Millions of donors annually give hundreds of billions of dollars to charities. While this giving helps meet charitable purposes, congressional & media concerns have arisen about whether some charities spend too much on fundraising & general management & not enough on program services to meet the charitable purposes related to the tax-exempt status. Such concerns have heightened since the outflow of charitable giving after 9/11. This report focuses on the adequacy of: (1) publicly reported Form 990 data on charity spending in facilitating public oversight of charities, (2) IRS's oversight of charities, & (3) IRS's data sharing with state agencies that oversee charities. Includes reviews of studies on charities from 1994-1999. Charts & tables.

Considers earlier efforts to finance nonprofit organizations by means of "fiscal agency," the legal problems which ensued, and efforts to correct them through "fiscal sponsorship."

"Provides background information and step-by-step instructions that nonprofits need to apply for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and qualify as a public charity with the IRS. The 10th edition covers recent changes in the law"--Provided by publisher.

Line-by-line tips and instructions to successfully file Form 1023 IRS Form 1023 Tax Preparation Guide provides comprehensive instructions for completing and filing the new and significantly revised Form 1023 (Application for Recognition of Exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code). Nonprofit organizations--including health and human service organizations, schools, private foundations, churches, libraries, museums, cultural institutions, environmental protection organizations, and other charitable, smaller groups--contend daily with issues related to their IRS filings, from qualifying and applying for tax-exempt status to maintaining and managing it. Written for nonprofit executives and directors, accountants, nonprofit boards, lawyers, consultants, and volunteers, IRS Form 1023 Tax Preparation Guide is brimming with helpful advice and features, including: * Strategies for obtaining IRS recognition of tax-exempt status as a charitable organization including a Suitability Checklist to evaluate viability of making application * Insights into the rationale behind the information requested by the IRS * Specific suggestions for answering each question on Form 1023 and navigating the steps involved in the approval process * Practical advice on the alternatives available in contesting an adverse IRS determination * An overview of state filing requirements * A companion Web site that allows nonprofits to download key model forms and connect to IRS forms * Easy-to-use worksheets to help manage such critical concerns as public charity status, tax-exempt eligibility, reporting to the IRS, and tax compliance