Humane Society Loses Non Profit Status

You gotta pay if you're gonna play.

Are you speaking of STT or STX?

STT. Didn't know there was one on STX.

STT!

The entire board of directors need to resign and they seriously need to hire an executive director to run the shelter, organize the staff, implement proper procedures and see that they are followed.
It is inexcusable to have "lapsed" in filing taxes as a non profit for 3 years. What do these directors do? Obviously, not the jobs that they signed on for. The need to get off their collective behinds or be replaced. This is serious.

This means they were also ineligible to apply for any grant money that they so desperately need and hire a grant writer to do so.

It is inconceivable that their board of directors would carelessly permit this to occur and completely disregard their fiduciary responsibilities.

Sadly, it's all the island's animals that suffer and the shelter is full to overflowing capacity with animals stacked up in pet carriers, one atop the other, because there is no more room. Most of these animals will be euthanized since they are a kill shelter.

Here's the link to the article:
http://m.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/how-to-give-irs-strips-humane-society-of-non-profit-status-1.1799561

Wonder when it was revoked? According to info I'm reading on IRS.gov, revocation is AUTOMATIC if not filed in 3 years, and the only way to restore status is to reapply. Don't see anything about extensions so wondering if they actually got an extension?

I have heard complaints about the Humane Society for years. Would love to know who other board members are. Don't see them listed on website.

I'll post the list of directors tomorrow.

Thanks! Make them take the walk of shame.

Do you guys have any idea how hard it is to find people who will volunteer to be on the board of a non-profit. It doesn't pay anything and it can be a lot of work.

I'm sure they would love for you critics to volunteer.

Yes, I know how hard it is, especially on a tiny island. The article didn't say they needed board members, but adult volunteers. More and more people are working 2 paying jobs and can't afford to volunteer. That's one of the economics of living in an island economy.

Wonder when it was revoked? According to info I'm reading on IRS.gov, revocation is AUTOMATIC if not filed in 3 years, and the only way to restore status is to reapply. Don't see anything about extensions so wondering if they actually got an extension?

The news article clearly documents it:

http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/how-to-give-irs-strips-humane-society-of-non-profit-status-1.1799561

Hopefully this will be sorted out quickly, the status will be reinstated and the Board will ensure that this never happens again. A top-notch Executive Director is essential to the organization - a Board is only as good as its leader.

I don't see the date of revocation in the article, and can't access the IRS database from my phone.

I noticed some pathetic looking strays yesterday. So sad.

I'm sure they would love for you critics to volunteer.

That is NOT how slacktivism works!

I don't see the date of revocation in the article, and can't access the IRS database from my phone.

I'm not sure why the exact date is important. The article is very clear that the organization was given an extension to November 16th and that in fact the proper documentation was sent to the IRS by that date but an inter-departmental IRS communication glitch apparently resulted in the revocation going forward.

The exact date is important, because based on what I read, donations made before the revocation are deductible, but those made after are not. Also, if the revocation was effective earlier, the Humane Society should have announced it immediately. How did the reporter find out?

And, an extension is only granted for the current tax year - not past years. It sounds like he's trying to shift the blame to IRS. The IRS regs clearly say revocation is automatic after 3 years with no filing and no notice is given.

It sounds like he's trying to shift the blame to IRS.

Obviously the revocation is very recent given that an extension to file was given to November 15th. If your forté is accounting, maybe you can offer the HSST a hand in the future to keep things up to date and help with a solution. 😀

That's what Ray is supposed to do.

People - donate anyway, even if you don't get a tax deduction!!!

So what if you can't deduct the $50 or $100 you sent them, it still goes to a good cause which is desperately needed. Even rich people who can afford to give more, can afford to give up the deduction!

That's what Ray is supposed to do.

Great response. He's not paid either. But if your preference is to harp on the problem without helping with a solution then so be it.

My main concern is with the reporting - not that the HS lost its status. Way too many holes in that article, and the public deserves better.

For the record, I did submit my reader survey to the Daily News, and got a very nice thank you email from the President of the paper.

While we are talking about the Humane Society...Why on earth did they ever agree to contract with the government for stray animals? If we had a proper Animal Control department, we wouldn't have half the problems we have.

Oh, oops, I forgot where I live... need a blushing emoticon here, Islander. 😉

While we are talking about the Humane Society...Why on earth did they ever agree to contract with the government for stray animals? If we had a proper Animal Control department, we wouldn't have half the problems we have.

That's a huge can of worms. When I was President of the organization they hadn't been paid by the government for several years for performing the contracted services but continued to do the job. I made it a priority to get the money (it's many thousands of $$s) and finally succeeded after many months of cajoling, threatening, begging, mass mailings and media coverage. It was a lovely day indeed when a few of us went over to STX where, with great ceremony, both shelters were handed their cheques. During the mandated photo shoot, the government official (who shall remain nameless) who handed over the cheques kept a smile plastered on his face while hissing in my ear, "You got what you wanted but if you pull these stunts again you won't get another penny!" I fixed my rictus grin in place and responded, "Well, if you keep up your end of the bargain it won't be necessary, will it".

It's my understanding that, again, many years have passed since the government has paid ...

Old Tart, I remember that! Boy, what a fight that was.

Just an update. The IRS has revoked the Humane Society's loss of tax-exempt status, admitting that it was a mistake:

http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/irs-admits-its-mistake-and-reinstates-humane-society-s-tax-exempt-status-1.1826995

Glad they regained their status but there is no good reason for not filing for 3 years and to jeopardize their non profit status, to begin with, if Ray was doing his job.

They need to hire an executive director to run HSSTT and a grant writer to get all the funding that is available out there. Grants are available but they don't take advantage of them.

Hope that will change now that they have taxes up to date, tho 2015 taxes are just around the corner so hope they have it together to be able to continue to file their taxes in a timely manner.