Stay Exempt

Tax Basics for Exempt Organizations

Virtual Workshop

Obtaining and maintaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is crucial to the success of charitable organizations. This online training provides the tools and knowledge to help you keep your organization’s exempt status intact. It consists of five interactive courses, which you can take individually and in any order.

The characters profiled below have a role in leading you through the five courses. They will keep the sessions lively with questions, answers, and challenges to test your mastery of the subject.

Once you've completed each course, be sure to take the evaluation survey, which will allow you to print a certificate of completion for the course. If you are an educator in need of Virtual Workshop testing material, please contact us.

If you haven’t yet, visit the Resource Library, where you’ll find course descriptions and summaries; a glossary of terms used in the training; and links to each IRS form and publication discussed.

The Characters

Tim is treasurer of a charitable organization and prepares its tax forms. He has never worked for an exempt organization before, so he needs help on tax issues and procedures.

Emma is an employee of a charitable organization. She wears many hats, including fundraising and handling all public inquiries, so she wants to be prepared.

Isabelle is an independent contractor who designs websites for exempt organizations.

Vernon is retired and volunteers at a charitable organization. He asks a lot of questions because he wants to make sure his organization stays exempt.

Coach is a brilliant, straight-talking IRS agent. He is on hand to give tips and answer questions.

Training Topics

Tax-Exempt Status
How can you keep your 501(c)(3) exempt? approximately 30 minutes

Unrelated Business Income
Does your organization generate taxable income? approximately 30 minutes

Employment Issues
How should you treat your workers for tax purposes? approximately 30 minutes

Form 990
Would you like to file an error-free return? approximately 60 minutes

Required Disclosures
To whom do you have to show your records? approximately 30 minutes