In a recent newsletter from the Triangle Sinclair Users Group of Carrbora, NC, Doug Dewey made the following announcement:
“We have been granted an initial ruling of tax exemption as an educational and scientific organization–and it is tax exemption of the most desirable type: qualified to receive public charity moneys and gifts for which the giver receives a tax deduction. We are proud to announce this special status and we will be happy to tell other groups who are contemplating an application for this special category of exemption just what we went through to justify ourselves as a valuable asset to the public. We did all the work ourselves and found the people at the IRS particularly helpful, though they were very specific in their need for exact details, wording, and information. If you are a member of a users’ group and you would like to keep the “tax-exempt” option open for yourselves, then keep accurate records, newspaper articles, agendas, notices of meetings where you deal with and benefit the public, dates of adoption of constitutions and everybodies signatures on the things you adopt as governing instruments–date everything, sign everything–and all of your organizing documents–there is specific wording which must be included in the organizing document to meet rigorous IRS standards: write them first and ask for the wording so it can be included in your document. Work out a budget, project into the future with your budget–at least three years–detail all memberships and other contributions of money, goods and services. (Evaluate these last two in terms of dollars and cents– and keep accurate monthly records). Most importantly, think through what you are doing and determine in your own mind if in fact you are working more in benefit of a small select group or more in benefit of the public at large–plan accordingly.
Of all the computer users’ groups out there, Timex and Sinclair groups are going to be among the two or three possible groups that will be likely candidates for the very desirable tax exemption whereby donors may deduct contributions to the group as provided in section 170 of the Code: bequests, legacies, transfers, or gifts to a group or for the use of the group are deductible for Federal estate and gift tax purposes if they meet the applicable provisions of sections 2055, 2106, and 2522 of the Code. The advance period is over after a years’ time (December 31, 1984), and the ruling itself is based on the evidence that our funds and program are dedicated to the purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3) of the Code. And to assure our continued exemption, we should maintain records to show that funds are expended only for those purposes.
I can tell you that all of us who are supporters of TSUG take this public trust seriously and pledge our work to the benefit of that public. I feel that we derive a substantial part of our strength from the best corporate ideals of the Timex and Sinclair companies. It has been in their nature to provide versatile utility, great economy of expense and design, and innovative technology in a small package. TSUG explores ways in which that technology can be put to work in the service of man and womankind.”
If you would like more information, write to Triangle Sinclair U.G., 206 James St., Carrboro, NC 27510.
Below are the addresses of some newly formed user groups. For more information send a large self-addressed stamped envelope:
Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky
Art Gindin
1823 Kinneys Lane
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
Long Island Timex-Sinclair
Paul Donelly
10 Idle Day Drive
Centerport, New York 11721
Philadelphia
Mark Miller
9573 Walley Ave.
Philadelphia, Penn. 19115
Oklahoma TSUG
Billy Casebeer
P.O.Box 372
Oologah, OK 74053
For TS/ZX users who are interested in Archaeology:
Archaeological ZX User Group
c/o Robin Smith
30 Charles St. W#720
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y-1R5