Building a Moral Society: Chapter One

Not-For-Profit Organizations and Taxation

by: Jason Cunningham

    Let it be known that our moral society recognizes the need for non-for-profit organizations. Our goal is to make sure that our citizens donations and time is well spent by organizations. Therefore certain guidelines must be met, in order to continue their status as not-for-profit organizations.

     Education programs, care for needy children, rehab for adults, etc., are admirable causes which some not-for-profit organizations have taken up. Our concern is with the validity of organization's tax exempt status, so a test must be met to continue this privilege. The republic will not be fooled by companies and entities, who attempt to appear not-for-profit for the sake of avoiding taxation.

    All not-for-profit organizations must give a detailed report of where all money is spent to this republic and any individual that donates funds to this entity. This not only includes salary, but also supplies, bills, and statement of accounts, etc. The republic's protection of its citizens comes before the rights of any entity, including the government of this state.

    Entities that are considered under the umbrella of a not-for-profit organization may include churches, schools, higher education, hospitals, companies with the sole purpose of charity, etc.  These organizations do not have to be tax exempt, however our rules must be followed, otherwise become a taxable entity. No not-for-profit will not be allowed to discriminate based on religion, sex, race or disability, unless specifically mentioned in its charter. This republic does not promote discrimination, but if a home is for troubled boys, and this is the charter of the not-for-profit, then girls would not be admitted, or if a society for the blind is created, it would not have to admit those children who are diabetic, but not blind. The test is whether the possibility of discrimination is listed in the company charter, and due to this discrimination, no person would be adversely affected or disenfranchised by it. For example if a religious organization only serviced children and adults of their faith, this would be satisfied if noted in its charter, unless it only names its religion and not a particular sect of their faith. To be in compliance, they would have to provide aid to all of that religion for a period of year, beyond the time they apply to change their corporate charter.

 Places of worship get no special treatment from our moral society's laws. If a church, synagogue, mosque, or any other entity wishes to restrict, who can be a member it must be in writing for all to see, and this applies to any other not-for-profit organization. Also, all members must be given a breakdown of the money donated and given as offering, a detailed yearly budget, list of salaries and bonuses, billings, general and miscellaneous spending, otherwise lose your tax exempt status; this also applies to other not-for-profit organizations. If men and women can be members of a place of worship, no restrictions may be made in regards to dress, unless specified in the charter as a uniform, as would a parochial school have for boys and girls. The days of sexism have ended, and this republic will take any part of perpetuating stereotypes. The legal test for dress codes for schools, places of worship, hospitals, and other tax exempt entities is the following: It must named in the charter, specifically it must name the choices for dress, there is an apparent reason for the dress requirement, and both sexes must have a specific dress code in writing, otherwise it is invalid. If you require women to where dresses or skirts to worship, for the sake of wearing a dress and have no restrictions upon the men, then give up your tax exempt status and you may do as you wish. On the other hand, a business that is not-for-profit,  would not be wrong to ask males to wear a suit and shirt, if it also required women to wear skirts or pants, and a blouse to come to work. What is good for the goose, must also be good for the gander.

    Our laws may seem harsh, however we are concerned with the rights of our people. In a moral society, equal protection under the law must be regulated, or the balance of liberty could become slanted in one direction if we are not careful. No one in this state is forbidding you from helping certain people, take up certain causes, or worship a specific way. The republic gives you great leeway not to restrict any of your civil liberties.  However, whether you are in school, church, or a hospital certain rules must be undertaken, namely follow your charter and promote equality, unless you wish to lose your tax exempt status. Even the state is required to give a report where money is going to its citizens of the republic.