Harris Leads Letter Urging Treasury Secretary Bessent to Revoke SPLC’s Tax-Exempt Status

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) led a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent requesting that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revoke the Southern Poverty Law Center's (SPLC) tax-exempt status.

The letter argues that the SPLC has failed to operate as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code by engaging in political targeting against conservative and Christian organizations while receiving tax-exempt status.

"The Southern Poverty Law Center has strayed far from what its founders intended. Instead of fighting hate, it now fuels the very division it claims to oppose," said Congressman Harris. "For years, the SPLC has operated like a well-funded left-wing political machine, targeting conservative and Christian organizations through its so-called 'hate map' and placing them alongside violent extremist groups. I am grateful for the work of the Department of Justice and the House Judiciary Committee to expose serious concerns about the SPLC's political targeting and allegations involving its use of donor funds. This record underscores why the IRS should revoke the SPLC's tax-exempt status. A political operation should not receive the benefits reserved for a charity."

Congressman Harris was joined on the letter by Reps. Barry Moore (AL-01), Mary Miller (IL-15), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), and Andy Ogles (TN-05).

KEY EXCERPTS FROM THE LETTER:

"Currently, the SPLC is a registered 501(c)(3) charity that enjoys an exemption from paying federal taxes."

"As you know, a qualified tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code must be organized and operated primarily for charitable, educational, or similar purposes. Additionally, such organizations are prohibited from engaging in political activity."

"However, the SPLC has consistently engaged in the partisan targeting of conservative groups by placing them on its so-called 'hate map,' alongside organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Aryan Brotherhood."

"The evidence is clear: the SPLC does not operate as a charitable organization and should therefore lose its tax-exempt status."

BACKGROUND:

• This letter follows continued House Judiciary Committee oversight of the Southern Poverty Law Center and a recent Department of Justice indictment involving the organization.
  
• The House Judiciary Committee has held multiple hearings this Congress examining the SPLC's conduct, including its use of a so-called "hate map" that places conservative and Christian organizations alongside groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and Aryan Brotherhood.
  
• During the most recent House Judiciary Committee hearing examining the SPLC, Congressman Harris questioned SPLC Interim President Bryan Fair about the 2012 attack on the Family Research Council (FRC) and the SPLC's continued listing of FRC on its "hate map." According to the DOJ, the convicted shooter said he used the SPLC's "hate map" to identify FRC as his target.
  
• On April 21, 2026, the Department of Justice announced an 11-count indictment charging the SPLC with wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering. According to DOJ, the indictment alleges that the SPLC fraudulently solicited donations while using donor funds to support individuals associated with extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan. The allegations include funds being used to purchase wood and gasoline for a cross burning.
  
• According to testimony submitted to the House Judiciary Committee, the indictment alleges the SPLC secretly funneled approximately $4.1 million in tax-exempt donor funds to fictitious accounts.
  
• Under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organizations must be organized and operated for charitable, educational, religious, or similar exempt purposes and are prohibited from engaging in political activity.
  
• Under 26 U.S.C. § 7801, the administration and enforcement of the Internal Revenue Code are carried out under the supervision of the Secretary of the Treasury. The IRS, a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, administers the nation's tax laws, including rules governing tax-exempt organizations.
  

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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