Time Running Out For Area Groups In Danger Of Losing IRS Nonprofit Status

September 12, 2010

Dozens of prominent North Escambia area groups are in danger of losing their nonprofit status from the IRS for failing to file the proper paperwork for three consecutive years. But one group says getting straight with IRS is a quick, easy process if you know how to proceed.

Groups like the chambers of commerce in Century and Jay; the fire departments in McDavid, Cantonment and Nokomis; community centers in Century, Byrneville, Davisville; and many more social, civic and charitable organizations are on a list released by the Internal Revenue Service.

Across the country, about 325,000 groups have failed to comply with IRS requirements, risking their nonprofit classification. The IRS said the organizations can keep their non-profit status by filing the proper paperwork by October 15.

“It really turned out to be a pretty easy thing to do,” Margie McCall of the Century Chamber of Commerce said. “I was able to do the form in about 15 minutes.”

But McCall said she spent hours gathering documents, filling out a long and complicated form, and following instructions on the IRS website. When she was unable to find the mailing address for the form, a chamber staffer called the IRS — to find out that many small non-profits need to only fill out a short form that takes just minutes. The form, McCall said, is submitted online and provides a printable receipt in seconds. (Link: Form 990-N)

“That’s all you have to do,” she said. “I wanted all of the non-profits on your list to know that it’s not that hard.”

McCall said the Century Chamber of Commerce learned that the group was in danger of losing their non-profit status from a story first published by NorthEscambia.com in late July.

“I’m sure glad you ran that story,” said said, ” because we had no idea. We never received a letter from the IRS or anything.”

The IRS said that many non-profits may not realize that they are not in compliance with the agency’s paperwork requirements.

“Our message is simple: If you don’t have your filings up to date, now is the time to take action and get back in compliance,” Doug Shuman, IRS commissioner said in a released statement. “We’re taking these steps today to go the extra mile and help small tax-exempt groups.”

The following North Escambia area groups were on the list released by the IRS in July. Some, such as the Century Chamber of Commerce, may have already completed the necessary paperwork with the IRS.

Century
Byrneville Community Center Inc
Carver Community Center Association Inc
Century Area Chamber Of Commerce
Century Community Development Partnership Inc
Davisville Heritage And Historical Preservation Association Inc
Free & Accepted Masons Of Florida
International Association Of Lions Clubs

McDavid
McDavid Volunteer Fire Department Incorporated

Molino
Friends Of The Northwest Branch Library Inc

Walnut Hill
McKinnonville Hunting Club Inc
North Escambia Sportsman

Cantonment
American Federation Of State County & Municipal Employees
Camden Academy Alumni Association Inc
Cantonment Baseball Club
Cantonment Volunteer Fire Department Incorporated
Coalition Of Professional Employees Incorporated
Diamond Aces Inc
French International Mission Inc
Global Vision Ministries Inc
Pensacola Press Club Inc
PTA Florida Congress
Quintette Community Park Inc
SWM Community Development Inc

Atmore
Atmore Council Of Fine Arts
Atmore Drug Abuse Community Education Foundation
Atmore Rotary Clubs Academic All Star Program
Community Hunting Club
D C Restoration Inc
E&B Youth And Outreach Center Inc
Escambia Allied Community Health Service Inc
Free & Accepted Masons Prince Hall Gr Mst Conf Americaeureka Ldg 953
Free & Accepted Masons Prince Hall Grand Masters Conf Of America
Free & Accepted Masons Prince Hall Grand Masters Conf Of America
Growing Tots Inc
Leadership Atmore
New Beginning Outreach Programs
Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department Inc
Order Of The Eastern Star
Rotary International
Servants Of The Father Ministries
Sullivan Cemetery
The Junior Service League Of Atmore

Flomaton
International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers
Flomaton Volunteer Fire & Rescue Inc
Travelers Rest Cemetery Association
Turtle Point Foundation

Jay
Jay Area Chamber Of Commerce Inc
Jay Historical Society
Jay Volunteer Fire Department Inc
Milton Baseball
Moore Creek Hunting Club Inc
North Santa Rosa-Escambia Development Council Inc
Panhandle Outlaws
Santa Rosa Pest Management Association Inc

For more information, see the IRS website.

Pictured top: Margie McCall of the Century Chamber of Commerce. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

One Response to “Time Running Out For Area Groups In Danger Of Losing IRS Nonprofit Status”

  1. Betty Porz on September 12th, 2010 9:13 pm

    I am sure some may have concerns after reading Byrneville Community Center was on the list to lose our tax-exempt status. We are not. I have been the phone with the IRS and was prepared to resubmit filing but it was not necessay. I have the IRS agent’s name and badge number that handled my call and we will recieve written acknowledgement in a couple weeks. This will be posted at the community center or if you have questions please call me (256-3795)we are volunteers at the center and would welcome your calls and concern.
    Betty Porz
    Byrneville Community Center,Inc