Trump Administration Targets Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status Amid New Controversies
The Trump administration threatens to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status, amid claims of political bias and international student pressures.
In short, tax attorneys say nonprofits must operate “exclusively for charitable purposes,” which is a different standard than what the president referred to as, “acting in the public interest.”
Can the IRS revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status?
Boston Herald·1d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
In general, no.
Can the IRS revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status?
ABC News·1d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The IRS has seen numerous changes in the early months of Mr. Trump's term.
CBS News·1d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.I am skeptical this effort will be successful.
Can the IRS revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status?
Associated Press·1d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The move is a significant escalation on Trump’s attack on Harvard and his aggressive, multi-pronged assault on institutions of higher education.
IRS reportedly planning to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status
The Guardian·2d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Rescinding Harvard’s tax exemption would also have “grave consequences” for higher education in general, the university said.
What is tax-exempt status and can the IRS revoke it from Harvard?
Boston Globe·2d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
So the Trump administration’s attack against Harvard continues and intensifies.
Harvard Is Fighting Back. So Can We.
The Bulwark·2d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Harvard to date has rebuffed the Trump administration's demands for corrective measures and been uncowed over its moves to freeze $2.2 billion in federal funding, halt tens of millions of dollars worth of contracts, and pursue ending the Ivy League school's tax-exempt status.
Biden Praises Harvard for Standing Up to Trump Admin
Newsmax·2d·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Human rights advocates have raised free speech and academic freedom concerns over Trump’s crackdown.
Trump administration threatens Harvard with foreign student ban
Al Jazeera·2d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
The move by the DHS is the latest action in a series of administration efforts against elite colleges and universities that allegedly permitted anti-Semitic and violent activities at the height of the nationwide pro-Palestinian protests in 2024.
DHS Threatens to Revoke Foreigner Enrollment to Harvard, Cancels $2.7 Million in Grants
Epoch Times·2d·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Billions of dollars hang in the balance for the university - authorities have frozen $2.2 bn (£1.7bn) in federal funds, while Trump earlier threatened to also remove a valuable tax exemption, the loss of which could cost Harvard millions of dollars each year.
Trump administration threatens Harvard with foreign student ban
BBC News·2d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Harvard’s failure to protect students on campus from anti-Semitic discrimination — all while promoting divisive ideologies over free inquiry — has put its reputation in serious jeopardy.
FOX News·2d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
DHS on Wednesday also announced the cancellation of two federal grants worth $2.7 million to Harvard.
CNN·2d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Harvard can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning, and should not be considered on any list of the World’s Great Universities or Colleges.
Trump admin asks IRS to rescind Harvard's tax-exempt status
The Blaze·2d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
The move by the Trump administration reflect's the president's ongoing campaign against universities he argues have led the country leftward, spending too much time focusing on the failings of the United States and permitting protests by college students.
Following Trump threats, IRS may revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status, reports say
USA TODAY·2d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Summary
The Trump administration is intensifying its scrutiny of Harvard University, demanding records on foreign students' activities and threatening to revoke its tax-exempt status. President Trump claims Harvard promotes 'radical left' ideas, jeopardizing its educational mission. The IRS, under pressure from Treasury officials, is considering action against Harvard's tax status. Harvard asserts it operates within the law, advocating its mission benefits students and research. As part of these tensions, the administration is canceling millions in grants to Harvard, showcasing a significant conflict over federal funding and compliance with educational mandates.
Perspectives
The IRS's consideration of revoking Harvard's tax-exempt status, prompted by President Trump's claims of ideological indoctrination in higher education, raises serious implications regarding governmental influence over educational institutions.
Harvard's firm stance against potential governmental penalties reinforces its commitment to educational independence and the constitutional rights that protect it, despite threats of funding cuts and contract cancellations from the Trump administration.
Legal experts highlight the complexities involved in revoking a nonprofit's tax-exempt status, stressing that such actions would likely face extensive legal scrutiny and could set troubling precedents for political motivation in tax enforcement.
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