When you call the IRS for simple questions such as "What form should I file to give you my money?", be prepared to defend your position according to tax status. Do: have the appropriate tax code pulled up on your computer. Don't: call when you have a half hour to kill waiting for the bus. Best to waste actual time on hold. Do: know why you would qualify as a tax exempt organization. Have your mission statement memorized. Even if every other theater you know is non-profit, the IRS may not understand why your theatre would qualify for tax exemption. You aren't a church, after all. Don't: get frustrated with the official you have waited 45 minutes to speak to. If they hang up on you, you'll just be waiting on hold some more.
After you open a non-profit corporation, whether you have filed for 501c3 status or not, you need to fill out form 990N (available on irs.gov) by the 15th day of the 5th month after the end of your annual reporting period. May 15th if you do an calendar year. Don't: put your social security number on this form; it is publicly available. Do: post the form on your website in order to comply with public disclosure and avoid having to print and mail copies to the public upon request.
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