[Imc-communication] Follow-up from UC-IMC Steering: Statement of Clarification and Apology

[stacy at cat.org.au]

Quoting David Gehrig <zemblan at earthlink.net>:

> There is nothing permanent about this fiscal sponsorship, nor should
> there be.  UC-IMC actively encourages working toward other solutions
> -- either that other US IMC collectives gain 501(c)3 status
> independent of UC-IMC and allow the fiscal sponsorship of Global to
> rotate among them; or that Global Indymedia Network become a 501(c)3
> itself.

Let me just clarify that the 501(c)3 status is not required.  It allows people
who donate money to Indymedia in the US to write it off their taxes.  It also
allows Indymedia to hold a bank account in the name of Indymedia without paying
taxes on the money.

However, if the money were to be held in a private account, or the metaphorical
shoebox in the closet, we wouldn't have to pay taxes either.

I remain sceptical of this status because it gives the US government a handle by
which to influence the network.  If we start to think that the 501(c)3 is
required, we will not be able to drop it when the US Government starts making
threats (note I say "when" not "if"), like "if you don't start logging IP's, we
will yank your status".

I think it would be a good idea to have a collective manage the funds without
the status.  Sure it's a minor inconvenience for Americans who want to donate,
but I'm not going to lose any sleep over that.  I *would* lose sleep over the
Global collective getting US charity status.

Just my 2c (tax free!)
stacy

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