Mark Knows It All

The scandal surrounding the Internal Revenue Service is centered on the scrutiny of a group of organizations better known as “nonprofits.”  Section 501 of the Internal Revenue code provides special tax treatment for these organizations.  All of these organizations are "tax exempt" which means they pay no income tax, but they have to be formed for specific purposes and approved by the IRS. Most folks are familiar with 501(C) 3 organizations.  These are groups like the Cancer Society or the Symphony or various foundations.  Not only do these groups pay no income tax, if you make a donation your contribution is tax deductible.  These are set up for educational or charitable purposes and can only engage in minimal political activity. But there are other types of 501 (C) organizations.  Those in the news today are known as 501 (C) 4’s.  Traditionally, they are defined as civic leagues, local employee associations, and groups that promote the social welfare.   501 (C)

Over this past weekend I attended two weddings.  Both were poignant in their own way, directly touching the question of life markers…especially “getting older” life markers.   A long time friend of mine married a great lady on Sunday.  It was a second marriage for both but they had maintained a relationship for several years.  They finally decided to make it official.  These are good folks who, like me, are approaching the short end of middle aged.  I am glad that they have someone with whom to share the rest of their lives.  Both of these folks are no nonsense salt of the earth types, my kind of people.  It was a beautiful wedding.  It was a lot of fun.  It was an affirmation that love knows no age, and that we still have a few good years left!!!!  Hopefully more than a few good years!!!!! The second wedding hit a little closer to home.  My first cousin twice removed got married on Friday.  For those of you who didn’t spend a fortune going to law school to learn what that