Strict Standards and Accountability Act

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require that the Secretary of the Treasury follow certain procedures relating to status applications of 501(c)(4) organizations. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strict Standards and Accountability Act 2. Certain procedures relating to status applications of 501(c)(4) (a) In general Part I of subchapter F of chapter 1 506. Procedures relating to applications of 501(c)(4) (a) Initial notice The Secretary shall acknowledge in writing the receipt of an application to be treated as an organization described in section 501(c)(4) and exempt from tax under section 501(a) not later than 28 days after receipt of such application. (b) 6 months In the case that the Secretary has not approved or denied such application after 6 months after the date of the acknowledgment specified in paragraph (1) the Secretary shall— (1) (A) inform the applicant in writing as to the status of its application, (B) enumerate reasons specific to the application for its delay, and (C) provide an approximate expectation of when a final decision may be made, and (2) consider such application under fast track procedures which the Secretary shall provide by regulation or other guidance. (c) 1-Year (1) In general In the case that the Secretary has not approved or denied such application after 365 days after the date of the acknowledgment specified in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A) inform the applicant in writing as to the status of its application, and (B) enumerate reasons specific to the application for its delay. (2) Notice to Congress If the Secretary cannot make a decision before two months after 365 days from the date of the initial acknowledgment under subsection (a), the Secretary shall report during that time to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee on the extenuating circumstances of each such case that prevents timely determination thereof and provide the numerical amount of 501(c)(4) applications pending for over 365 days. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for part I of subchapter F of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item: Sec. 506. Procedures relating to applications of 501(c)(4) . (c) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply to applications submitted after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Strict Standards and Accountability Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) acknowledge in writing the receipt of an application submitted by a non-profit social welfare organization for recognition of its tax-exempt status within 28 days; (2) inform such organization of the status of its application if the Secretary has not approved or denied such application within six months after acknowledgment of receipt, enumerate the reasons for such delay, provide an estimate of when a final decision may be made, and consider such application under fast track procedures; (3) inform such organization in writing as to the status of its application if it is not approved or denied within 365 days after acknowledgment of receipt and enumerate reasons specific to the application for its delay; and (4) report to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee on extenuating circumstances that prevent a timely determination of pending applications and on the number of applications pending for over 365 days.