November 26,2013

Press Contact:

Julia Lawless, Antonia Ferrier, 202.224.4515

Hatch on Proposed 501(c)(4) Rule Change

Utah Senator Says, “Given the IRS' recent track record, I pledge to thoroughly oversee this process to ensure politics aren't brought to bear.”

SALT LAKE CITY - U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement today after the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced proposed new rules governing 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organizations:
 
"There is much in these proposed rules to scrutinize. Any change should be carefully considered in a fair, equitable and non-partisan manner. Given the IRS' recent track record, I pledge to thoroughly oversee this process to ensure politics aren't brought to bear. However, I find it unfortunate that the Administration decided to move ahead with these new rules before the Finance Committee could conclude its bipartisan investigation into the targeting of those applying for tax-exempt status.  Waiting would have been wiser and would have offered some critical guidance that would have benefited this process. Furthermore, the uptick in applications over recent years was not just isolated to 501(c)(4)s, but to union tax-exempt 501(c)(5) organizations as well. I hope the Administration understands that what's good for the goose is good for the gander and looks at these union groups moving forward."
 

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