Churches That Defied Politicking Ban Await IRS Action

The Internal Revenue Service has yet to take action against 33 churches that defied a prohibition on houses of worship endorsing political candidates during last year’s presidential election, the Associated Press reports.

“Pulpit Freedom Sunday,” which was held on September 28, was designed to start a court fight in hopes of overturning the ban. Under IRS rules, places of worship can issue voter guides, hold forums, and engage in other nonpartisan political activity but cannot endorse candidates, at the risk of losing their tax-exempt status.

The Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative legal group that organized the event, said the IRS has yet to notify the churches of any investigation. An IRS spokesman declined to comment.

See an article from The Chronicle’s archive about the alliance’s protest.

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