Using the tax code to silence critics of the President

Rep. Tom Price:

What happens when one voices opposition to “big government?” UnderPresident Obama, you may be targeted by the Internal Revenue Service.

They will audit you, show up at your place of employment and sic other executive agencies on your family or business.

Now, the Obama administration intends to unilaterally modify the tax code in further efforts to silence political speech.

In November, the IRS announced that it would completely transform the 501(c)(4) classification used by groups organized for the purposes of “social welfare.”

From veterans' organizations to civic education programs, many important nonprofits fall under this designation.

Currently, contributions to these organizations are not tax deductible for their donors, but these groups are not required to pay taxes to the U.S. federal government.

These nonprofits are allowed to participate in the political process, within limits, and typical activities include voter education, advocacy and holding town halls. Many free market groups file under this classification.

The new rules would virtually halt such activities. Plus, the IRS would require 501 (c)(4) non-profits to pay taxes, knowing full well that these groups cannot afford to do so.

Their intent is to force groups into reclassifying under a different category of the tax code, as 527 non-profits. The 527 groups are not taxed on their donations, but they are required to disclose their donors to the Obama administration.

Conservative groups would be forced to choose: Change their classification to a 527 non-profit and open up their donors to abuse at the hands of Washington bureaucrats, or shut down all-together because they can’t afford the taxes levied against them if they remain a 501(c)(4) organization.
...

I suspect President Obama is responsible for the IRS abuses and the attempts to revise the rules so they can continue to try to shut up their political opponents.  These proposed rules must be challenged.