EO Tax Journal

1 – Working Group Rips Treasury for Unproductive Discussions and Chilling Vital Charitable Activity

2 – Yes, Virginia, There Is a Section 501(d) Continue…

1 – More on EO Compliance

The St. Petersburg Times should get a Pulitzer Prize for its continuing investigation of the U.S. Navy Veterans Association. It’s really an unbelievable story — maybe not on a par with Bernie Madoff, but close, and the chutzpah — out of this world. Continue…

Over the years I have suggested to the IRS that they keep the tax press informed of speaking engagements of their top tax officials. Since the answer has always been no-can-do, we in the tax press are forced to troll the internet. When an organization lands a big fish from the IRS to speak at one of their gatherings, they usually put it on their website, and that information then ends up on the internet.

Checking the internet this past weekend I came up with a summary of Lois Lerner’s recent remarks in North Carolina, reprinted herein. I also came up with a fun article on Lois in her alumni magazine. It’s a couple of years old, but it gives us new insights into Lois’ “meteoric rise to the top levels of the federal government.” (The author of the article may have been a little star-struck.) I’m just sorry I’m not able to reproduce all the photos of Lois — and to think she once told me she was camera shy!

1 – Lois Lerner: No More Business As Usual

2 – EO Director Has Reached ‘Rock Star Status’ with the IRS Continue…

I’ll begin the week by surveying the latest news for those of you who have been away traveling with President Obama.

1 – Not Another Cat Story

This story should give all cat lovers a warm feeling.

2 – The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Annual Salary Report

The New York Times and Washington Post — and I’m sure numerous other newspapers — weigh in on the The Chronicle of Higher Education’s latest salary report.

3 – Who Needs To Be a College President to Make Big Bucks?

The Baltimore Sun continues to do eye-opening exposes. Has anyone ever seen a Maryland state charity regulator? I haven’t, and I’ve lived in the state my entire life. The article notes that Maryland has a law that governs the composition of boards at nonprofits that receive public mental health funds, which says that no one can serve on the board of such an organization if an “immediate family member” works for that organization. I think that’s a great rule that should apply to all section 501(c)(3) public charities nationwide. Continue…

1 – Cat Blamed for Starting Fire with Toaster Oven

2 – More on “Is More Always Better?”

3 – Just Hang Up on Charity Phone Solicitations Continue…