ADF commends IRS proposed rule protecting donors from harassment
“Every American should be free to support causes they believe in without fear of harassment, intimidation, or doxing. Unfortunately, when organizations put donors’ personal information on IRS tax forms such as Schedule B’s, that information is often leaked—intentionally or unintentionally—to third parties. Forced donor disclosure is a threat to everyone, contributes to a toxic culture of fear, and undermines the First Amendment’s promise of free association. The IRS has the authority to correct this problem and ensure that public advocacy is for everyone, not merely those able to weather death threats, hate mail, boycotts, and other abuse. ADF commends the IRS for crafting a proposed rule that upholds the right to free speech and association while eliminating a requirement with dangerous implications for donor privacy.”ADF attorneys representing a Michigan-based nonprofit asked the U.S. Supreme Court in August to take up their case, Thomas More Law Center v. Becerra, after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that the organization must disclose the names and addresses of major donors to the California attorney general on an annual basis.
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ABOUT Zack Pruitt
Zack Pruitt serves as senior counsel and director of U.S. government relations at Alliance Defending Freedom. In this role, he promotes ADF's policy and legislative work at the national level on behalf of the broader ADF public policy team. As a principal strategist, Pruitt oversees the federal and state government relations teams and provides legal counsel regarding ADF’s core issues to state officials, members and staff of the U.S. Congress, the White House, and federal agencies. Prior to joining ADF, Pruitt served as senior policy analyst at Americans for Prosperity and director of public policy for the Family Action Council of Tennessee. Pruitt earned his Juris Doctor with a certificate in International and Comparative Law from St. Louis University School of Law. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is member of the state bar in Tennessee and the District of Columbia and is also admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court.