Understanding your CP120 Notice
You need to send us documentation of your tax-exempt status.
Printable samples of this notice (PDF)
Tax publications you may find useful
- Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization
- Publication 4220, Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status
- Find a copy of any necessary tax forms and instructions
How to get help
Calling the 1-800 number listed on the top right corner of your notice is the fastest way to get your questions answered.
You can also authorize someone (such as an accountant) to contact the IRS on your behalf using this Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative (Form 2848).
What you need to do
- Read your notice carefully. It will suggest additional steps for you to take, depending on your situation.
You may want to...
- Apply for tax-exempt status.
- Learn more
Answers to Common Questions
We want to apply for tax-exempt status. How much is the user fee?
User fees vary depending on a number of factors such as annual gross receipts. If you want to read more about user fees, see Revenue Procedure 2010-8 (updated annually).
How do I find out if my organization qualifies for tax-exempt status? I want to make sure we qualify before I fill out the forms and pay the user fee.
For information regarding the types of organizations that qualify for exemption from federal income tax, see Publication 557, Tax Exempt Status for Your Organization.
I already sent the IRS a Form 1023/1024, but I never got a confirmation. Can I just send you a copy of the form I already completed?
Please don’t send a copy of the form. You don’t need to respond if you’ve applied for tax-exempt status. To check on the status of your application, see Where Is My Exemption Application for more information.
If my organization doesn’t qualify for tax-exempt status, what type of tax return should we file?
An organization that does not qualify for tax exempt status is a taxable business. For information on business taxes, see Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records.
For more information on tax-exempt organizations, see additional FAQs.
Tips for next year
Consider filing your taxes electronically. Filing online can help you avoid mistakes and find credits and deductions that you may qualify for. In many cases you can file for free. Learn more about e-file.
Understanding your notice
Reading your notice
Your notice may look different from the sample because the information contained in your notice is tailored to your situation.
Notice CP120, Page 1
Notice CP120, Page 2
