Federal Policy Issues
The National Council of Nonprofits works on policy issues that affect the nonprofit sector at large, especially when our state association network can make a significant contribution.
The National Council is currently active in the policy priorities listed below. For updates on recent activities, suggested actions, and resources for current policy issues, click on the appropriate issue link below.
On this page:
- Charitable Giving Incentives
- Estate Tax Updates
- Nonprofit Capacity Building Program (Updated 07/31/09)
- Oversight and Accountability
- Workforce Issues
- Forward Together Declaration and National Council Recommendations to the Obama Administration
Charitable Giving Incentives
- Charitable Volunteer Mileage Deduction
- Read more about developments on charitable mileage deductions in the January Policy News and February Policy News
- IRA charitable rollover
- Flat Rate Excise Tax for Private Foundations
- Special Report: Information about the Proposed Changes in Charitable Deductions
Estate Tax Updates
The National Council supports maintaining the 2009 federal estate tax rates in the FY 2010 budget. The 2009 parameters include a $3.5 million exemption for individuals ($7 million for couples) and a tax rate of 45 percent. Read updates on policy and legislations related to Estate Tax here.
Nonprofit Capacity Building Program
The Nonprofit Capacity Building Program - championed by the National Council of Nonprofits and incorporated into the Serve America Act (HR 1388) by the Baucus-Grassley Amendment - was signed into law by President Obama on April 21, 2009. It will be administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a quasi-federal agency. Read more about the program and recieve updates here.
Oversight and Accountability
- Changes to Form 990 (Updated 07/31/09)
- Simplified Advance Ruling Process
- New IRS Publication About Requirments for Terminating or Merging Exempt Organizations New!
- See our July Policy News for Upcoming IRS Workshops designed for administrators or volunteers responsible for a nonprofit’s tax compliance. New!
Workforce Issues
- Health Care Reform (updated 07/31/09)
- Changes to 403(b) Retirement Plan Regulations (updated 07/31/09)
- College Cost Reduction and Access Act
- Credit for COBRA Premiums for Former Employees
See also
the Forward Together Declaration
and
the National Council Recommendations to the Obama Administration
In 2004, the National Council developed Nonprofit Agenda, A Blueprint for Action, a national policy platform that identified nonprofit policy priorities through a survey of over 800 nonprofit leaders across the country. This document, as well as current developments, continues to guide the policy choices of the National Council’s Public Policy Committee, composed of members of our state association network.
Find your local state association of nonprofits