The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officially approved AHS International on May 13, 2013 as an educational and scientific organization in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). This will greatly improve AHS’s ability to achieve its mission, as well as reducing some of our expenses, allowing us to provide our members with more “bang” for their membership “bucks.”

AHS International had previously been a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association, exempt from paying federal taxes. Individuals and corporations can now make tax-deductible contributions to AHS as well as our Vertical Flight Foundation scholarship program. We are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts.

In addition, AHS can now qualify for exemption from paying state sales taxes in Virginia and Maryland, where much of our business takes place. This reduction in the tax burden will mean that our members’ dues and other income will go farther in providing our services to you and the entire vertical flight community.

It had long been planned to convert to a 501(c)(3) public charity. New bylaws were drafted and the initial work was begun in mid-2011. The membership of AHS International approved the updated bylaws in December 2011, and the complete application package to the IRS was submitted in May 2012.

Stay tuned for future updates as to how this will benefit you and your Society!