IRS Nonprofit Search: How to Find and Verify a Nonprofit

The IRS maintains a free public database called the Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) that anyone can use to look up a nonprofit's federal tax-exempt status. Whether you're a donor wanting to confirm a charity is legitimate, or a nonprofit founder trying to understand what the public sees about your organization, this tool gives you direct access to official IRS records.

If you're just getting started and want to understand the full picture of how to form a nonprofit organization in 8 steps, that guide walks you through each step from incorporation to tax-exempt status.

How Do You Use the IRS Nonprofit Search?

Quick Answer

Go to the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. Enter the organization's name or EIN, then select the appropriate search category. Results show whether the organization is recognized as federally tax-exempt, which types of records are available, and whether contributions may be tax-deductible. Not every tax-exempt organization will appear in every category.

What Is the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS)?

The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, commonly called TEOS, is an online database maintained by the Internal Revenue Service. It allows the public to search for organizations that have applied for and received federal tax-exempt recognition under the Internal Revenue Code.

It is important to understand what TEOS does and does not include. The database reflects organizations that have been granted IRS recognition — not every organization that may qualify for tax-exempt status. Qualifying churches and certain other organizations may be tax-exempt under federal law without ever applying for IRS recognition, and those organizations will generally not appear in TEOS.

The tool is free to use and does not require an account. You can search by organization name, Employer Identification Number (EIN), location, or nonprofit type. TEOS contains several different searchable record categories, and an organization may appear in one category but not another.

How to Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (Step by Step)

Using the tool is straightforward. Here is how to run a search:

1. Go to apps.irs.gov/app/eos to access the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search directly.
2. Choose your search category. Options include organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions, organizations that have had their status automatically revoked, and others.
3. Enter the organization's name or EIN in the search field. Using the EIN gives you the most precise result and avoids issues with name variations or abbreviations.
4. Review the results. Click on an organization's name to see its full record.
5. Check the status listed. You will see whether the organization is currently recognized as tax-exempt, whether it is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions, and whether it has had its status automatically revoked.

If you are searching for a specific organization and are not finding it, try searching by EIN rather than name, and check multiple search categories.

What Records Are Available in TEOS?

TEOS contains several different types of searchable records. Understanding these categories helps explain why an organization might appear in one search result but not another.

• Organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions: This is the most commonly used search. It includes organizations recognized under 501(c)(3) whose contributions qualify as charitable deductions.
• Organizations recognized as tax-exempt: A broader category that includes all IRS-recognized exempt organizations, not only those eligible to receive deductible contributions.
• Automatic revocation list: Organizations that have had their tax-exempt status revoked for failing to file a required annual return or notice for three consecutive years.
• Form 990 filings: Copies of annual returns filed by organizations that are required to file them, when available.

An organization may appear in the automatic revocation list but not in the active exemptions list if its status has been revoked. It may also not appear at all if it was never required to apply for IRS recognition.

What Different Search Results Mean

When you pull up an organization's record in TEOS, you will typically find:

• Tax-exempt status: Whether the organization is currently recognized under a specific section of the Internal Revenue Code, such as 501(c)(3).
• Deductibility code: Whether contributions to the organization may be tax-deductible for donors. This is separate from tax-exempt status — not every tax-exempt organization is eligible to receive deductible contributions.
• EIN: The organization's federal Employer Identification Number.
• Filing requirement: The type of Form 990 the organization is required to file, if any.
• Form 990 filings: Copies of recent annual returns when available, which show revenue, expenses, and governance information.
• Revocation history: Whether the organization has ever had its tax-exempt status automatically revoked.

For donors, the most important details are usually the tax-exempt status and the deductibility code. You can learn more about how to look up a nonprofit's tax-exempt status and what the results mean.

Why a Nonprofit May Not Appear in TEOS

If you search for an organization and do not find it, there are a few common reasons.

The application is still pending. After submitting a 501(c)(3) application, the IRS review process takes time. The organization will not appear as tax-exempt in TEOS until the IRS issues its determination letter.

The organization lost its tax-exempt status. Nonprofits that fail to file required annual returns or notices for three consecutive years automatically lose their federal tax-exempt status under IRS automatic revocation rules. This is one of the most common reasons nonprofits lose tax-exempt status. If this has happened, the organization will appear in TEOS under the automatic revocation list rather than the active exemptions list.

The organization was not required to apply. Qualifying churches and certain other organizations may be federally tax-exempt without applying for IRS recognition. These organizations generally will not appear in TEOS as recognized exempt organizations.

The search terms do not match. The organization may be registered under a legal name that differs from the name it commonly uses. Searching by EIN will return an exact match regardless of name variations.

What to Do If Your Nonprofit Is Not Listed

If your nonprofit is not appearing in the IRS search and you believe it should be, here are the steps to take.

First, confirm your application status. If you submitted a Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ, you can check its status through the IRS charities and nonprofits portal on irs.gov.

Second, check for revocation. Search the automatic revocation database in TEOS to see if your organization's status was revoked. If it was, the IRS has a process for applying for reinstatement, and in some cases organizations can have their status retroactively restored.

Third, verify your EIN. TEOS records are tied to the EIN on file with the IRS. If there is any discrepancy in your registration information, it can affect how your organization appears in the database.

Staying on top of annual filing requirements is also essential. The Nonprofit Compliance Checklist outlines the key federal and state responsibilities that help organizations maintain good standing.

What Donors Should Know Before Giving

If you are a donor researching a charity before making a contribution, the IRS nonprofit search gives you reliable, official information. Here is what to focus on:

• Confirm the organization is listed as tax-exempt. An active listing means the IRS has recognized the organization's exempt status.
• Check the deductibility code. Tax-exempt status and eligibility to receive tax-deductible contributions are not the same thing. Look for a deductibility code that confirms your donation may qualify as a charitable deduction on your federal tax return. If you have questions about the deductibility of a specific gift, consult a tax professional.
• Review available Form 990s. These annual returns are public records. They show how the organization uses its funds, who leads it, and how it is governed.
• Check for revocations. If the organization appears on the automatic revocation list, its tax-exempt status is no longer active unless it has been reinstated.

Starting Your Nonprofit the Right Way

The IRS nonprofit search reflects where your organization stands after the formation and application process is complete. Before your nonprofit can appear in that database as an active, tax-exempt organization, you need to incorporate at the state level, obtain an EIN, and apply for federal recognition through the IRS.

Using TEOS is different from applying for tax-exempt recognition. If your organization has not yet gone through that process, the guide on how to form a nonprofit organization in 8 steps covers everything from choosing your structure to receiving your determination letter.

Beacon Nonprofit helps founders with nonprofit formation and related filing services, including state incorporation, EIN registration, and 501(c)(3) application assistance. Beacon is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.