Events
Speaking Engagement

Re-Examining the Rules for Tax-Exemption and Profit-Making Activities

Independent Sector Ad Hoc Advisory Group
Washington, DC

Michael Sanders, partner in Blank Rome's tax group, will be a panelist speaker at Independent Sector's Ad Hoc Advisory Group meeting on April 14-15, 2011 in Washington, DC, focusing on "Re-Examining the Rules for Tax-Exemption and Profit-Making Activities.”

The panel will be divided into three sessions:

1) Defining the Current Landscape

This session will discuss the continuum between “pure” non-profit organizations and “pure” for-profit businesses, and how to maximize the benefits of the two corporate forms to spur greater investments for social good without compromising the principles for granting tax exemption.  

2) Understanding New Policy Efforts to Define “Hybrid” Enterprises

This session will discuss the new legislation passed by several states to recognize Low-Profit Limited Liability Corporations (L3Cs) and For-benefit Corporations, and how some states are now undergoing efforts to revise the legal framework for corporations to maximize investments in social purposes.  Senate Finance Committee majority tax staff are also looking at the implications of the new non-profit category of Consumer Owned and Operated Plans (CO-OPs) established through health care reform legislation enacted last year as they consider other possible changes to the qualifications and requirements for exempt organizations.

3) Examining the Potential Benefits and Consequences of Policy Proposals for Public Charities and Private Foundations

This final session will discuss which factors Independent Sector should consider when developing its positions and recommendations to Congress and the Administration regarding new rules for tax-exempt and hybrid corporations.

Mr. Sanders will be joined by Evelyn Brody of Chicago Kent Law School in summarizing and wrapping up the first two sessions of the panel in the final session.  Mr. Sanders' experience and knowledge in the range of current arrangements, including all of the New Markets Tax Credits, are of particular interest to Independent Sector and the panel. 

The second panel—“Removing Obstacles to Greater Engagement in Public Policy Development and Advocacy by Non-profits and Private Foundations”—will begin with a session on April 14, and conclude on the following day.

Independent Sector is a leadership forum for charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs committed to advancing the common good in America and around the world. To learn more about Independent Sector, please visit www.independentsector.org.