The IRS recently released an Information Letter, written in response to a congressman’s inquiry about an unidentified charity’s unidentified practices, confirming that Section 501(c)(3) organizations may use the internet to raise funds. The IRS stated that solicitations made through a website or e-mail should comply with the same rules that apply to other solicitations. However,… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Charitable Giving
Subscribe to Charitable Giving RSS FeedThe American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012: Stealth Impact on Charities
Posted in Charitable GivingThe American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (“TRA”) (H.R. 8) passed by the Senate on January 1, 2013, passed by the House of Representatives early on January 2, 2013 and signed by President Obama, in large part addresses income and other tax rates without direct effect on tax-exempt organizations. Several provisions, however, will be of… Continue Reading
IRS Issues Guidance on Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Efforts
Posted in Charitable Giving, IRS Filings, Private FoundationsIn response to the severe damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, the IRS has issued several news releases that provide guidance to charitable organizations, employers, and individuals who want to help victims of Hurricane Sandy. Qualified Disaster Relief Payments The IRS has released IR-2012-84 to alert employers and others to the favorable tax treatment of… Continue Reading
New York Attorney General Issues Best Practices for “Pink Ribbon” and Other Cause Marketing Campaigns
Posted in Charitable Giving, Governance“Cause marketing campaigns,” or “commercial co-ventures” (i.e., advertising campaigns in which a company indicates that the purchase or use of its products will result in a charitable contribution) have long been a popular fundraising tool for charities. Some state charity authorities regulate cause marketing campaigns with a variety of requirements; some states do not regulate… Continue Reading
IRS Finally Confirms that Contributions to Single Member LLCs Owned by Charities Are Deductible
Posted in Charitable Giving, IRS FilingsOn July 31, 2012, the IRS issued Notice 2012-52 (the “Notice”), providing long awaited confirmation that a charitable contribution to a limited liability company that is wholly owned by a charitable organization, and classified as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (an “SMLLC”), will be treated as a contribution to a branch… Continue Reading
Treasury Releases Long-Overdue Report on Supporting Organizations and Donor Advised Funds
Posted in Charitable GivingAlong with making significant changes to the rules for supporting organizations (“SOs”) and donor advised funds (“DAFs”) in the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “PPA”), Congress directed that Treasury conduct a study on the organization and operation of SOs and DAFs. Congress gave Treasury one year after the enactment of the PPA to submit a report on the study. On December 5th, more than four years past the prescribed deadline, Treasury finally released its long-awaited report to Congress.
275,000 Nonprofits Lose Tax-Exempt Status
Posted in Charitable GivingThe IRS announced June 8, 2011 that approximately 275,000 organizations lost their tax-exempt status because they did not file annual returns for three consecutive years. The IRS has published on its website separate lists of affected organizations for each state.
National Taxpayer Advocate Recommends Statute of Limitations on Revocation of Tax-Exempt Status
Posted in Charitable GivingOn the last day of 2010, the National Taxpayer Advocate, in its tenth annual report to Congress, recommended that Congress enact a statute of limitations on revocation of a charity’s tax-exempt status, to run concurrently with the current period of limitation on assessments. That period generally is (absent fraud, tax evasion or non-filing) either three or… Continue Reading
The New Tax Relief Law – What is in it for Charities?
Posted in Charitable GivingOn Friday, December 17, 2010, the President signed into law the unwieldy titled, “Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010”. In order to help explain the provisions in the new law, the Joint Committee on Taxation issued a Technical Explanation. The Tax Relief Act has many provisions which affect charities, such as… Continue Reading
Recaps from Proskauer’s 15th Trick or Treat Tax Exempt Seminar
Posted in Charitable GivingThe Link to Proskauer’s 2010 Trick or Treat Seminar is now available.
Proskauer Rose LLP to host its 15th Annual Trick or Treat Seminar on Friday October 29, 2010
Posted in Charitable GivingThe most successful exempt organizations are those that are well-positioned to run effectively and efficiently. This seminar highlights certain laws and best practices that are necessary for an exempt organization to succeed in this new regulatory landscape. This program will provide Exempt Organizations with information on: Best Practices for Board Members The Effects of Health… Continue Reading
Is the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act on Your Radar Screen?
Posted in Charitable GivingCharities and other exempt organizations that engage in cross-border charitable giving often conduct extensive due diligence before giving funds to international grantees. If these charities are unaware of how the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act can affect their grantmaking and other activities abroad, they should become aware very quickly. In fact, the FCPA is a real risk for U.S. exempt organizations that are operating globally and face pressures to make corrupt payments in order to obtain government support abroad.
Treasury Issues Ramadan Alert
Posted in Charitable GivingOn August 11, 2010, the commencement of the observance of Ramadan, a charity alert was issued by the United States Treasury Department. Treasury acknowledged the importance of charitable giving during the month-long observance and used this opportunity to express concern about possible exploitation of all charities by terrorist organizations. The alert outlines steps for charities and donors to take in order to “guard against terrorist abuse.”
Tweets from the Georgetown “Representing & Managing Tax-Exempt Organizations” Conference (April 22-23, 2010)
Posted in Charitable Giving, Endowments, Governance, Healthcare Organizations, IRS FilingsWe tweeted live from the Georgetown Conference that occurred on April 22-23, 2010. Our tweets highlight IRS next steps and agenda items, as well as discuss other topics of interest to exempt organizations.
IRS Announces Qualified Disaster Treatment for Chile
Posted in Charitable GivingOn March 9, 2010, the IRS issued guidance designating the earthquake that occurred in Chile in February, 2010 as a qualified disaster for federal tax purposes. The guidance allows recipients of qualified disaster relief payments to exclude those payments from income tax. The guidance also allows employer-sponsored private foundations to assist employee victims in areas affected by the earthquake without affecting their tax-exempt status.
President Obama Signs Bill Allowing 2009 Charitable Deductions for 2010 Haiti Donations
Posted in Charitable GivingOn Friday, January 22, 2010, President Obama signed into law a bill allowing taxpayers who made charitable contributions to the Haiti earthquake relief efforts to claim an itemizable deduction on their 2009 Tax Returns instead of waiting until next year to claim the deduction….The IRS also announced on Friday that it has issued guidance designating the Haiti earthquake as a natural disaster for federal tax purposes. The guidance allows recipients of qualified disaster relief payments to exclude those payments from income tax.