Easy Steps To Protect Your Iowa Nonprofit and Keep Your Nonprofit Compliant


If you are starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Iowa, you have come to the right place. After following the easy steps for Iowa nonprofit formation, follow this guide to help keep your Iowa nonprofit compliant and protected.

In this guide we cover:

  1. How to Protect Your Iowa Nonprofit
  2. How to Keep Your Iowa Nonprofit Compliant
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How to Protect Your Iowa Nonprofit

Get Business Insurance

As with any other business, there may be risks involved in running the nonprofit. Getting insurance for your nonprofit allows you to focus on your passion while minimizing your liability.

Here are some of the common types of insurance you may want to consider for your organization:

  • General Liability Coverage
  • Directors and Officers Coverage
  • Social Service Professional Coverage

Your coverage needs will vary based on your organization and the work you do.

Properly Sign Legal Documents

There will be times when you will be signing a document on behalf of your nonprofit. It is important that these times are easily distinguishable from when you are signing a document as an individual. If a document isn’t properly signed, you might suddenly find yourself personally responsible for something the organization should have been liable for.

To avoid such confusion we recommend you and all the members of your organization follow the following format:

  • The official name of your nonprofit
  • Your signature
  • Your full legal name
  • Your position in the organization

How to Keep Your Iowa Nonprofit Compliant

Maintain An Iowa Registered Agent

Nonprofits that have incorporated are required to maintain a registered agent with an office address in Iowa. If the agent or the office address changes, you must file Form 635-0119 with the Secretary of State to effect a change to the Articles of Incorporation. This form can be mailed to the address found below:

Secretary of State
Business Services
First Floor, Lucas Building
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319

For more information, you can call the Secretary of State at (515) 281-5204 or visit them at their website.

File Required Periodic Reports

The Secretary of State requires nonprofits to submit a biennial report, due every odd-numbered year, pursuant to Iowa Code 2015 § 504.1613. This report may be completed online or submitted via mail after accessing the form online. Once obtained, you can mail the paper form to the address found below:

Secretary of State
Business Services
First Floor, Lucas Building
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319

For more information, you can call the Secretary of State at (515) 281-5204 or visit them at their website.

Determine Iowa Business Permits and Licenses

As a nonprofit in the state of Iowa, your organization will not need a general, state-level business license. However, your city/county may require a business license. Check with them to determine if you need to obtain one for your nonprofit.

If your organization will be conducting charitable gaming of any kind (bingo, raffles, etc.) it will need to apply for a Charitable Gambling License through the Social and Charitable Gambling Unit of the Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals.

Employees

If your organization will have employees you must register with the Iowa Workforce Development unit.

You can easily apply online or find the contact information for your local workforce development unit.

Public Inspection Rules for all 501(c)(3) Organizations

All organizations that have been granted the 501(c)(3) status are required to disclose the following documents to the public when requested:

  • Annual returns for 3 years after the due date (this includes returns like Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, and any Forms 990-T)
  • All Form 990 Schedules (except portions of Schedule B), attachments and supporting documents.
  • Application of exemption and all supporting documents such as Form 1023
  • The official paperwork from the IRS that shows that your organization has tax-exempt status.

The following do NOT need to be shared with the public

  • Portions of schedule B of Form 990/990-EZ that identify the contributors. (You only need to disclose the amount contributed and the nature of the contributions)
  • Any unfavorable rulings such as an earlier denial of tax-exempt status.
  • Any information the IRS has said you can withhold. This may include things like sensitive patents and trade secrets.

FAQ:

How long do I have to produce these documents if requested?

Ideally within the same day. If your organization doesn’t have an office or maintains limited hours during parts of the year, the information should be made available within two weeks.

Do I need to provide copies of the documents?

If someone asks for copies in person or in writing you must provide them with copies.

Can I charge for copies?

You can charge a reasonable amount for making copies of the documents requested.

NOTE: It may be easiest to have the documents available on your website so that anyone who requests copies can be sent to the site. This allows you to stay compliant without having to spend a lot of time dealing with document requests.

Annual Returns for Tax-Exempt Organizations

Most tax-exempt nonprofit organizations are required to file an annual return with the IRS (Check the list of exceptions).

Which form you should use to file the annual returns depends on the annual gross receipt amounts for your organization.

"Gross receipt" is defined by the IRS as “the total amounts the organization received from all sources during its annual accounting period, without subtracting any costs or expenses”

  • For gross receipts ≤$50,000 --- File 990-N
  • Gross receipts <$200,000 and total assets <$500,000 --- File 990- EZ
  • Gross receipts >$200,000 or Total assets >$500,000 --- File 990

For any questions, you can call the IRS at

  • (800) 829-3676 (Form-related questions)
  • (800) 829-1040 (General information)

When is form 990 due?

You have a little over 4 months after your taxable year comes to an end to file Form 990. It is due on the 15th day of the 5th month. So if your taxable year ends on Dec 31st, your form 990 is due on May 15th.

NOTE: If your organization fails to file form 990 for 3 consecutive years, it will automatically lose its tax-exempt status.

Report Unrelated Business Income

If your Iowa organization has a gross income of ≥$1000 from a trade or business that is not related to the stated purpose of the organization, then it must file Form 990-T to pay tax on that income.