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April 14, 2008

Politics and Advocacy Groups

Nonprofit groups set up under 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code are playing a larger role in this year’s presidential election and may face greater scrutiny because of it, writes Paul Kiel onTPMMuckracker, a left-leaning political blog.

Mr. Kiel writes that with the Federal Election Commission’s crack down on Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and other groups established under Section 527 of the tax code, political partisans are turning to the advocacy groups — classified under the 501(c)(4) section of the code — to influence this year’s race for the White House.

The 501(c)(4) groups can advocate for policy changes during elections as long as they do not specifically coordinate their efforts with political campaigns or parties. They can also endorse candidates.

Unlike charitable organizations and churches, which can allow their donors to take a tax break, donors to advocacy groups cannot claim a tax deduction. However, a number of charities, such as the Sierra Club, operate separate both a charitable arm and an advocacy group.

While there appears to be a growing number of these advocacy groups, at least one has not lived up its expectations.

According to an article in The New York Times, the conservative Freedom Watch has not been the major player in politics that was predicted when it opened its doors in 2007.

— Ian Wilhelm

Monday April 14, 2008 | Permalink

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