Manage Org Money
Introduction
Managing the finances of your organization is essential to the success of your organization. On this page you will find:
- Transactions (money to and money from your organization)
- Information about the COF account
- How to create a budget for your group
Types of Transactions
Deposits
To deposit cash or checks into your student organization COF account please visit the CSI office to fill out a COF Deposit Form that you will then take to the Cashiers Office.
- Confirm that you have documented (receipt given and tracked in a log)
- Confirm checks have not expired (checks should note a window 30,60,90 days before expiration)
- Double check your account number AND name.
- Make sure you add your phone number to the form
- Submit to the appropriate cashier (in SSB/Bursar’s Office or in the Marshfield Building)
ELECTRONIC EXTERNAL TRANSFERS
Your COF does not connect to ANY electronic cash payment options i.e. Venmo, CashApp, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.
Automated Clearing House (ACH) and Electronics Fund Transfer (EFT) can be arranged through CSI with three weeks notice.
Electronic Internal Transfers
ANY DEPARTMENT OR COLLEGE that seeks to transfer money to your student org’s COF account they must:
1. Contact CSI prior to determine the eligibility of the funds (purpose, source and use of funds). Email vpierce4@uic.edu
2. Complete necessary documentation for the transaction.
3. CSI will then communicate with the department to complete the transfer.
PAYMENT TO ON CAMPUS DEPARTMENT
- Download and complete the Disbursement Voucher
- Confirm your student organization’s COF number and departments CFOAP number for the form
- Sign the voucher
- Upload the (1) bill or invoice and completed (2) Disbursement Voucher into UIC Connect form
Donation
1. Download and complete the Disbursement Voucher
2. Confirm other student organization’s COF number for the form
3. Sign the voucher
4. Upload a (1) LETTER ON ORG LETTERHEAD stating the intent to donate and the amount of donation with the completed (2) Disbursement Voucher into UIC Connect form
Payment/Prize
1. Download and complete the Disbursement Voucher
2. Confirm your student organization’s COF number for the form. Confirm UIN# if applicable.
3. Sign the voucher
4. Upload a (1) LETTER ON ORG LETTERHEAD stating the intent to award the prize and the amount of award with the completed (2) Disbursement Voucher into UIC Connect form
Reimbursement
- Start with Disbursement Voucher
- Confirm the student’s UIN number
- Confirm the students tax status (SSN or payment to foreign national)
- Confirm the student has a bank account attached to their UIN (WE DO NOT MAIL CHECKS)
- Upload a copy of a paid receipt to UIC Connect form
- Upload the Disbursement Voucher
Paying for your rooms through your COF account:
- Download and complete the Disbursement Voucher
- Confirm your student organization’s COF number and departments CFOAP number for the form
- Sign the voucher
- Upload the (1) bill or invoice and completed (2) Disbursement Voucher into UIC Connect form
Check or credit card payments for rooms MUST go through Meetings and Conferences
Payment
1. Download and complete the Disbursement Voucher
2. Share VENDOR INFORMATION FORM with vendor
3. Receive completed vendor information from vendor
4. Upload the (1) vendor information form, (2) the bill or invoice, and the completed (3) Disbursement Voucher into UIC Connect form
Donation
- Download and complete the Disbursement Voucher
- Share VENDOR INFORMATION FORM with agency receiving donation
- Receive completed vendor information from agency
- Upload the (1) vendor information form, (2) LETTER ON ORG LETTERHEAD stating the intent to donate and the amount of donation with the completed (3) Disbursement Voucher into UIC Connect form
The University of Illinois tax-exempt status does not extend to its registered student organizations or individual UIC students.
This information is intended only for registered student organizations at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Although the information contained on this website is designed to offer general tax information, it is not a substitute for advice obtained from the Internal Revenue Service, Illinois Department of Revenue Services, or a qualified tax professional. The information provided on this website is subject to change (without notice) or further interpretation by the Internal Revenue Service or other tax authorities.
Non-Profit & Tax-Exempt Status
All registered student organizations are required to operate as non-profit organizations that do not generate income for individuals and/or the organization itself. The generation of income for individuals and or the organization itself can result in the suspension of the organization’s status.
Student organizations, however, are not automatically registered as 501(c)3 organizations, and do not, therefore, automatically receive tax-exempt status.
Any Registered Student Organization that incorporates must do so strictly on a nonprofit basis and in a manner that perpetuates its status for students of the University. Organizations that seek tax-exempt status are required to apply for such status through the United State Internal Revenue Service.
Federal Tax-Exempt Status
In order to qualify as a tax-exempt organization (i.e., exempt from Federal taxation under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(a)), a student organization must generally be a type of organization described in IRC Section 501(c). Organizations that meet the requirements of IRC Section 501(a) are generally exempt from federal income taxation. In addition, charitable contributions made to some section 501(a) organizations by individuals and corporations are deductible as charitable contributions under IRC Section 170.
Obtaining Federal Tax-Exempt Status
The benefits of 501(c)(3) status include exemption from federal income tax and eligibility to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. To qualify for these benefits most organizations must file an application with and be recognized as exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3) by the IRS.
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Registered Student Organizations are not permitted to utilize the University’s EIN for any purposes. Any organization that has at least one employee, files tax or information returns, and/or opens a bank account will be required to obtain an EIN. An organization can apply for an EIN by completing IRS Form SS-4 online, by telephone, by fax, or by mail (Please refer to SS-4 instructions for further information). To avoid the issuance of multiple EINs, it is advised that an organization check its records before applying, in order to verify that the organization was not already issued an EIN.
Note: An individual’s social security number should not be utilized on a student organization’s bank account, as the funds in the account may be treated by the IRS as part of that individual’s assets, and any earnings on the account will be deemed earnings of the individual for income tax purposes.
Illinois Sale Tax
Tax-Exempt Purchases
Registered Student Organizations are not permitted to use the University’s sales tax exemption to make sales tax-free purchases. A 501(c)(3) organization wishing to make a purchase exempt from Illinois sales tax must issue its own State of Illinois Sales Tax Exempt Letter to a vendor. Organizations not receiving a formal IRS determination letter indicating 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status will be unable to make sales tax-exempt purchases in Illinois.
Notes
Use Form W-9 to provide your correct Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to the person who is required to file an information return with the IRS to report, for example:
- Income paid to you.
- Acquisition or abandonment of secured property.
- Cancellation of debt.
What is a TIN?
A Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is an identification number used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the administration of tax laws. There are three different types of numbers the IRS uses for tax purposes: Social Security Number (SSN), individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), and an employer identification number (EIN). The TIN is issued either by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or by the IRS. A Social Security number (SSN) is issued by the SSA whereas all other TINs are issued by the IRS.
What is an EIN?
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies your business for tax purposes. It’s similar to a Social Security number but is meant for business-related items only.
Not sure whether you need an EIN? Review this guide from the IRS. If you answer yes to any of the questions in the list, you need to apply for an EIN.
Your COF (Chicago Organizational Fund)
As a registered student organization, you already have a Chicago Organization Fund (COF) Account (automatically created/renewed after registration)
- Acts as a very basic, non‐interest generating, on‐campus bank account for your organization
- Must have transactions annually to maintain active status
- Not as many services as an off‐campus bank account, but safer
- Limited cash withdrawals
- Zero balance until you add money
- No automatic funding
- No minimum balance required (unless applying for SOFAB funding)
- Transition handled by Center for Student Involvement through registration
- Officers with access cannot pay/reimburse themselves
- For all transactions‐documentation required
Chicago Organization Fund (COF) – each registered student organization will receive a COF account number.
How to create/track a budget
Be sure to have access to documents, spreadsheets, accounts, files, etc. from the previous treasurer.
Balance
Please complete this form for any inquires about your student organization Chicago Organization Fund (COF) account (account/fund number, balance, etc.).
Note: ONLY the President and Treasurer may request for COF account/fund number and balance.
It is important to know your account balance (s).
debt
Determine if past events, dues, invoices, etc. were paid already! Speak with the previous treasurer, eboard member, or advisor.
Revenue
What are your sources of income?
- Membership dues
- Sponsorship
- Donations
- Events
- Fundraisers
- University funding from CSI, Campus Rec, Dean of Students, USG, College, etc.
- Other
Operational Expenses
- Charter fees
- Membership fee
- Marketing
- Other
Events
- What is the cost to host an event?
- Work with each event lead to get an estimate of costs
- Refer to last year’s events
- Create deadlines for event requests
TBD
- Establish expectations of when deposits, invoices, bills, reimbursement, and payments will be made
- Refer to Manage Org Money page to determine how payments will be made
- Communicate in meetings and in writing of the monthly balance and transactions