Sweet Adelines International was granted tax exempt status as a 501(c)(3) educational organization in 1957. This exemption extends to the organization's affiliates, e.g., chapters and regions. The Internal Revenue Services regulates tax exemption laws governing nonprofit organizations.

The critical factor for an organization to maintain a tax exempt status is that no part of its income is distributed to its members or other individuals. The international organization, chapters, and regions must devote themselves to their particular exempt purpose and cannot devote any of their efforts or money to benefit a private individual.

A frequent inquiry primarily from chapters is can the chorus conduct a benefit performance and donate the proceeds to assist a member or an individual in the community who is suffering from a devasting illness or some other misfortune?

Although the motive is one of compassion and a desire to assist one in need, the answer is NO. To do so jeopardizes the chapter's tax exempt status. A Sweet Adelines chorus may not sponsor, solicit, or donate chapter funds to personally benefit any individual.

For additional information, please contact the Director of Administrative Services at international headquarters:

phone: 800.992.7464    email: admindept@sweetadelineintl.org

 

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