Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Targeting the Tea Parties While Obama Allies Remain Tax-Free

There is ample evidence that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) investigated "Tea Party", "Patriot", and "9/12 Project" groups with "extreme prejudice" when they applied for 501(c)(4) tax-free status.  The excuse for the excessive reviews is because these grassroots groups may potentially engage in overt political activities.  Groups with 501(c)(4) tax-free status can also keep their donors secret while political organizations like the Republican and Democratic parties cannot because they're subject to campaign disclosure laws.

The excess IRS scrutiny, especially over concerns about overt political activity, is especially laughable given the 501(c)(4) status granted to another group, Organizing for Action (OFA).

Organizing for Action (OFA) is the latest incarnation of Barack Obama's Organizing for America (OFA) from the 2008 and 2012 Presidential elections.  Organizing for America (OFA) was a community organizing project of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Organizing for Action is a tax-free, 501(c)(4) "social welfare" organization.  Does Organizing for Action directly advocate for any politician or political party, which might violate its tax-free status?  You decide.
  • You can find Organizing for Action on the web at www.barackobama.com. This is the same web address used by President Obama's Organizing for America operation during the 2008 and 2012 election cycles.
  • Organizing for Action's stated purpose is to "support President Obama."
  • Organizing for Action uses the familiar, trademark Obama logo to brand its site.
  • Organizing for Action is a tax-free 501(c)(4) organization meaning that it can keep its donors secret.


  • The official, authenticated Twitter account for Barack Obama is @BarackObama.
  • The Twitter page includes the President's photo and name.
  • The profile summary acknowledges that the @BarackObama Twitter account is "run by Organizing for Action staff."
  • The Twitter feed often includes links to other content found on the Organize for Action web page.



Again I ask, do you believe that tax-free Organizing for Action will advocate on direct behalf of any politician or political party?

How is Organizing for Action anything different than a tax-free branch of the Democratic Party?

How can the IRS, in good conscience, deny Tea Party groups for up to three years but approve of the President's community organizing group?  Need I remind you that the IRS is part of the Treasury Department, which itself is part of the Executive Branch headed by President Barack Obama?

1 comment:

  1. 501(c)(4) organizations may inform the public on controversial subjects and attempt to influence legislation relevant to its program and, unlike 501(c)(3) organizations, they may also participate in political campaigns and elections, as long as its primary activity is the promotion of social welfare.

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