Election Year Warning From the IRS
Jan 10, 2024 | Legal Issues,
by Sue Greenberg, executive director
As the presidential election approaches, don’t let your enthusiasm jeopardize your arts organization’s tax-exempt status.
Be aware that 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office. The prohibition applies to campaigns at the federal, state and local level. Violation of this prohibition could result in revocation of your organization’s tax-exempt status and/or the imposition of certain excise taxes.
According to the IRS, political campaign intervention includes any and all activities that favor or oppose one or more candidates for public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of a position (verbal or written) made by or on behalf of an organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate clearly violate the prohibition on political campaign intervention. Similarly, distributing statements prepared by others that favor or oppose any candidate for public office is not allowed.
IRS materials specifically address the internet, noting that organizations routinely link to other sites as a way of providing additional information. If an organization posts something on its site or provides a link that seems to favor or oppose a candidate for public office, the IRS says linking will be treated as if the organization distributed printed material, oral statements or social media posts that favored or opposed a candidate.
Renting your mailing list or space are a prohibited political activities, unless opposing candidates are offered, the same opportunities (preferably in writing) at the same terms.
Some election-related activities are permitted, as long as they are even-handed. For example, the law clearly allows 501(c)(3) organizations to engage in voter education, voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities. There is one overriding rule: The activities must be nonpartisan, which simply means 501(c)(3) organizations cannot show or state a preference for or against a particular candidate or candidates, a particular political party or candidates or parties who have taken particular positions.
The IRS says that public forums involving candidates qualify as exempt educational activities. Again, those forums cannot show any bias. When a candidate is invited to speak, the organization must provide an equal opportunity to the other candidates seeking the same office. Don’t indicate any support for or opposed to the candidate (this should be stated explicitly when the candidate is introduced), and make sure no political fundraising occurs.
Organizations are permitted to speak out on issues during a campaign. However, the IRS frowns on the use of “coded language” that conjures favorable or unfavorable images of candidates. Examples include “conservative,” “liberal” or even “friend of the arts.”
The political campaign intervention prohibition is not intended to restrict free expression on political matters by leaders of organizations speaking for themselves, as individuals. They can donate personal money and volunteer for campaigns on their own time.
Finally, the prohibition against political campaign activity is separate from lobbying or participating in legislative activities, which are permitted (with some limitations). Leaders and staff members who speak or write in their individual capacity should clearly indicate that their comments are personal and not intended to represent the views of the organization.
This article is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional tax advice and is being distributed with the understanding that VLAA is not rendering legal or accounting services. Readers are encouraged to consult a competent professional for advice concerning specific matters.
