501(c)(4) volunteer fire companies, and the other is for war veteran organizations (such as the VFW) — those donations ARE deductible. However, since both are nonprofits, they need not pay … But otherwise, you can’t deduct contributions to a 501(c)(4). A 501(c)(4) organization is a social welfare organization, such as a civic organization or a neighborhood association. The difference between a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(4) are slight, but is mainly determined by the type of organization that is established. With the increase in lobbying, 501(c)(4… Providing a paid consulting service, even if to an exclusively nonprofit client base, will not typically qualify as a tax-exempt purpose under any 501(c) code section. A lot of c4s are advocacy groups like AARP or National Right to Life. An organization is considered by the IRS to be operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare if it is primarily engaged in promoting the common good and general welfare of the people of the community. 501(c)(4) organizations may also gain exemption from sales, property, and state and local income taxes. A 501(c)(4) is also a tax-exempt organization, but with the purpose to promote “the common good and general welfare of the community.” One of the key differences between a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(4) organization is that 501(c)(4)s can engage in an unlimited amount of lobbying. 501(c)(4) Two types of organizations fit into this category: social welfare organizations and local associations of employees. 501(c)(4) status refers to social welfare organizations that are exempt from federal income taxes. A 501(c)(4) is a nonprofit organization that is capable of extensive lobbying activities, as opposed to a 501(c)(3), which is very limited in the amount of political lobbying it can do. One big difference between 501(c)(3) public charities and 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations is that contributions to 501(c)(3)s can be tax deductible, while contributions to 501(c)(4)s are never deductible. Most states also extend tax-exempt status to 501(c)(4)s. According to IRS regulations, a 501(c)(4) must operate to promote the general public welfare; it may not benefit a private company or individual, or serve … They are so named by the chapter and section of the United States Code that defines what they are. The 501(c) section under the Internal Revenue Service guidelines and regulations is designed for non-profit organizations. Applicable organizations must file IRS Form 1024 to apply for tax-exempt status. • Though businesses that make donations to a 501(c)(4) might be able to take a 501(c)(4)s are what’s called social welfare/public benefit organizations. The 501(c)(4) distinction was made exclusively for organizations that are non-profit and which promote social welfare. A 501(c)(4) organization's net earning must go toward charitable, education or recreational purposes. The other option, writes Klein, is "that this experience will simply make the IRS even more terrified of regulating 501(c)(4)s," leading to more untraceable, tax-exempt cash in U.S. elections. 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