Thanks for your interest in donating to the Ventura County Astronomical Society.
VCAS is a California Public Benefit Corporation, organized to educate the public about the science of Astronomy. VCAS has operated as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable educational organization under determination letters issued by both the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board since 1977.
Unfortunately, on February 22, 2012 the IRS revoked VCAS's tax-exempt status (along with 380,000 other small nonprofit organizations throughout the US) for failure to file form 990-N e-postcard returns for 2008, 2009 and 2010. The requirement to file form 990-N returns was new as of 2007.
Upon learning of the revocation the Board of Directors took quick action, submitting an application with the IRS on July 30, 2012 requesting retroactive reinstatement of the Society’s tax exempt status. The IRS is currently processing this application.
WHAT THIS MEANS REGARDING DONATIONS TO VCAS
Until the IRS reinstates the Society's tax-exempt status, donations made to VCAS on or after February 22, 2012 are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Such donations continue to be fully deductible for California income tax purposes, however. VCAS is confident the IRS will accept its application for retroactive reinstatement. If they do, then the donations made to VCAS after February 22, 2012 will again qualify as tax deductible donations for federal income tax purposes. If the IRS accepts the organization’s application for tax exempt status but does not grant retroactive relief, then donors will not be allowed a tax deduction for donations made to VCAS between February 22, 2012 and July 29, 2012, but all donations made on or after July 30, 2012 will be fully tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.
As previously stated all donations to VCAS remain fully tax deductible for California income tax purposes.
Under the circumstances, VCAS is temporarily disabling the Donation Button. As soon as the Society's tax exempt status has been resolved we'll notify Members and again gratefully accept your support.
Please contact our Treasurer, Ray Netzley at vcastreasurer@gmail.com if you have questions. Thank you for your interest -- and Clear Skies!
Donating to the VCAS
