163: A Runway of Snacks | Can a Religious Nonprofit Apply for Status with the IRS 1023-EZ Short Form?

163: A Runway of Snacks | Can a Religious Nonprofit Apply for Status with the IRS 1023-EZ Short Form?

Author: Jess Birken, MNM, JD April 30, 2026 Duration: 15:26

So you're a charity grounded in religious values. Does that make you a church in the eyes of the IRS?

Meghan and I dig into a listener question that had me doing a genuine double take. A religious nonprofit submitted the 1023-EZ short form and got rejected because the IRS decided they were a church. What gives?!

Real Listener Question:

"The IRS rejected our 1023-EZ because they think we are a church, which would require the full 1023 form. But we are not a church. We are a religious organization. How do I fix the application to get them to accept our 1023-EZ?"

Meghan and I break down the key difference between a church and a religious nonprofit, why the IRS treats them differently, and what this listener may have done wrong on their application. Plus you'll get a classic Jess Birken rant about why the IRS doesn't make any sense!

What You'll Learn:

  • How the IRS defines a church versus a religious nonprofit organization
  • How churches file (or don't file) for their tax-exempt status
  • How religious charities are treated differently than churches, mosques, temples, etc.
  • The most common mistakes people make on the 1023-EZ that trigger a rejection
  • How one wrong checkbox or one poorly worded sentence can get your application flagged
  • How to fix your application and get it into the right bucket

Bottom line: The IRS puts churches and religious nonprofits in different buckets. Knowing which one you are and how to say it on your application makes all the difference.

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Ever find yourself wishing for a direct line to seasoned nonprofit leaders, a chance to unpack the real challenges that don’t make it into the glossy annual reports? Charity Therapy is that conversation. With host Jess Birken, who brings her background as a lawyer and a Master of Nonprofit Management to the table, each session feels like pulling up a chair with a trusted advisor. The discussions move beyond theory, tackling the granular details of operations that leaders actually face-whether it’s navigating a tricky IRS compliance question, rebuilding a fundraising strategy from the ground up, or managing the complex interpersonal dynamics that define any mission-driven team. This podcast digs into the operational heart of the sector, offering pragmatic insights you can apply directly to your own work. It’s a resource built on the understanding that running a nonprofit is a continuous practice of problem-solving, and Jess guides these explorations with clarity and a deep respect for the work. Tune in for honest dialogue that treats the daily grind of management as the serious and nuanced craft that it is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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