26 U.S.C. § 4942
(a) Initial tax There is hereby imposed on the undistributed income of a private foundation for any taxable year, which has not been distributed before the first day of the second (or any succeeding) taxable year following such taxable year (if such first day falls within the taxable period), a tax equal to 30 percent of the amount of such income remaining undistributed at the beginning of such second (or succeeding) taxable year. The tax imposed by this subsection shall not apply to the undistributed income of a private foundation—
(2) to the extent that the foundation failed to distribute any amount solely because of an incorrect valuation of assets under subsection (e), if—
(c) Undistributed income For purposes of this section, the term “undistributed income” means, with respect to any private foundation for any taxable year as of any time, the amount by which—
(d) Distributable amount For purposes of this section, the term “distributable amount” means, with respect to any foundation for any taxable year, an amount equal to—
(e) Minimum investment return
(1) In general For purposes of subsection (d), the minimum investment return for any private foundation for any taxable year is 5 percent of the excess of—
(2) Valuation
(B) Reductions in value for blockage or similar factors In determining the value of any securities under this paragraph, the fair market value of such securities (determined without regard to any reduction in value) shall not be reduced unless, and only to the extent that, the private foundation establishes that as a result of—
the securities could not be liquidated within a reasonable period of time except at a price less than such fair market value. Any reduction in value allowable under this subparagraph shall not exceed 10 percent of such fair market value.
(f) Adjusted net income
(1) Defined For purposes of subsection (j), the term “adjusted net income” means the excess (if any) of—
(2) Income modifications The income modifications referred to in paragraph (1)(A) are as follows:
(C) there shall be taken into account—
(3) Deduction modifications The deduction modifications referred to in paragraph (1)(B) are as follows:
(g) Qualifying distributions defined
(1) In general For purposes of this section, the term “qualifying distribution” means—
(2) Certain set-asides
(B) Requirements An amount set aside for a specific project shall meet the requirements of this subparagraph if at the time of the set-aside the foundation establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the amount will be paid for the specific project within 5 years, and either—
(ii)
(C) Certain failures to distribute If, for any taxable year to which clause (ii)(II) of subparagraph (B) applies, the private foundation fails to distribute in cash or its equivalent amounts not less than those required by such clause and—
such distribution in cash or its equivalent shall be treated for the purposes of this subparagraph as made during such year.
In the case of a set-aside which satisfies the requirements of clause (i) of subparagraph (B), for good cause shown, the period for paying the amount set aside may be extended by the Secretary.
(3) Certain contributions to section 501(c)(3) organizations For purposes of this section, the term “qualifying distribution” includes a contribution to a section 501(c)(3) organization described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) or (ii) if—
(4) Limitation on distributions by nonoperating private foundations to supporting organizations
(A) In general For purposes of this section, the term “qualifying distribution” shall not include any amount paid by a private foundation which is not an operating foundation to—
(ii) any organization which is described in subparagraph (B) or (C) if—
(B) Type I and type II supporting organizations An organization is described in this subparagraph if the organization meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (C) of section 509(a)(3) and is—
(h) Treatment of qualifying distributions
(1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), any qualifying distribution made during a taxable year shall be treated as made—
For purposes of this paragraph, distributions shall be taken into account in the order of time in which made.
(i) Adjustment of distributable amount where distributions during prior years have exceeded income
(1) In general If, for the taxable years in the adjustment period for which an organization is a private foundation—
then, for purposes of this section (other than subsection (h)), the distributable amount for the taxable year shall be reduced by an amount equal to such excess.
(j) Other definitions For purposes of this section—
(1) Taxable period The term “taxable period” means, with respect to the undistributed income for any taxable year, the period beginning with the first day of the taxable year and ending on the earlier of—
(2) Allowable distribution period The term “allowable distribution period” means, with respect to any private foundation, the period beginning with the first day of the first taxable year following the taxable year in which the incorrect valuation (described in subsection (a)(2)) occurred and ending 90 days after the date of mailing of a notice of deficiency (with respect to the tax imposed by subsection (a)) under section 6212 extended by—
(3) Operating foundation For purposes of this section, the term “operating foundation” means any organization—
(A) which makes qualifying distributions (within the meaning of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (g)) directly for the active conduct of the activities constituting the purpose or function for which it is organized and operated equal to substantially all of the lesser of—
(B)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A), if the qualifying distributions (within the meaning of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (g)) of an organization for the taxable year exceed the minimum investment return for the taxable year, clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall not apply unless substantially all of such qualifying distributions are made directly for the active conduct of the activities constituting the purpose or function for which it is organized and operated.
(4) Functionally related business The term “functionally related business” means—
(Added Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 101(b), , 83 Stat. 502; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XIII, §§ 1302(a), 1303(a), 1310(a), title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), , 90 Stat. 1713, 1715, 1729, 1834; Pub. L. 95–600, title V, § 522(a), , 92 Stat. 2885; Pub. L. 96–596, § 2(a)(1)(C), (2)(B), (3)(B), (4)(A), , 94 Stat. 3469–3472; Pub. L. 97–34, title VIII, § 823(a), , 95 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 108(b), , 96 Stat. 2391; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title III, §§ 304(a), (b), 305(b)(4), 314(a)(1), (2), , 98 Stat. 782–784, 787; Pub. L. 99–514, title XIII, § 1301(j)(6), , 100 Stat. 2658; Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, §§ 1212(b), 1244(a), , 120 Stat. 1074, 1107; Pub. L. 110–172, § 11(a)(14)(D), , 121 Stat. 2485; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(105), , 128 Stat. 4053.)
Sections 1212(b) and 1244(a) of Pub. L. 109–280, which directed the amendment of section 4942 without specifying the act to be amended, were executed to this section, which is section 4942 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2006 Amendment notes below.
2014—Subsec. (g)(2)(A). Pub. L. 113–295, § 221(a)(105)(A), substituted “Subject” for “For all taxable years beginning on or after , subject”.
Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 113–295, § 221(a)(105)(B), struck out “beginning after , and” after “(not exceeding 5)”.
2007—Subsec. (i)(1)(A). Pub. L. 110–172 substituted “section 170(b)(1)(F)(ii)” for “section 170(b)(1)(E)(ii)”.
2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1212(b), substituted “30 percent” for “15 percent” in introductory provisions. See Codification note above.
Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1244(a), amended heading and text of par. (4) generally, substituting provisions relating to limitation on distributions by nonoperating private foundations to supporting organizations for provisions relating to limitation on administrative expenses allocable to making of contributions, gifts, and grants. See Codification note above.
1986—Subsec. (f)(2)(A). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted “(relating to State and local bonds)” for “(relating to interest on certain governmental obligations)”.
1984—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 98–369, § 314(a)(1), substituted “subsection (j)(2)” for “subsection (j)(4)”.
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 98–369, § 304(b), substituted “the sum of the minimum investment return plus the amounts described in subsection (f)(2)(C), reduced by” for “the minimum investment return reduced by”.
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 98–369, § 314(a)(2), substituted “subsection (j)” for “subsection (d)”.
Subsec. (g)(1)(A). Pub. L. 98–369, § 304(a)(2), substituted “including that portion of reasonable and necessary administrative expenses” for “including administrative expenses”.
Subsec. (g)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 98–369, § 305(b)(4), substituted “section 4963(e)” for “section 4962(e)”.
Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 98–369, § 304(a)(1), added par. (4).
1983—Subsec. (j)(3)(A)(i). Pub. L. 97–448 substituted “or” for “and” at the end.
1981—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 97–34, § 823(a)(1), struck out “or the adjusted net income (whichever is higher)” after “return”.
Subsec. (j)(3). Pub. L. 97–34, § 823(a)(2), (3), inserted in subpar. (A) “the lesser of” after “substantially all of”, designated existing provisions as cl. (i), added cl. (ii), and inserted provision respecting applicability of subpar. (A)(ii).
1980—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–596, § 2(a)(1)(C), substituted “taxable period” for “correction period”.
Subsec. (g)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 96–596, § 2(a)(4)(A), substituted “the correction period (as defined in section 4962(e))” for “the initial correction period provided in subsection (j)(2)”.
Subsec. (j)(1). Pub. L. 96–596, § 2(a)(2)(B), substituted provision ending the taxable period on the earlier of the date of mailing of a notice of deficiency with respect to the tax imposed by subsec. (a) of this section under section 6212 of this title or the date on which the tax imposed by subsec. (a) of this section is assessed for provision ending the taxable period on the date of mailing the notice of deficiency with respect to a tax imposed by subsec. (a) of this section under section 6212 of this title.
Subsec. (j)(2). Pub. L. 96–596, § 2(a)(3)(B)(i), (iii), redesignated par. (4) as (2) and struck out former par. (2), which defined correction period, with respect to any private foundation for any taxable year, as the period beginning with the first day of the taxable year and ending 90 days after the date of mailing a notice of deficiency with respect to the tax imposed by subsec. (b) of this section under section 6212 of this title, extended by any period in which a deficiency cannot be assessed under section 6213(a) of this title and any other period which the Secretary determines is reasonable and necessary to permit a distribution of undistributed income.
Subsec. (j)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 96–596, § 2(a)(3)(B)(ii), substituted “paragraph (4)” for “paragraph (5)”.
Subsec. (j)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 96–596, § 2(a)(3)(B)(iii), (iv), redesignated pars. (5) and (6) as (4) and (5), respectively.
1978—Subsec. (j)(6). Pub. L. 95–600 added par. (6).
1976—Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1303(a), among other changes, substituted provisions establishing a fixed percentage rate to be used in computing the minimum investment return for any private foundation for provisions establishing a variable applicable percentage rate of 7 percent in 1970 and an applicable rate to be determined by the Secretary after 1970, for use in computing the minimum investment return for any private foundation and inserted provisions relating to reduction in value for blockage or similar factors.
Subsec. (f)(2)(D). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1310(a), added subpar. (D).
Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1302(a), among other changes, inserted reference to all taxable years beginning on or after , requirement that the project will not be completed before the end of the taxable year of the foundation in which the set-aside is made, and subpars. (C) to (E).
Subsecs. (h)(2), (j)(2)(B). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 113–295 effective , subject to a savings provision, see section 221(b) of Pub. L. 113–295, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Amendment by section 1212(b) of Pub. L. 109–280 applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 1212(f) of Pub. L. 109–280, set out as a note under section 4941 of this title.
Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1244(c), , 120 Stat. 1108, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
section 4945 of this title] shall apply to distributions and expenditures after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Aug. 17, 2006].”
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to bonds issued after , except as otherwise provided, see sections 1311 to 1318 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as an Effective Date; Transitional Rules note under section 141 of this title.
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title III, § 304(c), , 98 Stat. 783, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1984.”
Amendment by section 305(b)(4) of Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to taxable events occurring after , see section 305(c) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as an Effective Date note under section 4962 of this title.
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title III, § 314(a)(4), , 98 Stat. 787, provided that:
“The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and
section 6501 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [
July 18, 1984].”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–448 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provision of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, Pub. L. 97–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 109 of Pub. L. 97–448, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Pub. L. 97–34, title VIII, § 823(b), , 95 Stat. 352, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1981.”
For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 96–596 with respect to any first tier tax and to any second tier tax, see section 2(d) of Pub. L. 96–596, set out as an Effective Date note under section 4961 of this title.
Pub. L. 95–600, title V, § 522(b), , 92 Stat. 2885, provided that:
“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1969.”
Pub. L. 94–455, title XIII, § 1302(c), , 90 Stat. 1715, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section and
section 6501 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1974.”
Pub. L. 94–455, title XIII, § 1303(b), , 90 Stat. 1715, provided that:
“The amendment made by this section [amending this section] applies to taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1975.”
Pub. L. 94–455, title XIII, § 1310(b), , 90 Stat. 1729, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Oct. 4, 1976].”
Applicability of section to organizations organized before , see section 101(l)(3) of Pub. L. 91–172, set out as a note under section 4940 of this title.