If you have filed for exemption with the IRS for a nonprofit you are starting and your status is pending while they review, I understand that you can still solicit donations and generally when your exemption is granted your exempt status applies retroactively to your date of incorporation. But how are the donor's charitable contributions treated? Can they deduct the tax year they donate or do they have to wait until the tax year in which exemption is granted (if the pending period lasts until a new tax year)? Or is it also retroactive and they would have to amend their previous tax return once the nonprofit gains exempt status?
posted on Jul 21, 2008 - 8 answers

Can Canadians give tax-deductible donations to American non-profit organizations? [more inside]
posted on Dec 18, 2007 - 2 answers

If I use my sister's college-student discount to by computer products at a reduced price, but claim them as expenses for my home business, will anyone care? [more inside]
posted on Mar 29, 2006 - 18 answers

TaxFilter: A co-worker and I both recently relocated and received a relocation allowance. Anything above the cost of the move (excess reimbursement) we were allowed to keep. I know that the excess is taxable income. My co-worker feels that the relocation allowance is like our Meals and Incidental Expenses per diem, we didn't spend all of the allowance, so we get to keep the balance treating it as non-taxable income.

How can I simply explain the difference between a per diem and an excess reimbusrment to him? I've showed him relevant IRS documentation such as Publications 17 and 521 to no avail.
posted on Feb 5, 2005 - 5 answers