From FGS conference.
The Dallan Quass discussion of Discovering WeRelate <https://wiki.familysearch.org > was really interesting. WeRelate is the world's largest genealogy wiki. A wiki website is where anyone can edit or add information quickly. Pages are created collaboratively. It is Wikipedia for genealogists. Gedcoms may be uploaded, information about how and where to look for data. Our cousins might upload some information about the people we have been researching, maybe the very dates, places, connections that have been eluding us for a long time. If someone adds something to an article in an effort to correct it, i.e. perhaps claims the wrong ancestor, and we know their information is faulty, it is possible to correct the error. A discussion can be held with those cousins and information can be shared. A history of all the changes made is kept. Managers monitor the site against vandalism. All this is free for downloading also.
Ancestry is offering FREE access to all its databases through December 21. Also they are giving new subscribers $10 off the annual subscription so it costs $49.95. Subscribers will receive a Free Ancestry Reference Library CD-ROM.(contains 15 genealogy reference books)
Showing posts with label FGS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FGS. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Your Society and the IRS
Provided by Cath Madden Trindle, CG, FGS Treasurer
Many genealogical organizations have applied and been accepted by the IRS as 501(c)3 organizations. In the past, those organizations that had average annual income of less than $25,000 were exempt from filing any paperwork once their initial five-year qualification
period was over.
This is no longer true. Starting in 2008, while still exempt from Federal income tax, genealogical societies are among those organizations that must file an annual return no matter how little their income is. The good news is, if average income is below $25,000 per year, the society will only need to file 990-N, or e-Postcard. This form takes just minutes to fill out. You will need your FEIN and contact information when you access the postcard from the IRS website at http://www.IRS.gov .
For those who feel slightly intimidated anytime they deal with a government form, the IRS website offers a wealth of materials to help the non-profit society determine their filing requirements, which form to use, and how to complete it. Failure to file a return for three years will result in an organization losing their non-profit status. If your society hasn’t filed for 2008, be sure to do so right away. Late is better than never.
Many genealogical organizations have applied and been accepted by the IRS as 501(c)3 organizations. In the past, those organizations that had average annual income of less than $25,000 were exempt from filing any paperwork once their initial five-year qualification
period was over.
This is no longer true. Starting in 2008, while still exempt from Federal income tax, genealogical societies are among those organizations that must file an annual return no matter how little their income is. The good news is, if average income is below $25,000 per year, the society will only need to file 990-N, or e-Postcard. This form takes just minutes to fill out. You will need your FEIN and contact information when you access the postcard from the IRS website at http://www.IRS.gov .
For those who feel slightly intimidated anytime they deal with a government form, the IRS website offers a wealth of materials to help the non-profit society determine their filing requirements, which form to use, and how to complete it. Failure to file a return for three years will result in an organization losing their non-profit status. If your society hasn’t filed for 2008, be sure to do so right away. Late is better than never.
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