Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                       Tax Status of IRS Targeted Groups

   The Internal Revenue Service - or IRS - is the U.S. federal
   government`s tax-collecting agency, bringing in about $2.4 trillion in
   revenue this year. The agency`s 90,000 employees touch every sector of
   American society, including individual taxpayers, small businesses,
   large corporations, and tax-exempt organizations.
   Under U.S. law, certain charitable, religious, educational and cultural
   organizations are tax exempt, meaning they do not have to pay federal
   taxes on their activities.
   At the heart of the current IRS scandal is a tax exempt status known as
   501(c)(4) .
   The groups the IRS targeted for extra scrutiny in applying for
   501(c)(4) status oppose many of the Obama administration`s spending and
   tax policies. The extra scrutiny delayed applications and forced many
   small groups to close during the past presidential election campaign.
   According to law, these groups "must not be organized for profit and
   must be operated exclusively to promote social welfare ... civic
   betterment and social improvements."
   The IRS says these groups may engage in some political activities, so
   long as that is not its primary activity, and they may also engage in
   lobbying. But they are not to act on behalf of or in opposition to any
   candidate for public office.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/tax-status-of-irs-targeted-groups/166
   2178.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/tax-status-of-irs-targeted-groups/1662178.html