Easing Awake currently meets the requirements of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the Board is considering suspending this status in order to save time, energy, and costs, in light of our current Executive Director stepping down from that role. This status allows members to write off their charitable donations in their annual income tax filings, although sweeping tax laws passed in 2017 have reduced the benefit of doing this for many, if not most Americans. The Board would like to hear from anyone who itemizes charitable donations in their taxes and would be impacted by this change in the organization's status.

The requirements on Easing Awake in order to maintain this status include:

(1) Keeping detailed records of all individual donations from all sources and for all purposes,
(2) Keeping detailed records of any and all expense transactions,
(3) Defining specific roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Board Member,
as well as holding annual meetings to re-elect Board Members,
(4) Filing a form with the IRS whenever there are changes to the organization or its officers,
(5) Hiring an accountant annually to prepare our 990 tax filing for the IRS (despite not having tax liability),
(6) Sending out annual letters to every member in January stating the amount of their charitable gifts in the previous calendar year,
(7) Sending out 1099 forms each January to anyone who has worked for the organization in the previous calendar year and was paid more than $600 (such as the Guiding Teaching, Administrative Coordinator, and any Guest Teachers),
(8) Complying with any and all other applicable IRS regulations, existing or new.