Building Nonprofit Advocacy Capacity

Feb 8, 2016

Top 400 Taxpayers See Tax Rates Rise, But There’s More to the Story

As Americans were gathering party supplies to greet the New Year, the Internal Revenue Service released their annual report of cumulative tax data reported on the 400 tax r...

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Feb 4, 2016

Chlorine Bleach Plants Needlessly Endanger 63 Million Americans

Chlorine bleach plants across the U.S. put millions of Americans in danger of a chlorine gas release, a substance so toxic it has been used as a chemical weapon. Greenpeace’s new repo...

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Jan 25, 2016

U.S. Industrial Facilities Reported Fewer Toxic Releases in 2014

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data for 2014 is now available. The good news: total toxic releases by reporting facilities decreased by nearly six percent from 2013 levels. Howe...

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Jan 22, 2016

Methane Causes Climate Change. Here's How the President Plans to Cut Emissions by 40-45 Percent.

UPDATE (Jan. 22, 2016): Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its proposed rule to reduce methane emissions...

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Baucus Does Not Plan to Focus on Charitable Abuses

Aug 15, 2007 by Amanda Adams*

During a conference on rural philanthropy in his home state, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) commented that cracking down on charitable abuses or imposing new regulations on nonprofit groups such as hospitals are not among his main concerns. According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy ($$) he said; "That's not at the top of my list." This may be surprising considering the report that his staff released last year with broad legislative recommendations for the nonprofit sector. During the conference last week Baucus urged foundations to double their grants to rural areas within five years.

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IRS Proposes to Increase Disclosure Of Rulings on Tax-Exempt Status

Aug 15, 2007 by Amanda Adams*

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has proposed rules that would make more documents relating to tax-exempt organizations publicly available, including rulings that deny or revoke an organization's exempt status. "IRS said the rules affect organizations with exemptions under Sections 501(a) or 527, as well as groups that have been denied an exemption or have had their tax-free treatment revoked." To read the proposed rulemaking, click here.

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A Community Organizing Video Game

Aug 8, 2007 by Amanda Adams*

Do you or your organization need help in training community organizers, or in particular, advice on the fundamentals of door knocking? At www.organizinggame.org, you will find resources that support face-to-face training for residents and community leaders. This interactive game (the "Organizing Game") innovatively teaches skills of door knocking, one of the most essential strategies for local community organizations.

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Conflicting Stories on the Nonprofit Sector

Jul 25, 2007 by Amanda Adams*

Yesterday the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, led by Chairman John Lewis (D-GA), held a hearing on tax-exempt charitable organizations. Chairman Lewis set the overall tone with his opening statement praising the work of nonprofits. "These organizations play such an important role in our country. Charities and foundations make up the very fabric of our communities. They know the deepest human needs of our friends and neighbors and they know the solutions that work." All other committee members emphasized their appreciation for the nonprofit sector as well.

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FYI: Tax Law Restrictions on Activities of Common Exempt Organizations

Jul 25, 2007 by Amanda Adams*

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has published a chart outlining seven federal tax law characteristics of 501(c)(3),501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), 501(c)(6) and 527 organizations. The chart indicates whether such organizations may receive tax-deductible contributions, contributions or fees deductible as a business expense, engage in legislative advocacy, engage in candidate election advocacy, or engage in public advocacy not related to legislation or election of candidates.

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Hearing on 501(c)(3) Organizations Announced

Jul 11, 2007 by Amanda Adams*

The House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee has announced a July 24 hearing covering an overview of tax-exempt organizations, specifically 501(c)(3) charities and foundations. Most likely witnesses representing the nonprofit sector (from the Council on Foundations and Independent Sector) will urge Congress to extend several tax breaks for donors and put forward their opinion on information that charities must disclose to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

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IRS Phone Forum on Form 990 Changes

Jul 3, 2007 by Amanda Adams*

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be hosting two 60 minute phone forums on the redesigned Form 990. The forum will include a presentation of the changes and the reasons for each change. Comments and questions on the new form will be requested from participants and some will be answered during the session. The session on July 18, 2007, is scheduled for 10:00-11:00 a.m. and the session on July 19, 2007 is scheduled for 1:00-2:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Savings Time). For more information and to register, click here.

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IRS Introduces Online Tool to Help Tax-Exempt Organizations

Jun 28, 2007 by Amanda Adams*

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released four new "Life Cycles," online tools to help nonprofits with tax rules and requirements. Click here for the public charity Life Cycle page.

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Edwards Defends Nonprofit

Jun 27, 2007 by Amanda Adams*

Last week the use of presidential candidate John Edwards' tax-exempt organization to finance campaign expenses was highlighted in a New York Times article.

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Draft IRS Form 990 Aims for Greater Transparency

Jun 15, 2007 by Amanda Adams*

The New York Times reports on some of the initial reactions to the 990 changes. According to IRS Exempt Organizations Director Lois Lerner, the redesign of Form 990 is "the biggest thing the exempt organizations division at IRS has done in the last quarter century." The form has not been overhauled since 1979. Lerner said the new draft will be easier for most charities to fill out and provide more information. However, some may be doubtful, and expect the lengthened draft to be criticized as being burdensome.

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