Monthly Archives: December 2009

IRS Lists Organizations Now Classified as Private Foundations

By A. Nicole Campbell on December 30, 2009 Posted in IRS Filings

In Announcement 2009-88, set to be published in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2009-52, dated December 28, 2009, the IRS lists organizations that have failed to establish or have been unable to maintain their status as public charities or as private operating foundations. Continue reading for the full text of the Annoucement. … Continue Reading

Independent ACORN Report Says Lax Governance, Rapid Growth Set Stage For Video Controversy

By Scott Harshbarger and Amy Crafts on December 29, 2009 Posted in Governance

In September, 2009, Proskauer, by way of Scott Harshbarger, was retained by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now ("ACORN") to conduct an independent analysis of the videos that caused this summer's uproar as well as the organization as a whole, including its core weaknesses and inherent strengths. The serious management challenges detailed in our report are the fault of ACORN's founder and a cadre of leaders who, in their drive for growth, failed to commit the organization to the basic, appropriate standards of governance and accountability. As a result, ACORN not only fell short of living its principles but also left itself vulnerable to public embarrassment. … Continue Reading

Parsonage: Are Clerics Employees or Self-Employed?

By Jacob I. Friedman on December 4, 2009 Posted in Articles, IRS Filings, Religious Organizations

Parsonage is a seemingly innocuous five line tax benefit in the Code. This “innocent” provision of the Code, Section 107, appears to have befuddled many ministers and their professional advisors, however. About 90 years ago, Congress promulgated an exclusion from income for the rental value of the housing provided to a “minister of the gospel,” … Continue Reading