Wasn't sure where to post this, but everyone here should probably sign this petition! We had one going around before, but they aren't allowed to comment if Scientology is specifically mentioned. Hence, the new petition! https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...tutions-their-tax-exempt-501c-status/mCsW32Ng
we petition the obama administration to: Enforce the tax code, and strip violating Religious institutions of their tax exempt 501(c) status. Religious institutions across our great nation serve an important role in community building & out reach, helping the poor & disenfranchised, among many other noble actions. Our forefathers had the foresight to see that for our nation to succeed, we would need to enforce an unparalleled freedom of religion. However, they also understood the imperative need for a legal separation between church & state. In recent years, the IRS has turned a blind eye to offending Religious institutions that mix religion with politics. By not enforcing the qualifications & disqualification's of 26 U.S.C. § 501(c) of the United States tax code, the IRS is doing a diservice to both the American people & the vision of our forefathers. We ask that you enforce the letter of the law. Created: Nov 07, 2012 Issues: Budget and Taxes, Civil Rights and Liberties, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Learn about Petition Thresholds Signatures needed by December 07, 2012 to reach goal of 25,000 18,151 Total signatures on this petition 6,849
How is this different from the previous petition that got a "wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole" response?
"We had one going around before, but they aren't allowed to comment if Scientology is specifically mentioned. Hence, the new petition!"
The previous response made a lot of sense actually. The previous petition asked Obama to explain why FBI "closed an investigation into Scientology." Obama's administration rightfully stated that investigations of FBI are confidential, not to mention that we don't know whether it was closed, or other FBI investigations into Scientology exist. Whoever phrased the previous petition did a shit job. Now, the current petition is too general and makes no sense. I think it's perfectly legit to mention Scientology and demand that they are stripped of their tax exempt status, just don't mention any ongoing investigations.
The current petition is specific and makes perfect sense. It is asking that the IRS enforce their own rules regarding 501(c) tax exemptions.
Official White House Response to Enforce the tax code, and strip violating Religious institutions of their tax exempt 501(c) status. Why We Can't Comment on Your Petition Regarding 501(c) Statuses Thank you for signing the petition “Enforce the tax code, and strip violating religious institutions of their tax exempt 501(c) status.” We appreciate your participation in the We the People platform on WhiteHouse.gov. The We the People Terms of Participation explain that "the White House may decline to address certain procurement, law enforcement, adjudicatory, or similar matters properly within the jurisdiction of federal departments or agencies, federal courts, or state and local government." The Internal Revenue Service is charged with enforcing federal tax laws, and in accordance with the Terms of Participation, we cannot comment on the tax enforcement issue raised in this set of petitions. We note that the IRS administers its own procedures for receiving complaints from the public about tax-exempt organizations, and more information about how to pursue that process is available here. The Obama administration's "response" above basically explains nothing and says that this is not their issue. They simply redirect to an IRS complaint form which reads as follows: IRS Complaint Process - Tax-Exempt Organizations Fact Sheet 2008-13 explains the process for communicating alleged exempt organization tax law violations to the IRS and describes how the IRS handles such information. Members of the public may send information that raises questions about an exempt organization's compliance with the Internal Revenue Code to IRS - EO Classification, 1100 Commerce Street, MC 4910 DAL, Dallas, TX 75242. They may use Form 13909, Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Referral) Form, for this purpose. In addition to oversight by the IRS, tax-exempt organizations are subject to oversight by State charity regulators and State tax agencies. You may also want to send a copy of the referral you send to us to your state charity regulator and/or state tax agency. Complaints anyone?
Um...ya. So if the IRS is in charge of upholding tax laws, then why do they pick on some 501(c)(3) groups (as in the news today) based on political ideologies but leave other groups alone that ruin lives on tax payers money?
