b'PawLaw continued from previous page.STEP FOUR: Registering WithThe Florida Department OfRevenue For A Florida TaxExemption. Once the corporation hasbeen granted 501C(3) exemption, youmust apply for the Florida State taxexemption from the Florida Departmentof Revenue. As a 501C(3) and Floridaexempt organization, the FloridaDepartment of Revenue will allow thecorporation to exchange pets for moneyor contributions without the collect-ing or paying of sales tax on such trans-actions. However, be aware that not alltransactions for money are exempt; forinstance, if the corporation runs a thriftstore to finance your rescue, each trans-action must have a sales tax collectedand paid to the Department ofRevenue. STEP FIVE: Register With TheFlorida Department Of AgricultureUnder Florida Solicitation Act. As afederal and state tax exempt Florida Notfor Profit organization, if you intend tosolicit contributions from the public (orseek grants) to finance your organiza-tion, you are required to register withthe Florida Department of Agriculture.The DOA will add your organizationsinformation to its online public list ofcharities allowing consumers (and grantmanagers) to evaluate your financialstrength before donating money to you.Your organization is soliciting if youhave TV and radio ads, fund raisingevents, or mailings, to name some formsof solicitation. UDionne Blaesing, Esq., handles civil andadministrative disputes involving pets, barnanimals, livestock and wildlife. She has abackground in veterinary medicine. She maybe reached at 727.992.9114.68THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'