Politics

Donations To Occupy Wall Street Are Now ‘Tax Deductible’

The $500,000 in donations collected by Occupy Wall Street is drawing the attention of many people.

  • The “residents” of Zuccotti Park heard about the huge sum of money and during the regular “General Assembly” meetings, arguments have broken out over how the money is being allocated.
  • Our own Buck Sexton speculated on GBTV last Friday that the IRS might take a look at the situation. After all, this is not an official non-profit organization and they have raised over a half million in funds and accumulated untold amounts of goods (non-perishable foods, sleeping bags, goggles, etc.)

Perhaps the “leadership” at OWS realized their finances were a liability and they have formed an alliance of sorts with a Social Justice non-profit group that will collect the money for them. Enter, the Alliance For Global Justice (AfGJ).

Occupy Wall Street Donations Are Tax Deductible

AfGJ claims to have roots that go back to the late 1970s, but they only formally organized and were recognized back in 1998. According to their website’s mission statement;

It is the mission of the Alliance for Global Justice to achieve social change and economic justice by helping to build a stronger more unified grassroots movement.

And they also know an opportunity when they see one… also from the AfGJ mission statement;

The Alliance nurtures organizations seeking fundamental change in international and national conditions that disempower people, create disparities in access to wealth and power, poison the earth, and plunder its resources.

Occupy Wall Street seems to fit right in with the broad strokes of the Progressive movement that AfGJ claims to be a part of since 1979. And that is why it made perfect sense that this Alliance would swoop in and offer to collect money for OWS and also be able to offer “tax deductible” status to people who donate.

AfGJ, however, is not giving away their collection services. The organization takes a tidy 7% off the top of all donations they process. As of Sunday night, the Alliance for Global Justice claimed to have processed almost $200,000 on behalf of OWS.

Occupy Wall Street Donations Are Tax DeductibleThis is a win-win for the protesters and the Social Justice crew at AfGJ. Occupy Wall Street gains significant legitimacy by associating with an established national non-profit group while adding the ability to raise funds via credit card donations with the promise of a tax deduction, and the Alliance gets an unexpected boost in donations thanks to their 7% cut.

Occupy Wall Street Donations Are Tax Deductible

If you are wondering if the Alliance for Global Justice is now officially and legally tied to the Occupy Wall Street movement, the answer is YES… sort of. Here is further clarification from the AfGJ website;

So what does the Alliance for Global Justice do for Occupy Wall Street (OWS)? Essentially we collect and process their donations and pass the money on to them as a project of the AfGJ. In IRS parlance we take “responsibility for all financial and programmatic matters” of OWS. We are responsible to include their financial reporting as part of our own when we file our annual tax return, which for non-profits is called a form 990. We are accountable legally and financially to prove that all expenditures by OWS are within the IRS’s tax-exempt rules. If the IRS audits us, we will have to show supporting evidence of the numbers we report. Occupy Wall Street’s obligation to us is to provide the accounting and receipts we’ll need for the IRS and to not jeopardize our tax-exempt status through any actions of theirs. (emphasis to text added by The Blaze)

This curious partnership gives AfGJ 7% of all monies donated to OWS, but could put the Alliance under the microscope of the IRS. Do they really expect the street-dwelling citizens of OWS to keep track of money spent and hang on to receipts? As someone who has visited Zuccotti Park weekly since the early days of the protest, this reporter saw little or no evidence of record keeping by those running the kitchen or any other “department” within the utopian encampment.

Lest you think that AfGJ has rushed into this marriage without a pre-nup, think again. From their website’s explanation of the partnership;

With all of our fiscally sponsored projects we are responsible for them both financially and programmatically. However, our fiscal projects act autonomously with their own decision-making structures. We do not interfere or participate in those structures except in the, so far, unknown event that one of our projects would do something to jeopardize our tax-exempt status. Under our fiscal sponsorship contract, we have the right to tell them to cease and desist if that should happen and to cancel the contract if they refuse.

Up to this point, the fund raising for OWS has been an informal combination of street begging, anonymous cash donations mailed to the park, and the rumored financial support from Unions, George Soros types, and the far Left. The ability to process donations via credit cards could bring a considerable infusion of operating capital to the movement.

The partnership also raises questions about the movement. Can you be in bed with a group that is pushing for Social Justice and Economic Justice and still claim that you do not want to tear down the Capitalist system that has been the engine of America for 235 years?

This formal, legal connection to an established, far-Left organization like AfGJ certainly gives new focus to Occupy Wall Street and the exact intentions of the movement.

Comments (110)

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  • Salamander
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 10:46pm

    Isn’t it amazing how OWS morphs itself into whatever form allows it to skirt the law! Now we have a straw dog for donations! I don’t think there is any way to stop it! But IRS can get picky about who it grants ‘charitable’ status to! It seems to me that any organization that uses its ‘charitable’ funds to support another organization with a political agenda, should lose it‘s ’charitable’ status AND be forced to disgorge its funds, either by forfeiture or, preferrably, by returning the ‘bogus’ gifts to their respective donors, who then lose the tax deduction! Actually, it seems to me that any organization that structures itself to conceal its real purpose IS a criminal organization, and should be prosecuted as such!

    Report Post »  
  • smartgirl
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 10:43pm

    Pray. Even if you don’t believe, Pray.

    Report Post »  
    • watashbuddyfriend
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 11:31pm

      Should I genuflect?

      Report Post »  
    • Sammye
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 11:44pm

      Amen!

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 11:58pm

      I’m praying…. for a Machine Gun for Christmas!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • barber2
      Posted on October 31, 2011 at 12:07am

      Yes. And you had better cross yourself.

      Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on October 31, 2011 at 12:21am

      So, the revolution will not only be televised, it will also be deductable.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on October 31, 2011 at 12:42am

      I say that the IRS keep someone on all the time at the Alliance for Global Justice is to watch them constantly for their people making out phony receipts and all that for the Commies In Action Group (also known as the OWS). Any receipts should be questioned and whoever the receipt was from that the CIAG group should be able to say exactly how much it was and exactly what it was for. And come down as hard as absolutely possible on the AGJ group.

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • KickinBack
      Posted on October 31, 2011 at 1:05am

      Amen Smartgirl. Pray. And remember to pray for those that don’t believe. “For they know not what they do.”

      Report Post » KickinBack  
    • EthicsGirl
      Posted on October 31, 2011 at 9:54am

      agree ;-)

      Report Post »  
  • CS_GUY
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 10:38pm

    The process has started……………..lock and load and be prepared to defend yourself and your family.

    Report Post »  
    • phillipwgirard
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 10:52pm

      Locked & Loaded

      Report Post » phillipwgirard  
    • Butyouare
      Posted on October 31, 2011 at 4:09am

      I prefer to pray and whittle, much quieter. And soothing too. Keep the safety on. And be glad I’m on your side.
      Keep your macho “lock load” crap for hunting. Squirrels!

      Report Post »  
    • gmoneytx
      Posted on October 31, 2011 at 1:54pm

      “stocked” locked and loaded!!!

      Report Post » gmoneytx  
  • Rached Madcow SHOW
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 10:38pm

    This OWS gets more like the TEA PARTY everyday. Oh, accept the Tea Party is AstroTurf and funded by big corporations and OWS miraculously and spontaneously sprung up all over the world with tax exemptions and healthcare and free room and board at a Hotel near OWS and free camping equipment and Marxist literature and visits from Hollywood and 10 media people for every protester and wavers on permits for holding the gatherings and professional catering that try not to let the free loaders disturb your dining experience and free legal advice in case you rape somebody and if you say you are a Veteran, they will take your word for it, no questions asked.

    Report Post » Rached Madcow SHOW  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 10:33pm

    This is “nucking futz”….
    No one with a brain, a spine, and a sense of self respect could support this corrupt administration.
    Obama’s supporters are either idiots, or complicit, or both.
    When will he start making direct payments to a committe to abolish the constitution also tax deductible?
    Each day surpasses the day before. Can we make it to November 2012?

    Report Post »  
    • phillipwgirard
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 10:54pm

      I don’t think so, if they want a war, i’ll give em a little war where i am

      Report Post » phillipwgirard  
    • glassbeadlady
      Posted on October 31, 2011 at 12:05am

      ‎2013 can’t get here fast enough…this guy should be impeached before he crowns himself king. He is acting like one.

      Report Post » glassbeadlady  
  • hi
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 10:26pm

    The liberals don’t pay their taxes anyway. They all lie and cheat. So, this will affect nothing. Also, they don’t give away their money. they steal ours! No one is going to donate to the commies.

    Report Post » hi  
  • spfoam1
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 10:24pm

    Soros needs to be put down like a rabid dog, and much of this BS would end. I’d say follow the money, but that would require a legitimate DOJ.

    Report Post »  
  • Mahakala
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 10:23pm

    Two words come to mind: money laundering. And with the idiot AG we have you know there will no investigation from him or the IRS

    Report Post » Mahakala  
    • CatB
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 11:04pm

      Perhaps we can change that … and in January 2013 we can start to get to the bottom of this cr*p.

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 10:04pm

    Oh. I get it. Money laundering. Huh. Is there a worthy man in our Justice Department who will put a stop to these illegalities? I fell like Don Quixote, looking in vain for a chivalrous and honest man.

    Report Post »  
  • One of the strong
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 10:03pm

    Good, they have money, SIEZE it for the costs of their idiocy to pay for police, fire, emergency workers, and city services required due to their crap!

    Report Post »  
    • ConservativeCharlie
      Posted on October 31, 2011 at 1:55am

      I wish we lived in a sane country, where these people would be exposed for what they are. Well there is hope yet, looks like the conservatives are getting creative I saw this video and laughed pretty hard at the end, this shows how stupid the occupy movement is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qFTHowBDFc

      Report Post »  
    • Tom K
      Posted on October 31, 2011 at 9:57am

      The City of New York should send OWS a bill for ALL city services. Mayor Bloomberg would insist on billing OWS if he had some BALLZ. If OWS donations are tax deductible then donations to the National Rifle Association should also be tax deductible. How about some equality.

      Report Post »  
  • Dalady
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:56pm

    I wonder at what point these dupes realize they’ve been used…when a modern day Che has them in front of a firing squad? As for me and my house, we know what’s going on.

    Report Post »  
  • majorsco
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:52pm

    This means that all anarchists can become tax exempt organizations. Only in Obamaland.

    Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:46pm

    Think we DEFINITELY need to revamp the tax code ! Deductions for these parasites ? I want them to REPAY us suckers for the tax dollars being wasted on their Eternal Camp-In ! Aren’t there any knowledgeable conservatives out there to counter act these Far Lefties bent on destroying or economic system? Who is willing to fight this new War on Capitalism ? Glad my WWII vet dad is dead. The current Democrats are an abomination . They are destroying what has made us a successful nation and turning us into a Third World country being bullied by dysfunctional Camp-In hippies who threaten law, order, or police forces, and our economic future. WAKE UP, AMERICA !

    Report Post »  
  • DADA
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:45pm

    I do not understand why these leeches demonize the very people who already are paying for their cause. Where do they think these funds are coming from? Do they think like minded “unemployed and loving it” people are sending in these donations? As they continue to receive unemployment and food stamps, who do they think cover the costs? What is it they want? Free college? Guaranteed employment or free money? Free beer? Free pot? Free Love? WTF do they want that is reasonable?

    Report Post » DADA  
  • nohussein
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:43pm

    The hussein is behind all this communist crap, ounce a rabble rouser, always a rabble rouser.

    Report Post » nohussein  
  • trueblueday
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:35pm

    The money needs to be handed right back to the cities/towns/neighborhoods that are being destroyed by this bunch of heathens aka OWS.

    Report Post »  
    • nohussein
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:47pm

      What money?, the dregs have no money!

      Report Post » nohussein  
    • Max jones
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:50pm

      I can’t stand it. Children’s games being played by ruthless radicals. Gotta be some kind of mind control, or something like it. I don’t want to believe that ordinary people are being used this way.

      Report Post » Max jones  
  • nohussein
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:33pm

    the hussein, struck again.

    Report Post » nohussein  
  • garyM
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:18pm

    Where are the honest men in congress, why are they not doing anything to stop this unbelieveable crap. Where are the honest Supreme Court Justices?

    Report Post »  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:17pm

    C= Communist
    O= Occupiers
    R= Raping
    R= Ransacking
    U= United States
    P= Public
    T= Towns
    Thank You Obama!!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
    • cemerius
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:31pm

      Nope…thank you to ALL the idiots that voted his sorry butt into office!! Oh Yeah! Thank the Republican establishment for nominating McCain to run against him too!!! We need a 2012 reset!!!!

      Report Post » cemerius  
    • BigSky
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:39pm

      Thanks to all the sorry saps who voted Obama in to office and that includes conservatives and so called “independents”.

      Report Post » BigSky  
  • marcomark63
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:10pm

    yet they are asking for people to give them stuff to survive the cold.

    Report Post »  
  • Dustyluv
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:09pm

    This is incredible. People damaging America and then donations to be tax deductible? I have to say a Sarah Palin…W T F !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • BigSky
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:41pm

      Spare us the Palin-isms. She could very well re-elect Obama if she decides to inject herself in to the election cycle.

      Report Post » BigSky  
  • csinnm
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:08pm

    shouldn’t it be the organization that registers, not their “banker”?

    Report Post »  
  • ladyda
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:06pm

    Ahhhh, the wonders of Socialism. And the cronyism of the Democrats and the Socialists parties…. So endearing, isn’t it?

    Report Post » ladyda  
  • scout n ambush
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:04pm

    Ok blazers if alliance for justice is a spooky dude soros ngo is this the same thing as alliance for global justice?

    Report Post » scout n ambush  
    • mils
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:19pm

      “someone” is trying to break our country down…and doing a good job at this point…

      Report Post »  
    • scout n ambush
      Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:35pm

      if i had not read about the vision George Washington was shown by an angel and the outcome of all the nations of europe, aisia and africa coming against us on our own soil and with divine help we all pull togther and defeat them i would feel more uneasy about it.

      Report Post » scout n ambush  
  • CatB
    Posted on October 30, 2011 at 8:58pm

    Isn’t this “cozy” …

    TEA!

    Report Post »  
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