Alexandria, VA – The Institute for Free Speech, America’s largest nonprofit defending First Amendment political speech rights, released the following statement praising Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s decision to modify IRS regulations to no longer require the names and addresses of donors on Schedule B of the tax forms filed by certain groups organized under Section 501(c) of the tax code. The new policy does not affect the filing requirement for 501(c)(3) organizations:

“We applaud the Treasury Department and Secretary Mnuchin for its common-sense move to protect the privacy of Americans who give to nonprofits,” said IFS President David Keating. “It has become increasingly clear that the mass collection of this highly personal information is not necessary to enforce tax laws or conduct investigations. Moreover, it can be easily abused to suppress First Amendment rights. Secretary Mnuchin has made a wise decision, and now Congress must take the next step. Federal law still mandates the IRS collect Schedule B information from 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Repealing that requirement will provide even greater protection to Americans’ privacy and freedom of association.”

The Institute for Free Speech has previously written in support of legislation by Congressman Peter Roskam, H.R. 4916, that would, in most instances, bar the IRS from collecting donor information from any nonprofit organization. You can view the Institute’s letter to Congress here.

About the Institute for Free Speech

The Institute for Free Speech is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes and defends the First Amendment rights to freely speak, assemble, publish, and petition the government. Originally known as the Center for Competitive Politics, it was founded in 2005 by Bradley A. Smith, a former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission. The Institute is the nation’s largest organization dedicated solely to protecting First Amendment political rights.