November 12, 2021

Major Policy Developments, International Travel Resumes, and Latest SVOG News

In This Issue: Employee Retention Tax Credit Curtailed as Infrastructure Bill Passes; New Action Ahead on Shuttered Venue Operators Grants; The Latest on COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Requirements; COVID-19 Travel Bans Lifted: New Policies in Place for International Air Travel; Speak Up Now to Preserve New Charitable Giving Incentives!

September 20, 2021

Fall Brings Important Policy News and Opportunities

In This Issue: Act Now: Arts and Recovery; Shuttered Venues Grants Enter Supplemental Phase; U.S. to Lift International Travel Restrictions in Early November

March 10, 2023

Last Chance to Weigh In on Drastic Artist Visa Fee Proposal

The opportunity to respond to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposed rule on visa filing fees has been extended and will now close on Monday, March 13. This proposal would more than triple the cost for O and P artist visas applications filed by U.S. petitioners.

January 23, 2023

DHS Proposes New Fees: Includes Steep Increases for Artist Visas, Harmful Policy Changes

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a proposed rule that would impose very steep increases to some of its filing fees, including for O and P artist visas applications filed by U.S. petitioners. The comment period is open until March 6, 2023, and DHS and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) expect to take several months to review public feedback and consider adjustments.

January 22, 2021

At a Glance: Visa and Tax Policies for Foreign Guest Artists

The League is a global leader in helping artists - and the organizations that present them - as they navigate the U.S. visa process and tax withholding requirements. In a coordinated effort with other national performing arts organizations, orchestras are working with the White House, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), State Department, Treasury, and Congress to urge ongoing improvements to the visa process and tax procedures.

November 12, 2020

Orchestras' Guide to Ethics and Accountability

Orchestras depend on support from the public and must operate ethically and effectively to maintain the public’s trust. As nonprofit organizations around the country are shoring up their administrative and governance practices, orchestras must develop a transparent culture on issues ranging from employee and volunteer human resource policies to financial record-keeping.

October 9, 2020

Universal Charitable Deduction and the Latest Giving Trends

Building on years of advocacy by orchestras in partnership with the broader nonprofit sector, a new universal charitable deduction was created under the CARES Act in March, allowing the growing number of taxpayers who do not itemize their returns to receive a tax deduction of up to $300 per tax return for cash charitable donations to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations during calendar year 2020.

July 16, 2012

Tax and 501(c)3 Policy action - Archive

February 12, 2020

Did your orchestra pay taxes on transportation benefits? Refunds now available!

The 21% Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) on parking and commuting benefits that was created by comprehensive tax reform signed into law in December 2017 has now been retroactively repealed.

December 6, 2012

Nonprofit Listening Post

As vital participants in the U.S. nonprofit community, orchestras contribute to the substantial public value produced by the nation’s charitable sector, and are likewise impacted by the policies and environment for nonprofits nationwide. The League and 75 member orchestras are participants in the Nonprofit Listening Post Project, an initiative of the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies.