Since 2007, the IRS has required Non-Profits with revenues below $25,000 to file a form 990 to be tax compliant.  Any Non-Profit that has failed to file a form 990 each year since 2007 will lose its tax exempt status on October 15, 2010.  Here are some helpful links to find out if your organization is at risk, and if so, how to file the appropriate form.

 
The list of at risk Non-Profits in Indiana is available here: http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=225889,00.html
 

To view frequently asked questions to the IRS about form 990 compliance, click here: http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=225954,00.html

Click here for complete details on this situation from the IRS: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=225959,00.html

Click here for forms and instructions for exempt organizations: http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=228897,00.html

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                             CONTACT: John Donnelly
September 29, 2010                                                                   (317) 848-0201

Congressman Burton Honors Sherrie Eldridge as an Angel in Adoption™

Fishers Resident To Be Recognized at National Event in Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dan Burton (IN-05) has selected Sherrie Eldridge of Fishers, Indiana, as a 2010 Angel in Adoption™ for her outstanding advocacy of adoption or foster care issues.  The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), which orchestrates the Angels in Adoption™ program, will honor Eldridge, along with more than 190 Angels, at an awards ceremony and gala event in Washington, DC, on October 6, 2010.

Sherrie Eldridge is being recognized for the many lives around the globe that have been edified, educated, and inspired by her writing and speaking.  Said Congressman Burton about the selection of Eldridge, “Sherrie is a real hero.  As a child who overcame tremendous odds, to the best-selling author and inspirational speaker she is today, Sherrie has made life-changing contributions to communities around the world.  She absolutely deserves this special honor, and I’m thankful the Angels in Adoption program exists to recognize extraordinary people like Sherrie.”

The Angels in Adoption program is CCAI’s signature public awareness campaign and provides an opportunity for all members of the U.S. Congress to honor the good work of their constituents who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad.

About receiving the Angel in Adoption honor, Eldridge said, “What has come to mind after receiving this incredible honor is that I was somebody who wasn’t given a name by my birthmother after birth and was named ‘Baby X’ by hospital workers. Now, at age 65, I’ve been named an Angel in Adoption by Congressman Burton. What an exciting ride my life has been! And, I’ve been invited to the White House. I’m more excited about this than meeting my birthmother at age 47! Thank you, Congressman Burton. I never thought anyone would name me an angel.”

About Sherrie Eldridge:
Sherrie Eldridge overcame being abandoned as an infant to become an internationally-recognized author and speaker in the field of adoption. Random House Publishing Group refers to her as an adoption expert. Her mission is to help adoptive parents deepen their connections with their children by helping them understand the adopted child’s perspective and unspoken needs.

For the last fifteen years, Eldridge has traveled the globe, speaking to anyone who will listen about adoption. From an HIV-AIDS orphanage in Thailand, to CBN-Asia’s Beijing special event with government officials and college professors, to children and parents attending Ethiopian and Chinese culture camps, Eldridge has become known as the “Go-to-Gal for Adoption.” Her non-profit adoption educational organization, Jewel Among Jewels Adoption Network, Inc., was named by the Indiana Business Journal as a “Non-Profit of Note.”

Twenty Thing Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew (1999), her best-selling book with more than 160,000 copies in print, has become required reading by many adoption agencies for prospective parents. It has been translated into four different languages. Questions Adoptees Are Asking (2009, NavPress) provides a Biblical resource for post-adoptive growth and has been translated by CBN-Kiev into Russian and distributed in Ukraine in 2009-2010.  Forever Fingerprints: An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children (EMK Press, 2007) was read in every state the year it was released to commemorate National Adoption Month.  It was also chosen by the First Lady of Maine for her Christmas Tea. 20 Things Adoptive Parents Need to Succeed (2009 Random House Publishing Group, 2009), the newest companion book to the first 20 Things, gives much-needed encouragement to adoptive parents and helps them offer their best to their children in practical, life-impacting ways.  Three of the four books listed above have been chosen by the Indiana Historical Society’s Christmas Gala, both in 2008 and 2009.

Learn more at http://www.sherrieeldridge.com/

About the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and Angels in Adoption:
The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) is a 501(c)3 nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of orphans and foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes through adoption.  CCAI’s goal is the elimination of the barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family. 

CCAI was created in 2001 by the active co-chairs of the bicameral, bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA) to more effectively raise Congressional and public awareness about the issue of adoption. 

The Angels in Adoption™ program was established in 1999 as a Congressional press conference to honor outstanding individuals. Since then, the program has developed into a yearlong public awareness campaign culminating in an extraordinary awards Gala and celebration in Washington, D.C. 

CCAI does not receive any government funding and they rely on the generous support of foundations, corporations, and individuals to accomplish their mission.  For more information visit http://www.ccainstitute.org/

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   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                             CONTACT: John Donnelly

     September 28, 2010                                                                   (317) 848-0201

Burton:  Democrat Leaders Are Threatening The Unthinkable

“In just 95 days, $3.9 trillion in tax increases will drain every income bracket in America.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN-05) issued the following statement about the looming $3.9 trillion tax increase that Democrat leaders have vowed not to address before adjourning Congress this week:

“The Democrat leaders in Congress are threatening the unthinkable, as they plan to adjourn this week while leaving our businesses and families to ponder what could be the largest tax hike in American history.  In just 95 days, $3.9 trillion in tax increases will drain every income bracket in America.  The unemployment rate is flirting with double digits again, the national debt is heading towards $14 trillion, and now our economy is embroiled in uncertainty about taxes.

“To leave our fragile economy in this state of uncertainty is an abject failure to govern.  Even worse, the Democrat leaders have abandoned the American people based on a cold, political calculation ahead of the November elections.

“As it stands today, over 30 Democrats have joined a united Republican party on this critical issue, and if given the opportunity to vote on the House floor this week, our bipartisan coalition could stop the uncertainty and stop the tax hikes on every income bracket.”

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FOR IMMEIDATE RELEASE                                                                                  CONTACT: John Donnelly
September 23, 2010                                                                                                     (317) 848-0201

Burton Statement On The GOP Pledge To America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN-05) issued the following statement after House Republicans released a new governing agenda entitled “A Pledge to America”:

“We have listened to the people, and our Pledge is a united response.  The major policies in this new governing agenda—job creation and tax cuts, spending cuts and caps, strong national defense and border security, ensuring new laws have Constitutional authority, and the repeal and replacement of Obamacare—give voice to the American people, whose demands have largely been ignored by the current Majority.

“Our Pledge to America is an easy one for me to take, as its philosophies and policies are all things I have championed throughout my public life, if not already supported specifically through legislation.  Above all, our Pledge is something I am proud to take back to my constituents in Indiana.  Hoosiers who read our Pledge will find a genuine commitment to governing through our founding principles and for the priorities of our people. ”

NOTE:  “A Pledge to America” can be found in full here: http://pledge.gop.gov/

The preamble to “A Pledge to America” reaffirms Republicans’ commitment to principles of smaller, more accountable government; economic freedom; lower taxes; fiscal responsibility; protecting life, American values, and the Constitution; and providing for a strong national defense.  This new governing agenda is comprised of five specific policy plans that could be implemented right now if President Obama and Democratic Leaders would allow it:

•    Creating Jobs.  “A Pledge to America” reflects Americans’ demand for immediate action on policies that will end uncertainty for small businesses and help our economy get back to creating jobs.  This new governing agenda contains a plan to create jobs, end economic uncertainty, and make America competitive – including stopping all tax hikes, reining in red tape, and repealing ObamaCare’s ‘1099 mandate.’

•    Cutting Spending.  “A Pledge to America” embodies Americans’ rejection of the now-thoroughly discredited notion that we can simply tax, spend, and borrow our way to prosperity.  This new governing agenda contains a plan to cut spending and reduce the size of government – including cutting government spending to pre-‘stimulus’, pre-bailout levels, imposing a hard cap on future discretionary spending, and ending TARP once and for all.

•    Reforming Congress.  “A Pledge to America” acknowledges that we cannot get our arms around the issues of the day when we have a government that refuses to listen to the people and ignores their priorities.  This new governing agenda contains a plan to reform Congress and restore trust – including implementing ‘read the bill’ reform, allowing for more open and fair debate, and requiring that every bill contain a citation of Constitutional authority.

•    Repealing and Replacing The Job-Killing Health Care Law.  “A Pledge to America” recognizes that the American people continue to squarely oppose the government takeover of health care, with its higher costs, higher taxes, job-killing mandates, and Medicare cuts to pay for a massive new entitlement.  This new governing agenda contains a plan to repeal and replace the job-killing health care law with common-sense reforms focused on lowering costs and protecting American jobs.

•    A Strong National Defense.  “A Pledge to America” reinforces Congress’s responsibility to help provide for a strong national defense and fashion a coherent strategy to confront and defeat the terrorist threat.  This new governing agenda contains a plan to keep our nation secure at home and abroad – including passing clean troop funding bills, keeping terrorists off American soil, and fully funding missile defense.

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Burton speaks to residents

Congressman discusses election at town meeting
By Mishele Wright, Marion Chronicle-Tribune
Published: Sunday, September 12, 2010 1:08 AM EDT

Congressman Dan Burton discussed the importance of the upcoming congressional election, as well as the 2012 presidential election, during a town hall meeting Saturday at the Grant County Family YMCA.

About 20 concerned citizens were present at the meeting to listen to Burton’s opinions about the national debt, health care reform, the Cap and Trade bill and other issues concerning the federal government.

Burton criticized the current administration, saying the national debt has increased by 50 percent and 2.6 million people have lost their jobs in the last two years. He proposed several changes, including balancing the federal budget, cutting government spending, reducing the size of the federal government, repealing the health care bill and replacing it and ending bailouts permanently.

“We shouldn’t pay companies with your tax money,” he told the citizens.

Some people in attendance asked Burton how he plans to execute his beliefs. Fairmount resident David Milliner asked Burton if he would be in favor of Congress shutting the government down to create a balanced budget.

The congressman said officials attempted to do that during Bill Clinton’s administration, but were unsuccessful.

“It wouldn’t work,” he said. “We tried it.”

Milliner said citizens put their lives on the line everyday, and politicians should, too.

“We need leaders to put their careers on the line to do what’s right,” Milliner said.

Burton agreed to bring the idea up to other leaders in Congress.

After the meeting, Milliner said he came to listen to what Burton had to say.

“It’s our duty to find out what’s going on,” he said.

Various issues brought residents to the meeting.

Veteran State Representative Jim Sellers Jr. attended the meeting with other representatives to talk to Burton about their concerns with the VA Medical Center and current issues involving veterans.

Marion resident Xen Stewart said he attended the meeting to ask Burton if the post office in south Marion would be closing.

“We’ve heard so many rumors,” Stewart said. “We don’t know if it’s going to close, but I wanted to know if he knew anything specific.”

Stewart, a former letter carrier, said he uses the post office, located at 3333 S. Felton Ave., everyday, and he doesn’t want it to close.

Burton told Stewart he would look into the issue for him.

“I’m glad he took an interest in it,” Stewart said after the meeting. “I came to specifically ask about it.”

After he was finished speaking and answering questions, Burton encouraged audience members to tell their friends and neighbors how important the November election and the 2012 election are.

“It’s just a radical movement to the left and toward socialism, and we’ve got to put a stop to it,” he said about the current administration.