Tax ruling boosts churches, charities - National - theage.com.au

Tax ruling boosts churches, charities - National - theage.com.au: "IN A decision anxiously awaited by thousands of churches and charities around Australia, the full bench of the Federal Court has ruled that businesses they run to fund their charities need not pay tax."

LEGISLATUREIt's an emergency: Ban energy drinks

LEGISLATURE
It's an emergency: Ban energy drinks:
"Sen. Peter Mills, R-Cornville, lobbied for his bill to allow charitable and fraternal organizations to get a low-cost license to host cribbage games. Some local groups have stopped hosting the games in the wake of a state crackdown on gaming. 'This is not an emergency, but it's a crisis,' Mills said. Before he could say more, leaders voted 10-0 to allow the bill to be considered when the Legislature reconvenes. 'The cribbage players of the world appreciate you,' Senate President Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport said."

Buffett, Sukup Differ On Estate Tax - Money News Story - KETV Omaha

Buffett, Sukup Differ On Estate Tax - Money News Story - KETV Omaha: "Omahan and Berkshire Hathaway head Warren Buffett urged the Senate Finance Committee not to eliminate the estate tax. Buffett said that the money from the tax should be used to help close the gap between the super-rich and the middle class."

DesMoinesRegister.com-Yes, even ministers need to follow tax law

DesMoinesRegister.com: "So six 'media-based ministries' (a euphemism for televangelists) were likely none too happy when they recently received a letter from him that begins: 'The Finance Committee has a long tradition of reviewing tax-exempt organizations.' Now, it's their turn. The letter asks for everything from details on executive compensation to employment contracts to credit-card statements to a list of the vehicles purchased or leased by televangelists."

Cumberland Times-News - Gaming bill passage not likely

Cumberland Times-News - Gaming bill passage not likely: "The state also would receive the tax revenue generated through gaming. In Allegany and Washington counties, that revenue is currently allocated to education, fire and rescue squads and charitable organizations."

San Jose Mercury News - Elected officials raise millions for charities, other activities

San Jose Mercury News - Elected officials raise millions for charities, other activities: "SACRAMENTO—California's elected state officials have raised more than $11 million in unlimited contributions over the last two years for charities, community groups, inauguration ceremonies and other political activities, according to figures released Tuesday by the state's campaign watchdog. The money frequently has come from corporations, Indian tribes, labor unions and other organizations that lobby at the Capitol. Critics say that raises the possibility of conflicts of interest."

Charity registrations recommended for Hawaii - The Honolulu Advertiser

Charity registrations recommended for Hawaii - The Honolulu Advertiser: "Print this Printable version E-mail this E-mail this story Posted on: Friday, November 2, 2007 Charity registrations recommended for Hawaii By Rob Perez Advertiser Staff Writer
A national expert on accrediting nonprofits says requiring Hawai'i charities to register with the state would be beneficial, giving people another way to evaluate organizations that get financial support from the public. '
Registration is important because it is one more vehicle for nonprofits to come forward in a very transparent way,' said Richard Klarberg, president and chief executive of the New York-based Council on Accreditation. He spoke after a speech he gave at a meeting of the Hawai'i Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations."

Editorial: Don't hang up registry

Editorial: Don't hang up registry: "Editorial: Don't hang up registry By BDN Staff Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - Bangor Daily News When millions of Americans put their phone numbers on the national do-not-call list they likely assumed the dinnertime telephonic interruptions were a thing of the past. They aren’t, and the unwanted calls could start coming again this spring. They shouldn’t. Without congressional action, the list begins to expire on June 1. Fortunately, Maine’s congressional delegation, along with many others, supports making the registry permanent or at least extending its life. This would bring it into line with public expectation."

Should nonprofits chip in? - The Boston Globe

Should nonprofits chip in? - The Boston Globe: "By Erica Noonan, Globe Staff | October 18, 2007 Call it municipal fantasy math. There's hardly an official of almost any suburb who has not cast a longing gaze at the campus of a tony private school or the expansive headquarters of a local social-service agency and wished that nonprofit organizations had to pay local taxes on the properties they own."

Legal moves may provide an amnesty for charities - Times Online

Legal moves may provide an amnesty for charities - Times Online: "t has long been a puzzle why organisations such as Amnesty International, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth cannot become charities. Opinion polls show the public already think they are, but decades-old rules that limit the amount of campaigning charities can do, and place even greater restrictions on political activity, prevent it. However, that could be about to change, enabling dozens of campaigning organisations to win charitable status, along with the valuable tax breaks and fundraising opportunities that come with it"

N.H. poker generates millions - A Concord Monitor Article - Your News Source - Concord NH 03301

N.H. poker generates millions - A Concord Monitor Article - Your News Source - Concord NH 03301: "n a good night, players crowd the poker room at Salem's Rockingham Park, wagering thousands of dollars on Texas Hold 'Em, 7-card Stud and Omaha Hi-Lo. It costs at least $20 for a seat at a table; some games require $250 to buy in. Dozens of tables spread across the space that can hold up to 85.

This is the face of charitable gaming in New Hampshire.

While state lawmakers debate gambling - prompted by an effort to legalize slot machines - an evening at Rockingham Park shows that millions of gambling dollars are already changing hands in New Hampshire."

AG backs LIPA bonuses, but not donations -- Newsday.com

AG backs LIPA bonuses, but not donations -- Newsday.com: "AG backs LIPA bonuses, but not donations BY MARK HARRINGTON 6:25 PM EDT, October 11, 2007
Bonuses are in but charitable contributions unrelated to its energy mission are out at the Long Island Power Authority, following an opinion from state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
Newly named LIPA chief executive Kevin Law requested the legal review earlier this year following reports in Newsday last year about the authority's charitable giving and sponsorships in excess of $1 million, as well as bonuses that lifted total pay packages to more than $300,000 for several executives."

Congressman Proposes "Simple" Measure to Encourage IRA Gifts - Philanthropy.com

Congressman Proposes "Simple" Measure to Encourage IRA Gifts - Philanthropy.com: "Congressman Proposes 'Simple' Measure to Encourage IRA Gifts Rep. Nick Lampson, Democrat of Texas, has taken a new tack in the campaign to persuade Congress to allow people to continue donating money from their individual retirement accounts to charities tax-free. Mr. Lampson last month introduced the Charitable Tax Relief Act of 2007, H.R. 3596, which does just one thing: makes permanent the legislation that allows such donations when people are 70-1/2 or older, which is set to expire at the end of this year."

CITIZEN-TIMES.com: Registration on Do Not Call list should be permanent

CITIZEN-TIMES.com: Registration on Do Not Call list should be permanent: "Registration on Do Not Call list should be permanent published October 2, 2007 12:15 am Comment » e-mail this Print this Congress should pass legislation making registration on the National Do Not Call list permanent. Requiring people to place their number on the list every five years to avoid being bombarded with telemarketing calls causes unnecessary inconvenience for those who don’t want the annoyance and serves no valid purpose."

The NonProfit Times - Praise, Concerns For Draft Of New 990

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "If everyone who has filed public comments on the revised draft federal Form 990 literally gave two cents to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the tax agency might have a few extra dollars. The IRS in August released some 300 pages of public comments received about the draft version that was unveiled in June. The agency accepted public comments until September 14."