Is it legal to have a "make a donation" link for a non-non-profit?

Also, can donation links and payment links co-exist?

[HughMungus]

I run a web service that is at the moment free, but, for a long time I've had a "make a donation" link on the page. The first question is if it's legal to call something a "donation" if it's not for a non-profit (e.g., the people who can afford to pay, do pay). I realize the donation is not tax deductible just wondering about the wording and possible issues if the gub'ment thinks I'm tricking people into thinking they're making a donation to a charity or something.

The second question is that if I do start charging for some types of accounts, are there any legal complications involved in having some people pay and the "make a donation" link?

Not too paranoid, just never thought about this much before.

[monkeythumpa]

The IRS doesn't care what you call it as long as they get a cut of whatever you make.

Now, if you say that the donation is going toward the "Neighborhood Beautification Fund" for instance, and you use the money to buy your girlfriend implants, technically while you may be making the neighborhood more beautiful, you really just duped a bunch of people and the gov wants a monopoly on duping it's citizens. So be clear about where the "donations" are going so you don't get an irate user calling the FBI on you.

[Macro]

>>the gov wants a monopoly on duping it's citizens.

I like that :)

[SEOMike]

Hughmungus and monkeythumpa in back to back posts? Anyone else see the comedic value here?! ;)

[Macro]

It's mega, macro, SEOMike :)