Nonprofit Tax Advisory & Compliance

Protecting Your Mission Through Technical Excellence and Transparency

For nonprofit organizations, tax management is not just about filing forms; it is about maintaining the public trust and protecting the tax-exempt status that fuels your mission. We provide the technical oversight necessary to navigate complex IRS regulations, ensuring your organization remains compliant while maximizing the resources available for your programs.

We provide the clarity needed to lead with confidence. At Calvetti Ferguson, we believe that a well-prepared Form 990 is a strategic communication tool that tells your story to donors and regulators alike. We help you manage regulatory risk and operational complexity so your leadership can stay focused on achieving your mission.

Specialized Nonprofit Tax Services

We offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to simplify the unique reporting requirements of the tax-exempt sector and ensure long-term organizational health.

IRS Tax-Exempt Status & Formation

Securing and maintaining exempt status requires a rigorous approach to entity structure and operational planning from day one.

• • • Nonprofit Formation Support: Guidance on incorporating and structuring your organization to align with IRS requirements.
    • Exemption Applications (Form 1023/1024): Full-service support of the Application for Recognition of Exemption process, ensuring your filing is thorough, accurate, and fully prepared for public disclosure.
      
    • Start-Up Compliance Planning: Developing the internal governance checklists required for long-term regulatory success.

Form 990 Series: Beyond the Return

The Form 990 is a public-facing document. We treat it as a primary transparency tool to enhance donor confidence and showcase your stewardship.

• • • Expert Preparation & Review: Accurate filing of Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, and 990-N, tailored to your organization’s specific reporting tier.
    • Strategic Narrative Presentation: We help you utilize Schedule O and program descriptions to clearly communicate your impact and financial health.
    • Governance Training: Providing Board education and 990 walk-throughs to ensure leadership understands their fiduciary responsibilities.

Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) Strategy

Diversifying revenue streams is essential for growth, but it must be managed carefully to avoid unexpected tax liabilities or threats to your exempt status.

• • • Activity Assessment: Identifying income-generating activities that may fall outside your exempt purpose.
    • Tax Minimization & Expense Allocation: Strategically allocating expenses to minimize UBIT liability while staying within IRS guidelines.
    • Form 990-T Preparation: Accurate reporting of unrelated business taxable income and estimated tax payments.

Operational Compliance and Multi-State Guidance

As organizations scale, they face a growing web of state-specific regulations and operational risks. Our team provides the specialized oversight needed to manage these evolving legal requirements.

• Sales, Use & Property Tax Exemptions: Identifying and securing the state-level exemptions your organization is entitled to, preserving more capital for your mission.

• Charitable Solicitation Registration: Advising on multi-state registration requirements to ensure your fundraising activities are compliant wherever you solicit donors.

• Executive Compensation & Benefits: Benchmarking and documentation to ensure reasonable compensation practices and avoid private inurement issues (Intermediate Sanctions).

• IRS Representation: Providing professional support and representation during IRS inquiries or audits to defend your exempt status.

Optimize Your Nonprofit Tax Strategy

Technical tax nuances should not stall your organization’s momentum. We build the compliant, efficient foundation your mission deserves. Partner with a firm that understands the intersection of exempt-purpose law and organizational transparency.

We manage the technical tax complexities so you can focus on making a positive impact.