Focus on the Family to retain tax-exempt status

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Colorado-based Focus on the Family ministry will retain its tax-exempt status despite the fact that the group’s founder endorsed President Bush and other Republican candidates in the 2004 elections. James Dobson, who founded the ministry in 1977, announced on his radio show Sept. 10 that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent Focus on the Family officials a letter clearing them of wrongdoing.

Because Dobson separated his endorsements from any official action of the agency, the letter said, Focus on the Family did not violate federal tax laws that prevent religious groups and other tax-exempt charities from engaging in partisan politics. The popular radio broadcaster and conservative commentator had become heavily involved in the 2004 election.