IRS Warns Churches to Avoid Campaigning

[4bucksagallon]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CA_IRS_CHURCHES?SITE=7219&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-07-18-07-36-43

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Internal Revenue Service has been warning churches and nonprofit organizations that improper campaigning in the upcoming political season could endanger their tax-exempt status.

Sorry did not know you had to have info, what you can't open a link? This is from the SLUDGE REPORT.

[msongs]

1. nothing here but a link. how bout some information? nt

[pepperbear]

2. WOW! the IRS does its job!....

and welcome to DU!

:toast:

[iamjoy]

3. I Smell Conservative Bias

With all the evangelicals mobilizing their flock to vote Republican, the one specific example of a violation this article gives is a minister being anti-Bush.

[Ian David]

4. Could you at least post SOME of the article please? n/t

[welshTerrier2]

5. if you want to learn the law, read my journal

here's the link: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/welshTerrier2/18

it explains the law very clearly about what tax exempt organizations can and cannot do ...

[napi21]

7. That's a terrific explaination! Thank you!!!! It sounds to me like

the majority of the fundie Churches were all guilty and should loose their TE status!

I can only HOPE that this letter got to the right people at these orgs, and they will suffer the consequences if they choose to ignore the law!

[napi21]

6. I'd LOVE to see a list of the DO NOT DO'S for these orgs.

I know I am a volunteer for a dog rescue charity, and all of us are constantly being reminded of the things we CANNOT DO! If I foster a dog, I have the final OK on approving the people who want to adopt it. Most of my fosters come from puppymills, and are very shy and need special gentleness for several years. I don't want any of them to go to a home with children under 10. The leaders of our charity agree, but they said YOU CANNOT SAY THAT! That's discrimination and we could loose our tax exempt status!

Obviously, political iscussions never come up at a dog rescue, so I don't really know specifically what is permitted and what is not!

It seems to me that voter guides, and preaching against a specific candidate like the Catholics did against Kerry (yes I'm Catholic too) would be AGAINST the rules.