At RBP we are 501(c)3 status - charitable org, and are tax exempt under Nev. Dept. of Tax. 

We operate much like a normal bike shop does except where the IRS doesn't allow us to (ie disbursments of profits to employees) 

Our program is largely modeled after the HUB in Bellingham, Washington who operates in the same way. Revenue is generated which goes back into the org, pays employees, rent etc. 

 We are more or less self-sufficient, with our donations and small grants going to our education and charitable programs. 


Hope that helps.

Noah




On Thu, Mar 3, 2011 at 6:32 PM, John Patterson <john.patterson@velocitycoop.org> wrote:
Kelly,

Here at the VéloCity Bike Co-op have 501(c)(3) status, as a public charity.  We do "sell" (suggested donations) refurbished re-cycled bikes, and bike parts and accessories (new and used), and our tax advisor says we are AOK, and do not need to pay income tax, but we do have to pay state sales tax in Virginia, for merchandise "sales" (suggested donations), but not for services (stand time, classes, etc.).  Hope that helps (yep, I like parentheses).

Regards, John
___________________________
John Patterson | VéloCity Bicycle Co-op | 204 S. Union St., Alexandria, VA  22314 | john.patterson@velocitycoop.org | +1 703-835-0699 | Mobile: +1 703-608-3660



On Mar 3, 2011, at 9:07 PM, Kelly Martin wrote:

We are looking for any bike co-ops that have tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code.  Basically, we have run into a question as to whether and to what extent we may make retail sales of bikes, bike parts and accessories as part of our regular operations without (i) paying income tax (as unrelated business taxable income) and (ii) otherwise affecting our tax-exempt status.  Does your co-op sell bikes, bike parts and/or accessories directly to the public without those sales being part of your educational program?  

In addition, are there any co-ops out there who are associated or operated in tandem with a for-profit business.  This would be structured so that the for-profit business supports the not-for-profit entity.

Finally, we are assuming that most co-ops with tax-exempt status received their charitable status for education purposes.  Are there any co-ops out there which have received tax-exempt status on another basis?

The Bicycle Kitchen is a 501c3 nonprofit under the educational category.

Thank you!


Kelly Martin, Operations Facilitator
The Bicycle Kitchen/La Bicicocina
706 N. Heliotrope Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90029

W 323.NOCARRO  |  M 213.210.5631

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