To simplify compliance for grantors and contributors to tax-exempt organizations, the IRS recently issued an updated revenue procedure (Rev. Proc. 2018-32) that combines previously scattered guidance on deductibility and reliance issues. The new revenue procedure explains when grantors and contributors may rely on a listing of an organization on an IRS database of organizations eligible to receive contributions under Sec. 170 for purposes of determining whether the grants or contributions may be deductible under Sec. 170.

Searchable Databases

The IRS maintains and updates two different publicly available databases on organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions under Sec. 170. The first lists organizations that are eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable donations (eligible organization list), and the second is an extract of certain information concerning tax-exempt organizations from the IRS electronic Business Master File (the EOB MF Extract).

Historically, the eligible organization list was maintained in print form in IRS Publication 78.

Many employers hire third-party payroll service providers to perform their payroll processing functions and tax-related duties, including making employment tax deposits.

Watch Monitoring your outsourced payroll duties on EFTPS to learn about:

• Using an EFTPS Inquiry PIN to monitor tax deposits
• The benefits of creating a separate EFTPS account
• Setting up EFTPS notifications

The employer, generally, remains liable for any unpaid employment taxes, including any penalties and interest resulting from any underpayment, even if they use a third-party payroll service provider. Note, this may not apply to employers using Certified Professional Employer Organizations (CPEO).

Please visit Outsourcing payroll and third-party payers andwww.EFTPS.gov for additional information.

On June 21, 2018, the United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, issued its opinion in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. (Docket No. 17-494) overturning Quill v. North Dakota (504 U.S. 298 (1992)), finding that the physical presence requirement upheld in Quill for state sales and use tax collection jurisdiction (nexus) over out-of-state vendors was “unsound and incorrect” and not a proper application of the Constitutional Commerce Clause requirements and remanded the case “for any remaining claims regarding the commerce clause’s application in the absence of Quill.”

The decision means most online vendors will now be subject to state sales and use tax collection responsibility.  Click here to view the decision.

The 10 members of the ACT presented their 2018 report to the IRS in a public meeting in Washington, DC on June 7, 2018, on five issues:

• Employee Plans: Recommendations regarding the re-opening of the IRS Determination Letter Program
• Employee Plans: Recommendations regarding missing participants in retirement plans
• Exempt Organizations: Recommendations regarding incentivizing universal e-filing for Forms 990
• Indian Tribal Governments: Recommendations regarding sharing of taxpayer information with tribal government tax programs
• Tax Exempt Bonds: Recommendations regarding encouraging self-compliance by issuers of tax-advantaged obligations/tax exempt bonds

Friday, June 29, 2018, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Social Science and Business – SSB #335 (on the UMSL north campus, note different building than most of our classes take place).

Diversity and inclusion initiatives have been proven to not only make organizations more accessible, but more successful. Intentional diversity and inclusion leads to more innovation in thinking, greater productivity, and a more engaged team. So how can we work to make our volunteer programs accessible to a wide range of people, in order to create an engaged, effective team of diverse volunteers? This interactive workshop will explore the concepts of diversity, inclusion, and implicit bias, in order to help us understand these concepts and their effect on our current practices around volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention. Attendees will have the opportunity to evaluate their existing volunteer program through the lens of diversity and inclusion, brainstorm and share

Last year when the IRS announced that the initial remedial amendment period for 403(b) plans will end March 31, 2020, the natural reaction to this very important (but rather remote) deadline was to immediately put it on the to-do list, somewhere near the bottom, where it has been languishing ever since.  If this describes your reaction, you are certainly not alone.

We think it is a good time to move this to the front burner and take some action.  As you may recall, 403(b) plan sponsors were required to adopt a written plan document for existing 403(b) plans on or before December 31, 2009.  At the time, there were no pre-approved 403(b) plans and no determination letter program was available for 403(b) plan sponsors to gain assurance that the document satisfied the requirements of section 403(b) and applicable regulations.  In order to provide a system of reliance

The Internal Revenue Service released a new five-year Strategic Plan outlining goals to improve taxpayer service and tax administration.

The Fiscal Year 2018-2022 IRS Strategic Plan will serve as a roadmap to help guide the agency’s programs and operations. The plan will also help meet the changing needs of taxpayers and members of the tax community.

The strategic plan, developed with input from external partners as well as IRS employees, focuses on six goals that will help improve customer service:

EP and EO participating in 2018 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums

Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations will participate in the 2018 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums in five cities starting in July. The forums offer three days of seminars and workshops featuring speakers from both the IRS and tax practitioner organizations. In addition to getting the latest tax information, tax professionals can earn continuing education credits for their attendance.

Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts

Thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scammers using regular mail, phone, or email.

The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. Recognize the telltale signs of a scam. See: How to know it’s really the IRS calling or knocking on your door

Updated forms and publications:

• Publication 3386, Tax Guide – Veterans Organizations

Thursday, June 14, 2018 from 3-5 p.m. in # 202 JC Penney Conference Center (on the UMSL north campus)

This interactive and data-driven workshop covers a range of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and on-line search marketing issues.  Some of the topics to be covered will include:

• Increasing organic search visibility
• On-page optimization
• Keyword discovery
• Tracking and reporting
• Link building
• Search marketing, including Google Grants
• Content marketing

Showing up in search engine results (organic search) is a key way to reach your most important audiences. But improving your website’s visibility in Google can be daunting. Designed specifically for nonprofit organizations, this expert-led workshop will teach you how to implement SEO best practices that will improve your organization’s online visibility, boost fundraising efforts, drive qualified web traffic, and bring increased awareness to your cause.

Key Takeaways:

• How search engines work
• The 3 most important SEO considerations
• How SEO fits