Don't Weaponize the IRS Act

Don't Weaponize the IRS Act

This bill codifies regulations promulgated by the Trump Administration exempting certain tax-exempt organizations from specified reporting requirements. Specifically the bill

• increases from $5,000 to $50,000 the gross receipts threshold used to determine the eligibility of tax-exempt organizations for the exemption from certain disclosure and reporting requirements;
• expands the definition of organization to include tax-exempt charitable organizations and organizations with no significant activities relating to lobbying, political activity, and the operation of a trade or business;
• exempts from disclosure the names and addresses of contributors to an organization in its annual informational return; and
• extends exemptions from reporting requirements to political action committees (i.e., 527 organizations).

Bill 117 HR 4889, also known as the Don't Weaponize the IRS Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to prevent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from being used as a political tool to target individuals or groups based on their political beliefs.

The bill specifically prohibits the IRS from targeting individuals or groups for exercising their First Amendment rights, such as freedom of speech or association. It also prohibits the IRS from sharing tax return information with other government agencies for the purpose of targeting individuals or groups based on their political beliefs.

Additionally, the bill requires the IRS to report to Congress on any instances of targeting based on political beliefs and provides for penalties for IRS employees who engage in such behavior. Overall, the Don't Weaponize the IRS Act aims to protect the rights of individuals and groups to engage in political speech and activity without fear of retribution from the IRS. It seeks to ensure that the IRS remains a neutral and non-partisan agency in its enforcement of tax laws.