IRS grants religious group tax-exempt status after backlash, Congressional heat

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reversed its decision to exclude a Christian organization from tax benefits.

As previously reported in Legal Newsline, the IRS denied 501(3)(c) status to Christians Engaged because it is allegedly involved in prohibited political campaign intervention.

“We're grateful that the IRS changed course to bring its decision into line with the U.S. Constitution and its own regulations and our hope is that no other religious group or church will have to go through this again,” said Lea Patterson, an attorney with First Liberty Institute, which represents Christians Engaged.

Although the organization’s mission is to educate and empower average Christians to pray for the nation and elected officials, to vote in every election, and to be civically engaged, the IRS categorized the group as operating for "a substantial non-exempt private purpose and for the private interests" of Republicans.