IRS Warns Churches to Avoid Campaigning

AP ^ | 7/18/06

[Mr. Brightside]

Today: July 18, 2006 at 6:30:28 PDT

IRS Warns Churches to Avoid Campaigning

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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.

In notices to more than 15,000 tax-exempt organizations, numerous church denominations and tax preparers, the agency has detailed its new enforcement program, called the Political Activity Compliance Initiative, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

Under the initiative, the IRS plans to expedite investigations into claims of improper campaigning, no longer waiting for an annual tax return to be filed or the tax year to end before launching a probe. A three-member committee will make an initial review of complaints and then vote on whether to pursue the investigation in detail.

"While the vast majority of charities and churches do not engage in politicking, an increasing number did take part in prohibited activities in the 2004 election cycle," IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson said in a statement. "The rule against political campaign intervention by charities and churches is long established. We are stepping up our efforts to enforce it."

Since 2004, the IRS has investigated more than 200 organizations, including All Saints Church in Pasadena.

Two days before the 2004 presidential election, the Rev. George F. Regas, the church's former rector, delivered a guest sermon that pictured Jesus in a debate with George W. Bush and John Kerry. Although Regas didn't endorse a candidate, he said Jesus would have told Bush that his pre-emptive war policy "has led to disaster."

The church drew national attention when the Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints, disclosed the IRS investigation and later said the agency believed the church had violated federal tax code barring tax-exempt organizations from intervening in political campaigns and elections.

Church leaders have not heard from the IRS since October, when the agency said the investigation was being taken to a higher level, according to Regas. The IRS has not confirmed whether the investigation is still ongoing.

Of the 62 organizations determined by the IRS to be in violation, three lost their nonprofit status and 59 received warning letters. The three who lost their status were not churches, and some of those warned were ordered to pay an excise tax.

Federal law prohibits the IRS from releasing the names of those under investigation, but the agency said it has more than 100 cases pending and 40 of them are churches.

This month, OMB Watch, a Washington-based nonprofit government watchdog group, issued a report criticizing the IRS enforcement program and said the program could prompt retaliatory and harassment complaints unless the agency develops clear guidelines.

"I don't think this is a case of bad faith," said Kay Guinane, author of the report. "I just think it's a poorly structured program."

--

[Almondjoy]

If that was the tax code.. you have a right to an entitlement based on a rule.

It's clear you have an under appeciation for laws in this country. Do plan on murdering and saying "I don't like the law." Too?

[Almondjoy]

I would say yes.

[OneWingedShark]

Sounds like a good sermon. I wonder, could I get my hands on a copy?

[OneWingedShark]

Wished-for follow-up story:
"Churches Warn IRS to Avoid Preaching"

LOL - Nice, very witty retort.

[OneWingedShark]

I'm reminded of what Jesus said... "Pray for them that despitefully use you."

[Redleg Duke]

Unless of course they are black churches campaigning, getting out the illegal vote for Socialists.

[Taxman]

And, in the meantime, actively seek their retirement!

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!

[Steve Van Doorn]

"Nor does the Church succeed in its claim that the IRS has violated its First Amendment free speech rights by engaging in viewpoint discrimination. The restrictions imposed by section 501(c)(3) are viewpoint neutral; they prohibit intervention in favor of all candidates for public office by all taxexempt organizations, regardless of candidate, party, or viewpoint. Cf. Regan, 461 U.S. at 550-51 (upholding denial of tax deduction for lobbying activities, in spite of allowance of such deduction for veteran's groups)."

this doesn't make any sense. How can the court say that the rule didn't violate the freedom of speech when they are pointing to the rule that clearly is violating the freedom of speech?

That was the whole point of the freedom of speech clause that government can not make laws (rules) against the freedom of speech.

The lawyer was an idiot for letting that slide.

[Paulus Invictus]

OK, I do try to follow the money, but I have never seen any coming from the Church for any political candidate, ever. So...what are you implying?

The authorities don't allow any political statements or fund raisers in any Church building and strictly make sure that those kinds of activities or speeches do not occur as it does in the black churches when blantant political speeches are made by RAT pols like Clinton, Jackson etc and money is raised for their campaigns.