You can edit and resubmit the registration again and include those items for which the previous application was denied.  Additionally, if you believe the application was denied in error, the organization can ask for a hearing.  The request must be made within 7 days of the date you receive notification that your application has been denied.  A hearing shall occur within 7 days of receiving your request for a hearing.  A determination shall be reached within 3 business days of your hearing.

“Contributions" means the promise or grant of any money or property of any kind or value, including the payment or promise to pay in consideration of a sale, performance or show of any kind which is advertised or offered in conjunction with the name of any charity.  “Contribution” does not include bona fide fees, dues or assessments paid by members; provided, that membership is not conferred solely as consideration for making a contribution in response to a solicitation.  See T.C.A. §48-101-501(3).

Yes, the initial registration and renewal forms shall be signed by two (2) authorized officers of the charitable organization, one of whom shall be the chief fiscal officer

The IRS grants federal tax exempt status. Contact information and detailed explanations of the tax exemption approval process can be found on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.

An organization must file an Application for Registration of a Charitable Organization, along with its organizing documents (e.g. a charter) and, if it has obtained one, a letter of determination of tax-exempt status from the IRS.  If an organization has completed an accounting year, it must file also file a Summary of Financial Activities form, an IRS form 990 (if the organization is required to file such), and an audited financial statement if its revenues exceed $500,000, excluding government grants and grants from private foundations.

The initial registration fee is $10 dollars.

“Charitable organization” means a group which is or holds itself out to be a benevolent, educational, voluntary health, philanthropic, humane, patriotic, religious or eleemosynary organization, or for the benefit of law enforcement personnel, firefighters, or other persons who protect the public safety, or any person who solicits or obtains contributions solicited from the public for charitable purposes.  “Charitable organization” does not include any authorized individual who solicits, by authority of the organization, solely on behalf of a registered or exempt organization, or on behalf of an organization excluded from the definition of a charitable organization.

"Solicit" or "solicitation" means any oral or written request, however, communicated, whether directly or indirectly, for a contribution.  See T.C.A. §48-101-501(11).

Q: Can non-U.S. citizens vote in Tennessee elections?

A: No. It is a felony for a non-US citizen to vote in a local, state, or federal race in Tennessee.

Q: What is the state’s process for reviewing voter rolls to ensure accuracy?

A: Under legislation passed in 2011, the Division of Elections verifies citizenship through a cross reference of our entire voter rolls with the information provided by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to identify non-U.S. Citizens.

Q: What should Tennesseans do if they would like to report specific instances of suspected voter fraud?

A: If you would like to report specific instances of suspected voter fraud, contact our Official Election Hotline at 1.877.850.4959.

Organizations that are exempt from the registration requirements of the Act include bona fide religious institutions, as defined by T.C.A. §48-101-502(c); educational institutions and supporting organizations as defined by T.C.A. §48-101-502(b); volunteer fire departments, rescue squads and local civil defense organizations; political parties, candidates, and Political Action Committees; hospitals; nursing homes; any corporation established by an act of congress of the United States that is required by federal law to submit annual reports of its activities to congress containing itemized accounts of all receipts and expenditures after being fully audited by the department of defense; and organizations that do not intend to solicit and receive and do not actually raise or receive gross contributions from the public in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) during a fiscal year. Organizations that do not intend to solicit and do not actually raise or receive gross contributions from the public in excess of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) during a fiscal year must file an Exemption Request annually.

Training is available via WebEx. Please contact Safe at Home directly for scheduling.