Additional details
A page within Business Services
Student Organizations
A Student Faculty Organization (SFO) is defined as a group of enrolled students, faculty, staff and/or individuals from the community whose primary purpose is to support the goals and mission of the University.
All groups must register their student organization through the University Centers MyOrgs creation page.
Student organization tax guidance
SFOs are recognized by the university, but most are not official agents of the university; therefore, they cannot use the UWL’s tax-exempt status or documents. Please consult with University Centers & Business Services to determine the agency status of your SFO.
Any entity not recognized as an official agent of the university cannot use UWL numbers and must obtain their own Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
Applying for a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN/EIN) and/or tax-exempt status
- If a student organization/club does not already have a TIN, they can apply using IRS Form SS-4 Application for Employer Identification Number.
- If a student organization/club does not know if they have applied for or received a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) from the IRS, they must contact the local IRS office.
- If a student organization/club does not know if they are tax-exempt, they must contact the IRS local office.
- Student organizations/clubs are not by their nature tax-exempt entities. The IRS determines the status of the student organization/club at the time of TIN application. If the IRS determines the student organization/club is tax-exempt, the IRS will provide the student organization/club written confirmation of their exempt status.
Completing a W-9
If a student organization/club does not know their federal tax classification for Box 3 on the W-9, they must contact the IRS local office.
Members or officers of student organizations/club must not use their personal Social Security Number (SSN) when completing W-9’s or when conducting business on behalf of the student organization/club. Only the IRS assigned/registered Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) can be used for the student organization/club.
