Nonprofits May Qualify for D.C. Tax Refund

June 5, 2025

A recent D.C. Superior Court ruling has found that section 501(c)(3) organizations without a physical office in Washington, D.C., might be eligible for refunds on certain taxes paid, plus interest, for events held in the city. This ruling opens the door for nonprofits nationwide to recover past taxes and hold future events in D.C. at a lower cost.

If you qualify, the deadline for submitting a refund claim is this Friday, June 6, 2025. Your organization may have received a mailed notice this spring of the refund opportunity with your unique Notice ID number which may be required to file a claim. See below for more details.

Who Qualifies?

Your organization may be eligible to submit a refund claim if it:

Is a section 501(c)(3) organization (or similar “semipublic institution”);
Is not a D.C. resident organization;
Held meetings or events at one of 18 listed D.C. hotels since December 12, 2016; and
Paid D.C. sales taxes or hotel occupancy taxes in connection with meetings or events held at these hotels during this time frame.

How Do I File A Claim?

If you believe you are eligible, you may file your claim online or by mail. The due date for online submission or postmark is June 6, 2025. Submitted claim forms must include details regarding the D.C.-based meetings and proof of each meeting’s tax payments, such as a receipt, hotel bill, or other similar record. The claim form and additional information are available at www.dctaxrefundclassaction.com.

A unique Notice ID number is also required for online filings. If you do not know your Notice ID number, you may contact the claims administrator for assistance at https://www.dctaxrefundclassaction.com/contact.html . Alternately, you may paper-file your claim without a Notice ID.