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Tax returns provide a different picture of lobbying activity

Form 990 captures state-level and grassroots advocacy, along with Washington lobbying, but rules allow some groups to skip reporting Related content List of top-paid lobbyists Bonuses and payouts boost salaries of top-earning lobbyists The full scale of lobbying and political activity by some tax-exempt associations becomes clearer by looking at their tax returns. In 2011, the most recent information available for most groups, the American Petroleum Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America all spent close to $70 million or more on advocacy efforts nationwide. The U.S. Chamber's spending is more widely known,… Read More