Question: If my nonprofit corporation files its IRS Form 1023 today, how long will it take before the IRS issues a letter approving the corporation as a tax-exempt Section 501(c) charitable organization?

Answer: According the the IRS’ website page called “Where Is My Exemption Application?” the IRS is now reviewing applications for tax-exemption filed in April 2013 – about 11 months ago. This appears to be the typical time from filing to get the exemption, but over the past couple of years the waiting time has fluctuated a great deal, being as much as 16 months not long ago. However, in some cases applications have been approved in just a few months, although this is not common in our experience.