Document / Practice

Practice 2C: Federal Tax Exemption

Posted 2017 Updated May 15
Source
Land Trust Alliance
About This Practice

This guidance covers Practice 2C, which includes one element with four parts:

  1. ■ Maintain status as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC)

    1. a. ▲ File a complete and accurate annual information return (Form 990 or equivalent) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

    2. b. ▲ Do not knowingly engage in prohibited activities, such as private inurement or impermissible private benefit

    3. c. ■ Comply with federal lobbying limitations and reporting requirements

    4. d. ■ Do not engage in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office

Accreditation indicator element | ■ Terrafirma enrollment prerequisite | ▲ Required for both

May 2026 update: Updated accreditation requirements for Practice Elements 2C1a and 2C1b to reflect the 2026 Requirements Manual.

Disclaimer

These resources are provided "as is" for informational purposes only, without warranty of any kind. They do not constitute legal or professional advice and do not create an attorney-client relationship. They may not reflect current legal developments and should be adapted for your organization with qualified professional help. The Alliance is not liable for any damages arising from use of or reliance on these resources. Views in individual posts and third-party links/logos are not Alliance endorsements. The Alliance is committed to equal opportunity and does not condone unlawful discrimination.

For accreditation-related materials, please also consult the Land Trust Accreditation Commission website.