501 (c) 3 Charter

How to receive your 501 (c) 3 Tax-exempt Status under AEGA Group Status
for your Church or Ministry in less than 30 Days!

Please read carefully and fill out request below and submit - Thank You!
Call our office if you have questions - 1-800-842-5176

PROTECT YOUR CHURCH/MINISTRY
REMAIN INDEPENDENT - YET NETWORKED!

You could be in DANGER when misinformed about 501 (c) Tax-Exempt Status...Avoid IRS conflicts by PROPERLY CHARTERING under AEGA's Group Exemption.

Kinds of Charters we offer:
Church/Mission, Evangelistic Ministries, Religious Organizations,
Christian Schools & Bible Colleges,
Christian Counseling Centers

AEGA International Headquarters
(Association of Evangelical Gospel Assemblies)
2152 Hwy. 139
Monroe, LA 71203 USA
© Copyright 2006-2008 - AEGA Ministries International, Inc.
Toll FREE: 1-800-842-5176 - (318) 345-1777 - FAX: (318) 345-0350

Greetings in the precious Name of Jesus our Lord!
Certain unethical practices and moral failures of the 1980’s and 90’s have triggered a vast reshaping of public opinion toward local and national ministries. These events have created necessary changes in the way churches and ministries do business. Also, the IRS has increased its demands on evangelical churches, ministerial associations, etc. In 1989 the IRS checked more than 3,000 non-profit, tax-exempt organizations [ie. 501(c)3’s] in an effort to “shape them up.”

Most beginning ministries concerned with legal and tax issues consult a local attorney and/or CPA. They are shocked to learn such professionals lack adequate knowledge of IRS non-profit law, regulations and procedures. Ministries everywhere now realize that chartering a ministry is a specialized field.

One of AEGA’s most significant functions is helping AEGA members to PROPERLY CHARTER their ministries. Being a Central Organization with full IRS privileges, the AEGA allows its members to protect their ministries by chartering under its GROUP EXEMPTION COVERING.
Experienced “Charter Specialists” at the AEGA Headquarters will review your corporation or organization papers and furnish information that will help you to qualify for non-profit, tax exempt status. What we (AEGA) can do for you in thirty days could very well take you up to three years if you act alone.

We urge you to have your ministry properly evaluated, chartered, and recognized by the IRS before you ask for donations. Please do not take the risk of jeopardizing your ministry and reputation in your community. Once a minister loses his/her reputation, they seldom regain it.

In the Master’s service,
Dr. Henry A. Harbuck
AEGA President/Overseer

Jan Harbuck, Ph.D. - Church Tax/Law Specialist & Consultant

Questions and Answers about the 501 (c) 3

1) Q: What is a Charter?
Ans. A charter is an official certificate issued to a ministry after proper paperwork, filing, etc. is approved by AEGA Headquarters. Once received, the charter is mounted as a wall document and displayed by the ministry. The wall document has the AEGA group exemption number printed on it which legally grants the ministry (called “subordinate” by the IRS) the 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt status. A ministry is permitted to use the AEGA tax number which gives it legal standing with the community, state, and the IRS. This kind of charter gives a ministry legal permission to solicit donations, offer tax-deductible benefits to donors, apply for grants, obtain a bulk-mail permit, and more. A recipient of an AEGA charter has the assurance that his/her ministry has met all IRS criteria and is under general (not specific) supervision of the AEGA.

(2) Q: Is it really necessary to have a charter?
Ans. Any church, evangelistic Association, mission, etc. that solicits donations is a prime target for trouble if audited by the IRS. At the whim of an IRS auditor, a non-exempt religious organization may be deemed liable and fined as an ordinary business for back taxes. Sadly, its contributors would also be charged back taxes because of the organization’s failure to obtain a charter recognized by the IRS.

(3) Q: Is there a cost for a charter?
Ans. Yes. Currently our set-up fee consist of a one-time charge of $250. There is a $50 charge for a set of By-laws for your church/ministry if needed. Thereafter, a monthly charter "general fund offering" is required while the charter is in effect (depends on type and size of ministry). Charters in good standing are automatically renewed each year on March 28th at no additional cost. There is always FREE consultation just a phone call away.

(4) Q: How do I (or we) obtain a charter?
Ans. We’ve made it easy. On the request form in this brochure, please check off the information you need for your type of charter (several kinds are available and are explained in this brochure). Place the form in the enclosed self-addressed envelope and mail it to AEGA. When you receive the requested forms, please complete them and mail them to us as soon as possible. This should take only a few hours of your time. When your completed forms arrive we will begin work on them (usually that same day). After your paperwork has been processed, it is then scheduled for evaluation by our charter board. Once approved, your ministry charter is sent to you immediately.

(5) Q: How long does it take to get a charter?
Ans. Assuming that all your paperwork is complete and in order, it takes (on average) approximately less than thirty days from the date your application package is received at our Headquarters. We have done most all the paperwork for you.

(6) Q: Am I required to file ministry reports with AEGA?
Ans. Yes. At the end of each year an end of the year financial summary report of your ministry is required in order to renew your charter. This is mainly for your benefit to make sure you are complying with IRS 501 (c) 3 rulings. However, the AEGA does NOT manage your funds or tell you how to operate your ministry. Each ministry is autonomous and sovereign.

(7) Q: Must I become a member of AEGA to receive a charter?
Ans. Yes. If you are the president of the ministry, you are required to hold credentials with AEGA (Licensed or Ordained) and believe and adhere to the AEGA 18 Fundamental Truths. This policy is primarily for accountability & liability purposes, thereby, providing benefits for the credentialed minister as well.

(8) Q: Is the AEGA Office available if I have IRS or accounting questions?
Ans. Yes. We are always available to assist you and most importantly we are here to lift you and your ministry up in prayer. This is truly a great benefit of being covered under an international fellowship… you are not alone. Our consultants are always available to assist you and the AEGA's CPA Firm is always available to answer your church/ministry accounting questions.

FIVE KINDS OF CHARTERS
WE OFFER UNDER OUR COVERING

Local Church — This charter is increasingly more in demand. A Local Church Charter protects the church, helping to eliminate interference and conflicts that may arise from the community, the state and the IRS. (proper insurance is required)

Local Mission or Mission Society — The local mission is similar to the local church, but different in purpose. Like a church, a local mission must have regular services and may begin in a home or a building, but serves predominately the poor, orphans, street people, abused women and children, outcasts, etc. A mission may offer rooms for rent, give away food and clothes, have special educational or Bible studies, etc. Because a local mission is a non-profit tax exempt organization, it is allowed to charge a reasonable fee for its services. Yet, it cannot enforce any payment on a person when that person is unable to pay. When a person is forced to pay for a service rendered by a local mission, that mission is in danger of losing its charter if such an act is reported to the IRS. (proper insurance is required)

A Mission Society is a religious organization in which 50% or more of its funds go to oversees mission projects.

Evangelistic (Preaching and Music Ministry) — This charter is granted to traveling ministries such as evangelists, preachers, Bible teachers and music ministries. Having an evangelistic charter allows a ministry to receive donations while on the road or traveling anywhere in the USA. If tapes, books or other items are to be sold or given away, this information must be stated in the charter application. Also known as "Religious Organizations".

Educational (ie. Church School, Academy, Bible College, Seminary) - This Charter is unique, and is not offered by most Associations to its members. Many churches and individual ministers, Bible teachers, and others have long awaited an opportunity to begin their own academy, Bible college or seminary. Now this particular educational charter makes it possible. Any institution that applies for a charter must not be racially discriminatory and must clearly outline its purpose, curriculum, etc. (liability insurance is required)

Christian Counseling Center - This charter is fast becoming a charter that is much in demand. Because of the many marital and family problems, not only in the church but throughout the nation, more ministries are specializing in counseling. A Christian counseling center may be part of an established church, or operated independently of a church from an office. It is meaningful to charter a Christian Counseling Center, because some state officials have attempted to interfere with such centers inasmuch as competition is fierce among licensed professionals in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and marriage counseling.

A Christian Counseling Center is considered by the IRS to be a religious and charitable organization. However, a counseling center may charge a reasonable (or customary) fee for services rendered. Some centers prefer to use a sliding scale fee system. However, the Christian Counseling Center, like other non-profit organizations, is not legally permitted to enforce payment or sue a client when he/she cannot pay. Any such enforcement by a Christian Counseling Center to force a client to pay may result in the loss of its charter if the IRS learns of such an act. Note: Counselors must have a license and degree as required by their state and carry counseling liability insurance.

A BRIEF NOTE
Concerning the Board of Directors of Chartered Ministries...
The IRS requires all chartered ministries to have a board of Directors. This structure insures accountability. Although each ministry is autonomous and sovereign, a minimum of three (3) to five (5) board members are required before approval will be granted. Only two of these board members may be kin by blood or marriage, and the President and Treasurer are not permitted to be related by blood or marriage.

A ministry may begin with three board members and add two more within the first 12 months for a total of five. The first three members are required to be President, Secretary and Treasurer.

STATE INCORPORATION:
We can prepare your state non-profit incorporation paperwork for you at a LOW cost of only $250.00 in every state. GREAT BENEFIT! Once we have completed the paperwork required by your state, we send it to you ready for you to sign and add your state filing fee and mail to the Secretary of State. The state will then mail you your corporation back to you. We also assist you in receiving your sales tax exemption from your state.

NOTE: This department of AEGA does not render any legal or tax, advice. Nor does the Division of Corporations of your state claim to render any legal, tax, or accounting advice. As in all such matters, you should acquire appropriate counsel from those who are in that particular field. As the charter department of AEGA, we are authorized by the Internal Revenue Service to examine your organizational documents and operations to make a determination as to whether or not your organization qualifies as a nonprofit organization under specific sections of the IRS code.

TO RECEIVE THE 501 (c) 3 Packet, please fill out the form below: