IRTA Formation History
IRTA has a rich history supporting and advocating for the Barter Industry.
“If it were not for the association (IRTA) and some dedicated individuals, the industry might not exist today. Those who operate today need to be thankful for IRTA’s forefathers for building the foundation that legalized the industry.”
— Art Goehring, 2004
1978
The IRS launches the “Barter Project” to seize financial records of trade exchange members via “John Doe Summons” – to identify unreported taxable barter transactions.
1979
April: Individual trade exchange organizational meetings take place on the east and west coasts.
August: Van Nuys, CA meeting to create a Code of Ethics.
September 6th Certificate of Incorporation for International Association of Trade Exchanges (IATE) obtained in Washington, DC,
NOTE: The IATE name was changed to INTA on February, 21, 1984. November San Jose, CA east & west coast meeting – temporary board appointed.
December 31st IATE receives IRS letter verifying status.
1980
February: First official board meeting – as IATE. Developed a plan to fight the IRS’s e-John Doe Summons,” whereby the IRS seized the exchange’s members’ financial data and then audit the members. SEC examines if trade dollars are securities. April. July, October – 3 more meetings in Salt Lake City, Toronto & Oklahoma City
1981
Decision to seek third party record keeper status for trade exchanges – a Congressional Sponsor, Biil Gradison (Ohio) is identified to introduce a bill to legalize trade exchanges. January, April, September – 3 more meetings in Ft. Myers, San Jose & Portland
1982
March 17th. HR 5865 introduced & passed in Congress – Senate version passed on March 30th. September 3rd President Reagan signs T EFRA legalizing the commercial trade industry.