Prepare Legal Arizona Churches Forms For Free

Here's How to Start a Church in seven steps. Decide on the basics. ... Write your bylaws. ... Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) ... Open a bank account for your church. ... Get ready to fundraise. ... Obtain a certificate of formation or articles of incorporation. ... Apply for official 501(c)(3) status.

The IRS may begin a church tax inquiry only if an appropriate high-level Treasury official reasonably believes, based on a written statement of the facts and circumstances, that the organization: (a) may not qualify for the exemption; or (b) may not be paying tax on unrelated business or other taxable activity.

Essentially, religious institutions do not have to pay federal or state income taxes as other institutions do. As long as they comply with federal requirements, these institutions won't go through the tax process as it is commonly known. However, churches still generally need to file an information return every year.

More In File The following types of organizations are not required to file Form 1023 for recognition of exemption under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3): Churches, including synagogues, temples and mosques. Integrated auxiliaries of churches and conventions or associations of churches.

Thus, a 508(c)(1)(A) nonprofit is a special type of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that does not have to report its income or activities to the IRS by filing annual tax returns.

The IRS will require you to have three founding members who are not related by blood or marriage. Ideally, you have already built up a fairly sizeable following, and are now looking to make your church official.