Anyone know how to contact the IRS and complain about a church?

[proud2BlibKansan]

Check out this website. You should be stunned!

http://crossroads-christian.org/candidates2006.html

[gollygee]

1. Ooooh get a screen capture!

That's awful!

[flyingfysh]

2. it's not that simple

Read the page carefully. They can plausibly argue that they are simply reporting candidate stands on a particular issue. "Support" can be argued not to mean that the viewer should support the candidate.

[angry_chuck]

7. or is it? the law is clear

In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not constitute prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner. On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that: (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.

These rules are explicitly defined under the app you have to file for (501c3) public charity (form 1023) status.

At least tha's what I understood it to mean. That page sure seemed biased to me but you might be right about it not being so simple. It seems that just because the law says one thing people will not refrain from doing it, kind of like b8sh and his cronies.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Did you click on that link?

Where it says "SUPPORT" - click on it and it takes you to the candidate's website! Where you can donate :)

Then click on "OPPOSE". That doesn't take you to a website.

[cssmall]

3. It'll never work because of this:

They are presenting candidate views on a specific subject, tacitly telling people that attend their church to vote in favor of that issue (but not openly). Sorry, I'd love to see it, but . . . I think the post ahead of mine actually explains it a little better.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. I am not a lawyer but I disagree

This church is not just supporting issues, they are telling people how to vote.

[angry_chuck]

4. Maybe this is it?

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise tax.

Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including the presentation of public forums and the publication of voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity.

In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not constitute prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner. On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that: (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.

from http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=120703,00.html

Here is a link for Tax Payer Assistance : http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html

That page they have posted could definitely (and should) result in the revocation of their public charity status.

[USA_1]

20. That Is Correct ...

Also, any lobbying by an exempt institution in the effort for or against legislation or public policy debates can result in the revocation of 501 (c) (3) status.


But, as a former IRS agent, I can tell you that such principles often go out the window when the right wingers in the White House and Department of Justice choose to look the other way when one of their fold engages in activity which they deem favorable.

[angry_chuck]

24. Not Surprising

still sad. BTW this read might interest you: The Great American Tax Dodge

PS- the cover of my book looks different but it seems to be the same book on Amazon.

Happy Holidays!

[jody]

5. Your link reports candidates positions on abortion and links to other sites

with supporting information.

Note that the site reports that some Republican's oppose and some support making abortion ILLEGAL in most situations so one could hardly claim the site is partisan politics.

[Don_1967]

6. Churches can and do give out

voting guides telling a candidates position on issues as long as they give the correct information and do not endorse anyone it is perfectly legal..

[whistle]

8. The web site does in fact have multi-links which do instruct the viewer

...on how to vote:

<click on VOTE>

It says: On November 7, 2006, we strongly urge everyone of legal age to vote their Christian values. The links above to candidates and judges includes links to candidate sites, judge retention info, and positions on abortion.

<click on ABORTION ISSUE>

It says: Why focus on the abortion issue?

Quite simply, no other issue is as critical! There is a big difference between the choice to have a child and the choice to kill a child. Because abortion kills a child who already exists, it is in no way a "right." If a politician cannot respect the life of a little baby, how is he or she supposed to respect yours?

Suppose a candidate came forward and said, “I support terrorism.” Would you say, “I disagree with you on terrorism, but what’s your health care plan?” Of course not. Rather, you would immediately consider that candidate as unworthy for public office. His position, allowing the killing of the public, is radically inconsistent with public service. So it is with abortion. Abortion is no less violent than terrorism. Any candidate who says abortion should be kept legal in most situations disqualifies him/herself from public service.

(the above content was adapted from http://priestsforlife.org/vote/votingwithclearconscience.htm)

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. Bingo!

[angry_chuck]

15. download those links

the influx in hits can be easily seen by their (probably) freeper web admin who will take them down or amend them upon seeing that the libs are nosing around their churchy site.

save those pages!

[951-Riverside]

9. A church in California is in hot water with the IRS for doing far less.

The church is called the All Saints Episcopal Church of Pasadena http://www.allsaints-pas.org/site/PageServer?pagename=IRS_Exam_splash

[jody]

17. Do you have a source for " instructed their parishioners to vote democratic"? n/t

[951-Riverside]

18. No. n/t

[jody]

21. Interesting, without that the IRS has no case. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

29. I have heard about that church

That story has been posted and linked here on DU several times.

[wryter2000]

13. Alert Americans United for Separation of Church and State

www.au.org

Instead of reporting churches, they send a letter explaining how this kind of thing can get their tax deductible status revoked. That usually works.

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. Great advice - thanks!

[jgraz]

14. Why don't you call the church and ask them for their voter guide on poverty?

I'm sure they have those ready to go... :sarcasm:

[angry_chuck]

16. the same pamphlet

just with abortion crossed out and poverty scribbled in crayon

[proud2BlibKansan]

27. Or I could ask them to join our anti war vigils

We do have a traveling exhibit that goes around to various churches. I will have to check to see if they have been sent an invitation to show it. :evilgrin:


Do you think they would like this? -> http://www.afsc.org/eyes/

[lynne]

19. They list all candidates and show the candidates position on the -

- abortion issue. They are not just listing or endorsing one candidate or party. They have linked the candidates to articles that affirm their stance on the abortion issue.

Churches can speak to social issues such as abortion but cannot endorse one specific candidate. It would appear that they have very craftily done just that while keeping within the guidelines.

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. But the ones they support are linked to the candidate website

the ones they don't support are linked to an article in the newspaper about their pro choice stances.

[Robbien]

22. This blogger has sample IRS forms to file a complaint

The sample forms are about Focus on the Family, but the idea is the same.

http://scoop.epluribusmedia.org/story/2006/9/21/133137/730

[1monster]

23. Ask Agent Mike to pass the word along....

[longship]

25. Also, alert the folks at Americans United

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a rabid dog in reporting these kinds of cases to the IRS.

I would get in touch with them about this.

Here's their e-mail address: [e-mail]

I'm sure that they will look into this.

[Puregonzo1188]

30. Doesn't the ACLU do something similar?

Last election they sent out a guide with all the local candidates and where they stand/voted on a variety of issues including death penalty, abortion, religous displays. It did, however, have at the top a disclaimer stating that was not an endorsement of any candidate. I don't really have a problem with groups showing where candidates stand on various issues, whether they're churches or not. As a matter of fact, I think its a good thing to raise public awareness about where people stand on issues.

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. Did their flyers say "SUPPORT" ?

[gollygee]

32. The ACLU isn't a church

churches are tax exempt so long as they don't become political organizations by endorsing candidates.

[H2O Man]

33. There is nothing to report.

They are well within their rights to post that information.

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. And it's okay for them to tell their members to "SUPPORT"

certain candidates?? That's what got my attention - the word "SUPPORT".

[H2O Man]

37. It doesn't say that.

It tells if the politician supports or opposes abortion.

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. And if you click on the word "support"

you are taken to the candidate's website. But if you click on the ones who "oppose", you go to a newspaper article.

[WhiteTara]

34. Here is the IRS website page

http://www.irs.gov/compliance/enforcement/article/0,,id=106778,00.html
for reporting.

Good Luck. Actually, it can't hurt if several people report this information. THe IRS is obliged to investigate.

[EFerrari]

36. Do you never stop working, woman?

:hug:

:hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

39. This ain't work

It is FUN!! I am on a mission to rid the world of the talibornagain.

You'll thank me one day. :hi:

Have a great Christmas!! :hug:

[EFerrari]

40. You and yours, too.

And I've got my broom right here in my hand.
:rofl:

[951-Riverside]

41. K&R n/t

[951-Riverside]

43. kick n/t

[and-justice-for-all]

42. Thats a blantent display of disregard...(Link)

...to tax law exemption rules if I do say so. That is, illegal and should get their 501(c)3 status pulled and possibly fines.

Start Here:

http://www.irs.gov/charities/index.html