Cross Posted at Legal Schnauzer
The Obama administration seems to have done little to slow down the influence-buying, election-stealing, political-prosecuting arm of the Republican Party. But the Internal Revenue Service might be willing to apply the brakes to some big-money donors, on both sides of the political aisle.
The IRS has sent letters to five donors, stating that their contributions might be subject to gift taxes, according to a report in The New York Times. George Soros, a prominent backer of liberal causes, could be targeted. But it appears that the IRS action might be of more concern for donors on the right. In fact, a liberal watchdog group brought the issue to the forefront last fall.
As we reported in March, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is one of several Republicans in the Deep South who has made ample use of nonprofit advocacy groups. Now the IRS is taking notice on a national scale.
Reports Stephanie Strom of The New York Times:
These advocacy groups have been drawing more scrutiny, from President Obama as well as others, as they have proliferated and funneled vast sums of money in support of campaigns and causes, without having to publicly disclose their donors.
During the midterm cycle, for example, groups like Crossroads GPS, which has ties to the Republican strategist Karl Rove, and Americans for Prosperity, backed by [David] Koch and his brother Charles, were heavily involved in politicking, spurring campaign finance watchdogs to complain that they were flouting election and nonprofit laws.
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