If non profits start talking politics, they could lose their tax exempt status. Now the IRS is stepping up its scrutiny of nonprofits in this election year to ensure they are complying with the rules on intervening in political campaigns.
Charities are barred from participating in political campaigns. Social welfare groups may engage in some political activity, as long as that is not their primary activity.
The IRS has been sending questionnaires about political activities to some groups that are applying for a tax exemption, and leads are pouring in about organizations on both sides of the political spectrum that may be trying to get around the rules.
