Questions about charity websites?

Question

OK,So I have a .org website. I want to add the paypal, or some type of button to donate money. Now,I didn't know you had to register it with the IRS.I'm in TN, would it be very expensive?But....When you go to a website to add the button, could you use a TAX ID number? Or must it be through theIRS. I'm pretty confused about that.....Someone,please let me know. Thanks so much!

Answer 1

You say you have a .org web site, but you don't say whether or not you have a charity.

If you are asking for donations just for yourself, as an individual, you don't have to register with the IRS, but you DO have to report the income on your tax returns.

If you are asking for donations for a charity, that complicates things: is this your own charity and, if so, is it registered with the state and federal governments? (yes, it has to be). If you are raising the money for charities that are not your own, you must FIRST talk to those charities -- for permission, for details on how you track donations and transfer such to them, how your efforts will be audited to ensure you aren't keeping any money for yourself etc.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

How you collect money and how you report it are two totally different (and completely independant) items.  

I have never heard of the requirement to register the website with the IRS.  

If you are collecting donations as a business entity you need to register as a business entity with the IRS.