Social Welfare Organizations 501(c)(4): Permissible activities, obtaining status, and tax implications

Stephanie Robbins
Stephanie Robbins
Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg LLP

Stephanie Robbins is an attorney at Harmon, Curran, Spielberg and Eisenberg.

Gregory A. Nielsen
Gregory A. Nielsen
Nielsen Training & Consulting, LLC

Gregory Nielsen is a sought-after speaker and Consultant committed to helping leaders and organizations translate vision into reality.

On-Demand: July 19, 2024

This class is included in the Federal Bar Association CLE Pass

Subscribe to Federal Bar Association CLE Pass...
Co-Sponsored by myLawCLE
Get this course, plus over 1,000+ of live webinars.
Learn More
MCLE Credit Information:

Select Your State Below to View CLE Credit Information

2 hour CLE
Tuition: $195.00
Training 5 or more people?

Sign-up for a law firm subscription plan and each attorney in the firm receives free access to all CLE Programs

Program Summary

Session I - Understanding the Purposes and Tax Implications of Social Welfare Organizations – Stephanie Robbins

In recent years, social welfare organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code have received a lot of attention for their ability to influence political campaigns without being required to disclose donors. However, social welfare organizations serve much broader purposes. In the first half of the session, we will focus on the diverse world of social welfare organizations; attendees can expect to learn about the definition and purpose of social welfare organizations, the primary differences between social welfare organizations and charitable organizations described in section 501(c)(3), permissible activities for social welfare organizations, and how to obtain and maintain social welfare status with the Internal Revenue Service. In the second half of the session, we will focus on the tax implications of operating a social welfare organization; attendees can expect to learn about the taxation of unrelated business and political activities conducted by social welfare organizations, as well as the tax implications for persons making contributions to social welfare organizations.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Definition and purpose of social welfare organizations
  • Differences between social welfare organizations and charitable organizations 501(c)(3)
  • Permissible activities for social welfare organizations
  • Tax implications of operating a social welfare organization

Session II - Governance and Operational Best Practices – Gregory Nielsen

This session offers a comprehensive exploration of essential topics crucial for effective governance within 501(c)(4) organizations. Throughout the session, participants will delve into the foundational principles of board governance and fiduciary duties specific to 501(c)(4) organizations. Key areas of focus include elucidating the roles and responsibilities of the board of directors, emphasizing the legal duties incumbent upon board members, such as the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into best practices for board governance tailored to the unique needs and operational landscape of 501(c)(4) organizations.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Board governance and fiduciary duties
  • Roles and responsibilities of the board of directors
  • Legal duties of board members (duty of care, duty of loyalty)
  • Best practices for board governance

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Stephanie Robbins_FedBarStephanie Robbins | Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg LLP

Stephanie Robbins is an attorney at Harmon, Curran, Spielberg and Eisenberg. She advises the firm’s clients on the complex tax laws and processes that regulate their day-to day activities, as well as state law, corporate law, and governance issues. Ms. Robbins specializes in advising charities on setting up and operating complex corporate structures and the requirements under federal and state law regarding lobbying and political activities. Ms. Robbins also advises on domestic and international grantmaking, fiscal sponsorship, and other issues unique to charities. She particularly enjoys representing the firm’s clients in tax controversies before the Internal Revenue Service.

Prior to joining Harmon Curran in 2021, Ms. Robbins spent ten years with the IRS. She began in 2011 as a Presidential Management Fellow with an appointment as a tax law specialist in the business unit devoted to tax-exempt and government entities (TE/GE). In this position, Ms. Robbins reviewed complex applications for recognition for various types of charities, including public charities, private foundations, title-holding companies, social welfare organizations, and business leagues. She also authored rulings in response to taxpayer requests, responded to taxpayer correspondence, and served as a subject matter expert for specific types of charities.

In 2014, Ms. Robbins joined the IRS Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Employee Benefits, Exempt Organizations, and Employment Taxes (EEE)) as an Honors Attorney. As an attorney advisor, Ms. Robbins authored significant guidance and letter rulings affecting different types of charities, including hospitals. Ms. Robbins also regularly supported IRS field attorneys with examinations and the Department of Justice with litigation. Ms. Robbins served as a subject matter expert for issues such as unrelated business income earned by charities and the political and lobbying activities of charities.

Before joining the IRS, Ms. Robbins earned Juris Doctor from Temple University in 2011. Ms. Robbins then earned a Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center in 2013.

 

Gregory-A.-Nielsen_Nielsen-Training-&-Consulting,-FedBarGregory A. Nielsen | Nielsen Training & Consulting, LLC

Gregory Nielsen is a sought-after speaker and Consultant committed to helping leaders and organizations translate vision into reality. He is an accomplished nonprofit CEO, having previously led the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. His leadership was recognized locally and nationally and honored with awards from the Better Business Bureau for Ethics and the Louisville Urban League for championing diversity. Gregory is a military veteran, having previously served as an officer and attorney in the United States Army. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctorate from Notre Dame Law School.

Agenda

Session I – Understanding the Purposes and Tax Implications of Social Welfare Organizations | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

  • Definition and purpose of social welfare organizations
  • Differences between social welfare organizations and charitable organizations 501(c)(3)
  • Permissible activities for social welfare organizations
  • Tax implications of operating a social welfare organization

Break | 3:00 pm – 3:10 pm

Session II – Governance and Operational Best Practices | 3:10 pm – 4:10 pm

  • Board governance and fiduciary duties
  • Roles and responsibilities of the board of directors
  • Legal duties of board members (duty of care, duty of loyalty)
  • Best practices for board governance
More CLE Webinars
Trending CLE Webinars
The Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Obligations
The Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Obligations
Law Offices of Jonathan H. (Jason) Warner, P.A.
On-Demand
IRS Penalty Abatement Made Easy
IRS Penalty Abatement Made Easy
Green & Sklarz, LLC
On-Demand
Gun Trust Law (2024 Edition)
Gun Trust Law (2024 Edition) Wed, October 23, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Revocable Living Trusts from Start to Finish (2024 Edition)
Revocable Living Trusts from Start to Finish (2024 Edition) Wed, October 30, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Lawyers Serving on Boards
Lawyers Serving on Boards Thu, October 17, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Essential Accounting Principles Every Attorney Should Know
Essential Accounting Principles Every Attorney Should Know
LaPorte CPAs & Business Advisors
On-Demand
Creating a Trial Notebook: From A - Z (Including 1hr of Ethics)
Creating a Trial Notebook: From A - Z (Including 1hr of Ethics) Fri, October 18, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Tax Opportunity Zones (2024 Edition)
Tax Opportunity Zones (2024 Edition)
Blank Rome LLP
On-Demand
Litigating Libel and Defamation Cases
Litigating Libel and Defamation Cases
Callahan & Blaine, APLC.
On-Demand
Will Drafting 101 (2024 Edition)
Will Drafting 101 (2024 Edition)
Partner, Davenport Evans Lawyers
On-Demand
Federal Indian Law 101 (2024 Edition)
Federal Indian Law 101 (2024 Edition)
Holland & Knight LLP
On-Demand
Upcoming CLE Webinars
Charitable Solicitation Laws
Charitable Solicitation Laws Tue, October 15, 2024
Live Webcast
Inside Secrets to Getting Rid of Tax Penalties (2024 Edition)
Inside Secrets to Getting Rid of Tax Penalties (2024 Edition) Wed, October 16, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Medical Records A-Z: What attorneys need to know (2024 Edition)
Medical Records A-Z: What attorneys need to know (2024 Edition) Wed, October 16, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Lawyers Serving on Boards
Lawyers Serving on Boards Thu, October 17, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Creating a Trial Notebook: From A - Z (Including 1hr of Ethics)
Creating a Trial Notebook: From A - Z (Including 1hr of Ethics) Fri, October 18, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Maritime Finance 101
Maritime Finance 101 Wed, October 23, 2024
Live Webcast
Gun Trust Law (2024 Edition)
Gun Trust Law (2024 Edition) Wed, October 23, 2024
On-Demand
Live Replay
Litigating Defamation Cases (2024 Edition)
Litigating Defamation Cases (2024 Edition) Thu, October 24, 2024
Live Webcast
Real Estate Law Fundamentals
Real Estate Law Fundamentals Tue, October 29, 2024
Live Webcast
Final Accounting: Estate administration essentials
Final Accounting: Estate administration essentials Tue, October 29, 2024
Live Webcast
Judicial Misconduct & Regulating Judicial Ethics
Judicial Misconduct & Regulating Judicial Ethics Wed, October 30, 2024
Live Webcast