Sunday December 9, 2018
Private Letter Ruling
Foundation's Set-Aside Approved
GiftLaw Note:
Organization is a tax-exempt private foundation. Organization proposed a set-aside program to build an academy to help students similar to the recipients of Scholarship B. The academy will be a private boarding school for public high school students who are eligible for Scholarship B. Students who are admitted to the academy will attend at no cost. Organization will pay all tuition, fees, room and board, books and other costs. Organization will set aside an initial amount in the first year and then set aside additional amounts in four subsequent years. These subsequent set-asides will equal the excess of the undistributed income each year that is not used for awarding scholarships.
Under Sec. 4942(g)(2)(A), an amount set aside for a specific project, which includes one or more purposes described in Sec. 170(c)(2)(B), may be treated as a qualified distribution if it meets the requirements of Sec. 4942(g)(2)(B). Section 4942(g)(2)(B) provides that an amount set aside for a specific project will be permissible if, at the time of the set-aside, the foundation establishes that the amount will be paid within five years and either Sec. 4942(g)(2)(B)(i) or Sec. 4942(g)(2)(B)(ii) is satisfied. Under Sec. 4942(g)(2)(B)(i), the set-aside will be allowed if the project can be better accomplished using the set-aside than by making an immediate payment. Under Reg. 53.4942(a)-3(b)(1), a foundation can establish that a project may be better accomplished by a set-aside than by immediate payment if the set-aside meets Reg. 53.4942(a)-3(b)(2), which provides that specific projects better accomplished using a set-aside include those that will entail relatively long-term expenditures requiring more than one year's income. In Revenue Ruling 75-450, a foundation converted land to a public park pursuant to a four-year construction contract, which was considered a specific project under the set-aside rules. Here, the Service determined that Organization has shown that the set-aside will better accomplish the goals of the project. Therefore, the Service approved the set-aside.
Organization is a tax-exempt private foundation. Organization proposed a set-aside program to build an academy to help students similar to the recipients of Scholarship B. The academy will be a private boarding school for public high school students who are eligible for Scholarship B. Students who are admitted to the academy will attend at no cost. Organization will pay all tuition, fees, room and board, books and other costs. Organization will set aside an initial amount in the first year and then set aside additional amounts in four subsequent years. These subsequent set-asides will equal the excess of the undistributed income each year that is not used for awarding scholarships.
Under Sec. 4942(g)(2)(A), an amount set aside for a specific project, which includes one or more purposes described in Sec. 170(c)(2)(B), may be treated as a qualified distribution if it meets the requirements of Sec. 4942(g)(2)(B). Section 4942(g)(2)(B) provides that an amount set aside for a specific project will be permissible if, at the time of the set-aside, the foundation establishes that the amount will be paid within five years and either Sec. 4942(g)(2)(B)(i) or Sec. 4942(g)(2)(B)(ii) is satisfied. Under Sec. 4942(g)(2)(B)(i), the set-aside will be allowed if the project can be better accomplished using the set-aside than by making an immediate payment. Under Reg. 53.4942(a)-3(b)(1), a foundation can establish that a project may be better accomplished by a set-aside than by immediate payment if the set-aside meets Reg. 53.4942(a)-3(b)(2), which provides that specific projects better accomplished using a set-aside include those that will entail relatively long-term expenditures requiring more than one year's income. In Revenue Ruling 75-450, a foundation converted land to a public park pursuant to a four-year construction contract, which was considered a specific project under the set-aside rules. Here, the Service determined that Organization has shown that the set-aside will better accomplish the goals of the project. Therefore, the Service approved the set-aside.
PLR 201848018 Foundation's Set-Aside Approved
11/30/2018 (9/4/2018)
Dear * * *:
Why you are receiving this letter
This is our response to your January 29, 2018, letter requesting approval of a set-aside under Internal Revenue Code Section 4942(g)(2). You've been recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and have been determined to be a private foundation under Section 509(a).
Based on the information furnished, your set-aside program is approved under Internal Revenue Code Section 4942(g)(2). As required under Section 4942(g)(2), the set aside amount must be paid within the 60-month period after the date of the first set-aside.
You propose set-asides for the purpose of constructing an academy to help students similar to B recipients. The academy will be a private boarding school for high achieving high school students from public high schools whose students are eligible for B. Admitted students will attend the school at no charge. You will pay all tuition, fees, room and board, books and other costs.
The amount of the set-aside for calendar year 20 is x dollars. Additional set-asides for the years of 20* * *, 20* * *, 20* * * and 20* * * will equal the excess of the undistributed income in each year that is not used for the purpose of awarding C. The total estimated cost of the project is y dollars.
The project can better be accomplished by set-aside rather than immediate payment of funds because it is a long-term project, the building site is not currently owned, architectural plans have not been finalized; preparing architectural plans and building the project will take more than a year; such a project reasonably requires a period of time that spans several years and is customary in the construction business that payments are made as work is completed. A statement has been submitted that the amounts to be set-aside will actually be paid within a specified time period not to exceed 60 months from the date of the first set aside.
Internal Revenue Code Section 4942(g)(2)(A) states that an amount set aside for a specific project, which includes one or more purposes described in Section 170(c)(2)(B), may be treated as a qualifying distribution if it meets the requirements of Section 4942(g)(2)(B).
Section 4942(g)(2)(B) of the Code states that an amount set aside for a specific project will meet the requirements of this subparagraph if, at the time of the set-aside, the foundation establishes that the amount will be paid within five years and either clause (i) or (ii) are satisfied.
Section 4942(g)(2)(B)(i) of the Code is satisfied if, at the time of the set-aside, the private foundation establishes that the project can better be accomplished using the set-aside than by making an immediate payment.
Section 53.4942(a)-3(b)(1) of the Foundations and Similar Excise Taxes Regulations provides that a private foundation may establish a project as better accomplished by a set-aside than by immediate payment if the set-aside satisfies the suitability test described in Section 53.4942(a)-3(b)(2).
Section 53.4942(a)-3(b)(2) of the Foundations and Similar Excise Taxes Regulations provides that specific projects better accomplished using a set-aside include, but are not limited to, projects where relatively long-term expenditures must be made requiring more than one year's income to assure their continuity.
In Revenue Ruling 74-450, 1974-2 C.B. 388, an operating foundation converted a portion of newly acquired land into a public park under a four-year construction contract. The construction contract payments were to be made mainly during the final two years. This constituted a "specific project." The foundation's set-aside of all its excess earnings for four years was treated as a qualifying distribution under Internal Revenue Code Section 4942(g)(2).
Your approved set-aside(s) will be documented on your records as pledges or obligations to be paid by the date specified. The amounts set aside will be taken into account to determine your minimum investment return under Internal Revenue Code Section 4942(e)(1)(A), and the income attributable to your set aside(s) will also be taken into account in computing your adjusted net income under Section 4942(f) of the Code.
This determination is directed only to the organization that requested it. Internal Revenue Code Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it may not be used or cited as a precedent.
Please keep a copy of this letter in your records.
If you have any questions, please contact the person listed in the heading of this letter.
Sincerely,
Stephen A. Martin
Director, Exempt Organizations
Rulings and Agreements
Enclosure
11/30/2018 (9/4/2018)
Dear * * *:
Why you are receiving this letter
This is our response to your January 29, 2018, letter requesting approval of a set-aside under Internal Revenue Code Section 4942(g)(2). You've been recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and have been determined to be a private foundation under Section 509(a).
Our determination
Based on the information furnished, your set-aside program is approved under Internal Revenue Code Section 4942(g)(2). As required under Section 4942(g)(2), the set aside amount must be paid within the 60-month period after the date of the first set-aside.
Description of set-aside request
You propose set-asides for the purpose of constructing an academy to help students similar to B recipients. The academy will be a private boarding school for high achieving high school students from public high schools whose students are eligible for B. Admitted students will attend the school at no charge. You will pay all tuition, fees, room and board, books and other costs.
The amount of the set-aside for calendar year 20 is x dollars. Additional set-asides for the years of 20* * *, 20* * *, 20* * * and 20* * * will equal the excess of the undistributed income in each year that is not used for the purpose of awarding C. The total estimated cost of the project is y dollars.
The project can better be accomplished by set-aside rather than immediate payment of funds because it is a long-term project, the building site is not currently owned, architectural plans have not been finalized; preparing architectural plans and building the project will take more than a year; such a project reasonably requires a period of time that spans several years and is customary in the construction business that payments are made as work is completed. A statement has been submitted that the amounts to be set-aside will actually be paid within a specified time period not to exceed 60 months from the date of the first set aside.
Basis for our determination
Internal Revenue Code Section 4942(g)(2)(A) states that an amount set aside for a specific project, which includes one or more purposes described in Section 170(c)(2)(B), may be treated as a qualifying distribution if it meets the requirements of Section 4942(g)(2)(B).
Section 4942(g)(2)(B) of the Code states that an amount set aside for a specific project will meet the requirements of this subparagraph if, at the time of the set-aside, the foundation establishes that the amount will be paid within five years and either clause (i) or (ii) are satisfied.
Section 4942(g)(2)(B)(i) of the Code is satisfied if, at the time of the set-aside, the private foundation establishes that the project can better be accomplished using the set-aside than by making an immediate payment.
Section 53.4942(a)-3(b)(1) of the Foundations and Similar Excise Taxes Regulations provides that a private foundation may establish a project as better accomplished by a set-aside than by immediate payment if the set-aside satisfies the suitability test described in Section 53.4942(a)-3(b)(2).
Section 53.4942(a)-3(b)(2) of the Foundations and Similar Excise Taxes Regulations provides that specific projects better accomplished using a set-aside include, but are not limited to, projects where relatively long-term expenditures must be made requiring more than one year's income to assure their continuity.
In Revenue Ruling 74-450, 1974-2 C.B. 388, an operating foundation converted a portion of newly acquired land into a public park under a four-year construction contract. The construction contract payments were to be made mainly during the final two years. This constituted a "specific project." The foundation's set-aside of all its excess earnings for four years was treated as a qualifying distribution under Internal Revenue Code Section 4942(g)(2).
What you must do
Your approved set-aside(s) will be documented on your records as pledges or obligations to be paid by the date specified. The amounts set aside will be taken into account to determine your minimum investment return under Internal Revenue Code Section 4942(e)(1)(A), and the income attributable to your set aside(s) will also be taken into account in computing your adjusted net income under Section 4942(f) of the Code.
Additional information
This determination is directed only to the organization that requested it. Internal Revenue Code Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it may not be used or cited as a precedent.
Please keep a copy of this letter in your records.
If you have any questions, please contact the person listed in the heading of this letter.
Sincerely,
Stephen A. Martin
Director, Exempt Organizations
Rulings and Agreements
Enclosure
Published December 7, 2018
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