How to Look Up a Nonprofit's Tax-Exempt Status
Key Takeaways
You can verify any nonprofit's federal tax-exempt status for free using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) on the IRS website.
Searching by EIN is the most reliable method since organization names can vary or change over time.
If a nonprofit does not appear in the TEOS database, it may be newly approved, listed under a different name, or may have had its status automatically revoked.
Federal and state tax-exempt status are separate. Always check both if you need a complete picture of a nonprofit's standing.
Nonprofit founders should periodically verify their own status in the IRS database to catch any compliance gaps before they become larger problems.
Wondering if a nonprofit is really tax-exempt? Learn how to look up any organization's IRS tax-exempt status, understand what the results mean, and keep your own nonprofit in good standing.
Why Tax-Exempt Status Matters
Tax-exempt status is one of the most important milestones for any nonprofit. When the IRS grants your organization 501(c)(3) status, it means your nonprofit does not pay federal income tax on money related to your mission. It also means donors can deduct their contributions on their federal tax returns, which makes giving more appealing.
But tax-exempt status is not automatic, and it is not permanent. Nonprofits must apply for it, maintain it, and protect it over time. That is why knowing how to verify a nonprofit's status, whether your own or another organization's, is a practical skill every founder should have.
How Do You Look Up a Nonprofit's Tax-Exempt Status?
Quick Answer
You can look up any nonprofit's federal tax-exempt status for free using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool (TEOS). Search by organization name, EIN, or location to confirm whether a nonprofit is recognized as tax-exempt, review its filing history, and access public documents like Form 990. Results are typically updated monthly.
How to Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search
The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (also called TEOS) is the official free tool for verifying a nonprofit's federal status. Here is how to use it:
- Visit the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search page on the IRS website (irs.gov).
- Choose your search method: organization name, Employer Identification Number (EIN), or location.
- Review the results. Click on any organization to see its details.
- Download available documents, including determination letters and Form 990 filings.
Searching by EIN is the most reliable method because organization names can change or appear under variations. If you know the nonprofit's EIN, use it.
What the Search Results Tell You
Once you find an organization in the IRS search tool, you will see several important details:
- Tax-exempt status: Whether the organization is currently recognized as tax-exempt and under which section of the tax code (most commonly 501(c)(3)).
- Ruling date: The date the IRS officially granted tax-exempt status.
- Deductibility status: Whether donations to the organization are tax-deductible for the donor.
- Form 990 filings: Public copies of the nonprofit's annual information returns, which show financial data, leadership, and program activities.
- Determination letter: The IRS letter confirming the organization's tax-exempt status.
The IRS TEOS database is updated monthly, so recently approved organizations may not appear right away.
What If a Nonprofit Doesn't Show Up?
If you search for an organization and it does not appear, there are a few possible explanations:
- The organization may be too new. IRS processing times for 501(c)(3) applications can take several months, and the database updates monthly.
- The name may be listed differently. Try searching by EIN if you have it, or try partial name variations.
- The organization may have lost its tax-exempt status. The IRS automatically revokes status if a nonprofit fails to file its required annual return (Form 990) for three consecutive years. The IRS maintains a public Automatic Revocation list on its website where you can check whether an organization has had its status revoked.
- Some smaller religious organizations and certain other nonprofits are not required to apply for recognition and may not appear in the database even if they are legitimately tax-exempt.
Understanding why nonprofits lose tax-exempt status can help you avoid the same mistakes in your own organization.
How to Verify State Tax-Exempt Status
Federal tax-exempt status and state tax-exempt status are separate. Being recognized by the IRS does not automatically mean your nonprofit is exempt from state income tax, sales tax, or property tax. Each state has its own rules.
To verify a nonprofit's state tax-exempt status, check with your state's department of revenue or taxation. Most states have an online search tool or public registry. Some states also maintain a list of registered charitable organizations through the attorney general's office or a similar agency.
If you are starting a nonprofit and want to understand the full scope of what state compliance looks like, the Nonprofit Compliance Checklist: What Every Founder Needs to Know is a helpful resource.
How to Check Your Own Nonprofit's Status
As a nonprofit founder, it is smart to verify your own organization's status periodically, especially after filing your annual return or if you have recently made changes to your organization.
Here is what to confirm:
- Your organization appears in the IRS TEOS database with an active status.
- Your most recent Form 990 filing is reflected accurately.
- Your determination letter information is correct.
- Your organization does not appear on the IRS Automatic Revocation list.
If you have recently applied for 501(c)(3) status and are waiting on approval, keep in mind that IRS processing times vary. The IRS provides an estimated timeline on its website under "Where's My Application for Tax-Exempt Status."
Once your status is confirmed, it is worth reviewing what happens after you receive 501(c)(3) status to make sure you are meeting your ongoing obligations.
Keep Your Tax-Exempt Status Protected
Looking up tax-exempt status is straightforward once you know where to go. The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search gives you reliable, up-to-date information on any recognized nonprofit, and knowing how to read those results helps you make informed decisions, whether you are vetting a partner organization, reassuring a donor, or monitoring your own compliance.
Protecting your status long-term comes down to consistent compliance: filing your Form 990 on time every year, staying current with state requirements, and keeping your mission and activities aligned with your tax-exempt purpose.
If your nonprofit is still in the formation stage, learning how to form a nonprofit organization is a great place to start. Beacon Nonprofit can help you navigate each step with clarity and confidence. Start your nonprofit with Beacon today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Go to the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search on the IRS website. You can search by organization name, EIN, or location. The results will show whether the organization is currently recognized as tax-exempt and provide access to public filings like Form 990.
Yes, the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search is completely free. It is a public tool provided by the IRS so anyone can verify a nonprofit's federal tax-exempt status, review filings, and download determination letters.
There are a few reasons a nonprofit might not appear. It could be newly approved and not yet reflected in the monthly database update, listed under a slightly different name, or it may have had its tax-exempt status automatically revoked for failing to file Form 990 for three consecutive years.
No. Federal and state tax-exempt status are separate. IRS recognition as a 501(c)(3) does not automatically exempt your nonprofit from state income tax, sales tax, or property tax. You need to apply for state-level exemptions separately based on your state's requirements.
The IRS typically updates the TEOS database on a monthly basis. This means newly approved organizations or recent status changes may not appear immediately. If your organization was recently approved, allow a few weeks for the update to reflect.
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