Larisa Alexandrovna: Exclusive: Anti-abortion group may have violated tax code

[babylonsister]

http://www.atlargely.com/atlargely/2009/09/-exclusive-antiabortion-group-may-have-violated-tax-code.html

Exclusive: Anti-abortion group may have violated tax code

My latest:

Exclusive: Anti-abortion group may have violated tax code

By Larisa Alexandrovna and Muriel Kane

‘Obama to elderly: die,’ nonprofit says

A tax-exempt Catholic pro-life group’s lobbying against President Barack Obama’s health care reform legislation may be in violation of its 501(c)(3) status.

The American Life League (ALL) is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization which claims to be the “largest grassroots Catholic pro-life education organization in the United States.” During a Sept. 12, 2009 rally in Washington, D.C. sponsored by right-wing lobbyists, the health-care industry and other partisan groups, numerous protesters carried a sign which said “Bury Obamacare with Kennedy.” The ALL logo can be plainly seen at the bottom right-hand corner of the sign.

ALL as an anti-abortion lobbying group

As a 501(c)(3) educational organization, ALL is prohibited from direct involvement in political campaigns and is sharply limited in the extent to which it can lobby for or against legislation. According to the IRS:

In general, no organization may qualify for section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). A 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status.

The American Life League acknowledges the prohibition against political activity on its website but describes it only in terms of direct support of or opposition to political candidates.

“American Life League is a tax-exempt organization under IRC 501(c )(3) federal law 26USC 501(c)(3),” the group says on their website. “As such, we are absolutely prohibited from engaging in ‘political activity.’ Violation of the laws and associated regulations can result in fines and loss of tax-exempt status. In general, ‘political activity’ is defined as participating in, or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office. This definition includes the publication or distribution of statements.”

More here:

http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/09/15/exclusive-anti-abortion-group-may-have-broken-irs-rules/

[Warpy]

1. Interesting

I'd wondered which total fucking dirtbags had been handing out those disgusting signs.

It figures it's one of those holier than thou antiabortion groups.

[babylonsister]

3. If they want to get political, they shouldn't be tax exempt, period.

I hope someone has the cojones to strip them of that status.

[baldguy]

2. Taxes be the DEBILs werk!

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. I have often wondered how the LDS got away with Prop-8

And about that "pastor" in Arizona who is "praying" for the President's death.

How are they able to keep their tax-exempt status??