IRS Finds Charities Overstep Into Politics

Friday February 24, 2006 3:46 PM

By MARY DALRYMPLE

AP Tax Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - IRS exams found nearly 3 out of 4 churches, charities and other civic groups suspected of having violated restraints on political activity in the 2004 election actually did so, the agency said Friday.

Most of the examinations that have concluded found only a single, isolated incidence of prohibited campaign activity.

In three cases, however, the IRS uncovered violations egregious enough to recommend revoking the groups' tax-exempt status.