The following report was sent to Congressman Mark Meadows regarding the IRS targeting Asheville Tea Party's tax exempt status. Also, please see the WLOS interview,5/15/2013, www.wlos.com. I have deleted the names of the IRS agents for the purpose of posting on this website. Submitted by Jane Bilello, Chair, Asheville Tea Party, Inc.

Dear Congressman Meadows:
Thank you so much for looking into the matter of the IRS targeting tea party groups to deny them tax exempt status. Until this story came to light this week, ATP honestly didn't realize we were one of the targets. I have included below - to the best of my recollection and from my notes - the interaction between me, Chair of the Asheville Tea Party, Inc., and the IRS. We at Asheville Tea Party hope that this information shines additional light and can aid in an investigation. Please contact me with information on the steps Congress will take to rectify this wrong done to liberty loving Americans.
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Asheville Tea Party, Inc.(ATP) was incorporated on April 27th, 2009 as a 501(c)3. It is registered on the North Carolina Secretary of State's page. ATP had twenty seven months to file a Form 1023 with the IRS.
Time Line:
Mailed IRS 2011 income tax return/1023 Tax Form on April 12, 2012 to the Department of the Treasury, Ogden, UT 84201-0027 and the fee for filing - $400.00. It was sent Certified Mail from Flat Rock Post Office, NC. The IRS confirmed receipt of the form on April 16, 2012. (I have receipts.)
Shortly thereafter, I received a call from the IRS agent, Mr. _____ ______, 513 263 3660 (OH), that ATP may not be a 501(c)3 but a 501(c)4 because of our agenda and activities. I was very concerned. When I asked why, he explained (as he would several times in subsequent phone calls) that the tea party movement was so new, that the IRS was yet to determine if they were truly a tax exempt organization. He also told me that the IRS had many Form 1023s from tea parties on their desks whose status was yet to be determined. I asked what ATP had to do now. He said he would be in touch once the IRS determined the status. At that time, I also confirmed that the IRS had the correct mailing address for ATP which they confirmed.
I heard nothing from the IRS about our status until January, 2013. The IRS again called and said we were probably a 501(c)4 and that they would be sending me forms to fill out. Again, I was concerned because of additional fees that this may incur. He assured me that there would be no additional fees and the forms for the 501(c)4 would be easier to fill out than the 501(c)3, Form 1023. I never received any forms. I once again took the opportunity to ask how we were not a 501(c)3 and was told that our agenda and activities may not qualify us.
Concerned again, I called and left a message for the IRS on 2/25/2013 and 3/12/2013 at 513 263 3660, requesting assistance with the forms I never received. Tax day was coming and I did not want ATP to be assessed a fine for filling out the incorrect forms for the new tax year or for being late.
Mr. _______ ________, 513 263 3134, ATP's new IRS tax agent assigned to our case, called back and again said that the 501(c)4 would be sent to me. He said we would be OK until May 15th, 2013 to submit the forms. I received nothing. I was alarmed because May 15th, 2013 deadline was fast approaching and I needed guidance on how to file the 2012 tax return. I also once again discussed with Mr. _______ _______ why tea party groups who educate the public on the miracle of our Founding, the work our Founders, and the principles set forth in our Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and stand up for our Bill of Rights – were being singled out for non-tax exempt status when Progressive groups that were determined to undermine every principle upon which this country was founded, were not losing their tax exempt status. He gave me the same answer as Mr. _____ _____.
On April 29, 2013, I called Mr. ______ ______ because I still had not received the 501(c)4 forms and May 15th was fast approaching. He then told me to fill out an electronic 990 N Easy postcard. (I did so and received confirmation from the IRS that it was received and the information accepted.) I took the opportunity to again ask about our tax status. I was told it was still being decided, but the 990 would take care of the filing for this year and subsequent years as long as we did not have more than $50,000 in donations in our account. He also said that we may be a 501 (c)3.
I took the IRS at face value and believed that they were being sincere about their determination of our tax status. I became somewhat suspicious when I did not receive the forms they promised, even after I confirmed they had the correct address. I was shocked to hear the reports this week about the IRS targeting tea parties and their tax exempt status. The story sounded very familiar. I felt compelled to get in touch with you, my Congressman, to apprise you of Asheville Tea Party's dealings with the IRS.
This is not the United States of America that was forged by the blood and treasure and in the hearts of our Founders and the many who have come since and sacrificed to make this the freest and most prosperous nation this planet has ever known.
All of us at Asheville Tea Party and the many patriot groups across this nation hope Congress finds out who decided to inappropriately target patriot groups, who in the government knew about it, and who is responsible. Who will you hold accountable? Why has this been so long in coming?
I would be happy to send copies of receipts and Asheville Tea Party, Inc. Form 1023 to you for your perusal. We look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you so much.
Jane Bilello
jane@ashevilleteaparty.org
Chair, Asheville Tea Party www.ashevilleteaparty.org

Click the link below to read the letter written to President Obama from Darrell Issa and Jason Chaffetz (Jason is one of our endorsed incumbents!)

10.19.12-Issa-and-Chaffetz-to-President.pdf