Just how long does it take for a non-profit to get approved for non-profit status with the IRS? If you’re talking about the Coalition of Anaheim Taxpayers for Economic Responsibility, otherwise known as CATER, the answer is more than a year (the photo is last year’s letter; this year’s update was via a phone call made on August 1).
Last August, this piece appeared on TheLiberalOC and in January, this update was posted. In early August, I called the friendly people at the IRS who walked me through the process on what non-profits have been approved for 501(c)(4) public benefit non-profit status and if a form 990 has been filed. The spreadsheet showed no listing for CATER whatsoever.
Since this organization was founded on a premise of transparency and accountability in government, the fact that there is no publicly available form 990 since September 2013 should be cause for concern when they argue on behalf of Anaheim taxpayers, though few seem to know who they are and what they represent (just ask anyone at the Anaheim Farmer’s Market on a given day).
What’s a form 990?
Most tax-exempt organizations that have gross receipts of at least $200,000 or assets worth at least $500,000 must file Form 990 on an annual basis. Some organizations, such as political organizations, churches and other religious organizations, are exempt from filing an annual Form 990.
Form 990 initially requires the organization to describe its mission or other significant activities. The organization must then disclose financial details on its revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities.
The IRS also wants to ensure that the organization is worthy of maintaining its tax-exempt status and requires more details on the types of activities it engages in during the year. A significant portion of the form requires information on how the organization is governed, and specifically requests the names of its officers, directors, highly compensated employees and other employees who are involved with managing the organization. An organization that over-compensates its management may jeopardize its tax-exempt status with the IRS.
Part IV of Form 990 provides a detailed checklist of supporting documents that may be required depending on the answers given to a list of questions. For example, many tax-exempt organizations must file a Schedule B, Schedule of Contributors, listing all contributions it receives during the year.
In CATER’s case, form 990s for 2013-2015 could provide insight into just how much real support the group has in Anaheim.
I asked “what is taking so long for this to happen?” and the IRS would not speculate. So unless something happened between August 1 when I made the call through today, if you’re looking for a form 990 from the IRS about CATER, you are out of luck.
Spoiler alert; I’m checking again in January 2017.
CATER has zero credibility.
They would disagree with you, but there are only two or three publicly known members
Three years? WTF Ward. Get your shit together
While Greg Diamond is playing Martyr eating .99ent store Mac and Cheese (in luie of getting a real job and buying KRAFT) Mayor Tait can be found at Yves Anaheim Hills eating the $50.00 Osso Busco and $100. bottles of CAB. Mean while Donna Michelle Acevedo Nelson is BEGGING for school supplies, Vern is cooking SPAM and Eggs.
The city of kindness, when you pull back the curtain = 450.00 dinners for Tait. But for those flat landers that dinner is a YEAS school lunch.
Carry on CATER.
F**k you a**hole. Donna doesn’t need any school supplies, she was passing on a drive for the neighborhood kids, led by Yesenia, going on right now, and so successful that we’re going to be heading over to some other underprivileged neighborhoods with the remainder. You helping out much with people who need things? Thought not, asswipe. I don’t cook spam either, and stop trolling our Facebook pages you disgusting creep.
Geez, get a damn life. I feel like slugging you, you jerk. Don’t let me hear you mention my wife’s name again.
The drive was a great success in case anyone cares. https://www.facebook.com/vern.nelson.35/posts/1262748053749141 (NOT blog-whoring)
Well, first off, your wife is a public figure, between her activism and her quest for city council she is out there, in more ways than one.
Did Greg swing by and pick up some notebooks? I know in the past he has trouble paying his share of his child’s education costs because he spent the families rent money on a ballot statement for water board!
Relax Vern, your taking yourself too seriously.
I would seriously like to know Donna’s political positions on gangs and crime. that ought to be interesting.
Mr. Nelson – I’m not questioning your, your wife’s or Yesenia’s intent with the school supply donation program. In fact, I applaud the effort.
However, California Public Schools are on the hook to provide supplies to their students free of charge. They are allowed to request donations from parents, which they do when sending home a wishlist at the beginning of the year. They also are allowed to receive donations from other organizations like the United Way and its “Stuff the Bus” program.
Do you think it would be more effective for Yesenia to take the supplies she gathered directly to the district?
The district would then be able to dole out the supplies equitably to each student based on his or her class requirements.
And you make fun of me for donating mattresses for battered kids. Loser
No, this would be more like if some anonymous prick made fun of your wife Dawn for “begging for mattresses.”. Idiot.
And we unlike you don’t go around beating our chests on the blogs about our charitable work. Pharisee.
you guys “make fun” of my family all the time Dillwad. And yeah, you do beat your chest for charity cases. All the time.
missing 2 commas ….
Also, we don’t beg for anything. We contribute time and money. Try it sometime
Just got a link to “Crazy Greg’s” FB post on tomorrows endorsement meeting. WOW. Nice way to spend your Sunday Cocco Puff.
My Favorite was this gem:
“as the mother of a son killed by police under suspicious circumstances, including allegations of a planted “drop gun”
I wonder if Cynthia and Ryan, who have children of their own, consider a violent criminal gang member, hopped up on meth, in a stolen car, who evades and shoots at police, “suspicious”.
Since I brought it up, it’s funny how NOT ONE comment questioning Vern/Donna’s UNBELIEVABLE account of Yogi’s death ever makes it to publication at the OJB?
I’ll offer Vern/Donna/Greg this bait: How tall was Joel “Yogi” Acevedo when he died? Seriously, I read the report, the autopsy, the DA’s conclusion and despite FACT, you champion this story of a police execution. Maybe Donna should run for Fantasyland city council.
Greg has a post up; he doesn’t get Irvine at all. I especially like how he continues to rag on Henry Vandermeir without ever acknowledging how many OC cities have flipped to blue