IRS considers regulating Web speech

The

Internal Revenue Service is considering the issuance of new guidelines on Internet communications by tax-exempt organizations.

The tax collection agency quietly released

a document called "Announcement 2000-84" soliciting public comment on possible new regulations for charities, think tanks and educational organizations.

Among the questions the IRS is addressing in its study of exempt organizations and the Internet:

"Does providing a hyperlink on a charitable organization's website to another organization that engages in political campaign intervention result in per se prohibited political intervention?"

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"To what extent are statements made by subscribers to a forum, such as a listserv or newsgroup, attributable to an exempt organization that maintains the forum?"

"Does a website constitute a single publication or communication? If not, how should it be separated into distinct publications or communications?"

House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, has issued a statement condemning the IRS' consideration of new regulations for the Internet.

"The IRS has no business getting involved in whether a think thank has links on its website, or how often a charity's site is updated," he said. "The idea of turning the tax man into a Net cop would have a chilling effect on free speech on the Internet. I'm glad the agency has not taken any regulatory action yet. But let's be clear about this. We will be watching what they do, and we will not tolerate any backdoor attempt to regulate the Internet."

The public comment period on this issue will close Feb. 13, 2001, according to the IRS announcement. Comments are to be directed to Judith E. Kindell, the principal author of the announcement, at the IRS, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20224.

Kindell did not return calls from WorldNetDaily.