The IRS rules allow the tax-exempt entities to participate in those actions, as long as promoting social welfare remains the primary focus of the group's activities.

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The same process of creating 1099 income creates good income for tax-exempt entities, which means it goes into 401(k)s, IRAs, as well as foundations, endowments, ERISA plans.

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It needs the names of individual customers in order to determine the proper amount of tax due, because some of the sales in question might have gone to tax-exempt entities.

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Though most U.S. hospitals are tax-exempt entities owned by religious groups, universities or other nonprofits, there is still a Wall Street measure for about 1, 000 hospitals that are investor-owned.

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Ms. Ingram was in charge of tax-exempt and government entities until the end of 2010.

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Eventually, she rose to senior managing director at Bear Stearns, working in municipal finance and helping the Denver International Airport, the New York State Thruway Authority and other public entities to sell tax-exempt bonds.

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