Policy Update
IRS Highlights Misuse of Charitable Organizations and Deductions in "Dirty Dozen" Tax Scams for 2007, More
2/21/2007
Source: Independent Sector
IRS Highlights Misuse of Charitable Organizations and Deductions in “Dirty Dozen” Tax Scams for 2007
The Internal Revenue Service released its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams yesterday, identifying 12 of the “most blatant scams affecting American taxpayers.” Of the top 12 scams, the IRS once again identified abuses of charitable organizations and deductions, writing: “The IRS continues to observe the use of tax-exempt organizations to improperly shield income or assets from taxation.
This can occur when a taxpayer moves assets or income to a tax-exempt supporting organization or donor-advised fund but maintains control over the assets or income. Contributions of non-cash assets continue to be an area of abuse, especially with regard to overvaluation of contributed property.
In addition, the IRS is noticing the return of private tuition payments being disguised as charitable contributions to religious organizations.” Source: IRS Newswire and Tax Analysts
IRS Seeks Comments on Interim Guidance on Rules for Supporting Organizations, Donor-Advised Funds, and Private Foundations
The Internal Revenue Service is requesting public comment on Notice 2006-109 on the interim rules affecting supporting organizations, donor-advised funds, and private foundations that make grants to supporting organizations as part of new provisions contained in the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-280). Comments are due by April 16, 2007. Source: Tax Analysts
House Ethics Committee Releases Guidelines on New Travel Rules
The House Ethics Committee yesterday released guidelines interpreting the chamber’s recently passed restrictions on privately-funded congressional travel. According to the guidelines, lobbyists can fund one-day trips by lawmakers. They can also pay for a second night of travel if it is determined to be “necessary” by the Ethics Committee due to transportation availability or other circumstances such as distance.
Lobbyists are additionally permitted to be involved in a lawmaker’s trip if it is sponsored by an institution of higher education or if the Committee deems the lobbyist’s involvement to be “negligible or otherwise inconsequential.” Source: The Hill
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