IRS set to shut VFW's doors

ouriel@sanduskyregister.comSANDUSKYIt looks like the Sandusky area VFW leaders and its 700-member troop must surrender to an unbeatable foe.The IRS.Later this month, federal officials plan to pursue foreclosure action on the VFW Post 2529 on West Perkins Avenue, effectively shutting the nonprofit's doors.The military organization owes about $30,000 in back taxes.Money issues trace back to 2008, when the post's treasurer realized more than $200,000 went missing from VFW coffers. Nobody received any charges because all parties involved came to a plea bargain. The post borrowed an amount exceeding $200,000 to maintain operations, and now the IRS wants full payment on this loan."They are coming in on (March) 12, and they are going to tell us our doors are going to close," said Joshua Bender, the local post's head commander.In past weeks, Bender and others believed they worked out a payment plan with the IRS, thus sparing the VFW's closure.Originally owing $42,500 in mid-2015, the local VFW kept making good on its financial obligation, closing the debt gap by almost 30 percent as of today.But, for whatever the reason, now the IRS reneged on this arrangement and wants all outstanding money immediately paid up front.Without receiving a lump sum payment by March 12, the IRS won't let the VFW continue hosting community fundraisers or serve as a gathering spot for the 700 former soldiers who are members there."Everyone is pretty upset," Bender said. "They are not upset at the post. They are upset at the IRS and how they're going to close a veterans organization. They don't want to negotiate with us at all anymore. If anyone can give us a loan, we will pay you back."U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur's veterans affairs aide, Jacob Smith, who is a member of VFW Post 2529, tried to intervene and discovered this situation had entered the court system, said Steve Katich, Kaptur's chief of staff. With court proceedings underway, it's too late to do anything, Katich said.Kaptur's office will reach out again to the IRS, Katich said.The IRS spokeswoman for Ohio, Jennifer Jenkins, said that federal law bars her from commenting on individual cases."I really don't have any leverage to say anything," she said.Register reporter Tom Jackson contributed to this report Want to join?The Sandusky-area VFW Post 2529 Lowell C. Hein is accepting new members.It's the only local veterans organization specifically catering to former military personnel fighting in a foreign war.To sign up or to ask questions:• Call 419-626-0096 or 419-515-9256• Visit the VFW, 604 W. Perkins Ave., during hours of operation:— 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays— 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays— 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays— 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. SundaysOn various days, the post offers various meal and drink specials.The IRS indicated it will pursue foreclosure action on the VFW Post 2529 on West Perkins Avenue in Sandusky since the nonprofit military organization owes $30,000 in back taxes.