Tax exemption: why not-for-profits deserve it

Not-for-profit healthcare facilities' tax-exempt status is coming under attack, particularly in congressional hearings on the unrelated business income tax. Therefore tax-exempt providers must keep adequate records of all services and expenditures to demonstrate and preserve their exempt nature. A facility qualifies for tax exemption by demonstrating that it is legally organized to achieve its exempt purpose and that the bulk of its activities is directed toward that goal. The exemption indicates an agreement between the government and the facility: The government is willing to forgo collection of the tax due because the facility performs tasks that would otherwise befall the government, in particular, caring for the indigent. In addition to such care, other social goods flowing from tax-exempt healthcare facilities include their responsiveness to the needs of the nation, their desire to benefit the community, the medical training they provide, and their role as outlets for philanthropy. Before great changes are made in the unrelated business income tax, tax-exempt facilities must make legislatures and the public aware of the vital services they provide.