US revokes white nationalist group’s tax-exempt status

The US government revokes the tax-exempt status of a group run by prominent white nationalist Richard Spencer for its failure to file tax returns.

Internal Revenue Service records show Spencer’s National Policy Institute automatically lost its tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit after failing to file tax returns for three consecutive years.

Spencer doesn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment Tuesday. But he tells The Los Angeles Times, which first reported the story, that he would appeal the revocation. He blames it on an IRS error that led him to believe his group was not required to file tax returns.

“It’s a bit embarrassing, but it’s not good. We’ll figure it out,” Spencer tells the newspaper.

Spencer popularized the term “alt-right” and is a leading figure in a fringe movement that has been described as a mix of racism, white nationalism and populism. Spencer, an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, hosted a postelection conference in Washington that ended with audience members mimicking Nazi salutes after Spencer shouted, “Hail Trump, hail our people, hail victory!”

— AP