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Tax Exempt Status of an Association of REALTORS®:
The tax exempt status of an association of REALTORS® can be jeopardized if it includes the names of REALTORS® in advertisements it places.
Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code provides for the exemption of a real estate association which is not organized for profit provided no part of the net earnings of the association inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
Revenue Ruling 65-14, C.B. 1965-1, 236 holds that the publication of advertisements containing listings of the names of individual members constitutes advertising for the individuals so advertised and is thus considered the performance of particular services for such individuals rather than an activity aimed at improvement of general business conditions. Section 1.501(c)(6)-l of the Income Tax Regulations confines the activities of a real estate association exempt under Section 501(c)(6) to those directed to the improvement of business conditions of one or more lines of business rather than the performance of particular services for individual persons. (Amended 11/04) I