Hmm - These posts have been helpful. I am trying to figure out if my local shcool should remain a PTA or become a PTO too. The dues are definitely an issue. The members of my local PTA are not really interested in a national agenda, we have been unimpressed with any help from our PTA organization and we are starting to feel that the bylaws imposed on us from our "parent" organizations are somewhat restrictive. Can anyone tell me how their PTO bylaws are setup? Specifically how do you guys deal with officers term limits?
susie - it was a definite feasible for us. When we were a PTA we got insurance at a discounted rate of about $295. As a PTO, we pay (I think) $375 total. And our total state and national (and a little bit more for council) dues was around $750. So we're saving more than $650. Insurance was not part of our dues, but we did get a discounted rate because we were a PTA but it still wasn't worth it.
PTA can be tax exempt- i have yet to meet one that wasn't--in fact if you lose your tax exempt stautus or non-profit status you are no longer a unit that is cinsidered in good standing woith the state and national levels
I read alot about the issue of paying dues--i know that in our dues that we pay to our state and national PTA these dues cover our insurances, liability and bonding..I was wondering what PTO are paying for bonding of officers, insurance for the unit, and liability for the unit. IS it cost feasible? Or are you paying more to pay for these items separate?
"Tax Exempt" is usually a state term meaning that your organization has applied for and been granted an exemption from paying certain state taxes - primarily sales tax.
While I suppose it's possible your state could have some unique laws about PTO vs PTA, it's hard to imagine that being true. They are the same category of organization. If one meets the requirements in your state, the other should as well (assuming each organization follows whatever procedure is required).
In our state (Texas), the PTA is tax exempt. In fact, it's much easier for them, because they apply once at the state PTA level and all units are automatically included. PTOs (since each is a separate, independent entitity) must individually apply for exemption. I believe this is pretty common from state to state.
Ihave a question regarding PTO VS PTA - is it a fact that a PTA cannot be tax exempt while a PTO can? I have been informed that if we continue being a PTA we cannot be tax exempt but if we switched to PTO we would be able to apply? This of course would be quite a bit of much needed extra funds to our school! If anyone knows, please reply. Please Help!
Allegia, I think individual people that want to support the P.T.A can join the National group. That's what we told a few people at our group who wanted to be part of supporting the P.T.A. We kept our unit as a P.T.O because that way everyone could be happy. The people that wanted to be P.T.A. can still join national P.T.A. and the rest of us who for different reasons don't want to be part of P.T.A. can still be a part of our parent group.
