I can’t believe a bank opened an account with no taxpayer ID #. Without an ID#, the IRS doesn’t know you exist.

If the bank ever asks for one, then you might want to get legal. To get legal. You need an entity, an employer ID# from the IRS, and apply for non profit status with the IRS using Form 1024.

Instead of going back in time, I would suggest starting the application as a new entity, letting sleeping dogs lie.

After IRS determination as a non-profit, entities that have revenues of less than $50k per year only file an annual electronic post card with no financial information.

that sounds like sound advice.

However, TEFRA (1986 under Rayguns) changed the game, and the bank should have required you to provide one. And still, you should have applied for tax-exempt status and submit an annual 990 tax return. IRS probably wouldn't come after you for less than a thousand dollars, but for 8,000--you could be subject to penalties for not filing. I'd suggest you consult a tax professional.

occurred to you to ask an actual accountant? I bet one of those would know.

Forget the past 45 years. Your club will need someone to maintain treasury records if you don’t already have one. They will also have to file the 990-N form (aka e-postcard) online each year. I was the treasurer of my walking club for about 12 years. This filing is a snap to do. Depending on your state, there may be additional filing required. In Ohio, we also have to file annually online with the Ohio Attorney General’s office. It’s also a snap, with an abbreviated filing for org’s with less than $50,000 income. Every 5 years, we have to file online with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office as a charitable organization. This is also easily done, except for remembering the every 5 years part. If the correct contact person is listed with them they will send email reminders, so be sure to file agent changes with each agency each time the club treasurer changes. Just check with your state’s requirements for charitable organizations. Good luck!

I.e., has it been formally incorporated, filed as a partnership or limited liability company, or is it a foundation, trust, or other entity? Does it have shareholders, members, a trustee, etc.? Is there an ownership structure for the organization?

Or is this basically just an informal arrangement like friends chipping in to pay for dinner at a restaurant, perhaps on a slightly larger scale?

If it's a formal entity, you probably need to file at least some kind of annual report with your state and/or the IRS. Even if no taxes are due, there might be a small fine for failure to file.

If it's just friends chipping in, you may not need to. Might be best to ask a CPA to be sure.

That's just imho, based on a little amateur experience with nonprofit activities.

That said, I also agree that if you're under the radar, you may be able to just stay that way. (Note that if the US ever switches to a digital currency, staying under the radar will no longer be possible.)

They get a newsletter, subsidized picnics, safety vests for use during hunting season, tags to put on their backpacks for emergency situations. They also get snacks at monthly meeting,, and a partially subsidized winter holiday party.

It has members and an exec. board and a set of by-laws. I look at it as a larger scale - friends paying for dinner and a few other things.

As I pointed out, we also have given thousands to environmental causes and to a food bank.