Friday, February 28, 2014

Democrats call for cap on political activities of ‘social welfare’ groups

Democrats call for cap on political activities of ‘social welfare’ groups: A dozen Democratic senators on Thursday proposed a new limit on how much political activity is allowed for the nonprofit advocacy groups that have become increasingly powerful in recent elections, asking to cap the amount at 5 to 15 percent of the organizations’ efforts.

House Tax Plan Would Penalize Nonprofits That Pay High Salaries - Tax Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

House Tax Plan Would Penalize Nonprofits That Pay High Salaries - Tax Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: The plan, announced Wednesday by the head of the House Ways and Means Committee, would levy a 25-percent surtax on nonprofits that paid $1-million or more to employees. Large private-college endowments would face an ex

CRA “Non-Profit Organization Risk Identification Project Report” released

CRA “Non-Profit Organization Risk Identification Project Report” released

The CRA has just released its Non-Profit Organization Risk
Identification Project Report.  The relatively short report makes for
interesting reading.  It deals with the 80,000 or so non-profits that
are not registered charities.  This will have an impact on groups
involved with amateur athletics, business associations, social clubs
etc.  The report discusses the requirements for these type of entities
and how there is some minor and also serious non-compliance with those
current requirements.  The 2014 Federal Budget had promised a review of
these type of non-profits and the release of this report is one piece of
that discussion.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Extend the Charitable Deduction to Every American - Opinion - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Extend the Charitable Deduction to Every American - Opinion - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Extend the Charitable Deduction to Every American

By Thomas Peters

Much of organized philanthropy accepts the idea that the federal tax code’s charitable deduction is both a valuable motivator and an appropriate acknowledgment of charitable giving in America. Not surprisingly, whenever the idea is floated to change or abolish this current IRS provision, many philanthropic leaders quickly engage to block such a move.

California to Crack Down on Anonymous Nonprofit Political Donations - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

California to Crack Down on Anonymous Nonprofit Political Donations - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: bill requiring greater transparency from electioneering nonprofits has passed the California Senate and could be on its way to Gov. Jerry Brown for signature, reports the Sacramento Bee.

The bill is a result of the fact that out-of-state nonprofit groups spent $11 million on the 2012 election cycle, which eventually earned them a $1 million California Fair Political Practices Commission fine. Legislators have reacted by trying to tighten the campaign spending rules since then.

Monday, February 24, 2014

New Canadian Budget Supports Online Charity Registration, Modernization of Lotteries - Press - AFP

New Canadian Budget Supports Online Charity Registration, Modernization of Lotteries - Press - AFP: New Canadian Budget Supports Online Charity Registration, Modernization of Lotteries

Budget 2014, introduced yesterday, includes a number of measures impacting Canada’s charities. It is worth noting that despite rhetoric to the contrary prior to the budget’s release, there were no specific measures targeting the political activities of Canadian charities. There is, however, a provision creating a new revocation offence for accepting donations from state supporters of terrorism.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Email Message

Email Message: Protect the Voice of the Nonprofit Sector: Submit Comments on the Proposed IRS 501(c)(4) Regulations

Deadline: Wednesday, February 26


Dear Colleague,

As you may know, the IRS issued proposed regulations that put forth guidance for tax-exempt organizations on political activity and opened a public comment period that closes on February 27, 2014.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Kansas YMCAs Decry State Bill to Impose Property Taxes – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Kansas YMCAs Decry State Bill to Impose Property Taxes – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: The heads of YMCA organizations in Kansas testified at a state House hearing Tuesday that legislation to withdraw their exemption from property taxes would significantly curtail their services or potentially shut them down, the Topeka Capital-Journal writes.

GOP Senators Push Bill to Delay New IRS Rule on 501(c)(4)s – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

GOP Senators Push Bill to Delay New IRS Rule on 501(c)(4)s – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: enate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has signed on to legislation introduced by Republican colleagues to push back implementation of Internal Revenue Service restrictions on political activity by “social welfare” nonprofits, reports Politico.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Were New Proposed IRS Nonprofit Regulations Prepared in Secret? - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Were New Proposed IRS Nonprofit Regulations Prepared in Secret? - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: U.S. House Ways and Means Chair Dave Camp (R-MI) sent an official letter to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen requesting copies of all documents pertaining to the proposed changes in regulations affecting 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations. In the letter, the IRS Commissioner has until February 13 to reply to the request and provide the documents.

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

Nevada Now Regulating Nonprofits - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Nevada Now Regulating Nonprofits - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: As of January 1st, Nevada now requires nonprofits to register with the secretary of state before soliciting tax-deductible charitable contributions within the state. Previously, Nevada had no charitable solicitation registration laws. Under the new law, a registering nonprofit must file its paperwork with the secretary of state to be listed on a registry at the time it files its articles of incorporation or annual list of officers and directo

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

Florida Tightening Charity Rules | The NonProfit Times

Florida Tightening Charity Rules | The NonProfit Times: Lawmakers in Florida have proposed an overhaul of the state’s charity regulations. Senate bill 638 (S.B. 638) suggests stricter hiring requirements for nonprofits and their solicitors, financial statement submissions, increased penalties for fraud and a database of Florida charities. The House of Representatives version is H.B. 629.