Policy Update

Religious Organization Launches Educational Campaign

9/19/2006

Source: Independent Sector

Americans United for the Separation of Church yesterday launched a national campaign intended to educate religious organizations about Internal Revenue Service rules prohibiting tax-exempt organizations from engaging in certain political activities leading up to elections. 

Americans United will send letters to 117,000 houses of worship in eight battleground states, and will particularly warn pastors to be wary of voter guides issued by Focus on the Family, the Christian radio ministry that has caught the attention of the IRS.  Focus on the Family insists that its voter guides are nonpartisan and that they comply with IRS regulations.  Source: BNA Daily Tax Report

IRS Requests Documents from CA Church

The Internal Revenue Service is ordering All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, CA to turn over documents relating to its audit of whether the church's former rector made prohibited political statements during the 2004 presidential election season. 

The church, which claims it did not engage in any prohibited activity, has not yet decided whether it will submit the documents.  If it does not, the IRS would have to bring the issue to the courts to determine whether the summons is enforceable.  Source: BNA Daily Tax Report