years: 8,750.

Additional collection of information is proposed in   section 4 of the notice, which will be reported and approved through Forms 1023 and 1024 (OMB approval numbers 1545-0056 and 1545-0057, respectively).

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid control number assigned by the Office of Management and Budget.

Request For Comments

Treasury and the IRS request comments regarding this notice and suggestions for future guidance regarding the provisions of   section 6033(j). Comments should be submitted on or before August 19, 2011. Please include “   Notice 2011-44” on the cover page. Comments should be sent to the following address:

Internal Revenue Service

CC:PA:LPD:PR (   Notice 2011-44), Room 5203

P.O. Box 7604

Ben Franklin Station

Washington, D.C. 20224.

Submissions may be hand delivered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to:

Internal Revenue Service

Courier's Desk,

1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20224

Attn: CC:PA:LPD:PR (   Notice 2011-44)

Submissions may also be sent electronically to the following e-mail address:

Notice.Comments@irscounsel.treas.gov.

Please include “   Notice 2011-44” in the subject line.

All comments will be available for public inspection and copying.

Drafting Information

The principal authors of this notice are Monice Rosenbaum and Preston Quesenberry of the Office of Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt and Government Entities) and Matthew Giuliano of the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division of the IRS. However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department participated in developing this notice. For further information regarding this notice, contact Ms. Rosenbaum at (202) 622-6070, Mr. Quesenberry at (202) 622-1124, or Mr. Giuliano at (202) 283-8917 (not toll-free numbers).


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