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News

IRS Issues Final Version of New Form 990 01/08/2008
On Dec. 20, 2007, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released the final version of its updated Form 990, the informational return for public charities and other tax-exempt organizations. The new form marked the first revision since 1979 and will be used for the 2008 tax year (returns filed in 2009). The IRS expects to release draft instructions for the 2008 Form 990 later in January. Although the new Form 990 incorporated many suggestions made in public comments on the draft version, the IRS did not make key changes to clarify and simplify reporting of advocacy-related activities. Read More

House Proposal for Grassroots Lobbying Disclosure Due Soon 03/20/2007
While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) office is still working on the details of grassroots lobbying disclosure as part of a package of Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) reforms, both supporters and opponents have continued to debate the merits of the idea. Read More

Democrats Pledge Ethics Reforms 11/21/2006
Two weeks after the election, attention has turned to considering what the results mean for government priorities and the likely impacts on the way Congress operates. Democratic leaders in the House and Senate are working on an agenda for the 110th Congress that includes ethics and lobbying reform proposals as part of their "100 Hours" initiative. As incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said, "We will start by cleaning up Congress, breaking the link between lobbyists and legislation and commit to pay-as-you-go, no new deficit spending." Read More

Report Details Abramoff Abuse of Nonprofits, Recommends New Rules 10/24/2006
An Oct. 12 report from Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Max Baucus (D-MT) examines interactions between five tax-exempt organizations and disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his associates, finding instances of serious abuse. The report recommends a broad expansion of the definition of lobbying, increased disclosure requirements and enhanced penalties for violations. Its recommendations for further action by federal agencies with investigative and enforcement authority has received national attention. Receiving less media attention, however, is committee chair Charles Grassley's (R-IA) call for a more comprehensive examination of the role of nonprofits in lobbying and politics. Nonprofits thus will need to pay close attention to future committee action that could substantially affect nonprofit advocacy rights. Read More

Religious Groups Ask IRS to Revisit Audit Procedures 07/25/2006
On July 17, 2006 an attorney representing several religious organizations wrote to the IRS requesting that the agency revise its new procedures for initiating audits of religious groups. According to the letter, the process is inconsistent with First Amendment protections codified by Congress in 1984, and was implemented without pubic notice or comment. The letter is the latest in a series of public criticisms of the IRS approach to oversight of religious and charitable organizations, including a recent OMB Watch report. Read More

Lobby Reform Bill Squeaks Through House 05/16/2006
A lobbying and ethics reform bill that barely passed the House last week is headed to what will likely be a contentious conference between the House and Senate, with lawmakers far from agreement on what to do about legislative earmarks, congressional travel paid by non-governmental entities, and 527 organizations, among other issues. Read More

House to Vote on Lukewarm Lobby Reform Bill 05/02/2006
Following intense negotiations, House leadership sent a lobbying and ethics package to the floor for a May 3 vote made up of watered-down provisions that passed through five committees. A rule restricting amendments during the floor debate will prevent reform advocates from strengthening these provisions. Read More

Lobby Reform: House Moves Towards Floor Vote 04/18/2006
House Republican leaders are weighing options to bring lobby reform to the floor after five committees reported out provisions that both Democrats and watchdog groups are calling toothless and ineffective. Read More

Senate Overwhelmingly Approves Lobby Reform; House To Take Up 527s 04/04/2006
Voting just hours after former lobbyist Jack Abramoff was sentenced, the Senate overwhelmingly passed what critics are calling a tepid effort at lobby and ethics reform. Now the pressure is on the House, where leaders have struggled to balance the need to pass reforms with a rebellious rank-and-file that wants business as usual. Read More

Lobby Reform: A Bill in the House, While the Senate Moves Toward Vote 03/21/2006
Heading into the week long St. Patrick's Day recess, the House Republican leadership has formally introduced a lobbying and ethics reform bill, while the Senate has scheduled a vote for March 27. While both chambers are finally moving legislation, it is increasingly unclear what new rules will eventually be enacted, and whether they will change business as usual in Washington. Read More

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