Judge overturns IRS rule that shielded political donors' identities

[Zorro]

A federal judge in Montana overturned an Internal Revenue Service rule that allowed many political nonprofit groups to keep their donor lists private.

The ruling upends a change the IRS made last year that permitted so-called Section 501(c)4 groups, known as “social welfare” organizations, to keep their donor lists private. A federal judge said the IRS didn’t follow proper procedure in writing the rule and needs to let the public weigh in on the change before altering the tax code.

“Then, and only then, may the IRS act on a fully informed basis when making potentially significant changes to federal tax law,” U.S. District Judge Brian Morris said in the opinion Tuesday evening.

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, who is also a Democratic presidential candidate, sued the IRS, saying the change to what groups must report to the IRS limited information states received about political donors. The IRS rule required the groups to disclose their donors only if an auditor requested to see it.

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-07-31/judge-overturns-irs-rule-shielded-political-donors-identities

[lark]

1. Good for the judge - ruling based on the law and not rw poliitics wish list.

Bet she/he wasn't appointed by drumpf.

[bsiebs]

6. He was appointed by Obama...

[ancianita]

2. It now reveals not just foreign donors, but domestic billionionaire govt hostage takers, the Kochs.

Like Joe would say, this is a Big F'g Deal.

This can change a LOT now.

[Princetonian]

3. One step towards tempering Citizens United.

Moscow Mitch will need a shot of vodka when he hears about this.

[rurallib]

4. I suppose that there will be an immediate appeal

and a stay on that, but this gives me some hope.

[FakeNoose]

5. Wow! BIG rec and thank you Governor Bullock!