Disclosure Rules

New disclosure rules for tax-exempt organizations went into effect in 1999. A tax-exempt organization, other than a private foundation, must make copies of its exemption application and information returns for the previous three years available for public inspection.

Under the new rules, it must also provide copies to individuals who request them, unless it makes the documents widely available. An organization can make its documents widely available by posting them on a readily accessible World Wide Web site.

Private foundations continue to be subject to the disclosure requirements in effect prior to the Tax and Trade Relief Extension Act of 1998 until new regulations are issued.

For more information, see Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization.

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