Finance board and Treasurer

Finance Board and Treasurer

Susan Degner – Department Treasurer
treasurer@ndala.org

The Fall season means that most units will resume their monthly meetings. Your unit should receive the mandatory contribution and poppy order forms in early September. We ask that those be returned to the Department office no later than November 1st. Contributions received on time are sent to their respective programs in December. Contributions that are received after that are not forwarded to the designated program until June of 2027. I encourage you to complete the forms at your October meetings and get them sent in so that those programs receive their funding before the beginning of 2027.

I have been working diligently with our units regarding tax-exempt status with the IRS, as well as registering as a non-profit operating in the State of North Dakota. These are completely independent requirements. It is quite simple and straightforward to register with the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office. I have done this many times, and am only a text, phone call, or email away if you need assistance.

The IRS is a trickier matter. If you have lost your tax-exempt status, you will need to reapply to regain it, and there is a $600 fee. Otherwise, your unit is required to file an annual tax return, even if you have no income. Please contact a local CPA to help you navigate this requirement. You also have the option of completing the paperwork yourselves. Two North Dakota units have successfully regained their tax-exempt status, and I am sure that they would be willing and able to guide you in the process. Then, make sure to keep your status current by filing your 990-N every year! If you are unsure if your unit is compliant, check with me and I can look it up for you.

In the spirit of service, not self, I want to thank each one of you for the great things you do for our veterans in North Dakota. Many of you work within your units and Districts across the state. Our veterans surely appreciate it.

Susan Degner, CPA
treasurer@ndala.org