If you are granted 501c3 status, it will be retroactive to the date of the incorporation of the PTO. So, yes, donations would be tax deductible. See this explanation from the IRS website: www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=164254,00.html

Hi there! New to the board, and new to our PTO (well, in fact, our PTO is new too!). I'm serving as Treasurer and am tasking myself with obtaining 501(c)(3) status for our organization (we've just officially incorporated with our state and opened our bank account).

Being that we are very new, I anticipate we may fall under the "<$5,000 gross receipts" rule for calendar 2011, that would allow us to "automatically" operate as a non-profit (e.g. start-up donations would be tax-deductible) (PLEASE correct me if I am mistaken here). I am planning to start the Form 1023 process imminently, as well.

Question being, if for whatever reason we canNOT claim automatic tax-exempt status while we are still under the <5k rule, if I apply for and obtain 501(c)(3) status for our PTO and it is made effective before end of calendar 2011, would donors be able to deduct their contributions made during the year regardless of the date of contribution (i.e., would the granting of 501(c)(3) status retroact for the entire 2011 year, or is it ONLY effective from date of granting forward?)

Sorry if this question is confusing. Any guidance you can provide would be wonderful, thank you!