MastodonApr 27, 2024

#Mastodon forms new 501(c)(3) non-profit entity with new board of directors in the United States to facilitate tax-deductible donations and in-kind support:

https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2024/04/mastodon-forms-new-u.s.-non-profit/

Mastodon forms new U.S. non-profit

As part of our commitment to supporting the growth and operational capabilities of Mastodon, we have established a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity in the United States aimed at facilitating our efforts, including being able to receive tax-deductible U.S. donations.

Mastodon Blog
Show threadJuho MäntysaloApr 27, 2024

@Mastodon

Sad to hear if this pushes you to be more US-centric. Have loved that you've based from Germany, not just for people, but for législation as well.

Show threadRenaud Chaput
@iju @Mastodon we are still EU-centric, the goal for the US structure is to be able to gather more funding in the US, the german structure remains our operating entity
Apr 27, 2024 at 3:42pmWeb
Show threadJuho MäntysaloApr 27, 2024

@renchap @Mastodon

I'm just hoping this doesn't end up being the first step of many. But time will tell, I suppose. Would hope the German regulators could be reasoned with, but of course simply the fact that this happened must eat some confidence on future.

Show threadRenaud ChaputApr 27, 2024
@iju @Mastodon I do not think we plan to move operations to the US, even if we do not get the non profit status back in Germany. As explained il the blog post. We never used the status to get tax-free donations, so there it is not really mandatory for us.
Show threadJuho MäntysaloApr 27, 2024

@renchap @Mastodon

Just worried that the US-non profit might get pressure from donators from US-legistlation, or that the board of directors start to influence the direction of the development.

Show threadRenaud ChaputApr 27, 2024
@iju @Mastodon I understand this, but the setup is (as far as I know) done in a way that prevents this.
Show threadJoe OrtizApr 27, 2024

@iju @renchap @Mastodon Bingo!

That's also one of my concerns and I hope it's not a prelude to the entire operation to move to the US as it would be a very bad thing in the long run.

Show threadRenaud ChaputApr 27, 2024
@joeo10 @iju @Mastodon its not.
Show threadJoe OrtizApr 27, 2024
@renchap @iju @Mastodon I hope you're right, and I hope I'm wrong.
Show threadAlexandre DulaunoyApr 28, 2024
@renchap How will you deal with the taxes? if the employee are not in US or the donations are transferred to Germany the US taxes might take around 40%. @iju @Mastodon
Show threadeverton137Apr 28, 2024

@renchap @iju @Mastodon I got you. But it's a shame the EU has not a legal framework to support clearly nonprofit initiatives from the EU and it's necessary to rely on an American legal framework.

This just came to my mind about the recent announcement of the @EU_Commission saying their experience on #Mastodon was a success, but they cannot find anyone to host a server for their accounts!

Maybe it's time for them to seek some American role models to have a server.

#US #EU

Show threadRenaud ChaputApr 28, 2024

@everton137 We do not really know what is happening with the non-profit status and are waiting for an answer or to know who to talk to.

The US structure is there to be able to raise money in the US more easily, as donors often requires you to have a specific status there.

Show threadeverton137Apr 28, 2024

@renchap I can imagine. I bet someone is just waiting for your fax before they can clarify something.

Sorry for the irony on the German bureaucracy, but this type of situation makes me mad. I've founded an NGO in Brazil and this raised some feelings on healing with bureaucrats.

I really wish this situation can be solved and you folks be considered a nonprofit.

Show threadeverton137Apr 28, 2024

@renchap @iju @Mastodon @[email protected]

And after years living in #Germany and dealing with its bureaucracy, it's plainly understandable this obscure move by German authorities to revoke your nonprofit status.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are some German bureaucrats with a schadenfreude at this moment.

#bureaucracy #EU

Show threadPaitApr 29, 2024

@everton137 A internet melhorou a burocra brasileira. É tão ruim quanto antes, porém menos demorada para lidar.

Piorou a burocra americana. O que era simples virou complicado e cheio de exigências adicionais.

Pelo que você conta a internet não chegou na Alemanha;-))

Show threadeverton137Apr 29, 2024
@pait na mosca.  😄
Show threadBfranzMay 6, 2024
@renchap @iju @Mastodon “Software would not be recognized as a charitable cause by the German tax system, so we were glad when the tax office originally approved our non-profit status in 2021. But now we have received a notice from the same tax office that our non-profit status has been withdrawn. This came with no advance warning or explanation. “ was ist denn da los?