---
kind: "range"
citation: "26 C.F.R. §§ 53.4968-1–53.4968-4"
title: "26"
from: "53.4968-1"
to: "53.4968-4"
count: 4
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/26/53.4968-1..53.4968-4"
---

# §53.4968-1. Excise tax based on investment income of certain private colleges and universities.

- (a) **Excise tax on the investment income of certain private colleges and universities.** For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, section 4968 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) imposes a tax equal to 1.4 percent of the net investment income (as defined in [section 4968(c)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=c) and [§ 53.4968-2](/cfr/26/53.4968-2.md)) of an applicable educational institution (as defined in [section 4968(b)(1)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=b-1) and [paragraph (b)(1)](#b-1) of this section).
- (b) **Definitions.** The definitions in this [paragraph (b)](#b) apply for purposes of [section 4968](/cfr/26/4968.md) and [§§ 53.4968-1 through 53.4968-4](/cfr/26/53.4968-1..53.4968-4.md).
  - (1) **Applicable educational institution.** The term applicable educational institution means any eligible educational institution (as defined in section 25A(f)(2) of the Code and [§ 1.25A-2(b)](/cfr/26/1.25A-2.md?p=b) of this chapter)—
    - (i) That had at least 500 tuition-paying students during the preceding taxable year;
    - (ii) More than 50 percent of whose tuition-paying students are located in the United States;
    - (iii) That is not described in the first sentence of section 511(a)(2)(B) of the Code (relating to state colleges and universities); and
    - (iv) The aggregate fair market value of the assets of which at the end of such preceding taxable year (other than those assets that are used directly in carrying out the institution's exempt purpose) is at least $500,000 per student.
  - (2) **Student.** The term student means a person who is enrolled and attending a course for academic credit from the institution and who is being charged tuition at a rate that is commensurate with the tuition rate charged to students enrolled for a degree. The number of students of an educational institution (including for purposes of determining the number of students at a particular location) is based on the daily average number of full-time students (with part-time students taken into account on a full-time student equivalent basis). The standards for determining part-time students, full-time students, full-time equivalents, and daily average are determined by each educational institution. However, the standards may not be lower than the minimum applicable standards established by the Department of Education under the Higher Education Act of 1965 ([20 U.S.C. 1088](/usc/20/1088.md)), as amended.
  - (3) **Tuition-paying—**
    - (i) **In general.** The term tuition-paying means the payment of any tuition or fees required for the enrollment or attendance of a student for a course of instruction at an educational institution. Tuition and fees do not include payment for supplies or equipment required during a specific course once a student is enrolled in and attending the course, or payment for room and board or other personal living expenses.
    - (ii) **Treatment of a comprehensive or bundled fee.** If a student is required to pay a fee (such as a comprehensive fee or a bundled fee) to an educational institution that combines charges for tuition with charges for personal expenses such as room and board, the student is a tuition-paying student.
    - (iii) **Scholarships, grants, and work study programs.** Whether a student is tuition-paying is determined after taking into account any scholarships and grants provided directly by the educational institution or by the Federal government or any state or local government, and after application of any work study programs operated directly by the institution. Scholarships and grants provided by non-governmental third parties, even if administered by the institution, are considered payments of tuition on behalf of the student. Accordingly, a student will be considered a tuition-paying student if payment of tuition or a fee is required for the enrollment or attendance of the student for courses of instruction after the application of any scholarships offered directly by the institution, any work study program operated directly by the institution, and any grants and scholarships provided by the Federal government or any state or local government.
  - (4) **Located in the United States.** A student is located in the United States if the student resided in the United States for at least a portion of the time the student attended the educational institution during the institution's preceding taxable year. Whether a student resided in the United States in any given year can be determined using any reasonable method, as long as that method is consistently applied.
  - (5) **Assets used directly in carrying out an institution's exempt purpose—**
    - (i) **In general.** Except as provided in [paragraph (b)(5)(iv)](#b-5-iv) of this section, an asset is used directly in carrying out an educational institution's exempt purpose only if the asset is actually used directly by the institution in carrying out its exempt purpose. Whether an asset is used directly by the institution to carry out its exempt purpose is determined based on all the facts and circumstances. If property is used for an exempt purpose and for other purposes, and the exempt use represents 95 percent or more of the total use, the property is considered to be used exclusively for an exempt purpose. If the exempt use of such property represents less than 95 percent of the total use, the institution must make a reasonable allocation between such exempt and nonexempt uses.
    - (ii) **Illustrations.** Examples of assets that are used directly in carrying out an institution's exempt purpose include, but are not limited to, the following—
      - (A) Administrative assets, such as office equipment and supplies used by the institution directly in the administration of its exempt activities;
      - (B) Real estate or the portion of any building used by the institution directly in its exempt activities;
      - (C) Physical property such as paintings or other works of art owned by the institution that are on public display (or held for public display), fixtures and equipment in classrooms, research facilities and related equipment that under the facts and circumstances serve a useful purpose in the conduct of the institution's exempt activities;
      - (D) The reasonable cash balance, determined using any reasonable method, necessary to cover current operating and administrative expenses and other normal and current disbursements directly connected with the educational institution's exempt activities. For this purpose, a reasonable method would include calculating an amount equal to three months of operating expenses allocable to program services, calculated by dividing annual functional expenses allocable to program services by four. A larger amount may be a reasonable cash balance for this purpose if, under the facts and circumstances, a larger amount is established to be necessary to cover administrative expenses and other normal disbursements directly connected with the institution's exempt activity.
      - (E) Any property the educational institution leases to other persons at no cost (or at a nominal rent) to the lessee in furtherance of the institution's exempt purposes; and
      - (F) Patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property and intangible property to the extent that income from those assets is excluded from net investment income by [§ 53.4968-2(b)(2)(iii)](/cfr/26/53.4968-2.md?p=b-2-iii).
    - (iii) **Assets not used directly.** The following assets are examples of assets not used directly in carrying out an institution's exempt purpose—
      - (A) Assets that are held for the production of income or for investment (for example, stocks, bonds, interest-bearing notes, endowment funds, or leased real estate not described in [paragraph (b)(5)(ii)(E)](#b-5-ii-E) of this section), even if the income from such assets is used to carry out such exempt purpose; and
      - (B) Property (such as offices and equipment) used for the purpose of managing the institution's endowment funds.
    - (iv) **Assets of related organizations.** An asset of a related organization that is treated as an asset of an educational institution by [section 4968(d)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=d) and [§ 53.4968-3(c)](/cfr/26/53.4968-3.md?p=c) and that is used directly in carrying out an educational institution's exempt purpose, or that is used directly in carrying out the exempt purpose of a related organization that is described in [section 501(c)(3)](/cfr/26/501.md?p=c-3), is considered used directly by the educational institution in carrying out its exempt purpose.
    - (v) **Valuation of assets not used directly in carrying out an institution's exempt purpose—**
      - (A) **In general.** The values of assets not used directly in carrying out an educational institution's exempt purpose are determined under the rules of [section 4942(e)](/cfr/26/4942.md?p=e) and [§ 53.4942(a)-2(c)(4)](/cfr/26/53.4942..2.md), as modified by [paragraph (b)(5)(v)(B)](#b-5-v-B) of this section.
      - (B) **Modifications.** In applying the rules of [§ 53.4942(a)-2(c)(4)](/cfr/26/53.4942..2.md), an educational institution must—

        (1) Substitute “educational institution” for “private foundation” or “foundation” every place they appear; and

        (2) Make such adjustments as are reasonable and necessary to obtain the fair market value of any and all assets as of the last day of the preceding taxable year, rather than as of any other times permitted or required by [§ 53.4942(a)-2(c)(4)](/cfr/26/53.4942..2.md).


# §53.4968-2. Net investment income.

- (a) **Net investment income—**
  - (1) **In general.** For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, section 4968(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) imposes a 1.4 percent excise tax on the net investment income (as defined in [section 4968(c)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=c) and this section) of an applicable educational institution and on certain amounts of net investment income of certain related organizations, as described in [section 4968(d)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=d) and [§ 53.4968-3](/cfr/26/53.4968-3.md). For purposes of this section, net investment income is determined under rules similar to the rules of [section 4940(c)](/cfr/26/4940.md?p=c) of the Code. Thus, net investment income generally is the amount by which the sum of the gross investment income (as defined in [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section) and the capital gain net income (as defined in [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section) exceeds the deductions allowed by [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section. Except to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of this section, net investment income is determined under the principles of subtitle A of the Code.
  - (2) **Tax-exempt income.** For purposes of this section, net investment income is determined by applying section 103 of the Code (relating to State and local bonds) and section 265 of the Code (relating to expenses and interest relating to tax-exempt income).
- (b) **Gross investment income—**
  - (1) **In general.** For purposes of this section and except as provided in [paragraph (b)(2)](#b-2) of this section, the term gross investment income means the gross amounts of income from interest, dividends, rents, payments with respect to securities loans (as defined in section 512(a)(5) of the Code), and royalties, but not including any such income to the extent included in computing the tax imposed by [section 511](/cfr/26/511.md) of the Code. Such term also includes income from sources similar to those in the preceding sentence. In general, gross investment income includes the items of investment income described in [§ 1.512(b)-1(a)](/cfr/26/1.512..1.md) of this chapter.
  - (2) **Exceptions.** The following items of income are excluded from the definition of gross investment income:
    - (i) Interest income from a student loan that was made by the applicable educational institution or a related organization to a student of the applicable educational institution in connection with the student's attendance at the institution;
    - (ii) Rental income from the provision of housing by the applicable educational institution or a related organization to students of the applicable educational institution and from housing for faculty and staff if the housing is provided contingent on their roles as faculty or staff of the applicable educational institution; and
    - (iii) Royalty income that is derived from patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property and intangible property to the extent those assets resulted from the work of student(s) or faculty member(s) in their capacities as such with the applicable educational institution. However, neither royalty income from trademarks on the institution's logo or name nor royalty income from intellectual property donated or sold to the institution is excluded from gross investment income under this rule.
- (c) **Deductions—**
  - (1) **In general.** For purposes of computing net investment income—
    - (i) There is allowed as a deduction from gross investment income all the ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred for the production or collection of gross investment income or for the management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for the production of such income, determined with the modifications set forth in [paragraph (c)(2)](#c-2) of this section. Taxes paid or incurred under [section 4968](/cfr/26/4968.md) are not paid or incurred for the production or collection of gross investment income. Allowable expenses include that portion of an applicable educational institution's operating expenses that is paid or incurred for the production or collection of gross investment income. An applicable educational institution's operating expenses include compensation of officers, other salaries and wages of employees, outside professional fees, interest, and rent and taxes on property used in the applicable educational institution's operations. Where an applicable educational institution's officers or employees engage in activities on behalf of the institution for both activities that generate net investment income and for activities that do not generate net investment income, compensation and salaries paid to such officers or employees must be allocated between the activities that generate net investment income and for activities that do not generate net investment income.
    - (ii) Where only a portion of property produces, or is held for the production of, income subject to the [section 4968](/cfr/26/4968.md) excise tax, and the remainder of the property is used for other purposes, the deductions allowed by this paragraph must be apportioned between the taxable and other uses.
    - (iii) No amount is allowable as a deduction under this section to the extent it is paid or incurred for purposes other than those described in [paragraph (c)(1)(i)](#c-1-i) of this section. Thus, for example, the charitable deductions prescribed under sections 170 and 642(c) of the Code; the net operating loss deduction prescribed under [section 172](/cfr/26/172.md); and the special deductions prescribed under part VIII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Code are not allowable.
  - (2) **Deduction modifications.** The following modifications must be made in determining deductions otherwise allowable under this [paragraph (c)](#c):
    - (i) The depreciation deduction is allowed, but only on the basis of the straight-line method provided in [section 168(b)(3)](/cfr/26/168.md?p=b-3) and without regard to section [168(b)(1)](/cfr/26/168.md?p=b-1) and [(2)](/cfr/26/168.md?p=b-2).
    - (ii) The depletion deduction is allowed, but such deduction is determined without regard to sections 613 and 613A of the Code, relating to percentage depletion.
    - (iii) The basis to be used for purposes of the deduction allowed for depreciation or depletion is the basis determined under the rules of part II of subchapter O of chapter 1 of the Code (part II of subchapter O), subject to the modifications found in paragraphs [(c)(2)(i)](#c-2-i) and [(ii)](#c-2-ii) of this section (relating to depreciation and depletion), and without regard to [§ 53.4968-2(d)(2)](#d-2) (relating to the basis for determining gain for property held on December 31, 2017, and continuously thereafter to the date of disposition), or section 362(c) of the Code (relating to certain special basis rules regarding contributions of capital to corporations). Thus, an applicable educational institution must reduce the cost or other substituted or transferred basis by an amount equal to the straight-line depreciation or cost depletion, without regard to whether the applicable educational institution deducted such depreciation or depletion during the period prior to its first taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017. However, where an applicable educational institution has previously taken depreciation or depletion deductions in excess of the amount which would have been taken had the straight-line or cost method been employed, such excess depreciation or depletion also is taken into account to reduce basis. If the facts necessary to determine the basis of property in the hands of the donor or the last preceding owner by whom it was not acquired by gift are unknown to the applicable educational institution, then the original basis to the applicable educational institution of such property is determined under the rules of [§ 1.1015-1(a)(3)](/cfr/26/1.1015-1.md?p=a-3) of this chapter.
    - (iv) The deduction for expenses paid or incurred in any taxable year for the production of gross investment income earned as an incident to a charitable function can be no greater than the income earned from such function which is includible as gross investment income for such year. For example, where rental income incidentally is realized in a year from historic buildings held open to the public, deductions for amounts paid or incurred in that year for the production of such income is limited to the amount of rental income includible as gross investment income for the year.
- (d) **Capital gains and losses—**
  - (1) **In general.** In determining capital gain net income for purposes of the tax imposed by [section 4968](/cfr/26/4968.md)—
    - (i) **Interaction with section 511.** No gain or loss from the sale or other disposition of property is taken into account to the extent that such gain or loss is taken into account for purposes of computing the tax imposed by [section 511](/cfr/26/511.md).
    - (ii) **Sales or other dispositions of exempt use property.** To the extent that property is used by the educational institution for its exempt purposes, capital gain from the sale or exchange of the portion of that property that is used by the educational institution for its exempt purposes is disregarded;
    - (iii) **Sales of donated property—**
      - (A) **In general.** Any appreciation in the value of donated property that occurred prior to the date of its donation to the institution is disregarded.
      - (B) **Date of donation.** The date of donation is determined under the timing rules of [§ 1.170A-1(b)](/cfr/26/1.170A-1.md?p=b) of this chapter.
      - (C) **Value on the date of donation.** The value of the donated property on the date of donation is determined under the valuation rules of [§ 1.170A-1(c)](/cfr/26/1.170A-1.md?p=c) of this chapter; and
    - (iv) **Capital losses.** Net losses from sales or other dispositions of property by one related organization (or by the applicable educational institution) reduce (but not below zero) net gains from such sales or other dispositions by other related organizations (or by the applicable educational institution). Should overall net losses from sales or other dispositions of property exceed gains from sales or other dispositions of such property during the same taxable year, such excess may not be deducted from gross investment income in any taxable year, nor may such excess be used to reduce gains in prior taxable years. However, capital loss carryovers are allowed and may be deducted from capital gains in a future year.
  - (2) **Basis—**
    - (i) **For purposes of calculating gain from the sale or other disposition of property other than a partnership interest.** Subject to the modifications of paragraphs [(c)(2)(i)](#c-2-i) and [(ii)](#c-2-ii) of this section (referring to the modifications relating to deductions against gross investment income) and without regard to [section 362(c)](/cfr/26/362.md?p=c), the basis for purposes of determining gain from the sale or other disposition of property (other than a partnership interest) for purposes of determining capital gain net income for purposes of the tax imposed by [section 4968](/cfr/26/4968.md) is the greater of—
      - (A) Fair market value on December 31, 2017, plus or minus all adjustments after December 31, 2017, and before the date of disposition under the rules of part II of subchapter O, provided that the property was held by the applicable educational institution on December 31, 2017, and continuously thereafter to the date of disposition, or
      - (B) **Basis as determined under the rules of part II of subchapter O.**
    - (ii) **For purposes of determining a distributive share of gain from the sale or other disposition of a partnership asset.** For purposes of determining an applicable educational institution's share of gain upon the sale or other disposition of a partnership asset, the applicable educational institution's basis in each such partnership asset generally is determined under the rules of subchapter K of chapter 1 of the Code (subchapter K). However, see [paragraph (d)(3)](#d-3) of this section.
    - (iii) **For purposes of determining gain on the sale or other disposition of a partnership interest.** For purposes of determining an applicable educational institution's gain upon the sale or other disposition of all or a portion of a partnership interest, the applicable educational institution's basis in such partnership interest is generally determined under the rules of subchapter K, subject to the special rules in [paragraph (d)(3)](#d-3) of this section.
    - (iv) **For purposes of calculating loss.** Subject to the modifications of paragraphs [(c)(2)(i)](#c-2-i) and [(ii)](#c-2-ii) of this section (referring to the modifications relating to deductions against gross investment income) and without regard to [section 362(c)](/cfr/26/362.md?p=c), basis as determined in [paragraph (d)(2)(i)(B)](#d-2-i-B) of this section applies for purposes of determining loss. For purposes of determining loss from the sale or other disposition of a partnership interest, basis is determined under the rules of subchapter K.
  - (3) **Special rules regarding partnership interests and partnership assets—**
    - (i) **Reduction of distributive share of capital gain net income from a partnership.** For purposes of computing net investment income, an applicable educational institution reduces the amount of its distributive share of capital gain net income from a partnership by the least of—
      - (A) The applicable educational institution's share of applicable capital gain (as defined in [paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(A)](#d-3-iii-A) of this section) from such partnership;
      - (B) One-third of the applicable educational institution's unadjusted step-up (as defined in [paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(B)](#d-3-iii-B) of this section) for such partnership; or
      - (C) The applicable educational institution's adjusted step-up (as defined in [paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(C)](#d-3-iii-C) of this section) for such partnership.
    - (ii) **Reduction of capital gain net income from a sale or other disposition of all or a portion of a partnership interest.** For purposes of computing net investment income, an applicable educational institution reduces the amount of its capital gain net income upon the sale or other disposition of all or a portion of a partnership interest by an amount that bears the same relation to the applicable educational institution's adjusted step-up (as defined in [paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(C)](#d-3-iii-C) of this section) for such partnership as the fair market value of the transferred portion of the interest bears to the fair market value of the applicable educational institution's entire interest in such partnership before the sale or other disposition.
    - (iii) **Definitions.** For purposes of this section—
      - (A) **Applicable capital gain.** For an applicable educational institution's first taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017, the term applicable capital gain means an applicable educational institution's share of both short-term and long-term capital gains and losses subject to [section 4968](/cfr/26/4968.md) from a partnership. For subsequent taxable years, applicable capital gain does not include an applicable educational institution's share of short-term capital gains and losses subject to [section 4968](/cfr/26/4968.md) from a partnership. For purposes of this paragraph, applicable capital gain is not less than zero.
      - (B) **Unadjusted step-up.** An applicable educational institution computes an unadjusted step-up for each partnership interest it held on December 31, 2017. The unadjusted step-up for a partnership interest equals the excess, if any, of the fair market value of such partnership interest on December 31, 2017, over the adjusted basis of such partnership interest on December 31, 2017.
      - (C) **Adjusted step-up.** An applicable educational institution computes an adjusted step-up for each partnership interest it held on December 31, 2017. The adjusted step-up for a partnership interest equals the unadjusted step-up for such partnership, reduced by the amount of any capital gain net income reduction pursuant to paragraphs [(d)(3)(i)](#d-3-i) and [(ii)](#d-3-ii) of this section for such partnership.
  - (4) **Examples.** The following examples illustrate [paragraph (d)(3)](#d-3) of this section. Unless stated otherwise in the examples, partners have no tax items other than those listed in the example. With respect to partnerships, all allocations are in accordance with [section 704(b)](/cfr/26/704.md?p=b) and the regulations under [section 704(b)](/cfr/26/704.md?p=b) in [part 1](/cfr/26/part1.md) of this chapter (Income Tax Regulations).
    - (i) **Example 1—**
      - (A) **Facts.** University (U), an applicable educational institution, is a partner in partnership PRS. On December 31, 2017, U's PRS interest had a fair market value of $130 and tax basis of $100. In 2018, U's share of capital gain net income from PRS is $5, which is comprised of $20 of gain from the sale of capital asset X and ($15) of loss from the sale of capital asset Y. Further, such $5 of capital gain net income is applicable capital gain (as defined in [paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(A)](#d-3-iii-A) of this section).
      - (B) **Analysis.** U has an unadjusted step-up (as defined in [paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(B)](#d-3-iii-B) of this section) for PRS of $30 ($130 fair market value − $100 tax basis on December 31, 2017). Pursuant to [paragraph (d)(3)(i)](#d-3-i) of this section, for purposes of computing its net investment income, U reduces the amount of its capital gain net income from PRS by $5, which is the least of: U's share of applicable capital gain from PRS ($5); or one-third of U's unadjusted step-up for PRS ($10); or U's adjusted step-up for PRS ($30). Thus, U reduces its $5 of capital gain net income allocated from PRS by $5, resulting in U having $0 of capital gain net income in 2018 for purposes of [section 4968](/cfr/26/4968.md). As a result, U's adjusted step-up for PRS for subsequent taxable years is reduced to $25 ($30 − $5) pursuant to paragraph (d)(4)(iii)(C) of this section. Pursuant to [section 705](/cfr/26/705.md), the $5 of gain allocated to U increases U's tax basis in its PRS interest to $105.
    - (ii) **Example 2—**
      - (A) **Facts.** The facts are the same as in [paragraph (d)(4)(i)(A)](#d-4-i-A) of this section (Example 1). In 2019, U sells its entire interest in PRS for $130, which, immediately prior to the sale, had a tax basis of $105. As a result, U has $25 of capital gain from the sale of its PRS interest.
      - (B) **Analysis.** Pursuant to [paragraph (d)(3)(iii)](#d-3-iii) of this section, for purposes of computing its net investment income, U reduces its capital gain net income resulting from the sale of its entire PRS interest by $25, which is the amount that bears the same relation to U's adjusted step-up for PRS ($25) as the fair market value of the transferred portion of PRS ($130) bears to the fair market value of the U's entire interest in PRS before the sale or other disposition ($130). Thus, U reduces its $25 of capital gain net income from the sale of its PRS interest by $25, resulting in U having $0 of capital gain net income in 2019 for purposes of [section 4968](/cfr/26/4968.md).
    - (iii) **Example 3—**
      - (A) **Facts.** The facts are the same as in [paragraph (d)(4)(i)(A)](#d-4-i-A) of this section (Example 1). In 2019, U's share of capital gain net income from PRS is $15, which is comprised of $15 of gain from the sale of capital asset Z. Further, such $15 of capital gain net income is applicable capital gain (as defined in [paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(A)](#d-3-iii-A) of this section).
      - (B) **Analysis.** Pursuant to [paragraph (d)(3)(i)](#d-3-i) of this section, for purposes of computing its net investment income, U reduces the amount of its capital gain net income from PRS by $10, which is the least of: U's share of applicable capital gain from PRS ($15); or one-third of U's unadjusted step-up for PRS ($10); or U's adjusted step-up for PRS ($25, computed as $30 of unadjusted step-up, less $5 of capital gain net income reduced in 2018 pursuant to [paragraph (d)(3)(i)](#d-3-i) of this section). Thus, U reduces its $15 of capital gain net income allocated from PRS by $10, resulting in U having $5 of capital gain net income in 2019 for purposes of [section 4968](/cfr/26/4968.md). As a result, U's adjusted step-up for PRS is reduced for subsequent taxable years to $15 ($25 − $10) pursuant to [paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(C)](#d-3-iii-C) of this section. Pursuant to [section 705](/cfr/26/705.md), the $15 of gain allocated to U increases U's tax basis in its PRS interest to $120.

# §53.4968-3. Related organizations.

- (a) **Definition of related organization—**
  - (1) **In general.** For purposes of section 4968(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and [§§ 53.4968-1 through 53.4968-4](/cfr/26/53.4968-1..53.4968-4.md), except as provided in [paragraph (a)(2)](#a-2) of this section, the term related organization means, with respect to an educational institution, any organization that—
    - (i) Controls such institution;
    - (ii) Is controlled by such institution;
    - (iii) Is controlled by one or more persons that also control such institution;
    - (iv) Is a supported organization (as defined in section 509(f)(3) of the Code) with respect to such institution during the taxable year; or
    - (v) Is a supporting organization (as described in [section 509(a)(3)](/cfr/26/509.md?p=a-3)) with respect to such institution during the taxable year.
  - (2) **Organizations not considered related organizations.** For purposes of [section 4968(d)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=d) and [§§ 53.4968-1 through 53.4968-4](/cfr/26/53.4968-1..53.4968-4.md), the term related organization does not include any organization that is—
    - (i) A taxable corporation;
    - (ii) A taxable trust, including a non-grantor charitable lead trust (except to the extent the trust is controlled by the educational institution as described in [paragraph (b)(2)(ii)](#b-2-ii) of this section);
    - (iii) A grantor charitable lead trust;
    - (iv) A charitable remainder trust;
    - (v) A partnership, S corporation (as defined in section 1361(a)(1) of the Code), or other pass-through entity that is generally not subject to Federal income tax, the income of which is taxable to its partners or other interest holders; or
    - (vi) **A decedent's estate.**
  - (3) **Employee benefit plans or arrangements.** A trust or similar funding vehicle of an employee benefit plan or arrangement, such as a [section 501(a)](/cfr/26/501.md?p=a) trust funding a [section 401(a)](/cfr/26/401.md?p=a) qualified retirement plan, or an annuity contract funding a [section 403(b)](/cfr/26/403.md?p=b) plan, or a [section 419(e)](/cfr/26/419.md?p=e) welfare benefit fund (including a voluntary employees' beneficiary association under [section 501(c)(9)](/cfr/26/501.md?p=c-9)) funding a welfare benefit plan, will not be treated as a related organization and its assets will not be treated as the assets of the educational institution or of a related organization. A trust or other funding vehicle of an unfunded employee benefit plan of an educational institution or a related organization, such as a grantor trust described in [section 671](/cfr/26/671.md) et seq., used in connection with a [section 457(b)](/cfr/26/457.md?p=b) plan or an arrangement subject to [section 457(f)](/cfr/26/457.md?p=f), will be treated as a related organization for purposes of [section 4968(d)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=d) and its assets will be treated as the assets of the educational institution or of a related organization, but the assets are not considered “used directly in carrying out the institution's exempt purpose” for purposes of [section 4968(b)(1)(D)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=b-1-D). For purposes of determining whether the employee benefit plan of an educational institution is funded or unfunded, the educational institution and all of its related organizations are treated as a single sponsor and payor of the benefits.
- (b) **Control—**
  - (1) **Controls such institution.** For purposes of [section 4968(d)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=d) and [§§ 53.4968-1 through 53.4968-4](/cfr/26/53.4968-1..53.4968-4.md), an organization controls an educational institution if—
    - (i) The organization owns (by vote or value) more than 50 percent of the voting and non-voting stock or membership interest of the educational institution; or
    - (ii) The organization (or one or more of its managers, directors, officers, trustees, or employees, acting only in those capacities) can—
      - (A) Appoint or elect (which must include the power to remove and replace) more than 50 percent of the members of the educational institution's governing body (such as directors, officers, or trustees), or otherwise has the ongoing power to appoint or elect more than 50 percent of such members with reasonable frequency;
      - (B) Require the educational institution to make an expenditure (or prevent the educational institution from making an expenditure); or
      - (C) Require the educational institution to perform any act that significantly affects its operations (or prevent it from performing such an act).
  - (2) **Is controlled by such institution.** For purposes of [section 4968(d)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=d) and [§§ 53.4968-1 through 53.4968-4](/cfr/26/53.4968-1..53.4968-4.md), an organization is controlled by an educational institution:
    - (i) **Tax-exempt corporation.** In the case of a corporation recognized as exempt from income tax under [section 501(a)](/cfr/26/501.md?p=a), if the educational institution owns (by vote or value) more than 50 percent of the voting and nonvoting stock or membership interest of the corporation.
    - (ii) **Trust—**
      - (A) **In general.** In the case of a trust—

        (1) If the educational institution is substantially the sole permissible trust beneficiary or appointee of both income and principal, whether or not the timing of the distribution is subject to the trustee's discretion;

        (2) If the trust is a pooled income fund described in sections [642(c)(3)](/cfr/26/642.md?p=c-3) and [642(c)(5)](/cfr/26/642.md?p=c-5);

        (3) If, but only to the extent that, the assets of the trust were contributed to the trust by the educational institution (or by a person controlled by the educational institution); or

        (4) If, but only to the extent that, the educational institution (or person controlled by the educational institution) has the right to demand (or can otherwise cause) a distribution of principal from the trust to the educational institution (or a person controlled by the educational institution).

      - (B) **Person controlled by the educational organization.** For purposes of this [paragraph (b)(2)(ii)](#b-2-ii), a person is controlled by an educational institution if the educational institution has the power to remove and replace such person or otherwise controls the person under one of the tests described in § [53.4968-3(b)(2)(i)](#b-2-i), [(ii)](#b-2-ii), or [(iii)](#b-2-iii), with similar principles applying for purposes of determining control of any other form of entity.
    - (iii) **Nonstock organization.** In the case of a nonstock organization, if the educational institution (or one or more of its managers, directors, officers, trustees, or employees, acting only in those capacities) can—
      - (A) Appoint or elect (which must include the power to remove and replace) more than 50 percent of the members of the organization's governing body (such as directors, officers, or trustees), or otherwise has an ongoing power to appoint or elect more than 50 percent of such members with reasonable frequency);
      - (B) Require the organization to make an expenditure (or prevent the organization from making an expenditure); or
      - (C) Require the organization to perform any act that significantly affects its operations (or prevent it from performing such an act).
  - (3) **Is controlled by one or more persons that also control such institution.** For purposes of [section 4968(d)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=d) and this section, an organization (other than one described in [paragraph (a)(2)](#a-2) of this section) is controlled by one or more persons that also control the educational institution if more than 50 percent of the members of the governing body of the other organization are directly or indirectly controlled by persons that comprise more than 50 percent of the members of the governing body of the educational institution.
  - (4) **Constructive ownership.** The principles of [section 318(a)(2)](/cfr/26/318.md?p=a-2) (relating to ownership attribution from partnerships, estates, trusts, and corporations) apply for purposes of determining ownership of stock in a corporation, and similar principles apply for purposes of determining ownership of an interest in any other entity.
  - (5) **Method of control.** Control includes control by aggregating votes or positions of authority (including by veto power), but applies regardless of the method by which the control is exercised or exercisable.
- (c) **Organization described in section 509(a)(3) during the taxable year with respect to the educational institution.** A [section 509(a)(3)](/cfr/26/509.md?p=a-3) organization is a supporting organization with respect to an educational institution only if the supporting organization meets the organizational, operational, and relationship tests of [section 509(a)(3)(B)](/cfr/26/509.md?p=a-3-B) and [§ 1.509(a)-4](/cfr/26/1.509..4.md) of this chapter with respect to the educational institution.
- (d) **Assets and net investment income of related organizations—**
  - (1) **In general.** A related organization's assets and net investment income are taken into account both in determining whether an institution is an applicable educational institution and in computing the net investment income of an applicable educational institution. For purposes of determining the aggregate fair market value of the assets and net investment income of an educational institution, the assets and net investment income of all related organizations are treated as the assets and net investment income, respectively, of the institution, unless an exception provided in [paragraph (d)(2)](#d-2) of this section or the exception provided in [§ 53.4968-1(b)(5)(iv)](/cfr/26/53.4968-1.md?p=b-5-iv) (relating to assets used directly in carrying out an exempt purpose) applies. In cases in which an organization is a related organization with respect to an educational institution under more than one definition of this § 53.4968-3, then the rule that attributes the largest amount of assets and net investment income of the related organization to the educational institution must be applied.
  - (2) **Exceptions.** For purposes of [section 4968](/cfr/26/4968.md) and this [paragraph (d)(2)](#d-2)—
    - (i) **No amount is taken into account with respect to more than one educational institution.** In determining the aggregate fair market value of the assets and net investment income of an educational institution, assets and net investment income of a related organization are not taken into account with respect to more than one educational institution. Thus, in any case in which an organization is a related organization with respect to more than one educational institution, the assets and net investment income of the related organization must be allocated between or among the educational institutions as to which the organization is a related organization, subject to [paragraph (d)(2)(ii)](#d-2-ii) of this section. The educational institution must make such allocation in a reasonable manner, taking into account all facts and circumstances, that is consistent across all related organizations.
    - (ii) **Assets and net investment income that are not intended or available for the use or benefit of the educational institution—**
      - (A) **In general.** Unless a related organization is controlled by the educational institution or is a supporting organization described in [section 509(a)(3)](/cfr/26/509.md?p=a-3) with respect to such institution for the taxable year, assets and net investment income of a related organization that are not intended or available for the use or benefit of the educational institution are not taken into account by that educational institution.
      - (B) **Determining whether assets and net investment income of a related organization are intended or available for the use or benefit of an educational institution.** If a related organization controls the educational institution, is controlled by one or more persons that also control such institution (but is not described in [section 509(a)(3)](/cfr/26/509.md?p=a-3) with respect to the educational institution for the taxable year), or is a supported organization (as defined in [section 509(f)(3)](/cfr/26/509.md?p=f-3)) during the taxable year with respect to the educational institution, then the related organization's assets and net investment income are taken into account as assets and net investment income of the educational institution only to the extent the assets and net investment income are intended or available for the use or benefit of that educational institution. Assets and net investment income of a related organization are intended or available for the use or benefit of an educational institution if such assets and net investment income are specifically earmarked or restricted for the benefit of, or otherwise are fairly attributable to, the educational institution. For example, assets are fairly attributable to the educational institution if they have been affirmatively designated or appropriated for the educational institution or made available for the educational institution to draw upon at will. Conversely, assets and net investment income of a related organization are not intended or available for the use or benefit of an educational institution if such assets and net investment income are specifically earmarked or restricted for another entity or for unrelated purposes or otherwise are not fairly attributable to the educational institution. The assets and net investment income of a related organization must be allocated between those intended or available for the use or benefit of an educational institution and those not intended or not available for the use or benefit of that same educational institution. The educational institution must make such allocation in a reasonable manner, taking into account all facts and circumstances, that is consistent across all related organizations.
      - (C) **Related organizations that are controlled by the educational institution or that are supporting organizations (as described in section 509(a)(3)) with respect to the educational institution during the taxable year—** (1) In general. If a related organization is controlled, as defined in [paragraph (b)(2)](#b-2) of this section, by an educational institution, or is a supporting organization with respect to the educational institution during the taxable year, as defined in [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section, the assets and net investment income of the related organization are taken into account as assets and net investment income of the educational institution regardless of whether those assets and net investment income are earmarked or restricted for the benefit of, or otherwise are fairly attributable to, the educational institution and even if they are specifically earmarked or restricted for another entity or for unrelated purposes or otherwise are not fairly attributable to the educational institution, subject to paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(C)(2) of this section. However, see §§ [53.4968-1(b)(2)(ii)(A)(3)](/cfr/26/53.4968-1.md?p=b-2-ii-A-3) and [(4)](/cfr/26/53.4968-1.md?p=b-2-ii-A-4) regarding trusts that are controlled related organizations only to the extent assets of the trust were contributed to the trust by the educational institution (or by a person controlled by the educational institution), or only to the extent the educational institution (or person controlled by the educational institution) has the right to demand (or can otherwise cause) a distribution of principal from the trust to the educational institution (or a person controlled by the educational institution). See also [§ 53.4968-1(b)(5)(iv)](/cfr/26/53.4968-1.md?p=b-5-iv) for rules relating to when assets of a related organization are deemed to be used directly in carrying out the institution's exempt purpose.

        (2) Special rule for Type III supporting organizations with respect to an educational institution as of December 31, 2017. An educational institution with a related organization that was a Type III supporting organization with respect to the educational institution on December 31, 2017, takes into account only the assets and net investment income of such Type III supporting organization that are intended or available for the use or benefit of, or otherwise are fairly attributable to, the educational institution, as described in [paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B)](#d-2-ii-B) of this section. An educational institution may determine whether the assets and net investment income of such a Type III supporting organization are intended or available for the use or benefit of, or otherwise are fairly attributable to, the educational institution using any reasonable method. A method that attributes to an educational institution assets and net investment income of a supporting organization that specifically are earmarked for the educational institution, are restricted for the benefit of the educational institution, or otherwise are fairly attributable to the educational institution (such as those that have been affirmatively designated or appropriated for the educational institution or made available for the educational institution to draw upon at will) will be deemed to be reasonable.

  - (3) **Determining assets of related organizations.** To determine which assets of a related organization are included by an educational institution under [section 4968(b)(1)(D)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=b-1-D) for a particular year, an educational institution determines which organizations are related organizations, as defined in [section 4968(d)(2)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=d-2) and § 53.4968-3, as of the end of the educational institution's preceding taxable year, and values the relevant assets on that date.
  - (4) **Determining net investment income of related organizations.** To determine the amount of net investment income of a related organization that is included by the applicable educational institution in calculating the tax imposed by [section 4968(a)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=a) for a particular taxable year, an applicable educational institution determines which organizations are related organizations, as defined in [section 4968(d)(2)](/cfr/26/4968.md?p=d-2) and § 53.4968-3, as of the end of that taxable year of the applicable educational institution and includes the net investment income from each related organization's taxable year that ends with or within that same taxable year of the applicable educational institution. If an organization became a related organization after the beginning of the applicable educational institution's taxable year, then the applicable educational institution includes the organization's net investment income for the portion of the year that the organization was a related organization, using any reasonable method.

# §53.4968-4. Applicability date.


The rules of [§§ 53.4968-1 through 53.4968-3](/cfr/26/53.4968-1..53.4968-3.md) apply to taxable years of an educational institution beginning after October 15, 2020.