Conservative Groups' Lawsuits Against IRS Dismissed

A federal judge has dismissed a pair of lawsuits against the Internal Revenue Service by over 40 conservative groups over the IRS’s handling of their applications for tax-exempt status, according to Michael Cohn in Accounting Today.

Judge Reggie Walton of the U.S. District Court in Washington pointed out in his ruling Thursday that the IRS had changed the way it reviewed the tax-exempt applications and had approved most of the groups, and that federal courts do not allow financial claims against individual defendants in the IRS for constitutional violations.

The lawsuits were filed on behalf of conservative groups such as True the Vote and Linchpins of Liberty by the American Center for Law and Justice.

The IRS has come under fire from conservative groups since last year for using terms such as “Tea Party” and “Patriot” to review applications for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)4 of the Tax Code. The controversy led to the ouster of the former director of the IRS’s Exempt Organizations unit, Lois Lerner, along with other IRS officials.

The head of at least one conservative organization was dismayed by the dismissal of the lawsuits. “This ruling is offensive to every citizen who believes in equal treatment under the law,” said FreedomWorks executive vice president Adam Brandon in a statement. “It doesn't matter when the IRS bullied conservative groups or if they stopped, the point is that it was done, and the IRS has to be held accountable. Today's decision was the legalization of federal bullying and unchecked discretionary authority, so long as agencies can play the waiting game long enough to correct their misdeeds. The fact that it occurred in the first place was appalling, but the fact that it was excused by the courts was disgraceful."

If you - or someone you know - is considering a filing for tax-exempt status, contact Neikirk, Mahoney & Smith. Neikirk, Mahoney & Smith's tax experts can help you streamline the process and maximize the chances for a prompt approval from the Internal Revenue Service.

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Lois Lerner Gets Some Payback

In an absolutely hilarious article by Michele Kirk in BizPac Review, conservative activist Jason Mattera recently found himself in a position that a lot of conservative Americans with they could be in as he happened along Lois Lerner walking her dogs.

Unlike a lot of us, though, Mattera had the nerve to say things to Lerner that a lot of us can only fantasize about.

"Mattera brutally pummeled the shamed former IRS director with requests for an apology to conservatives for using the government as a weapon to target them. He taunted her by saying things like “How does it feel to be targeted? You don’t like it do you?”

"Lerner ran for cover to a neighbors house where she knocked, and knocked and begged to come in.

"Oops, it must have been a conservative neighbor because, they wouldn’t let her in!

"When the man of the house finally came around from the back, Lerner told him she had been asking his wife to let her in because the press was bothering her.

"Not hearing what Lerner said to him, the man was still confused."

Mattera explained “She’s trying to get in your house, she doesn’t want to answer questions.”

"The elderly neighbor’s classic response, “I don’t want her in my house.” OUCH!

"Mattera didn’t miss a beat. “I don’t blame you,” he said. “I wouldn’t want her in my house either.”

"Thoroughly scorned, Lerner scurried to another house for cover."

Mattera has a history of ambushing deserving liberals.  His latest book, “Crapitalism” takes them on in writing.

Interesting article from the Old Gray Lady...

"Tax Tactics Threaten Public Funds" says New York Times' Eduardo Porter.

"When the European Commission charged this week that Ireland’s sweetheart tax treatment of Apple amounted to an illegal corporate subsidy, the company said that it had done nothing wrong. Apple executives might have added that whatever they did, they were not alone.

"Corporate tax strategies intended to minimize global taxes, by hook or by crook, are by now standard practice. Google and Facebook move money through Ireland to lower their taxes. Starbucks uses the Netherlands, a practice that is under review by Europe as well."

Here's the rest of the article - definitely worth your time - http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/02/business/economy/multinational-tax-strategies-put-public-coffers-at-risk.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0

And if you have questions about this or any tax related issues, call Neikirk, Mahoney & Smith at (502) 896-2999.

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