When I visit with clubs across the country, I usually share that they have three things they must do and beyond that, the rest is up to them. First, abide by your club charter with Sertoma. Second, pay your club dues in a timely fashion. Third, file your tax return annually with the IRS, whether that’s a simple postcard or a full 990. The latter is my focus today.

When’s the last time you checked to see if your club tax return (or postcard) was filed, and done so on time? It’s easy to say, “we have an accountant in our club that does it” or “Bob has done it for 20 years without any problem.” Guess what? Things happen. Sometimes Bob forgets, and sometimes accountants make mistakes. It should never be just one person’s responsibility to ensure that this important annual task is completed.

During my 3+ years working for Sertoma, I’ve assisted (along with Amy) over a dozen clubs that have had tax-related issues. In most cases, we’ve been able to help clubs in clearing up issues, but they aren’t always easy. It creates a level of stress for club members that I’m sure they would have liked to avoid and in some cases created hours of additional work for both us and club leaders. And while Amy and I are always willing to help a club navigate these challenges, I’d be lying if I didn’t say there are certainly better ways to spend our time!

So, today I encourage you to take five minutes and ask your treasurer, your president, your accountant, or even your “Bob,” if your club tax filings are up to date. It’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure our club’s stay abreast of this important task, and by doing so, you’ll save time and energy in the long run.