Tax Talk Today Program – Emerging Nonprofit Issues

The IRS invites you to an on-line program that will cover the changes affecting tax-exempt organizations resulting from the Pension Protection Act of 2006. The March 13, 2007 program will feature IRS subject matter experts. Click here.

Draft Principles on Self Regulation

The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector continues its efforts to help nonprofits do the right things right. Its new Advisory Committee on Self-Regulation of the Charitable Sector has carefully studied numerous existing standards and guidelines to get a better understanding of the needs of diverse charities. The result? A proposal that charities with $1 million or more in annual revenue and foundations with $25 million or more in assets implement 29 principles. While the period for public comment ended February 2, the recommendations are a great starting point for a self-directed accountability audit. Click here.

IRS on Good Governance Practices for Nonprofits

The IRS has prepared a discussion draft of preliminary guidelines designed to help charity boards promote good governance practices by the charities they serve. Click here for more information.

New Online Training for Tax Exempt Organizations

Obtaining and maintaining 501(c)(3) tax exempt status is crucial to the success of many organizations. This online training from the IRS provides the tools and knowledge to help you keep your organization’s exempt status intact. It consists of five interactive courses, which you can take individually and in any order. Click here.

See also the one hour program by Amy Hereford that explores legal issues involved in establishing or reestablishing a nonprofit organization. The program goes beyond the IRS tax issues to examine the range of requirements for keeping your organization in good legal health. The program is recommended to entrepreneurs, boardmembers and directors of both new and established nonprofits. Click here.

Accountability Guidelines for Higher Education

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) drafted a set of guidelines to keep university trustees on the right track. Despite recent scandals at some academic institutions, AGB wants to remind everyone that the overall performance of university trustees remains commendable. Documenting good policies and practices simply strengthens the public's trust in these institutions. Click here.