Good for your group that you're making this step. There's no reason I can think of to wait until the end of your fiscal year, other than tackling it at a time when you're not as busy with other things. You can set whatever dates you like for your fiscal year when you incorporate, and you're allowed to estimate the financial information on form 1023, the application for 501c3, if you don't have final numbers. By the way, it's important to incorporate first, then file for 501c3 -- not the other way around. The IRS considers you a new organization as of the date of your incorporation, so you would have to refile form 1023 if you incorporate after getting 501c3 approval. Also, if you have an existing EIN, you don't really need to get a new one.
- Craig
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