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Tax Deductions
Membership dues, donations
and individual expenses for I.D.A. volunteer
work, including mileage, are tax deductible
if you keep receipts and records of mileage,
since Texas IDA is an official Section of
I.D.A., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
If you live in
Texas and join the
International Dark-Sky
Association( I.D.A.),
you are automatically a member of Texas IDA.
If members wish to avoid paying sales tax on
large expense copying and other needs, an
officer of the Section can authorize a member to
use a Texas Sales and Use Tax Exemption
Certification.
Tax deductible
contributions designated for use in Texas should
be made directly to Texas IDA. Use the
Contact Us link to find out the mailing
address of Texas IDA or how to apply for a
waiver of the state sales tax. Texas IDA has an
official bank account and makes an
annual report
to IDA of itemized income and expenses.
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Lobbying
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We may not do any legislative lobbying in
the name of Texas IDA, (only as individuals)
such as suggesting how legislators should
vote, but must instead act officially as
educators and awareness-raisers. Lobbying on
behalf of I.D.A. or using I.D.A. funds to
influence legislation or elections, is
expressly prohibited by Federal
regulations.
Individual members, however, acting in their
own name and not as a representative of
I.D.A., can lobby. Texas IDA members can
also discuss these issues among themselves,
as long as they are not directly trying to
'influence legislation'.
Members may act in behalf of Texas IDA if
they offer the results of non-partisan study
or research that has broad social or
economic implications, or if they give
technical advice. It's possible for
non-profit organizations to testify or
submit draft legislation if requested in
writing by a governmental body. See
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p557.pdf
and go to "Attempting to Influence
legislation" on page 45. Check first with
your Texas IDA coordinator before using this
option.
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Confidentiality |
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As a
Section of I.D.A., the Texas Dark Sky Association has
access to the list of Texas I.D.A. members. The
information can be shared with other I.D.A. members on a
limited basis ( sharing only the names of members in a
small geographic area) if needed for accomplishing the
mission of the Association . This information shall not
be used except to contact members for Texas I.D.A.
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[ Home ] [ State Codes ] [ Local Activities ] [ Getting Started ]
For information:
"Never doubt that a small
group of dedicated citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever does."
Margaret Mead |
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May 2008
