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.
  • Aatube@kbin.melroy.org
    611·
    7 months ago

    We’ve always been worried that developing Free and Open Source 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 But now we have received a notice from the same tax office that our non-profit status has been withdrawn.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. Earlier this year we went through a successful tax audit, which in fact resulted in some favourable adjustments as we’ve been paying too much tax. Our tax advisor immediately submitted an appeal to the decision, but so far, we have no new information.

    • Flax@feddit.ukEnglish
      29·
      7 months ago

      Pretty silly for something literally used by the European Union and other European Governments. Am I right in thinking the German Government is one of those?

  • simple@lemm.eeEnglish
    45·
    7 months ago

    Insanely bizarre, Germany has historically been pro-open source and the EU was just saying that the Fediverse is here to stay.

  • JoYo@lemmy.mlEnglish
    11·
    7 months ago

    I know they were already in the process of the 501c but that’s really gotta come as a bummer.

    They’ll lose a lot of donors in the EU if they can’t keep that non-profit status.

    • Bilb!@lem.monsterEnglish
      20·
      7 months ago

      It is.

      The people in charge of maintaining Mastodon in particular though need to establish some kind of legal entity and that needs legal recognition somewhere.