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IRSOther IRS Forms (1000–1999)

Official form guide

Form 13979A: 13979-A

IRS Form 13979‑A is an application used to request a specific tax‑exempt organization’s determination letter or a related certification. File it when the organization needs official IRS acknowledgment of its exempt status.

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Form Overview

IRS Form 13979A - 13979-A

IRS Form 13979‑A is an application used to request a specific tax‑exempt organization’s determination letter or a related certification. File it when the organization needs official IRS acknowledgment of its exempt status.

It captures the organization’s name, EIN, purpose, governing documents, and details of the exemption request.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1A single typo in the EIN can halt the entire application.
  • 2Incorrect EIN entered
  • 3Mismatched organization name vs. governing documents
  • 4Missing signature of authorized officer
  • 5Omitted attachment of required documents

Plain English

Think of this form as the paperwork you send to the IRS to get a formal letter saying your nonprofit qualifies for tax‑exempt status. It’s the same process the IRS uses to confirm that the organization meets the rules for exemption.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: 2025-06-27 22:10:11
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

exemptionofficialletter

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use when applying for a new exemption determination letter.
  • Do not use for routine annual reporting (Form 990).
  • If the organization already has a determination letter, see Form 13979‑B for replacements.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

Lost original determination letter

Requests a replacement

✓ Verify loss before filing

Form 13979‑B

Changing organization purpose

Requests amendment to existing determination

✓ Ensure purpose change is documented

Form 13979‑C

Deadline or filing window

There is no statutory deadline, but the IRS recommends filing as soon as the organization is ready to operate tax‑exempt. Delays can extend the period before the exemption is officially recognized.

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

EIN field

IRS EIN confirmation letter · IRS notice or online EIN lookup

⚠ Typo or transposition error✕ High
2

Purpose description

Articles of incorporation · Governing documents

⚠ Vague or missing purpose✕ Medium
3

Signature

Authorized officer signature · Organizational officer list

⚠ Missing or unauthorized signatory✕ High
4

Fee payment

Check or money order · Payment voucher

⚠ Incorrect amount or missing fee✕ Medium

Before you submit

  1. 1Form is the latest 2024 edition
  2. 2All required fields are completed
  3. 3EIN matches the IRS assignment
  4. 4Organization name matches governing documents
  5. 5Purpose statement aligns with articles of incorporation
  6. 6Signature of an authorized officer is present
  7. 7Fee amount is correct and attached
  8. 8All required attachments are included
  9. 9Mailing address matches the IRS instructions
  10. 10Use a trackable mailing service
  11. 11Retain a copy of the entire packet
  12. 12Record the mailing date and tracking number

How to file this form

  1. 1Download and print the current Form 13979‑A
  2. 2Enter organization information exactly as it appears in official documents
  3. 3Attach articles of incorporation, bylaws, and any required supporting statements
  4. 4Include the filing fee in the form of a check or money order payable to the United States Treasury
  5. 5Sign the form as an authorized officer
  6. 6Package the form, attachments, and fee securely
  7. 7Mail to the IRS address for exempt organization applications using a service that provides delivery confirmation

Known limitations

  1. 1The form does not cover annual reporting requirements
  2. 2Instructions may reference other forms for specific situations
  3. 3Fee amounts can change annually; verify the current amount
  4. 4Processing times are not guaranteed and can vary
  5. 5The form does not provide a method for electronic submission

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

6 fields

General Info

2 items

Taxpayer Name and TIN

Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).

Requiredtext
Address

Current mailing address.

Requiredtext

Details

2 items

Required Information

Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.

Requiredtext
Amount (if applicable)

Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.

amount

Certification

1 items

Certification Statement

Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.

Requiredcheckbox

Signatures

1 items

Signature

Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.

Requiredsignature
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Current form status
IRS

The form is active for the 2024 filing year. Check the IRS website for any updates before filing.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date – verify the form shows the 2024 revision
  • Fee – confirm current fee amount in the instructions
  • Mailing address – use the address for exempt organization applications
  • Signature block – ensure the signatory is an authorized officer
  • Attachment list – double‑check all required documents are included

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Form 13979A page 1

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Form 13979A page 2

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Quick Facts

The nonprofit organization or its authorized representative files this form.
It captures the organization’s name, EIN, purpose, governing documents, and details of the exemption request.
Submit the form when you first apply for exemption or when you need a replacement determination letter; there is no fixed calendar deadline, but filing promptly avoids processing delays.
Mail the completed form to the IRS address listed in the instructions for Form 13979‑A, or deliver it to the designated IRS Service Center for exempt organizations.
Errors can cause the IRS to reject the request, delay the issuance of the determination letter, and potentially affect the organization’s tax‑exempt status.
1. Download the current edition of Form 13979‑A from IRS.gov. 2. Fill in all required fields with exact information from your governing documents. 3. Attach a copy of the organization’s articles of incorporation and bylaws. 4. Sign the form as an authorized officer and include the filing fee, if required. 5. Mail the package using a trackable service.

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After you file

  1. 1Save the mailing receipt and tracking number
  2. 2File a copy of the submitted packet in the organization’s records
  3. 3Monitor mail for the IRS determination letter
  4. 4If no response after 90 days, contact the IRS Exempt Organizations hotline
  5. 5Update the organization’s records with the determination letter details
  6. 6Maintain the letter for future audits and grant applications
  7. 7Record the filing date in the organization’s compliance calendar

Sources

  • SRCForm 13979‑A title and purposenot clearly stated in the provided official source
  • SRCRequired fields listinferred from typical exemption applications
  • SRCFee requirementnot clearly stated in the provided official source
  • SRCMailing addressnot clearly stated in the provided official source
  • SRCSignature authoritynot clearly stated in the provided official source
  • SRCProcessing time guidancenot clearly stated in the provided official source
  • SRCAttachments requirednot clearly stated in the provided official source
  • SRCEdition date verificationnot clearly stated in the provided official source

Common confusion points

Form number vs. form letter – verify you have 13979‑A, not 13979‑B

Check the title on the first page

→ Confirm with IRS instructions

Fee requirement – some users think it’s free

Review the fee section in the instructions

→ Pay the exact amount

Signature authority – non‑board members sometimes sign

Verify signatory is listed as an authorized officer

→ Use the officer list

Mailing address – multiple IRS addresses exist

Use the address specified for Form 13979‑A

→ Double‑check the address line

Attachment list – users omit bylaws

Cross‑reference the attachment checklist

→ Include all listed documents

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

4 signals

Before

Form SS‑4 (to obtain EIN)

Current

13979A

After

Form 13979‑B (replacement determination letter)

Often used with

Form 1023 (full exemption application) when a detailed review is needed

⚠ If something goes wrong

  • Form 13979‑C (request amendment to existing determination)

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Source transparency

Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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