User Fee
The IRS has charged a non-refundable processing fee for exemption applications since 1987.  In 2023, all applicants using the long-form 1023 pay $600.  Form 1023-EZ applicants pay $275.

Mailing Address
The Electronic Form 1023 is, of course, an on-line form, so no instructions for mailing are needed.  Your application is transmitted electronically to the IRS after payment of the User Fee.  The IRS will not issue an acknowledgement letter, but the pay.gov software is supposed to generate an email acknowledgement (within minutes) when the User Fee is submitted.  Applicants should check bank or credit card records to make sure the User Fee payment appears. 

Be sure you make a copy of your Form 1023 for your records.

​IRS Processing Flow Chart

A version of this flow chart appeared on irs.gov before Form 1023-EZ was released.  As of 2023, they still had not revised the flow chart to reflect the new form.  Flow Chart

​Inquiry Letters

Since most small/simple organizations can now file Form 1023-EZ, long-form applicants are even more likely to receive an inquiry letter before the IRS makes a decision.  (Please note: If you do not respond within the time limit given in the inquiry letter, you may have to submit a new application.)  The IRS website provides sample inquiry questions in nearly two dozen categories.

Statistics

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the IRS approved 88% of the 501(c)(3) applications received.  Only .05% of 501(c)(3) applications were denied.  The other twelve percent or so includes miscellaneous case closures such as failure to provide additional information when requested, application withdrawn and status granted different from status applied for, but the IRS does not provide a detailed breakdown.​

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