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How are social clubs exempt from federal tax?

By Isabella Turner

1. Introduction Social clubs are exempt from federal income tax under IRC 501(a) as organizations described in IRC 501(c)(7) if they are “organized for pleasure, recreation, and other nonprofitable purposes.” They were originally granted exemption from federal income tax in the Revenue Act of 1916.

How to become a 501 ( c ) 7 social club?

To apply for 501(c)(7) status, organizers must use IRS form 1024. Social clubs may need to file other returns and pay employment taxes. Should a club have unrelated business income, it must file an unrelated business income tax return.

What kind of Book Club do I belong to?

I’m a bookworm, and book club is one of the highlights of my month—luckily, I’m in multiple. I’m in one that meets monthly, and themes the food based on the book. I just started another earlier this year with my friends from high school, and I work in publishing and run a corporate book club program. (Can you tell I love reading?!)

Where does the money come from for a social club?

That generally means that no more than 35 percent of the club’s gross receipts should come from non-member sources. Furthermore, within that 35 percent, no more than 15 percent should come from the use of the club’s facilities or services by the general public.

Social clubs may be exempt from federal income taxation if they meet the requirements of section 501 (c) (7) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although they are generally exempt from tax, social clubs are subject to tax on their unrelated business income (see below), which includes income from non-members.

How is nonmember income determined for a social club?

Where the permitted levels of nonmember income are exceeded, all facts and circumstances will be considered in determining whether the club continues to qualify for exemption. The Internal Revenue Code provides special rules for calculating the unrelated business taxable income of social clubs that are tax-exempt under section 501 (c) (7).

How to become a tax exempt motorcycle club?

If you decide to apply for tax exempt status with the IRS, you would need to complete Form 1024 (application for tax exempt status). This form can be found on the IRS website. Also a member of a riding club, but our club is sponsored by a for profit motorcycle store.

Do you have to file Form 990 for social clubs?

Here is some additional information about small social clubs and filing requirements. As you may recall from some of our previous blogs, the Form 990-N became a filing requirement for smaller organizations several years ago.

When to apply for tax exempt status for an association?

If your association’s gross income is less than $5,000, you generally do not need to apply for tax exempt status. However an annual tax filing is required. With income less than $50,000, you can “file” a very simple online form called the Form 990-N, which only asks 8 simple questions.