Israel Matzav

IRS reinstates Zionist Organization of America's tax exempt status

The IRS has apparently decided to relieve some of the pressure it is facing by reinstating the tax-exempt status of the Zionist Organization of America. Here's a press release from the ZOA.

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) is pleased to report that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reinstated its recognition of ZOA’s status as a tax exempt, tax-deductible 501(c)(3) organization. In a letter dated May 15, 2013 to the ZOA, the IRS wrote, “We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your application for tax exempt status we have determined that you are exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Contributions to you are deductible under section 170 of the Code.  You are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers of gifts under section 2055, 2104, or 2502 of the Code.” ZOA wishes to emphasize that all donations to ZOA have remained tax-deductible throughout this period since they were legally directed to the “ZOA Donors Fund” managed by the Foundation For Jewish Community (fjc.org), a third party 501(c)(3) donor-advised fund. Direct gifts to ZOA will now again be tax-deductible.  “The work of the ZOA has never been altered or diminished one iota during this period.  Our campus work; our Title VI efforts; our Capitol Hill work; our writings, lectures, TV and radio appearances have continued as always. Our devoted ZOA Board and virtually all of our major donors and all of our employees remained committed to and supportive of ZOA,” Klein explained.

We are also pleased to announce that at its November 23, 2013 Brandeis Dinner, Gov. Mike Huckabee, former presidential candidate and Host of the Huckabee Show on Fox TV, will be the speaker and will be receiving the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson Award for Pro-Israel Activism. We would also add that ZOA is honored to have James Tisch, prominent and distinguished Jewish communal and business leader, as Co-Chair of our upcoming ZOA Dinner.  Mr. Tisch has served as Chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and as Chairman of the New York Jewish Federation – UJC. He serves as CEO of Loews Corp.

Morton Klein, President, Dr. Michael Goldblatt, Chairman, and David Drimer, Executive Director, said, “We are gratified that the IRS has reinstated our long held tax exempt status.  We also want to thank our friends and especially a great group of devoted ZOA employees who helped to expedite the resolution of this matter.  A special thanks must be given to Mr. Tyler B.Korn, our brilliant and tireless tax attorney who gave freely of his time, energy, and wisdom to help resolve this situation.

We want to emphasize that ZOA’s work never stopped and never changed during this period.  We also want to thank all of our friends and donors for their continuing support.  The ZOA looks forward to continuing our critical work promoting strong US/Israel relations; advocating for Israel’s security; protecting Jewish students from anti-Semitism on America’s campuses; and educating the public, media, and Congress on the ongoing Arab war against Israel.

You think the discovery that the IRS has been openly discriminating against conservative groups had nothing to do with ZOA's tax-exempt status being reinstated? If you really think that, you're a fool. 

Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Internal Revenue Service, Zionist Organization of America

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:43 PM