Deduction for easement denied for wrong termination formula

The Internal Revenue Service has won another battle against deductions for conservation easements it believes are unjustified.  The Tax Court has denied a deduction for an easement that includes an improper formula on what happens to the proceeds if the property is ultimately sold and the easement terminated.

Women Under-Represented on Boards Of Large Educational and Medical Institutions

New national study reports special barriers at nonprofits, and recommends measures for promoting change

While national attention has been paid to the urgency of getting more women on for-profit boards to improve corporate governance, little notice has been paid to many of the largest nonprofits in the country – namely universities and hospitals – many of whose boards have failed to diversify.

A ground-breaking new national study published by Nonprofit Issues® reveals some of the hurdles women face getting onto the boards of nonprofit educational and healthcare institutions (“eds” and “meds”) as well as the barriers they face to serving effectively on them.

Fired YMCA exec may proceed with discrimination claims

A terminated YMCA executive may proceed with claims of discrimination under the Aged Discrimination in Employment Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on the basis of an allegation that he was succeeded by a “far younger and less experienced female,” a federal District Court in New York has ruled.

Montana Court says Jehovah’s Witnesses need not report child abuse

The Montana state Supreme Court has reversed a jury verdict of $4 million in compensatory damages and $31 million in punitive damages awarded to two children who were sexually abused by a member of a local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  The children had claimed that the Congregation had a duty to report the abuse to the state when it was reported.  The Court said that reporting is not required if a communication is required to be confidential by canon law, church doctrine, or established church practice.

Accepting Board-approved salary is not breach of fiduciary duty

A nonprofit CEO who accepted a substantial salary approved by the board of directors can not be sued for breach of fiduciary duty for taking excessive compensation, a Bankruptcy Court in New York City has ruled.  But the CEO can be pursued for “limbo pay” used for personal expenses and not reported as additional compensation.