The IRS Scandal, Day 22

Eddie Quigg, CPA, JD

A popular tax blog has been collecting the various articles written about the IRS targeting of conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status under IRC section 501(c)(4)--the social welfare group classification--- since the time the story went public at a question and answer session during an American Bar Association conference.

Of course the story has gotten increasing political, and the end doesn't seem to be in sight. Certain [mostly Republican] members of Congress have been pushing for the appointment of an independent counsel, visions or nightmares of Watergate come to mind, to get to the bottom of the mess. It makes some sense when you consider that the President's promise to "fix the problem" may be affected by the fact that the Treasury Department reports to him and given the political nature of the alleged abuses....well, you get the picture.

For the full treatment, from all points of view, I recommend the blog, which can accessed here:

http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2013/05/the-irs-7.html