response 1 of 52:

Jan 5 19:14 UTC 2004

What possible problems could arise from the IRS having neglected to 
list us, so long as we have documentation of our status?

response 3 of 52:

Jan 5 19:32 UTC 2004

That is not sufficient justification in my opinion for us to seek to 
correct the IRS in its performance of a function which appears to be 
in no way affecting us.

response 5 of 52:

Jan 5 20:25 UTC 2004

I guess that's a good point.  The next symptom might be someone who
wrote off a contribution to Grex losing an IRS audit.

response 7 of 52:

Jan 5 21:11 UTC 2004

#5.  Audits are not the first line of response to flagged returns.  
Usually there is a request for clarification if there is an issue on  
an otherwise reasonable return.  If such a request is issued, we 
have the documentation to support the claim of deductibility.

This is a non-issue.

response 9 of 52:

Jan 7 23:33 UTC 2004

Grex called attention to itself by filing for 501(c)3 status, and put a lot
of work into getting it.  I don't know anything about the IRS site that Jamie
mentioned, but it seems to me that any suggestion not to follow up on this
would have to be a knee-jerk anti-Jamie response rather than a prudent course
of action.

Presumably, the reason for 501(c)3 status is to allow donors to give with
confidence that they can then take a tax deduction on the donation.  Allowing
that status to be called into question seems like a waste of the status.

response 11 of 52:

Jan 8 17:23 UTC 2004

it's reallyu more a reflection of distrust of the mechanisms of 
government, but you're probably right.  Sure, we could provide the 
documentation, but they should be able to verify it independently.

We DO show up in GuideStar, though:

http://www.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_gsReport=1&
npoId=90715

(though we should update the report and change the incorrect address)

response 13 of 52:

Jan 8 19:31 UTC 2004

The IRS helpline for exampt organizations is very busy this week.  I'll try
again tomorrow, and otherwise wait until week after next.  (I'm booked solid
next week.)

response 15 of 52:

Jan 8 21:18 UTC 2004

Thanks. 

response 17 of 52:

Apr 14 16:54 UTC 2004

Let's play "Name that Fraudulent 501c3"

http://www.irs.gov/app/cgi-bin/eosearch.cgi

Exempt Organization Search  
    
Organization Name: Cyberspace Entrepreneurs 
City: Honolulu, HI 
Code: None - A public charity with a 50% deductibility limitation. 
Organization Name: Cyberspace Snow and Avalanche Center 
City: Corvallis, OR 
Code: None - A public charity with a 50% deductibility limitation. 
Organization Name: Flying in Cyberspace 
City: Seattle, WA (Until December 2004) 
Code: None - A public charity with a 50% deductibility limitation. 
Organization Name: Golden Retrievers in Cyberspace 
City: Sunnyvale, CA 
Code: None - A public charity with a 50% deductibility limitation. 
Organization Name: Seniors in Cyberspace International Inc. 
City: Alexandria, VA 
Code: None - A public charity with a 50% deductibility limitation. 

Nothing found for Grex or Cyberspace Communications.  Not only should you
folks yank your blue speech ribbon but you should yank the 501(c)3 claims on 
http://www.grex.org/member.html
and change it to a 501(a) or else remove it completely.

response 19 of 52:

Apr 14 19:02 UTC 2004

re #9
Was Grex ever more than a 501(a)?  Perhaps Grex has been confused all along.

response 21 of 52:

Apr 15 00:46 UTC 2004

Yea..like a 501c or 501d but not exclusively a charity or education as in (c)
nor a religious or apostolic organization as in (d)
In other words..just a non-profit without a 501(c)3 rating. IE You pay your
taxes if funds are not 501c or 501d earmarked.

response 23 of 52:

Apr 15 07:20 UTC 2004

I don't know of anybody who would argue the IRS is a model of either
benevolence, efficiency, or even accuracy.  For what it's worth, if
        http://www.audubon.org/local/cn/98summer/tax.html
is accurate, grex most likely does not appear in publication 78 because
we failed to file form 990 or 990EZ, which in fact we're not required to
file because our annual receipts are below $25K.  I vaguely recall that
990/990EZ is something of a bear to fill out.  I doubt the IRS makes it
clear that 990/990EZ and publication 78 are connected in any obvious
fashion.  Judging by web page I cited here, this connection may also be
a new thing...