When applying for 501c3 Non profit, when can donations be accepted?

Question

When does your official "day of being a non-profit" start? When the IRS receives your application / When they are finally happy with everything and accept it as complete, or sometime before, or after that date? Can donations be accepted Before the application is accepted and/or approved and still qualify on the donors tax return as a legal donation to a non-profit? My papers are getting mailed this week, when can I legally accept a donation?

Answer 1

You can accept donations now, but until the IRS accepts your application you cannot claim that donations are tax deductible. However, the IRS can give you retroactive election for your nonprofit status.

Answer 2

I've attached a link to a wikipedia article which explains about 501 (c) (3) organizations and includes about accepting donations before the application is accepted and approved.

Answer 3

You can accept donations anytime, but donors can't deduct them on their tax returns unless they're made after you actually receive your 501(c)3 letter - for most organizations, that's not automatic that you get it just because you apply.