Thursday, May 31, 2012

Kansas Nonprofits Told to Sit Down and Shut Up - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.

Kansas Nonprofits Told to Sit Down and Shut Up - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.: There is important and distressing news for nonprofits coming from the state of Kansas, where Republican Gov. Sam Brownback has been implementing a string of policies that have been less than kind to the nonprofit sector. The latest from the Brownback administration is possibly the most significant and deleterious of the state’s cascading laws and regulations adversely affecting nonprofits: the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) has generated new boilerplate language for its contracts with service providers aimed at bolstering restrictions on state contractors using government funding for legislative lobbying. However, the language is much broader than that, and so vague as to put a muzzle over the free speech rights of nonprofits that are simply trying to advocate and educate for the sake of their constituents.

Government u-turns on charity tax relief cap - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Government u-turns on charity tax relief cap - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The government has buckled to pressure from the charity sector and dropped its plans to limit tax relief on charitable giving announced in March’s Budget.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

New Jersey Launches Charity Lookup Mobile App - TheNonProfitTimes

New Jersey Launches Charity Lookup Mobile App - TheNonProfitTimes: New Jersey has become at least the second state to offer a mobile phone application that provides financial information about charities.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Internal Revenue Service Webinar Registration Page

Internal Revenue Service Webinar Registration Page: IRS Presenters:

Steven Grodnitzky, Tax Attorney, Manager, IRS Exempt Organizations Office

Emily Mangrum, Tax Law Specialist, IRS Exempt Organizations Office
When disasters strike new charities spring up to help the victims, and existing charities want to expand their activities to provide disaster relief. But often, these organizations don’t understand the complexities of starting and operating an organization to provide disaster relief.

Trustees 'should be free to seek total return investments without approval' - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Trustees 'should be free to seek total return investments without approval' - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The Charity Law Association has recommended trustees are given the legal freedom to invest on a total return basis without seeking prior Charity Commission approval, in its submission to the Charities Act Review.

In an 83-page 'first draft' submission to Lord Hodgson, who is carrying out the review, the CLA outlined measures it believes would help promote social investment, which also include enshrining parts of the Charity Commission's CC14 guidance in law.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

AFP Offers Tax Incentive Recommendations to Finance Committee - Press - AFP

AFP Offers Tax Incentive Recommendations to Finance Committee - Press - AFP: On May 3, 2012, Andrea McManus, CFRE, chair of AFP, testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance during its hearing on tax incentives for charitable donations.

During her testimony, McManus offered the committee two recommendations:

Proposed accounting rules are contrary to charity law, conference told | Third Sector

Proposed accounting rules are contrary to charity law, conference told | Third Sector: Proposed accounting rules for charities put forward by the Accounting Standards Board are contrary to charity law, the Charity Finance Group conference heard yesterday.

Pesh Framjee, head of not-for-profit at Crowe Clark Whitehill, told the conference the ASB had outlined draft rules in a consultation that closed at the end of last month.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Nonprofit Sector’s Big (Often Feared) Question Briefly Arises at House Hearing - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.

Nonprofit Sector’s Big (Often Feared) Question Briefly Arises at House Hearing - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.: Was there anything important, exciting, worthwhile, or newsworthy at the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee hearing on nonprofits on Wednesday? For maybe five minutes of the morning’s hearing, due to typically pointed and knowledgeable questions from Los Angeles Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), a humdrum discussion turned electric, though only for those who caught the subtext of the issue Becerra was raising and the implications of the responses of Roger Colvineaux, an associate professor of law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Political Nonprofits Must Reveal Donors, Court Says - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Political Nonprofits Must Reveal Donors, Court Says - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Political Nonprofits Must Reveal Donors, Court Says

May 16, 2012, 10:44 am

A U.S. Court of Appeals panel has declined to block a lower-court ruling ordering nonprofit advocacy groups that engage in campaign advertising to reveal their contributors, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

IRS Urged to Reduce Paperwork Burden on Charities - Tax Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

IRS Urged to Reduce Paperwork Burden on Charities - Tax Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: The wide-ranging hearing, the first in a series of sessions expected to be held by a Ways and Means subcommittee that oversees the Internal Revenue Service, also featured a call to change the standards for getting charity status so that groups would have to prove they are making a positive contribution, rather than giving them an exemption simply because they avoid things like lobbying and engaging in untaxed business activities.

And the head of a prominent coalition of charities issued a plea for the renewal of tax breaks that encourage charitable giving.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

L3C Proponents Eager for Proposed New Program Related Investments Regulations - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.

L3C Proponents Eager for Proposed New Program Related Investments Regulations - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.: The Internal Revenue Service has just released proposed regulations that aim to clarify the rules for program related investments (PRIs). The proposed regulations would tell foundations what kinds of PRIs might be characterized as a “jeopardizing investment” that could results in excise taxes on both the foundation and the foundation managers involved.

The tax cap is in danger of deterring innovative philanthropists | Voluntary Sector Network | guardian.co.uk

The tax cap is in danger of deterring innovative philanthropists | Voluntary Sector Network | guardian.co.uk: The tax cap is in danger of deterring innovative philanthropists

The are many examples of philanthropists undertaking high-risk, privately funded programmes that catalyse great social benefit

Enshrine social investment in charity law, says BWB - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Enshrine social investment in charity law, says BWB - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Charity law should clarify that it is a charitable purpose to measure social impact, and also provide a statutory power of social investment, say lawyers Bates Wells and Braithwaite in a submission to the Charities Act Review.

In a special submission to Lord Hodgson’s Charities Act Review focusing on social investment, BWB recommends a series of reforms it believes can strengthen the social investment market.

Tory rhetoric creates chilly climate for free speech - The Globe and Mail

Tory rhetoric creates chilly climate for free speech - The Globe and Mail: The Canadian government’s campaign of intimidation of environmental charities has begun to create a chill among charities who wish to participate in public-policy debates, according to a respected national representative of charities known as Imagine Canada.

Monday, May 14, 2012

MPs told to consider accountability of charities | Canada | News | Toronto Sun

MPs told to consider accountability of charities | Canada | News | Toronto Sun: OTTAWA - The federal government recently warned it will keep a closer eye on political activities and foreign funding in the charitable sector.

Now, MPs on the Commons finance committee are looking at ways of boosting charitable giving in Canada are hearing that improved overall accountability may help do the trick.

One advocate who testified for greater accountability at committee is Kate Bahen, managing director of Charity Intelligence Canada, a website that ranks Canada's top 100 charities - which receive over a third of all donations - based on transparency and accountability.

House Oversight Hearings on Nonprofits: What to Expect? - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.

House Oversight Hearings on Nonprofits: What to Expect? - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.: The House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee has announced plans to hold a series of hearings on the tax-exempt sector and IRS oversight of tax-exempt activities, the first to be held this week on May 16th. Leading the hearings will be Rep. Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (R-La.), who is chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight. We’re been waiting for days to see a list of witnesses, but it seems Boustany hasn’t publicly revealed who will and won’t be invited to sit at the table yet.

Tax-Exempt Organization Deadline Nears - Forbes

Tax-Exempt Organization Deadline Nears - Forbes: It’s important to remember that loss of tax-exempt status can spell disaster for some organizations: not only does it mean that the organization must file income tax returns and pay tax but perhaps more importantly, it means that donors cannot take tax deductions for contributions. The ability to claim a deduction is often the motivation for individuals to make a charitable donation; without it, many potential donors may go elsewhere (or not give at all). That means it’s crucial to stay compliant.

For most tax-exempt organizations, the key date is May 15. That’s the filing deadline this year for calendar year tax-exempt organizations (otherwise, it’s the 15th day of the fifth month following the close of the tax year).

Friday, May 11, 2012

Nonprofits applaud AG’s call for new partnership | Westfair Online

Nonprofits applaud AG’s call for new partnership | Westfair Online: New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman last week called for a new partnership between government and the nonprofit sector and pledged to work with lawmakers to tackle the inefficiencies that he said plague the state’s nonprofit regulations.
Schneiderman spoke at the 10th annual Not-For-Profit Leadership Summit on May 7 in Tarrytown, where earlier that day executives of several prominent local nonprofits launched the Nonprofit Association of Westchester, a coalition aimed at unifying the county’s 5,700 such organizations as they seek regulatory relief.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Congressional Hearing to Examine Nonprofit Tax Issues - Government & Politics Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Congressional Hearing to Examine Nonprofit Tax Issues - Government & Politics Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Congressional Hearing to Examine Nonprofit Tax Issues

May 9, 2012, 9:55 pm

By Suzanne Perry

A Congressional hearing has been scheduled next week to examine various tax issues affecting nonprofits, including Internal Revenue Service oversight of universities and nonprofit hospitals.

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Schneiderman Unveiling “Nonprofit Revitalization Act” | Albany Watch

Schneiderman Unveiling “Nonprofit Revitalization Act” | Albany Watch: Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is announcing the Nonprofit Revitalization Act today during a speech in Tarrytown.

He’s giving the keynote address at a non-for-profit leadership summit hosted by the United Way of Westchester and Putnam.

Westchester Nonprofit Groups Seek Less Red Tape | The Daily North Salem

Westchester Nonprofit Groups Seek Less Red Tape | The Daily North Salem: Wayne and more than 700 other professionals gathered Monday at the DoubleTree Hotel in Tarrytown to discuss ways to reform and revitalize the nonprofit sector at the Not-For-Profit Leadership Summit X.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman gave the keynote speech, detailing many reform initiatives developed by nonprofit leaders and urging legislators to update arcane regulations.

Hurd expects tax cap resolution, but backs Treasury principle - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Hurd expects tax cap resolution, but backs Treasury principle - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Nick Hurd is confident that the Treasury will come to a reconciliation with charities over the tax relief cap issue, but has backed the fundamental aim of the cap, to limit tax avoidance.

Monday, May 07, 2012

Tax Extenders | Independent Sector

Tax Extenders | Independent Sector: LATEST NEWS

Ways and Means Subcommittee holds hearing on tax extenders
On April 26 the House Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee held a hearing on the expiring and expired tax extenders. Testimony was limited to House members who had introduced or co-sponsored legislation related to the tax provisions during the 112th Congress. Several House members testified in favor of the charitable tax extenders, including Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA), sponsor of legislation (H.R. 2502) to expand and make permanent the IRA charitable rollover, who said that “maintaining incentives for charitable giving is especially important in tough economic times.” Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) said the hearing begins the process of reviewing the merits of the provisions, but noted that passing a tax extenders package is unlikely before the November elections.

Read the IS statement and learn more about how to submit a statement or comments for the record. Statements will be accepted through May 10, 2012.

Friday, May 04, 2012

IRS Reviews Tax-Exempt Status Revocations

IRS Reviews Tax-Exempt Status Revocations: IRS Reviews Tax-Exempt Status Revocations
by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington
04 May 2012

Following a request from the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) reviewed its Exempt Organizations function’s implementation of the provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 related to the automatic revocation of an organization’s tax-exempt status.

Thursday, May 03, 2012

IRS May Have Missed 15,000 Organizations That Lost Their Tax-Exempt Status

IRS May Have Missed 15,000 Organizations That Lost Their Tax-Exempt Status: The Internal Revenue Service identified 279,500 tax-exempt organizations that did not file a return or notice for three consecutive years, but it potentially did not identify more than 15,000 organizations that failed to file for three consecutive years, according to a new government report. Due to a programming error the IRS did not notify them that their tax-exempt status had been automatically revoked.

Gambling to benefit charity may reach all Ohio counties - Toledo Blade

Gambling to benefit charity may reach all Ohio counties - Toledo Blade: COLUMBUS — The menu of gambling options could be expanded again under proposed legislation to allow the creation of a government-sanctioned poker room in the name of charity in each of Ohio's 88 counties.

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Government will not move on tax relief cap until consultation is completed | Third Sector

Government will not move on tax relief cap until consultation is completed | Third Sector: Sector representatives met Treasury ministers in what Acevo deputy chief executive Peter Kyle calls a sometimes 'heated' meeting

The government will not make any changes to the proposal to introduce a cap on tax relief for charitable giving before a consultation on the measure has concluded, charity leaders have been told.