Can Faith-Based Organizations Now Endorse Political Candidates?

In a notable policy shift, the IRS has announced a narrow exception to the Johnson Amendment, allowing houses of worship to speak about political candidates during religious services without risking their tax-exempt status. However, the broader prohibition on political endorsements remains fully in effect for all other 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including faith-based organizations that are not classified as houses of worship. The announcement underscores that most nonprofits are still barred from endorsing or opposing political candidates. This article from Greenberg Traurig details the IRS’s limited changes on permissible political speech.