Petition to end HSUS inappropriate tax status as a 501(c)3 charitable organization: Despite its carefully marketed image as a group concerned almost solely with finding homes for needy cats and dogs, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) only gives 1% of the money it raises to pet shelters, according to its tax return, and it doesn’t run a single pet shelter. Where does the money go? HSUS’s leadership has a PETA-like agenda to, among other things, end animal agriculture—something it doesn’t advertise. HSUS has also socked tens of millions of dollars offshore in Caribbean bank accounts—money it could be using to save needy animals, like it promises. Like millions of other nonprofit groups in the United States (e.g., universities, houses of worship, social service organizations), HSUS pays no federal taxes on its income. But few of these other tax-exempt groups share HSUS disdain for the public and its supporters. HSUS’s tax-exempt status was granted by the U.S. government on the basis of the group’s willingness to conduct itself in a lawful fashion. We believe that HSUS has failed to live up to its end of the bargain, as its conduct, in our opinion, violates state consumer protection/charitable solicitation laws, and that the Internal Revenue Service should cancel HSUS’s tax-exempt status. If you agree, please add your name and contact information below. Your “signature” — along with those of thousands of other Americans – will be used to encourage U.S. government officials to take action. Members of Congress have called for HSUS to be investigated by the IRS, so this is the perfect time to make your opinion known. Sign the petition at bit.ly/HumanePetition Image and above text via HumaneWatch Notes: 501(c)3 organizations can lobby, but it is very limited. Generally, organizations that make the 501(h) election (a designation as a 501(c)3) under the 1976 lobbying law may spend 20% of the first $500,000 of their annual expenditures on lobbying ($100,000), 15% of the next $500,000, and so on, up to $1 million dollars. More than 20% of USARK funding already goes directly to lobbying (Kelley Drye in Washington, D.C.) and we are no where near $500,000 in annual revenue. Since USARK is filed preoperly as a 501(c)6, we dont need to worry about losing our status for too much lobbying. This is the reason HSUS is being called out by some members of Congress. HSUS is a lobbying machine but they are a 501(c)3. This should not be possible. They directly influence politics and spend tens of millions on lobbying across all levels of government. This is directly from IRS.gov: In general, no organization may qualify for section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). A 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status. There are many tax breaks for 501(c)3 organizations that are not available to those with 501(c)6 status, but the main difference usually pointed out between a 501(c)3 and 501(c)6 is that individuals cannot claim donations to a 501(c)6 organization. However, anyone with a business license can claim donations to a 501(c)6 as a trade or business expense. Also, 501(c)3 organizations have many more fundraising channels than 501(c)6 orgs. For example, USARK cannot complete fundraising efforts on eBay. eBay only allows 501(c)3 organizations to be listed. We have been asked by a few companies to set up an account through eBay so that customers can contribute to USARK, if they please. However, we cannot through the eBay regulations. You can see how this makes fundraising much easier for HSUS and other 501(c)3 organizations. Just as ShipYourReptiles allows shippers to add $1 or more to each shipment to benefit USARK, the same could be done through eBay, Amazon, etc. if we were a 501(c)3.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 18:34:02 +0000
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