Tax-Exempt Status Update

During the process of preparing to file Form 1023 for "Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code" for the Transverse Myelitis Association, it was brought to my attention that the association is already considered an exempt organization. According to IRS information, an organization like ours that has incorporated, has an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and has gross receipts in each taxable year of normally not more than $5,000 is considered tax-exempt under Section 501(C)(3) even if the organization has not filed Form 1023. Since our organization has gross receipts less than $5,000, it is not required to file Form 1023 to be tax-exempt. However, an organization that has not filed Form 1023 and received a "determination letter of IRS recognition of its 501(c)(3) status", can not promote public recognition of the fact that it is a tax-exempt organization.

So, what does this mean, you might ask. Well, it appears that it means that any contributions that have been made to the association are, in fact, deductible. But, we can not promote the association as a tax-exempt organization.

By filing Form 1023, an organization like ours can receive a "determination letter of IRS recognition of its 501(c)(3) status" which then enables an organization to obtain certain incidental benefits, such as public recognition that it is a tax-exempt organization, providing advance assurance to donors of deductibility of contributions, non-profit mailing and other privileges. This past summer the necessary forms were filed with the IRS. To date, we have not received the "determination letter of IRS recognition". Therefore, we can not promote the association or seek benefit from public recognition of the fact that we are a tax-exempt organization.

An interesting bit of information from the IRS states that "Generally, if an organization files its application within 15 months after the end of the month in which it was formed, and if the IRS approves the application, the effective date of the organization's Section 501(c)(3) status will be the date it was organized". This is to let you know that these steps have been met in that the organization was incorporated or formed on November 25, 1996, and the necessary forms were filed on June 25, 1997. Therefore, the expectation is that we will receive the "determination letter of IRS recognition" and that will make us a tax-exempt organization with bona fide 501(c)(3) status since our founding date. Stay tuned.

Treasurer's Report

On September 11, 1997, the IRS issued its determination letter. The Transverse Myelitis Association is now formally considered exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in section 501(c)(3).

Due to the generosity of our members, the Transverse Myelitis Association has an account balance of $727.22. There have been no Association expenses that have been drawn against this account; Deanne and Sandy have been paying for all of the printing, postage and telephone costs of the Association.

As you are aware from Dick Gilmur's article about the 501(c)(3) process, the TMA is now a not-for-profit organization and your contributions are tax deductible. There are no membership dues required of TMA members, and we would like to maintain this policy for the Association. It is our goal to have sufficient funds to perform the work of the Association through voluntary contributions and some form of institutional funding.

If you are interested in making a contribution to the Transverse Myelitis Association, please make your check to the Transverse Myelitis Association and mail it to Paula Lazzari, Treasurer, Transverse Myelitis Association, 10105 167th Place NE, Redmond, WA, 98052. We greatly appreciate your generosity!

The Transverse Myelitis Association Logo

A logo is a symbol; the meaning embodied in that symbol concerns how the organization would like to be perceived by those who view it. How organizations are identified by these symbols is an important matter. All one has to do is consider "the golden arches" or "Elsie the cow" to be convinced of the power of these symbols. So, when we thought about how we wanted to be perceived, we gave careful consideration to the symbol we wanted to use as a representation of the Transverse Myelitis Association. The image in the corner of our logo is a compass. We could have used a question mark. All of us have been through the process of asking questions about TM. The vast majority of our members heard the words "transverse myelitis" for the first time when they were being told that this was their diagnosis. What is it? Is there a chance that anyone can catch this from me? Can my children inherit it? Am I going to recover? Is there a chance that I could have another episode? How many other people have TM? Where are they? What causes TM? Is there a cure for it? Are there any treatments for it? We have all been through these questions -- and many more. And many of these questions remain unanswered or we have ambiguous answers. So, a question mark would have been a reasonable choice. But not a very positive choice.

A compass is an instrument that provides direction. The word "compass" also has several meanings, one of which is "to grasp mentally, understand, comprehend." Another is "to reach successfully, achieve, accomplish." A compass is a wonderful symbol for the Transverse Myelitis Association. It is our fervent hope, our commitment to our members and our fundamental goal to assist you on your search for answers -- so that we can all more fully understand TM. The Association will work to provide information to our members about TM and will be advocates for people with TM on many issues. We will assist you in finding each other so that you can offer each other both information and emotional support and encouragement. And we will work to encourage medical research on transverse myelitis. You are not alone. It is the goal of TMA to provide you with direction and guidance through this journey.