Public Policy
Independent Sector Policy Digest
July 18, 2006
Senate Estate Tax Reform Efforts Stalled
Senate efforts to reform the estate tax appear stalled as Senate Majority
Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) has yet to secure the 60 votes necessary to pass
the alternative estate tax reform bill the House passed late last month
(H.R. 5638). Senator Frist is still seeking Democratic support for the
bill but may have to make changes to the package which already includes
provisions specifically intended to entice support from key Senate Democrats.
Senator Frist would like the full Senate to vote on the legislation before
Congress’ August recess. More
IRS Issues New Guidance on Nonprofits and Tax
Shelters
Implementing provisions in the recently passed tax reconciliation legislation,
the IRS has issued guidance on new disclosure requirements and penalties
for tax-exempt entities involved in prohibited tax shelter transactions.
Originally part of the broader package of charitable giving incentives
and reforms in the Senate’s version of the tax reconciliation bill,
the version that became law is broader than what was recommended by the
Panel on the Nonprofit Sector. In addition to answering questions about
the new penalties and disclosure requirements, the IRS explains how the
excise tax will be allocated for transactions that become prohibited after
a charity enters into them. To read the guidance, see IRS
Notice 2006-65 (PDF).
IS Pushes for Increased IRS Funding
As part of our efforts to improve governance, accountability, and integrity
in the charitable sector, Independent Sector continues to push for increased
funding for IRS enforcement, particularly for the tax-exempt sector. IS
and several of our members have recently been in contact with key House
and Senate appropriations committees staff to advocate for IRS enforcement
funding in the Treasury appropriations bill, which the House passed in
June and Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to take up this
week. For more information visit
the IS website, or to get involved email us at publicpolicy@independentsector.org.
New Rules Proposed for Combined Federal Campaign
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a proposed
rule (PDF) in the June 29th Federal Register
which makes significant changes to the Combined Federal Campaign, a workplace
giving campaign for federal employees. According to OPM, the changes are
intended to streamline the eligibility requirements and accountability
standards for charitable organizations seeking to participate in the CFC,
and put greater responsibility on donors to research charities in the
program. Independent Sector will be filing comments with OPM on some of
the proposed rules including those addressing audit requirements, fundraising
expenses, and eligibility for local affiliates of national organizations.
Comments are due August 14.
Ohio Attorney General Proposes New Rules
for Nonprofits
In late June, Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro proposed new rules
for Ohio charitable organizations and hospitals, which would now be urged
to file a new separate annual report designed by the Attorney General’s
office. Among the areas targeted in the new rules are executive compensation,
reimbursement policies, conflicts of interest, and community benefit standards
for all charities. The rules also cover billing practices and charity
care standards for nonprofit hospitals. Read more at the Ohio
Attorney General's website.
July 21 Policy Action Network Call on Budget
Reform Issues
This Friday, July 21, AARP and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
will join the Policy Action Network to talk about discretionary spending
caps, entitlement program spending rules, entitlement commissions and
other proposals that have been a part of recent legislative plans to reform
the federal budget process, and what these proposals could mean for our
work, our constituents, and our organizations. Contact Gloria
Engelke to receive call-in information for the call which will take
place at 2:00 pm EDT on the 21st. Learn more about these issues by visiting
Independent Sector’s new Federal
Budget Process Reform Resource Center (IS member password required
– contact Gloria Engelke if you need the password). We have also
posted summaries of the April and June PAN calls that addressed the IRS
Nonprofit Political Activity Guidance (PDF)
and Issue Advocacy &
Electioneering (PDF). (IS member passwords
are required for these documents as well.)
Attend the Annual Conference
Many Voices, Shared Purpose: Working Together to Improve Lives
October 22-24 in Minneapolis/St. Paul
Join your fellow leaders from across the diverse charitable
community at the Independent Sector Annual Conference, October 22-24 in
Minneapolis/St. Paul. Organized around the theme, Many Voices, Shared
Purpose: Working Together to Improve Lives, its program will examine a
wide range of approaches to caring for our nation's most vulnerable citizens,
addressing budget challenges, and building and sustaining vibrant communities.
IS will also once again be holding a Public Policy Action Institute
starting on Saturday before the conference opens. Now in its third year,
the Public Policy Action Institute is designed to help nonprofit advocates
increase their effectiveness in shaping public policies, laws and regulations
that impact the ability of charitable organizations to fulfill their missions.
PPAI will start on Saturday October 21 and run through Sunday morning.
Visit the IS website to view
the program or toregister
.
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