Posted on 11/29/2015 6:27:10 AM PST by RKBA Democrat
The IRS recently proposed a rule to weaken the effectiveness of non-profits. Under this proposal, the IRS would give 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, which includes charities, religious groups, and educational foundations, the option to collect the social security numbers of donors giving more than $250 so that they can be sent to the IRS. While optional at the moment, it is obvious that the rule is simply a way for the IRS to transition to mandatory collection of social security numbers. This rule should frighten all Americans because it opens up a whole pandora’s box of security concerns. Additionally, the IRS can use this to further their political agenda, targeting not only conservative non-profits but also individual supporters of these groups.
Non-profit organizations will be more susceptible to hacking attempts to steal their donors’ identities. To combat this hacking risk, non-profits will be forced to expand their cybersecurity, diverting funds away from their core mission. Additionally, heightened privacy risk will scare away concerned donors. Given the pernicious effects this rule would have on non-profit groups, it is no wonder organizations from both sides of the aisle oppose this rule. Notably, the National Council of Nonprofits, which represents more than 25,000 groups throughout the country, has voiced strong opposition against this rule. The group writes that non-profits should “never be asking a donor for her or his Social Security number when soliciting donationsâ€.
The security risk on non-profits is compounded by the IRS’ failures to protect taxpayer information. Just this past year, the IRS compromised the personal information of a whopping 330,000 taxpayers; in spite of being warned at least seven times that it had faulty security.
In addition to the security risk, this rule should frighten for its political implications. Under this new rule, the IRS could target individual taxpayers for their political views, jeopardizing their First Amendment rights. The IRS has already engaged in politically motivated targeting of various conservative groups, causing a massive scandal and subsequent investigation into the IRS. In spite of this, all IRS officials involved in the scandal walked away scot-free.
The IRS’ new rule will jeopardize Americans’ security, harm non-profits, and suppress free speech. Given the horrible track record of IRS mismanagement, it is incredibly foolish to give them access to more taxpayer information. Time and time again, the IRS has proven itself and ineffective and harmful agency. Luckily, the IRS’ new rule is still a proposal and can be defeated before it takes effect, allowing the IRS to harm further the American people.
Our government is our worst enemy. The IRS is at the top of this tyrannical ladder.
The Treasury Department and the IRS are concerned about the potential risk for identity theft involved with donee reporting given that donees will be collecting donors' taxpayer identification numbers and maintaining those numbers for some period of time. The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments on whether additional guidance is necessary regarding the procedures a donee should use in soliciting and maintaining a donor's taxpayer identification number and address to mitigate the risk.
The actual text also states/claims that this proposal is motivated by taxpayers who have complained that getting a "contemporaneous written acknowledgment (CWA) from the donee organization" is inconvenient and that they would rather just reveal their social security numbers so that the need for the CWA can be eliminated.
Like the Clinton Foundation for starters.
“The actual text also states/claims that this proposal is motivated by taxpayers who have complained that getting a “contemporaneous written acknowledgment (CWA) from the donee organization” is inconvenient and that they would rather just reveal their social security numbers so that the need for the CWA can be eliminated.”
I call BS on that one.
Those opposed are a mix of donors who don't want their identities stolen and donees who don't want to be responsible for safeguarding people's social security numbers.
I would pile on. There are also the obvious free association isssues, not to mention the bad position it puts charities into. “Hey, thanks for the contribution, now give me your SSN.”
Yup. Who are these “taxpayers” requesting that? The IRS commissioner? Moochelle?
You probably nailed it, Moochelle or Barry I guess. Most individuals who pay taxes currently use the standard deduction so how much they give to any charity is immaterial to the IRS needing to know how much everyone gives. No, I am not providing my SSN to any third party so the IRS can monitor my activities, it is no business of theirs, period.
This is the major problem of government, once they get involved in anything, they see a need to compile info. Today if you sell a home, they want the SSNs of those buying and selling, I guess, so they can monitor the transaction to see if you pay your taxes. F EM. It is a voluntary system, a system ceases being voluntary when they hold a gun to your head and say give us the info up front.
Saaaay. I think you’re right. This might well be in response to a “petition for rulemaking.” In this case maybe some gang of miscreants put in a request for this with the long term goal of suppressing charitable contributions. Atheists would find that particularly appealing due to the negative repercussions on churches.
Hard to believe but true: sometimes even the bureaucrats aren’t interested in the really stupid proposals. But they need some justification for saying NO.
I agree. Redundancy in the public sector is horrible.
But good luck trying to get rid of it.
Personally, I would impose a quality control and process review on EVERY program, establish measurable goals with actionalable performance measured based on the stated mission of the agency.
I would impose Zero Based budgeting. Every department across the country would have to account for every person, every ream of paper, etc.
I would impose a strict audit system across every agency and every department. The audits would measure the effectiveness of the agency, department, or program against the stated mission when it was created and funded.
In other words, apply the same business standards to the government that are applied to every single business in the world.
I am sure there are plenty of people at the IRS would be happy with the TDY assignment to help out.
ARGH
That’s just it... the IRS wants to do computerized cross-checks of charitable gunning claims without resorting to audits.
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