News Summary: IRS process a nightmare for groups

News Summary: Conservative groups talk of IRS 'nightmare' of delays, demands for information

LONG WAITS: It often takes a year or more for nonprofit organizations known as "social welfare organizations" to get tax-exempt status, which requires them to prove they're not primarily devoted to politics.

MAGNIFYING GLASS: The process took more than two years for The Ohio Liberty Coalition and The Richmond (Va.) Tea Party. Both were asked for mounds of detailed information about members and activities.

EXTRA ATTENTION: The IRS acknowledged that it inappropriately applied heightened scrutiny of conservative political groups during the 2012 election season to see whether they were violating their tax-exempt status.