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Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Complaint: Nonprofit calls for ethics investigation into DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, staff
WASHINGTON () — A watchdog nonprofit organization filed a complaint on Tuesday, calling for an investigation into D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to determine if she accepted illegal gifts. The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) filed the with the (BEGA) against the mayor and four of her staffers for trips she has taken, alleging the mayor's office has provided false information or not answered questions posed by the public and the press. According to the complaint, Bowser and four staffers traveled to Doha, Qatar, for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai. DC Council votes to pause July 1 wage bump under Initiative 82 'Although it must be disclosed in order to be a legal donation to the District, there was no record of who paid for the trip (with the exception of a $3,500 receipt submitted by Mayor Bowser's Chief of Staff for a three-night taxpayer-funded stay at the Atlantis-Palm Hotel in Dubai),' the complaint read. The mayor's office initially said the trip was paid for by the D.C. Chamber of Commerce — which the Chamber said was not true. Then, officials said the trip was paid for by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. That was also false, FACT claimed. In February of this year, FACT says the mayor's office sent a letter to Qatar 'because it was Qatar that had actually paid for the trip.' The letter asked for a breakdown and value of expenses, describing the payments as an 'in-kind donation' and requested a donation agreement for the trip, even though it happened in 2023. DC mayor concerned about parade tanks' impact on streets FACT said it wasn't until a reporter filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in March 2025 that this information was publicly revealed, showing that Qatar paid nearly $62,000 for the trip. 'As of May 2025, the District still does not have a record of Qatar paying for Bowser's 2023 trip,' the complaint continues. In addition to their Qatar excursion, Bowser has taken other trips which have gone unreported — such as to the Masters Golf Tournament, Las Vegas, Miami and Mar-a-Lago, FACT alleged. 'The Mayor's unwillingness to provide basic information about numerous high-profile trips is unacceptable. It is not simply the Qatar trip, but a troubling pattern from Mar-A-Lago to Doha to Augusta National–the District has no record of who paid for these trips or what public purpose they served, if there was one at all,' Kendra Arnold, Executive Director of FACT, said in part. According to , D.C. employees 'may not, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept a gift from a prohibited source; or given because of the employee's official position or duties.' Confusion, concern around Dupont Circle ahead of big WorldPride weekend Gifts are defined by BEGA as any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, loan or any item of monetary value. Such includes services, as well as transportation, local travel, lodging and meals, whether provided by purchase of a ticket, advance payment or reimbursement after the expense has been incurred. The also said that government employees must keep 'accurate and detailed records of the acceptance and use of any gift or donation … and shall make such records available for audit and public inspection.' 'Clearly Mayor Bowser's trip to Qatar qualifies as a gift, and one that elected officials arepersonally prohibited from accepting. Additionally, this gift would not qualify as a donationmade to the District because the donation was not recorded and approved before the donationwas used,' FACT's complaint alleges. 'The District still does not even have a record of it.' 'The ethics rules exist to protect against corruption and when they are ignored, the public's trust erodes. I urge the Board to investigate and enforce the law without delay,' Arnold continued in her statement. DC News Now reached out to the Mayor's Office for comment but did not hear back in time for publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SCOOP: Liberal city mayor hit with ethics complaint over alleged lavish gifts
FIRST ON FOX: A nonpartisan government watchdog filed an ethics complaint against Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser on Tuesday morning. The complaint by the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) requests the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability investigate Bowser for allegedly accepting illegal travel and hospitality gifts on high-profile trips to Doha, Qatar, for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, and trips to Dubai, Las Vegas, Miami and Mar-a-Lago. "The basic standard for elected officials is honest transparency, which means following all disclosure laws and willingly answering the public's questions. The mayor's unwillingness to provide basic information about numerous high-profile trips is unacceptable," Kendra Arnold, executive director of FACT, shared first with Fox News Digital. FACT cited WJLA's investigation into missing records from Bowser's prominent trips, in which they discovered Qatar paid Bowser and four staff members $61,930 to fly to the Middle East in 2023. Schumer Moves To Block Trump Doj Nominees As He Seeks Answers On Qatari Jet To Defense Department "It is not simply the Qatar trip, but a troubling pattern from Mar-A-Lago to Doha to Augusta National – the District has no record of who paid for these trips or what public purpose they served, if there was one at all," Arnold said. "The ethics rules exist to protect against corruption, and when they are ignored, the public's trust erodes. I urge the Board to investigate and enforce the law without delay." Read On The Fox News App Sanctuary City Mayors To Testify At House Oversight After Ag Bondi Cuts Them Off From Federal Funds While the Middle East trip should have been disclosed in order to be accepted as a legal donation to the District of Columbia, FACT said in the complaint that there is no record of who paid for the trip. "When questioned by the press, initially the mayor's office said the trip was paid for by the D.C. Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber said that was not true. Then, the mayor's office said the trip was paid for by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. That was also false," FACT claimed. Then, in February 2025, the mayor's office requested the trip's expense breakdown, labeled it an "in-kind donation" and sought a "retroactive donation agreement," despite the two years that passed, according to FACT. "Yet, unbelievably, it wasn't until a reporter's Freedom of Information Act request in March 2025 that this information was publicly revealed—more specifically that Qatar paid more than $61,930 for the trip the mayor's office was now attempting to retroactively describe as an 'in-kind donation.' As of May 2025, the District still does not have a record of Qatar paying for Bowser's 2023 trip," according to the complaint. Again, citing WJLA's investigative reporting, FACT said the District of Columbia has no expense records for several more trips, including to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, and trips to Las Vegas, Miami and Mar-a-Lago. FACT accused Bowser of violating a "fundamental ethics principle" that prevents corruption and discourages elected officials from accepting bribes and donations. Under Washington, D.C., law, government officials cannot accept certain gifts, including trips, lodging and transportation. The law allows donations to the district itself if the government entity "uses the gift or donation to carry out its authorized functions or duties." In that case, detailed and accurate records must be available for "audit and public inspection." Those donations to the district must be "recorded and approved before the donation is used." "Clearly Mayor Bowser's trip to Qatar qualifies as a gift, and one that elected officials are personally prohibited from accepting. Additionally, this gift would not qualify as a donation made to the District because the donation was not recorded and approved before the donation was used. The District still does not even have a record of it," FACT concluded in the article source: SCOOP: Liberal city mayor hit with ethics complaint over alleged lavish gifts
Fox News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Fox News
SCOOP: Liberal city mayor hit with ethics complaint over alleged lavish gifts
FIRST ON FOX: A nonpartisan government watchdog filed an ethics complaint against Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser on Tuesday morning. The complaint by the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) requests the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability investigate Bowser for allegedly accepting illegal travel and hospitality gifts on high-profile trips to Doha, Qatar, for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, and trips to Dubai, Las Vegas, Miami and Mar-a-Lago. "The basic standard for elected officials is honest transparency, which means following all disclosure laws and willingly answering the public's questions. The mayor's unwillingness to provide basic information about numerous high-profile trips is unacceptable," Kendra Arnold, executive director of FACT, shared first with Fox News Digital. FACT cited WJLA's investigation into missing records from Bowser's prominent trips, in which they discovered Qatar paid Bowser and four staff members $61,930 to fly to the Middle East in 2023. "It is not simply the Qatar trip, but a troubling pattern from Mar-A-Lago to Doha to Augusta National – the District has no record of who paid for these trips or what public purpose they served, if there was one at all," Arnold said. "The ethics rules exist to protect against corruption, and when they are ignored, the public's trust erodes. I urge the Board to investigate and enforce the law without delay." While the Middle East trip should have been disclosed in order to be accepted as a legal donation to the District of Columbia, FACT said in the complaint that there is no record of who paid for the trip. "When questioned by the press, initially the mayor's office said the trip was paid for by the D.C. Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber said that was not true. Then, the mayor's office said the trip was paid for by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. That was also false," FACT claimed. Then, in February 2025, the mayor's office requested the trip's expense breakdown, labeled it an "in-kind donation" and sought a "retroactive donation agreement," despite the two years that passed, according to FACT. "Yet, unbelievably, it wasn't until a reporter's Freedom of Information Act request in March 2025 that this information was publicly revealed—more specifically that Qatar paid more than $61,930 for the trip the mayor's office was now attempting to retroactively describe as an 'in-kind donation.' As of May 2025, the District still does not have a record of Qatar paying for Bowser's 2023 trip," according to the complaint. Again, citing WJLA's investigative reporting, FACT said the District of Columbia has no expense records for several more trips, including to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, and trips to Las Vegas, Miami and Mar-a-Lago. FACT accused Bowser of violating a "fundamental ethics principle" that prevents corruption and discourages elected officials from accepting bribes and donations. Under Washington, D.C., law, government officials cannot accept certain gifts, including trips, lodging and transportation. The law allows donations to the district itself if the government entity "uses the gift or donation to carry out its authorized functions or duties." In that case, detailed and accurate records must be available for "audit and public inspection." Those donations to the district must be "recorded and approved before the donation is used." "Clearly Mayor Bowser's trip to Qatar qualifies as a gift, and one that elected officials are personally prohibited from accepting. Additionally, this gift would not qualify as a donation made to the District because the donation was not recorded and approved before the donation was used. The District still does not even have a record of it," FACT concluded in the complaint.
Hamilton Spectator
02-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Fore' for Grimsby charities
Three local charities will share in the proceeds from the Mayor of Grimsby's second annual Masters Golf Tournament. 'It's just our way to give back to the community,' said Mayor Jeff Jordan. He said organizers are still looking for golfers for the June 25 event at the Twenty Valley Golf and Country Club in Vineland. Jordan said McNally House Hospice, YMCA of Niagara and United Way Niagara will split the benefits from the event, that raised more than $22,000 last year. For more information, see and click on the mayor's golf tournament link. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Augusta Rule: How to Rent Out Your Home for Tax-Free Income
SmartAsset and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. The Augusta rule allows homeowners to rent out their primary residence for up to 14 days per year without paying federal taxes on the rental income. Originally created for Augusta, Georgia, residents during the Masters Tournament, this rule now benefits anyone using short-term rentals for extra income. However, it applies only to federal taxes-some states may still tax this income, which can create differences between federal and state tax returns, making e-filing more complicated for self-filers. Consulting with a financial advisor or tax professional can provide further guidance on how to effectively use the Augusta rule. The Augusta rule, named after the city of Augusta, Georgia, is a lesser-known tax provision that can offer significant benefits to homeowners. This rule allows homeowners to rent out their primary residence for up to 14 days per year without having to report the rental income on their federal tax return. Originally designed to accommodate residents of Augusta who rented out their homes during the Masters Golf Tournament, this provision has since become a valuable tax strategy for homeowners across the United States. The Augusta rule can offer a strategic way to earn tax-free income by renting out your home for short periods. This can be particularly useful for those saving for specific financial goals, such as funding a child's education or boosting retirement savings. Any homeowner can qualify for the Augusta tax rule. To take advantage, homeowners must meet specific criteria: The property must be the owner's primary residence. The rental period must not exceed 14 days within a year. This rule is particularly beneficial for those who live in high-demand areas during specific times of the year, allowing them to earn rental income tax-free. The homeowner cannot claim any rental-related deductions, such as depreciation or maintenance expenses, for the period the home is rented out. Homeowners need to keep accurate records of rental days and income to ensure compliance with IRS regulations. The rule is especially advantageous for homeowners in locations that host significant events. For example, residents of Augusta, Georgia, can rent out their homes during the Masters Tournament, a time when rental demand and prices soar. This opportunity is not limited to Augusta; any homeowner near a major event can potentially benefit. However, you must make sure that the rental period does not exceed the 14-day limit so you can maintain tax-free status. Here are four general ways to use the Augusta rule for your benefit: Host short-term rentals during local events: Renting out your home during local events, such as sports tournaments or festivals, can be lucrative. These events often attract visitors who need temporary accommodations, allowing you to capitalize on high demand and potentially higher rental rates. Utilize your home for business meetings: If you own a business, consider using your home for meetings or retreats. By renting your home to your business for up to 14 days, you can deduct the rental expense from your business taxes while keeping the income tax-free. Make sure to consult your tax professional to make sure you do this correctly to avoid any potential tax problems. Plan family gatherings or reunions: Renting your home to family members for special occasions can be both practical and profitable. This approach allows you to host family events while benefiting from the tax-free rental income, provided the rental terms are at fair market value. Leverage seasonal tourism: If your home is located in a tourist hotspot, consider renting it out during peak seasons. This strategy can help you earn significant rental income without the burden of additional taxes. To fully benefit from the Augusta rule, you must plan your rental days strategically. Since the rule only applies to the first 14 days of rental, homeowners should aim to rent their property during high-demand periods when they can command higher rental rates. Setting a fair market rental rate is also important. The IRS requires that the rental price be consistent with what similar properties in your area would command. Charging an inflated rate could raise red flags and potentially lead to an audit. Research local rental listings, and consider consulting a real estate professional to determine an appropriate rate for your property. Finally, make sure to have proper documentation for leveraging the Augusta tax rule effectively. Homeowners should keep records of rental agreements, payment receipts and any correspondence related to the rental. This documentation serves as evidence that the rental was conducted at fair market value and within the 14-day limit. In the event of an IRS inquiry, having comprehensive records can help substantiate your claim so you avoid potential penalties. The Augusta rule allows homeowners to rent out their primary residence up to 14 days annually without paying federal taxes on the income. This can be useful during big events when demand for short-term rentals is high. However, some states may still tax this income, which can cause differences between federal and state tax returns and make e-filing harder for self-filers. A financial advisor can help you develop a plan to minimize your tax liability on rental income. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. If you want to know how much your next tax refund or balance could be, SmartAsset's tax return calculator can help you get an estimate. Photo credit: © © The post The Augusta Rule: How to Rent Out Your Home for Tax-Free Income appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset. Sign in to access your portfolio
