Is your charity in danger of losing its tax exemption?

Hundreds of Iowa nonprofit groups stand to lose their tax-exempt status for failing to file a brief form with the Internal Revenue Service.

The charity tracking and research organization GuideStar has posted a link to the IRS list of groups that haven't filed their Form 990 over the past three years.

Organizations raising more than $25,000 a year have filed Form 990s for years, but a 2006 law requires all non-profits to file the information. Those who don't file a 990 for three consecutive years lose the tax exemption that allows them to receive grants and raise money tax -free, and lets donors write off their contributions.

The IRS list for Iowa runs 120 pages including hundreds of groups. Dozens of local American Legion and VFW posts are among those listed.

Bob Untiedt , executive director of the Linn County Nonprofit Resource Center, said the center is trying to contact area groups. Complying with the law shouldn't take more than a few minutes for most groups.

“It's not much more than an online post card,” said Untiedt.

The new law may catch many smaller charities, who weren't required to file 990s under the previous law. Untiedt said more than 70 percent of Iowa charities take in less than $25,000 a year.

“It's not like an  American Legion is thinking, ‘Oh, we have to report our revenue,'” said Untiedt. “It's a legal requirement, but I can understand why they wouldn't have that.”

But failing to file could cause complications should a charity take in donations that are no longer tax-deductible.

The IRS list includes the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Real Estate Fund. The GCRCF is the nonprofit resource center's parent agency.

“We know about that,” said Untiedt.