Posted on 09/15/2003 1:10:48 PM PDT by webber
But Congressman Bob Beauprez (R-CO) recently discovered the irony and has introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to close a loophole in current law and suspend the tax-exempt status of terrorist organizations.
"Fighting the War on Terror means fighting on all fronts," Beauprez said. "This bill adds an arrow to our quiver and stops foreign terrorists from taking advantage of American charities."
As introduced, the "Terrorist Tax Exemption Suspension Act of 2003" (HR 3002) would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to suspend the tax-exempt status of "designated foreign terrorist groups". Designated foreign terrorist groups are those identified either through the Immigration and Nationality Act or by executive order.
Currently, the Internal Revenue Service revokes an organization's tax-exempt status only after it has conducted an examination of the organization, issued a letter proposing revocation to the organization and allowed the organization to exhaust the administrative appeal process. If the organization is designated 501(c)(3), then the revocation is immediately subject to judicial review under section 7428.
Since the Federal government investigates organizations before putting them on the terrorist list, a separate IRS examination is redundant.
Under the bill, tax-exempt status would be suspended from the day a group is identified until its designation is rescinded. If it turns out that an organization has been erroneously labeled as a terrorist organization, then the organization will be issued a refund with interest.
ACTION ITEM: Once again, we need to see common sense prevail on Capitol Hill... but all too often, that means our Congressmen need to hear from a LOT of us before they take action. There are currently NO co-sponsors on this bill, and it's stuck in House Ways & Means committee!
Go to our site below to send a FREE editable, pre-written message to your Representative, asking him or her to support HR 3002, the "Terrorist Tax Exemption Suspension Act of 2003":
Message to Congress
NOTE: Be sure to forward this to everyone you know who wants to help force some common sense legislation through, and end the tax-exempt status for terrorist "charities".
Thank you!
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