According to the FEC’s website, an open meeting is scheduled for April 17, 2008. A draft document for Advisory Opinion 2008-1 is on the agenda. The request involves a county party’s relationship with another political committee and questions of affiliation. The other topics to be discussed at the meeting are listed on the Sunshine Act Notice. Previously scheduled open meetings have been cancelled.
Chance to Comment on Form 990 Instructions
Most tax-exempt organizations report on Form 990. The IRS redesigned the form and now seeks comment on draft instructions.
The draft instructions also contain a number of new tools designed to make it easier for the organization to answer the questions and to promote more uniform reporting. These tools include a comprehensive glossary of terms; a sequencing list to help organizations determine the order in which to fill out parts of the form; a compensation table to help organizations determine how and where to report items of compensation; and many illustrative examples. These aids were developed in response to comments received last year in connection with the draft Form 990.
Late Report? You Have the Right to Remain Silent
According to The Frederick News Post, a campaign treasurer was arrested for allegedly failing to file a campaign finance report:
Deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office arrested Thomas C. Zimmerman of Frederick earlier this week for an Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s arrest warrant. It was issued because he allegedly failed to file a mandatory campaign finance report.
Zimmerman is the campaign treasurer and husband of former Frederick County Commissioner candidate Diane Dougherty-Zimmerman, who ran briefly for the seat in the summer of 2006.
The report on the Citizens for Diane Dougherty Committee was due Jan. 17, 2007, and election officials are still waiting for it, said Jared DeMarinis, director of the candidacy and campaign finance division at the Maryland Board of Elections.
Zimmerman faces a misdemeanor charge with a maximum fine of $25,000 and up to a year in prison.