2015
Open to Public
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Visit: www.CharitiesNYS.com
Call: (212) 416-8401
Email: Charities.Bureau@ag.ny.gov
CHAR500
Instructions for Completing Your NY Annual Filing
www.CharitiesNYS.com
Before You Begin
Visit www.CharitiesNYS.com and search the Charities Registry to find your organization's NY State Registration Number (##-##-##) and Registration
Category (7A, EPTL, DUAL, or EXEMPT). Knowing your organization's Registration Category will help you respond to Sections 1 and 3, determine the
required attachments to the CHAR500 and calculate your filing fee. If your organization is not registered with the Charities Bureau, please complete
CHAR410 "Registration Statement for Charitable Organizations".
1. General Information
Enter the accounting period covered by the report. Provide the best contact information for your organization. This information will be publicly
available in the Charities Registry and will be used for communication to your organization. If your organization is registered and this is your regular
annual filing, check Initial Filing. If your contact information needs to be updated, check Address Change and/or Name Change. Check Amended Filing if
you are making a change to a previous filing. If you have submitted a CHAR410 - Registration Statement for Charitable Organizations - but do not yet
have a NY State Registration Number, check NY Reg Pending. If this is a final filing and the organization is seeking dissolution or ceasing operations, check
Final Filing and submit all applicable IRS schedules and attachments. If your organization is a NY corporation, visit www.CharitiesNYS.com for information
on how to dissolve. Check the Charities Bureau Registration Category of your organization (7A, EPTL, DUAL, or EXEMPT). EXEMPT organizations are those
that have registered with the NY Charities Bureau and meet conditions in Schedule E - Registration Exemption for Charitable Organizations - but have
registered and file voluntarily.
When you have completed the form, sign and print the name, title and date. For 7A and DUAL filers, the CHAR500 must be signed by both the president
or another authorized officer and the chief financial officer or treasurer. These must be different individuals. EPTL filers have the option of a single
signature if the certification is by a banking institution or a trustee of a trust. Clearly state the title of the representative (e.g. "President," "CEO",
Treasurer," "CFO," "Bank Vice President" or "Trustee").
2. Certification
You may claim an exemption from the reporting and fee requirements if you meet the filing exemptions applicable to your organization. If claiming an
exemption under one statute (7A and EPTL only filers) or both statutes (DUAL filers) that apply to your registration, complete only parts 1, 2, and 3, and
submit the certified Char500. No fee, schedule, or additional attachments are required. Otherwise, file all required schedules and attachments and pay
applicable fees.
Note: A 7A or DUAL filer with contributions over $25,000 that did not contract with a professional fund raiser may check the 7A filing exemption in Part 3
if it (i) received all or substantially all of its contributions from a single government agency to which it submitted an annual report similar to that required
by Executive Law Article 7A, or (ii) it received an allocation from a federated fund, United Way or incorporated community appeal and contributions from
all other sources did not exceed $25,000.
3. Annual Reporting Exemption
4. Schedules and Attachments
If you do not qualify for the reporting exemptions as described in Part 3, review the checklist of schedules and attachments required to complete your
filing. If your organization qualified for and submitted an IRS 990-N "e-Postcard", you must complete and submit an IRS Form 990-EZ to the NY Charities
Bureau for reporting purposes. The NY Charities Bureau will not accept an IRS 990-N "e-postcard" because it does not contain sufficient financial
information.
Your total fee is based on your registration category (7A, EPTL or DUAL). 7A or EPTL filers only pay the fee that applies to the statute under which they
have registered unless they have claimed an exemption in Part 3. DUAL filers must pay both fees, unless they have claimed an exemption in Part 3.
Consult the CHAR500 to calculate your fee or contact the NY Charities Bureau if you have additional questions.
5. Fee
7A and DUAL filers: postmarked within 4 1/2 months after the organization's accounting period ends. For example, fiscal year end December 31 reports
are due by May 15th of the following year. EPTL filers: postmarked within 6 months after the organization's accounting period ends. An additional 180
day extension is automatically granted. Information regarding extensions is available at www.CharitiesNYS.com.
When to Submit Your Filing
Payment must be made to the "
Department of Law
". Send the complete filing with payment to:
NYS Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau Registration Section, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005.
Where to Submit Your Filing
The Attorney General may cancel the registration of or seek civil penalties from an organization that fails to comply with the filing requirements.
Penalties
CHAR500 Instructions for Completing Your NY Annual Filing (Updated December 2015) Page 1
