Knowing how to check 501c3 status takes about two minutes and is the quickest way to confirm that a charity is real before you give. The IRS publishes the data for free, and all you need is the organization’s name or its EIN (Employer Identification Number). This guide explains how to check 501c3 status with the official tool, what each result means and what to do when a charity does not show up.
What a 501(c)(3) check tells you
Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code covers charitable, religious, educational and scientific organizations that the IRS has recognized as tax-exempt. Gifts to these organizations can generally qualify as tax-deductible charitable contributions. If you want a plain explanation of the main types, our post on public charity vs private foundation covers the difference.
A status check answers one narrow question: does the IRS currently list this organization as eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions? It does not tell you how well the charity runs its programs or how it spends money. For that part, read our guide on how to vet a charity before donating.
The official place for how to check 501c3 status
The primary source is the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, usually shortened to TEOS. It is free and needs no account. It also works in a phone or tablet browser, so you do not need a separate app.
TEOS holds five data sets: Pub. 78 data, the automatic revocation list, determination letters, Form 990-series returns and Form 990-N. For a status check you will mainly use the first three.
How to check 501c3 status step by step
- Open TEOS and choose Pub. 78 data from the data set list.
- Enter the organization’s EIN. The dash after the first two digits is optional. An EIN is more reliable than a name because TEOS lists the legal name or “doing business as” name on file with the IRS, not the name people use in public.
- If you only have a name, enter part of it in quotation marks and skip common words such as “the” or “foundation”. If the results are crowded, sort by city, state or zip code.
- Read the result. If the organization appears in Pub. 78 data, the IRS lists it as eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions, and the IRS says donors may rely on that list when deciding whether a gift is deductible.
- Search the same EIN in the automatic revocation list. This step is easy to skip and it matters, as the next section explains.
- Open the determination letter if one is posted. It is the IRS document that recognized the organization as tax-exempt, and it names the Code section the organization falls under.
How to check 501c3 status and read the results
Three outcomes are common.
Listed in Pub. 78 data and not on the revocation list. This is the result you want. The IRS currently treats the organization as eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Listed on the automatic revocation list. By law, an organization loses its exempt status if it does not file the required Form 990-series return or notice for three consecutive years. The IRS keeps these names on the list even after a charity fixes the problem, so a listing does not always mean the status is gone today. Check Pub. 78 data again and look at the determination letter. A reinstated organization will have a letter that mentions reinstatement, with an effective date on or after the revocation date.
Not found. This is not automatically a problem. Check the name or EIN for typos and try the other search method. Foreign addresses can also be stored in unexpected fields, so sorting the results differently may help.
How to check 501c3 status when a charity is not listed
Some eligible organizations are not listed in Pub. 78 data. The IRS names churches, group ruling subordinates and governmental units as examples, and its page on other eligible donees explains how they are treated. A local chapter, for instance, may be covered by its parent organization’s group exemption and not appear on its own.
If you cannot find a charity, ask it directly. A real 501(c)(3) can give you its EIN and a copy of its determination letter without hesitation. You can also ask for its Form 990. If the organization does not provide a document, the IRS says you can request a copy with Form 4506-A or by calling TE/GE Customer Account Services at 877-829-5500.
Many states also require charities to register before they ask residents for money, so your state charity regulator, often the attorney general’s office, is another place to check.
Other ways to confirm a charity
The IRS record is the official answer to how to check 501c3 status. Rating and profile sites such as Charity Navigator and Candid add context like financial summaries and program descriptions, so use them as a second look.
The same two documents work when you are verifying a nonprofit for a grant, an employer giving program or a business partnership: the determination letter and a Pub. 78 match by EIN. Once the status checks out, our guide to reading a charity’s Form 990 shows how to look at its finances.
If you are checking your own application
Some people searching for how to check 501c3 status are waiting on their own application. TEOS only lists organizations the IRS has already recognized, so a pending application will not appear there. The number the IRS lists for exempt organization questions is 877-829-5500.
Signs to slow down before you give
Once you know how to check 501c3 status, these warning signs are worth watching for:
- The charity will not share its EIN or determination letter.
- Its name is almost identical to a well-known charity but the EIN does not match.
- You are pushed to give immediately or to pay by gift card, wire transfer or cash.
- There is no match in TEOS and no clear explanation for it.
In short, how to check 501c3 status comes down to an EIN, the IRS search tool and a couple of minutes.
FAQ about how to check 501c3 status
Q1. How to check 501c3 status with just an EIN?
Open TEOS, choose Pub. 78 data and enter the EIN with or without the dash. A match means the IRS lists the organization as eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Q2. Does a 501(c)(3) listing mean my gift is tax-deductible?
It means the organization is eligible to receive deductible gifts. Whether you can deduct a particular gift depends on your own tax situation, so confirm the details with a tax professional.
Q3. How often does TEOS update?
The IRS posts updates on a regular schedule and shows the latest posting date for each data set on the TEOS page. A very new organization may take time to appear.
Q4. Can a charity lose its 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. Automatic revocation happens after three consecutive years of missing required annual filings, and an organization can apply for reinstatement afterward.
Q5. Is a rating site enough to verify a nonprofit?
No. Rating sites are a helpful second source, but the IRS record is the official one.
Q6. Is there an app to check 501c3 status?
TEOS works in a mobile browser, so no separate app is needed.