Speak up now to prevent the added burden and security concerns of collecting donor Social Security Numbers for the IRS. 

Submit your comments to the IRS by December 16.

The IRS is proposing a rule that would encourage nonprofits to ask donors for their Social Security Numbers and then submit them to the IRS along with donors' names, addresses, and donation amounts. Yet, on its website the IRS advises taxpayers to only give out their Social Security Number when "absolutely necessary." Most nonprofits believe that "never" is a better answer; as in a charitable nonprofit should never be asking donors for a Social Security Number when soliciting donations. 

The proposed regulations would give nonprofits the option to file a separate new information return with the IRS every year and then send a copy of each filing to each individual donor, for contributions of more than $250 in value. A similar mandatory proposal was considered and rejected in the past based on the numerous legal, policy, and confidentiality problems it raised. While this proposal is for an optional reporting process now, it could theoretically open the door to mandatory reporting in the future.

This is still in the proposal stage, but the comment period ends on December 16, 2015, so don't delay and miss your chance to be heard!

Learn more about the proposed regulations, read an analysis by the National Council of Nonprofits, and find out more about what you can do to take action on behalf of your donors, fellow nonprofits, and those you serve, with these helpful links:

• National Council of Nonprofits' Analysis
• Official publication of the proposed regulations
• Similar proposal that was previously considered and rejected
• IRS advice against giving out Social Security Numbers
• YouTube video with more of the same advice
• What you can do to take action

"Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean."
Ryunosuke Satoro