On Jan. 5, 2021, the IRS released the revised electronic Form 1024-A, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, and related instructions. In connection with the release of the online form, the IRS also released an advance copy of Rev. Proc. 2021-08, which provides guidance with respect to the new electronic filing process and updates Rev. Proc. 2021-5.
The electronic submission process for Form 1024-A replaces the paper submission process and requires organizations to submit the Form 1024-A electronically through pay.gov after Jan. 5, 2021. To provide transition relief, the IRS will continue to accept completed paper Forms 1024-A accompanied by the correct user fee if they are postmarked on or before April 5, 2021.
The electronic Form 1024-A is substantially similar to the paper version; however, questions have been reordered and added to expand upon existing questions. Pay.gov will have a preview of the electronic Form 1024-A available to view without requiring a user to login. The required user fee will remain $600 for 2021, and applicants must pay the fee through pay.gov when submitting the application.
Regarding the change, Edward Killen, Acting Commissioner of the IRS Tax Exempt and Government Entities division said, “Electronic filing will make the Form 1024-A application easier to complete while reducing errors. Electronic filing also shortens IRS processing time so applicants won’t wait as long for a response."
