Nonprofits face tax exemption loss
We at the Internal Revenue Service are concerned because as many as 9,300 small community-based nonprofits in Tennessee are in jeopardy of losing their tax-exempt status. The loss of this status could greatly impact the organizations’ charitable work and their donors’ potential tax deductions.
The organizations that are at risk failed to file the required returns for 2007, 2008 and 2009, according to IRS records. The requirement to file is the result of a tax law change that occurred in 2006.
For many of these small organizations, complying with the new law may be as simple as completing a 10-minute form online. They can preserve their exempt status under a one-time relief program the IRS announced in July, but only if they file by Oct. 15, 2010.
The IRS has made numerous attempts to alert these organizations, but we are concerned that many may not have gotten the word. A list of the organizations that were at risk as of July is posted at IRS.gov along with instructions on how to comply with the new law.
We encourage everyone who is connected with a small nonprofit community group to make sure that their organization is aware of the law change and is in compliance before the Oct. 15 deadline.
DAN BOONE
IRS Media Specialist
Alabama and Tennessee
Unemployed easy to scapegoat
In response to a rant in Sunday’s paper (Sept. 19). “It’s interesting that no matter how long unemployment benefits last, most recipients are able to find a job in the last month of benefits.”
The first time I was laid off, I didn’t apply for benefits until my savings were spent.
I spent five months looking for a job, sending out resumes, filling out applications, going to the career center and making calls.
The day I received my last check, I got a call for the job I had been praying to get. It was the grace and mercy of God and I thank Him for it.
The job situation is very different this time. It’s going to take a lot longer to find employment, and some people may never find a job. Please don’t blame the unemployed because too many employers have become more concerned about profits than people.
The majority of laid-off workers worked for decades, paid taxes, bought homes and cars, saved and provided for families.
The unemployed are not the bad guys; they are just easy to scapegoat. Some of the unemployed were discarded by those who only see dollar signs!
EULA HALL
Kids can’t fight cancer alone
While it is frustrating to watch our national priorities stagnate while political parties attack each other, there is one issue where members of Congress from Tennessee have found common ground. Congressmen Blackburn, Cohen, Cooper, Davis, Duncan, Roe and Tanner have all joined the House Pediatric Cancer Caucus and put Tennessee in the forefront of the battle to eliminate the suffering and death due to childhood cancer.
Cancer kills more children than any other disease, and those who survive often endure lifelong effects of treatment including heart disease, learning disabilities and second cancers.
My family learned these shocking statistics after my son was diagnosed with cancer when he was 14 years old: 1) incidence rates are increasing, 2) we still do not know what causes childhood cancer, and 3) the FDA has approved only one new drug specifically developed for pediatric leukemia (the most common type of childhood cancer) in the past 10 years!
Don’t wait until someone in your family is diagnosed with childhood cancer. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – become aware of the signs of childhood cancer, speak up, and take action because kids can’t fight cancer … alone.
JENNIFER LOUIS
Nashville
Don’t use Sodom to condemn gays
In response to a letter Sept. 2.
The prophet Ezekiel (16:48-49) states the case clearly. “This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, surfeit of food and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.”
The sin of the Sodomites was they refused to take in the needy travelers.
Some people would like to include homosexuality in that text. They point out the word abomination occurs throughout this chapter of Ezekiel and even in verse 50, right after the verse about Sodom. They understand this to refer to the abomination of Leviticus 18:22.
Hebrew Scriptures use the word abomination to refer to many things. The abomination in question here is Jerusalem’s “adultery, harlotry.”
These words are used symbolically. It doesn’t refer to sexual acts but toward idolatry, Israel’s infidelity toward God and child sacrifice and murder.
But the clear reference is rejection of God’s messengers. The parallel between the gospel and Sodom is the closed heart that rejects the stranger.
Even Jesus understood the sin of Sodom was inhospitality. Other passages in the Bible come right out and say the same thing. Yet people continue to use the story of Sodom to condemn gays and lesbians.
MEISHA CONLEY
Hixson
It’s time to take our country back
Many of us want our country back.
I want my country back from multinational corporations that have more influence in Congress than the American people; from talking heads who use fear, hate and lies to gain power and make money; from those who distort the national debate with propaganda like the “Big Lie;” from people who can’t discuss policy issues without resorting to ugly personal attacks.
I want my country back from profiteers who ruin our natural resources and exploit workers while claiming there is no need for regulation; from people who disdain education and science; from those who forget they made millions while standing on the shoulders of steadfast working men and women.
I want my country back from domestic terrorists and supporters of torture; from those who use religion to justify bigotry and hatred, arson or murder; from those who mistake justice for spite; from people who selfishly manipulate the poor, the sick, the ill-informed and the easily deluded.
I want my country back from those who confuse the American dream with greed; and, I want America back from those who are shamelessly destroying her honor with tawdry tactics that are far beneath the dignity of this great nation and its people.
KATHERINE FRAZIER
Sewanee, Tenn.
With these friends, no enemies needed
So VW gets $800,000 from the city and the county for a pedestrian bridge that Steve Leach called “an extraordinary bridge” and the citizens of Chattanooga get a 39 percent property tax increase because of budget shortfalls. I’m so proud of recalled Ron Littlefield, the City Council and Claude Ramsey. With friends like you, who needs enemies?
ANDY GURLEY