Trade & Professional Association Bulletin
June 2002
IRS ANNOUNCES AMNESTY PROGRAM FOR SECTION 527 ORGANIZATIONS
Background
In June 2000, President Clinton signed the Section 527 public disclosure law, aimed at requiring political organizations to publicly disclose to the IRS their political activity. Prior to enactment of this law, only political organizations that were subject to Federal Election Commission reporting rules were required to file public documents at the federal level.
A "political organization" is defined to include a party, committee, association, fund, or other organization (whether or not incorporated) organized and operated primarily for the purpose of directly or indirectly accepting contributions or making expenditures, or both, for an exempt function, which is defined as influencing or attempting to influence the selection, nomination, election or appointment of any individual to a federal, state or local public office. These organizations commonly are
