Trump Administration Moves to Make Dark Money...Darker?

[UNCjigga]

The U.S. Treasury said on Monday that it will no longer require certain tax-exempt organizations including politically active nonprofit groups, such as the National Rifle Association and Planned Parenthood, to identify their financial donors to U.S. tax authorities.
...
The change protects the privacy of wealthy donors of “dark money” donations to politically active groups. Conservatives have complained that the disclosures to the IRS, though not public, were susceptible to media leaks.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-of-dark-money-political-donors-idUSKBN1K704F

I guess once Russian secret agents get arrested after funneling foreign money through the NRA, it's time to loosen up disclosure requirements? WTF?

 

[Commodus]

But remember, Trump told us he was draining the swamp... so enabling more unaccountable, under-the-table donations must be an improvement, right? Right?

 

[vi edit]

So Citizens Uniteder

 

[pauldun170]

The U.S. Treasury said on Monday that it will no longer require certain tax-exempt organizations including politically active nonprofit groups, such as the National Rifle Association and Planned Parenthood, to identify their financial donors to U.S. tax authorities.
...
The change protects the privacy of wealthy donors of “dark money” donations to politically active groups. Conservatives have complained that the disclosures to the IRS, though not public, were susceptible to media leaks.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-of-dark-money-political-donors-idUSKBN1K704F

I guess once Russian secret agents get arrested after funneling foreign money through the NRA, it's time to loosen up disclosure requirements? WTF?

It doesn't look like this is about free speech.

Primer
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/what-is-a-501-c-3-tax-exempt-organization-how-do-we-apply-2502154

To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct.

501(c)(3) organizations cannot have net earnings that benefit an individual person, not be heavily involved in lobbying the government and not support any political campaigns.
https://www.cornerstone.edu/blogs/lifelong-learning-matters/post/the-basics-of-a-501c3

Since (c)(4)s and (c)(6)s are permitted to support or oppose candidates in election campaigns—unlike 501(c)(3) charities that can lose their exemption for electioneering—many have opted to use anonymous donations for this new activity.
https://www.nonprofitissues.com/to-the-point/nonprofit-required-report-anonymous-donors-irs

Free speech issue not found.

 

[K1052]

McConnell is on the floor of the Senate praising the change. Really tells you all you need to know about it in terms of being bad for The Republic but good for Republicans.

 

[vi edit]

And it's a brazen move of pure selfishness coming less than 24 hours after an indictment dropped for a Russian operative buttering up and schmoozing with the GOP and NRA. Seriously, these guys have no shame. And there's no adult at the wheel to correct us from driving off the road of decency.

 

[dank69]

And it's a brazen move of pure selfishness coming less than 24 hours after an indictment dropped for a Russian operative buttering up and schmoozing with the GOP and NRA. Seriously, these guys have no shame. And there's no adult at the wheel to correct us from driving off the road of decency.

Yup, America spoke loud and clear in 2016:

"We want as much of this shit as possible and we are sick of filthy liberals getting in the way."

 

[sandorski]

To cure Corruption, first you need to make it worse...

 

[SMOGZINN]

By now it has become obvious even to the GOP that we have a problem in that we keep catching foreign powers working to undermine our democratic system. The GOPs solution to this? Stop looking so dam hard, then we won't catch them so often.

 

[UNCjigga]

It doesn't look like this is about free speech.

Primer
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/what-is-a-501-c-3-tax-exempt-organization-how-do-we-apply-2502154

Free speech issue not found.

As the article notes, this change is not applicable to 501(c)(3) organizations...it applies to the 501(c)(4) organizations that are politically active, like NRA, Planned Parenthood etc.

 

[pauldun170]

As the article notes, this change is not applicable to 501(c)(3) organizations...it applies to the 501(c)(4) organizations that are politically active, like NRA, Planned Parenthood etc.

Oops...
My fault for skimming.
Thanks

The policy change, heralded by conservatives as an advance for free speech, maintains donor disclosure requirements for traditional charity groups organized to receive tax-exempt donations under a section of the Internal Revenue code known as 501(c)(3), the Treasury said.

 

[Jhhnn]

The GOP has transformed political spending entirely with so-called charitable organizations. It accomplishes a lot of things for their ultra wealthy donors.

First off, it lets them formulate & control the message rather than the candidate doing so. "Stand here & say this" to have the benefit of all this spending. No coordination required.

It turns political spending into a tax deduction.

It anonymizes paid political speech. This action by the Trump admin just tightens the seal a little-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...9ef9944065e_story.html?utm_term=.c0286d8a05bd

Check out the graphic.

 

[UNCjigga]

It turns political spending into a tax deduction.

Actually, I don't think contributions to 501(c)(4) organizations are tax-deductible. Moot point though, since you'll just tell the people you help elect to enact massive tax cuts anyway.

 

[Jhhnn]

Actually, I don't think contributions to 501(c)(4) organizations are tax-deductible. Moot point though, since you'll just tell the people you help elect to enact massive tax cuts anyway.

Check the graphic. Freedom Partners is organized as a tax deductible 501(c)(6) trade association-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/501(c)_organization#501(c)(6)

It's all legalized money laundering.

 

[ivwshane]

Well how else is Russia going to help the GOP win more elections? Its not like the GOP can win them based on favorable policy positions, otherwise they wouldn't have to rig elections to make it harder for people to vote or gerrymander the shit out of districts.

 

[Dulanic]

As long as your giving to to the politicians it's legal to be laundered.

 

[Jhhnn]

Ever wonder who actually pays for some of the more insane political advertising? You'll never know because their identity is buried behind a series of front organizations. The Russians just emulated those methods in support of Trump.

 

[IronWing]

Any day the media will step up to denounce this crap,… right after the checks clear.

 

[senseamp]

But protesters have to take off their masks?

 

[IJTSSG]

Ever wonder who actually pays for some of the more insane political advertising? You'll never know because their identity is buried behind a series of front organizations. The Russians just emulated those methods in support of Trump.

Pretty sure it's unions. Using stolen money.

Good job!

 

[Jhhnn]

Pretty sure it's unions. Using stolen money.

Good job!

Duh--version attempt noted.

 

[ch33zw1z]

But protesters have to take off their masks?

Yup, if you can't pay someone else to fight your wars, you're not allowed to hide

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Pretty sure it's unions. Using stolen money.

Good job!

Yup and your boys support it. Came from the Trump cabinet and was recently approved by Mitch McConnell.

 

[jackstar7]

To learn more about this just google:
"money laundering 501(4)(c)"

Not a joke. This comes up in the results.

 

[Vic]

Pretty sure it's unions. Using stolen money.

Good job!

And here we go again, like a broken record. It's alright for Republicans to be brazenly corrupt and lawless because some other group supposedly did it too. Such high minded morality...