As a donor, it’s your right and responsibility to ensure that your contributions go to legitimate organizations. At CarLift Baltimore, we understand the importance of transparency and the need to verify a charity's status. This page will guide you through the process of confirming our IRS 501(c)(3) designation, helping you protect your charitable contributions.
By educating yourself on how to check the tax-exempt status of CarLift Baltimore, you can ensure that your donations are eligible for tax deductions and contribute directly to our mission. We’ll explain how to verify our IRS designation and provide resources for additional checks you can perform.
Step-by-step walkthrough
Access the IRS TEOS
Visit the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. This official tool allows you to search for charities by their Employer Identification Number (EIN) or name.
Enter CarLift Baltimore's EIN or Name
In the TEOS search bar, input CarLift Baltimore's EIN (if available) or its full name. This will pull up the relevant information regarding our tax-exempt status.
Verify Status
Check the results to confirm that our status shows 'Currently Exempt' along with the subsection 501(c)(3). This confirms that CarLift Baltimore is recognized as a tax-exempt organization by the IRS.
Check for Revocation
Ensure there is no revocation date listed next to CarLift Baltimore’s name. An absent revocation date indicates that we have maintained our tax-exempt status without interruption.
Consult State AG Registry
Visit the Maryland Attorney General's website to check our charitable solicitation registration. Each state has its own registry, and this step confirms we are authorized to solicit donations in Maryland.
Save Your Verification
Take a printout or screenshot of the verification from the IRS TEOS and the state AG registry. Keep this documentation with your donation records for future reference.
Positive signals (green flags)
✓ Positive IRS Listing
If the IRS TEOS shows that CarLift Baltimore is 'Currently Exempt' and recognized under 501(c)(3), it confirms that we are a legitimate charity eligible for tax-deductible donations.
✓ No Revocation Date
A blank revocation date on our IRS TEOS listing indicates that we have maintained our tax-exempt status and are compliant with IRS regulations.
✓ State Registration Confirmed
Finding CarLift Baltimore listed in the Maryland AG's charitable registry confirms that we are authorized to solicit funds within the state, ensuring legal compliance.
✓ Positive Ratings from Charity Watchdogs
Positive ratings and reviews from organizations like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) indicate that we uphold high standards of transparency and accountability.
Warning signals (red flags)
⚠ No 'Currently Exempt' Status
If the IRS TEOS indicates that CarLift Baltimore is not 'Currently Exempt,' it raises questions about our tax-exempt status, which could affect your ability to claim tax deductions.
⚠ Listed Revocation Date
If you find a revocation date next to our name, it indicates that we have lost our IRS status. This could mean that donations made post-revocation are not tax-deductible.
⚠ No State Registration
If CarLift Baltimore is not listed in the Maryland AG's charitable registration, it suggests that we are not legally authorized to solicit donations. This could be a sign of a non-compliant organization.
⚠ Negative Reviews on Charity Websites
Check for negative reviews on reputable charity watchdog sites. A pattern of complaints about transparency or mismanagement can indicate potential issues with the charity.
Tools + resources
- IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search: https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos
- State of Maryland Attorney General's Charitable Registration: https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/Charity/
- Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits
- Better Business Bureau Charity Reviews: https://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews
Baltimore state-level oversight
In Baltimore, Maryland, ensuring the legitimacy of charitable organizations is vital for protecting your donations. The Maryland Attorney General’s office maintains a registry of charitable organizations that allows donors to verify compliance with state laws. Additionally, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers charity reviews to provide insights into the accountability and transparency of local charities. Familiarizing yourself with these resources can enhance your donor confidence in supporting CarLift Baltimore.