A political organization subject to 527 is a party, committee, association, fund, or other organization (whether or not incorporated) organized and operated primarily for the purpose of directly or indirectly accepting contributions or making expenditures, or both, for an exempt function. The exempt function of a political organization is influencing or attempting to influence the selection, nomination, election or appointment of an individual to a federal, state, or local public office or office in a political organization.

A political organization must be organized for the primary purpose of carrying on exempt function activities. A political organization does not need to be formally chartered or established as a corporation, trust, or association. A separate bank account in which political campaign funds are deposited and disbursed only for political campaign expenses can qualify as a political organization. When there are no formal organizational documents, consideration is given to statements of the members of the organization at the time of its formation that they intend to operate the organization primarily to carry on exempt function activities.

A political organization's primary activities must be exempt function activities. A political organization may engage in activities that are not exempt function activities, but these may not be its primary activities.

See the FY-2002 CPE topic entitled Election Year Issues for further information regarding tax issues for political organizations.  See Filing Requirements for more details.