Fund for Study of Eco. Grth. & Tax Reform v. I.R.S., CIV.A. 97-0747(RMU).

• Decision Date: 12 February 1998
• Docket Number: No. CIV.A. 97-0747(RMU).,CIV.A. 97-0747(RMU).
• Citation: 997 F.Supp. 15
• Parties: THE FUND FOR THE STUDY OF ECOMOMIC GROWTH AND TAX REFORM, Plaintiff, v. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, Defendant.
• Court: U.S. District Court — District of Columbia

997 F.Supp. 15

THE FUND FOR THE STUDY OF ECOMOMIC GROWTH AND TAX REFORM, Plaintiff, v. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, Defendant.

No. CIV.A. 97-0747(RMU).

United States District Court, District of Columbia.

February 12, 1998.

William James Lehrfeld, Washington, DC, for Plaintiff.

Stuart David Gibson, U.S. Dept. of Justice, Tax Div., Washington, DC, for Defendant.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Granting Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment

URBINA, District Judge.

Plaintiff, The Fund for the Study of Economic Growth and Tax Reform (Fund), pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7428, seeks a declaratory judgment that it is a tax exempt organization under § 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Defendant, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), denied the Fund tax exempt status because it did not operate exclusively for "charitable purposes" within the meaning of § 501(c)(3). Further, the IRS found that plaintiff is an "action" organization and therefore barred from federal tax exemption. Treas. Reg. § 1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(3). Upon a consideration of the Stipulated Administrative Record, the cross motions for summary judgment filed herein, the court concludes that the IRS properly determined the Fund did not qualify for tax-exempt status and accordingly affirms its decision.

I. BACKGROUND

A. Description of the Plaintiff Fund

In 1995, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich created the National Commission for the Study of Economic Growth and Tax Reform (Commission). AR 76. The Commission's task was to prepare a Final Report and make recommendations on reforming the tax code. AR 73. Senator Dole and Speaker Gingrich appointed the members of the Commission including Jack Kemp as Chairman, and Edwin Feulner as Vice Chairman. AR 59. Mr. Kemp and Mr. Feulner headed an all-Republican group selected from various fields and committees such as members of Congress, representatives from the business sector and public policy makers. AR 1750.

In order to finance the Commission's work, Mr. Kemp established the plaintiff Fund by executing a charitable trust agreement and designated himself as the grantor as well as a one of the trustees. AR 1741¹ The trust instrument provides that the plaintiff shall be organized and operated "exclusively for charitable purposes, including the advancement of education within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") § 501(c)(3)." Complaint, ¶ 18. The trust instrument further provides that plaintiff "shall fund the study, research and analysis of ideas and proposals to reform the nation's tax system and to spur economic growth in the United States by reducing the tax burden on individuals and businesses." Id. ¶ 8. The trust instrument also provides that any net earning shall not benefit any private individual, nor shall any activities conducted pursuant to the trust agreement consist of promoting propaganda, or attempting to influence legislation or participate in any political campaign. Compl. ¶ 27. The plaintiff is authorized to conduct nonpartisan studies and to research the nation's economic growth through tax reform, and to publicly disclose any results of such studies.

The Fund's primary purpose was to raise funds for the Commission's work. AR 20, 1741-43. The Commission solicited and received financial contributions for the Fund and reported them as donations to the IRS. AR 1806. In letters of solicitation, both Mr. Feulner and Mr. Kemp wrote to prospective contributors to the Fund and expressed the importance of the Fund's existence for the work of the Commission.² Mr. Kemp's letters to prospective donors on behalf of the Commission did not include a statement regarding the possibility of tax exempt status for deductibility purposes. AR 825-828. In fact, Mr. Kemp's letters announced the fact that the organization is "entirely dependent on voluntary contributions, with not a penny from the government to support our work." AR 827.

B. Activities of the plaintiff Fund

The activities of the plaintiff Fund consisted of public hearings across the country, and various publications including the Final Report of the Commission.³ The funded presentations focused on reforming the present tax system into a flat tax and how to achieve such a goal. AR 75-103. Much of the testimony at the earlier hearings was directed at mobilizing efforts to change the tax laws.⁴ The Commission did not study alternatives to a complete revamping of the system such as making modifications to the present Code or retaining the current system of taxation. Discussions or presentations dedicated to views other than a flat tax are absent in the record.⁵ Upon completion of its hearings, the Commission published its Final Report, which began with a Foreword written by Senator Dole and Speaker Gingrich and opening remarks from Jack Kemp. AR 1268. Mr. Kemp's remarks stated that the Commission was appointed to study the current tax code and "submit to Congress our recommendations for tax reform." AR 1270. The crux of the Final Report was a recommendation to Congress to repeal the tax code in its entirety. AR 1835.

C. Procedural context

On June 12, 1995, plaintiff applied to the IRS for tax-exempt status under IRC § 501(c)(3). In support of its application to the IRS for tax-exempt status, the plaintiff submitted newspaper accounts describing the activities of the Fund and reporting on the objectives of the Fund. AR 1348-1365. Consistently these press reports identified the Commission as "Republican" or the "GOP Commission" or "GOP Panel".⁶ After over a year of supplemental submissions to the IRS office in support of its exemption application, the defendant issued an "initial adverse ruling". The defendant found that plaintiff did not operate in a manner consistent with § 501(c)(3) because of the "private benefit conferred on the Republican Party and its candidates." Id.

After the denial of tax exempt status, and during the appeal process, the plaintiff Fund requested additional time to file its administrative protest because Mr. Kemp resigned as trustee and soon after was nominated as the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate for the 1996 election. AR 174. At a hearing on November 8, 1996, the plaintiff protested the adverse ruling by submitting more supplemental materials describing the activities of plaintiff. However, on January 27, 1997, the defendant issued a final adverse ruling with respect to plaintiff's application for exemption from federal income taxation under § 501(c)(3). AR 1834. The IRS based its decision on two grounds that: (1) plaintiff was operated for a substantial non-exempt purpose; and (2) plaintiff qualified as an "action organization" within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.501(c)(3)-1(c)(3)(iv) of the federal income tax regulations. AR 1834-1835.

Plaintiff's complaint requests this court to review the defendant's decision to deny tax exempt status for the plaintiff trust and declare that plaintiff qualifies as a tax exempt organization under § 501(c)(3). Compl. ¶ 12. Also, plaintiff requests that the court declare plaintiff a publicly supported organization under IRC § 509(a)(1), rather that an "action organization" as determined by the IRS. Id. Consequently, the plaintiff filed a motion for summary judgment pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7428. Additionally, plaintiff filed a motion to strike material outside the administrative record. The court addresses each motion in turn.

II. Discussion

A. Scope of Review

An action for declaratory judgment under 26 U.S.C. § 7428 confers concurrent jurisdiction to the Court for Federal Claims, the United States Tax Court and the District Court to review a final determination by the Secretary of Treasury regarding the tax exempt status of an organization under § 501(c)(3). The standard of review is de novo and the scope of review is limited to the administrative record unless good cause is shown. Basic Unit Ministry of Alma Karl Schurig v. United States, 511 F.Supp. 166, 167-168 (D.D.C.1981), aff'd 670 F.2d 1210 (D.C.Cir.1982). "The court, however, may make findings of fact which differ from the administrative record." Airlie Foundation, Inc. v. United States, 826 F.Supp. 537, 547 (D.D.C.1993). Courts reviewing a final determination of tax exempt status by the IRS are to consider the overall picture presented by the administrative record. Dumaine Farms v. Commissioner, 73 T.C. 650, 1980 WL 4510 (1980).

B. Defendant's Motion to Strike

Defendant initially moves this court to strike certain appendices (Nos.1-8, 11-16) included in plaintiff's opposition to defendant's motion for summary judgment as extraneous and irrelevant evidence. These appendices contain the following information not contained in the Stipulated Administrative Record including: (1) information about other organizations that are exempt under 501(c)(3); (2) information about certain individuals related to the Commission; and (3) Internet media reports.

The court grants defendant's motion to strike material outside the record. See Schurig v. United States, 511 F.Supp. 166 (D.D.C.1981). Tax Court Rule 217(a) provides that "only with the permission of the court, upon good cause shown, will any party be permitted to introduce any evidence other than that presented before the IRS and contained in the administrative record as so defined." Nationalist Movement v. IRS, 37 F.3d 216 (5th Cir.1994). The plaintiff has failed to show good cause by attempting to introduce items solely for purposes of offering a broader context for the court's decision. Plaintiff's Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Strike, pg. 4. The Administrative Record (over 1800 pages) is more than sufficient to assist the court in its decision. Therefore, because the parties have stipulated to the Administrative Record, and plaintiff has not met its burden to show good cause why the court should expand its review of the record, the defendant's motion to strike is granted.

C. Motion for Summary Judgment

When...