Here is the list of what an IRS Church must have….the first one is distinct legal existence, thus you must comply to legal statutes, ordinances, and codes – unlike a lawful ministry

https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/churches-religious-organizations/definition-of-church

There are ways to open bank accounts without the EIN and other ways to correct property taxes without doing a 508c1a…. i haven’t done it but am learning about this and know people (second hand) that private bank

I know this is about PMA’s but it is just going over the law for 508c1a which a PMA cannot be a 508c1a it is very thorough to know what you are accepting as a 508c1a

So when you request a determination to be a church to get an EIN… you then just created the ALL CAPS entity, it is an option and then you can be tax exempt in such a way…. but you would also have to “conform” to the laws of a Church… it is not necessarily private anymore….It’s their definition of Church and whatever laws they create…

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Hello Anne,

thank you for your thoughts!
I don’t have any status or classification for my private ministry. That would not be determined until we send in the forms requesting a tax exempt determination letter. We are not a 508 nor a PMA.
My question is, what implications are there? Because churches are not audited. Churches are also exempt…

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Not easy in Michigan… it is a bit state dependent from what I comprehend. We have had our land patent recorded since 2022 and still working on trying getting them to correct errors. I feel like we are getting so close, I keep getting insight but no resolution as of yet.

From my comprehension and study, you do not want to “register” as a 508c1a…..other PMA’s have done this and it has caused issues down the road. It’s been awhile since I have reviewed this since we did our PMA a few years ago now…. but this is how I see it and maybe the easiest way to explain…. you are filling out THEIR paperwork to…

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