Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.
§ 4942. Taxes on failure to distribute income
Official text, no changes From the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, release point 119-121 (current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026)). Compare it with the official text at uscode.house.gov (external site).
Cite as 26 U.S.C. § 4942
At a glance
Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.
- Status
- In force
- Added
- December 30, 1969 by Pub. L. 91–172
- Last amended
- December 19, 2014 by Pub. L. 113–295
- Amendments
- 10 dated changes in the source credit
- Length
- 10 subsections · 3,454 words · about 15 min to read
- Defines
- 11 terms
- Cross-references
- cites 15; cited by 14 Code sections and 28 other regulations
- Regulations
- 6 issued under this section
In any case in which an initial tax is imposed under subsection (a) on the undistributed income of a private foundation for any taxable year, if any portion of such income remains undistributed at the close of the taxable period, there is hereby imposed a tax equal to 100 percent of the amount remaining undistributed at such time.
For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the fair market value of securities for which market quotations are readily available shall be determined on a monthly basis. For all other assets, the fair market value shall be determined at such times and in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe.
For purposes of paragraph (2)(B), the basis (for purposes of determining gain) of property held by a private foundation on December 31, 1969, and continuously thereafter to the date of its disposition, shall be deemed to be not less than the fair market value of such property on December 31, 1969.
Subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary, an amount set aside for a specific project which comes within one or more purposes described in section 170(c)(2)(B) may be treated as a qualifying distribution if it meets the requirements of subparagraph (B).
If, during the taxable years in the adjustment period for which the organization is a private foundation, the foundation distributes amounts in cash or its equivalent which exceed the amount required to be distributed under clause (ii)(II) of subparagraph (B) (including but not limited to payments with respect to set-asides which were treated as qualifying distributions in prior years), then for purposes of this subsection the distribution required under clause (ii)(II) of subparagraph (B) for the taxable year shall be reduced by an amount equal to such excess.
For purposes of subparagraph (D), with respect to any taxable year of a private foundation, the taxable years in the adjustment period are the taxable years (not exceeding 5) beginning after December 31, 1975, and immediately preceding the taxable year.
An organization is described in this subparagraph if the organization is a functionally integrated type III supporting organization (as defined under section 4943(f)(5)(B)).
In the case of any qualifying distribution which (under paragraph (1)) is not treated as made out of the undistributed income of the immediately preceding taxable year, the foundation may elect to treat any portion of such distribution as made out of the undistributed income of a designated prior taxable year or out of corpus. The election shall be made by the foundation at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe.
For purposes of paragraph (1), with respect to any taxable year of a private foundation the taxable years in the adjustment period are the taxable years (not exceeding 5) immediately preceding the taxable year.
For purposes of this section (but no other provisions of this title), the term “operating foundation” includes any organization which, on May 26, 1969, and at all times thereafter before the close of the taxable year, operated and maintained as its principal functional purpose facilities for the long-term care, comfort, maintenance, or education of permanently and totally disabled persons, elderly persons, needy widows, or children but only if such organization meets the requirements of paragraph (3)(B)(ii).
(Added Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 101(b), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 502; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XIII, §§ 1302(a), 1303(a), 1310(a), title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1713, 1715, 1729, 1834; Pub. L. 95–600, title V, § 522(a), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2885; Pub. L. 96–596, § 2(a)(1)(C), (2)(B), (3)(B), (4)(A), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3469–3472; Pub. L. 97–34, title VIII, § 823(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 108(b), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2391; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title III, §§ 304(a), (b), 305(b)(4), 314(a)(1), (2), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 782–784, 787; Pub. L. 99–514, title XIII, § 1301(j)(6), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2658; Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, §§ 1212(b), 1244(a), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1074, 1107; Pub. L. 110–172, § 11(a)(14)(D), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2485; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(105), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4053.)
Terms defined here
Where the text says “the term … means”. Select a term to jump to its definition.
- adjusted net income § 4942(f)(1)
- allowable distribution period § 4942(j)(2)
- distributable amount § 4942(d)
- functionally related business § 4942(j)(4)
- operating foundation § 4942(j)(3)
- operating foundation § 4942(j)(5)
- qualifying distribution § 4942(g)(1)
- qualifying distribution § 4942(g)(3)
- qualifying distribution § 4942(g)(4)(A)
- taxable period § 4942(j)(1)
- undistributed income § 4942(c)
Regulations under this section
Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 4942
Cross-references
Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.
This section cites 15 other sections
- § 4940 Excise tax based on investment income
- § 514(c)(1) Unrelated debt-financed income
- § 11 Tax imposed
- § 103 Interest on State and local bonds
- § 483 Interest on certain deferred payments
- § 265 Expenses and interest relating to tax-exempt income
- § 170(c)(2)(B) Charitable, etc., contributions and gifts
- § 4946 Definitions and special rules
- § 4963(e) Definitions
- § 501(c)(3) Exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.
- § 4943(f)(5)(A) Taxes on excess business holdings
- § 509(f)(3) Private foundation defined
- § 6212 Notice of deficiency
- § 6213(a) Restrictions applicable to deficiencies; petition to Tax Court
- § 513 Unrelated trade or business
Cited by 14 Code sections
- § 150(d)(3)(F) Definitions and special rules
- § 170(b)(1)(F)(i) Charitable, etc., contributions and gifts
- § 508(e)(1)(A) Special rules with respect to section 501(c)(3) organizations
- § 2055(e)(4)(D) Transfers for public, charitable, and religious uses
- § 2503(g)(2)(B) Taxable gifts
- § 4940(d)(2)(A) Excise tax based on investment income
- § 4943(d)(3)(A) Taxes on excess business holdings
- § 4945(d)(4)(A)(ii) Taxes on taxable expenditures
- § 4948(c)(2) Application of taxes and denial of exemption with respect to certain foreign organizations
- § 4963(d)(2)(A) Definitions
- § 6110(l)(2)(A) Public inspection of written determinations
- § 6501(l)(2) Limitations on assessment and collection
- § 7123(c)(2)(C) Appeals dispute resolution procedures
- § 7428(a)(1)(C) Declaratory judgments relating to status and classification of organizations under section 501(c)(3), etc.
Cited in 28 regulations not issued under it
- § 1.170A-4 Reduction in amount of charitable contributions of certain appreciated property.
- § 1.170A-4A Special rule for the deduction of certain charitable contributions of inventory and other property.
- § 1.170A-9 Definition of section 170(b)(1)(A) organization.
- § 1.507-2 Special rules; transfer to, or operation as, public charity.
- § 1.507-3 Special rules; transferee foundations.
- § 1.507-9 Abatement of taxes.
- § 1.508-1 Notices.
- § 1.508-2 Disallowance of certain charitable, etc., deductions.
- § 1.508-3 Governing instruments.
- § 1.509(a)-4 Supporting organizations.
- § 1.509(a)-5 Special rules of attribution.
- § 20.2055-2 Transfers not exclusively for charitable purposes.
- § 53.4940-1 Excise tax on net investment income.
- § 53.4941(d)-1 Definition of self-dealing.
- § 53.4941(d)-3 Exceptions to self-dealing.
- § 53.4943-4 Present holdings.
- § 53.4943-10 Business enterprise; definition.
- § 53.4944-3 Exception for program-related investments.
- § 53.4945-3 Influencing elections and carrying on voter registration drives.
- § 53.4945-5 Grants to organizations.
- § 53.4945-6 Expenditures for noncharitable purposes.
- § 53.4948-1 Application of taxes and denial of exemption with respect to certain foreign organizations.
- § 53.4963-1 Definitions.
- § 53.4968-1 Excise tax based on investment income of certain private colleges and universities.
Amendment history
From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.
- Amended by Pub. L. 113–295Parts changed in 2014: (g)(2)(A) (i)(2)
- Amended by Pub. L. 110–172Parts changed in 2007: (i)(1)(A)
- Amended by Pub. L. 109–280Parts changed in 2006: (a) (g)(4)
- Amended by Pub. L. 99–514Parts changed in 1986: (f)(2)(A)
- Amended by Pub. L. 98–369Parts changed in 1984: (a)(2)(B) (d)(1) (f)(1) (g)(1)(A) (g)(2)(C)(ii) (g)(4)
- Amended by Pub. L. 97–448Parts changed in 1983: (j)(3)(A)(i)
- Amended by Pub. L. 97–34Parts changed in 1981: (d)(1) (j)(3)
- Amended by Pub. L. 96–596Parts changed in 1980: (b) (g)(2)(C)(ii) (j)(1) (j)(2) (j)(3)(B)(i) (j)(4)
- Amended by Pub. L. 95–600Parts changed in 1978: (j)(6)
- Amended by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (a)(2)(C) (e) (f)(2)(D) (g)(2) (h)(2)
- Added by Pub. L. 91–172
Where it sits in the Code
- Subtitle D Miscellaneous Excise Taxes
- Chapter 42 PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS; AND CERTAIN OTHER TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS
- Subchapter A Private Foundations
Nearby sections
Official notes
Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)
Editorial Notes
Codification
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.
Amendments
2014—Subsec. (g)(2)(A). Pub. L. 113–295, § 221(a)(105)(A), substituted “Subject” for “For all taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1975, subject”.
Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 113–295, § 221(a)(105)(B), struck out “beginning after December 31, 1969, 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 Jan. 1, 1975, 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”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 113–295 effective Dec. 19, 2014, 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.
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by section 1212(b) of Pub. L. 109–280 applicable to taxable years beginning after Aug. 17, 2006, 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), Aug. 17, 2006, 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].”
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to bonds issued after Aug. 15, 1986, 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.
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title III, § 304(c), July 18, 1984, 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 Dec. 31, 1984, 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), July 18, 1984, 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].”.
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
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.
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Pub. L. 97–34, title VIII, § 823(b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 352, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1981.”
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
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.
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Pub. L. 95–600, title V, § 522(b), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2885, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1969.”
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Pub. L. 94–455, title XIII, § 1302(c), Oct. 4, 1976, 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), Oct. 4, 1976, 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), Oct. 4, 1976, 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].”
Savings Provision
Applicability of section to organizations organized before May 27, 1969, see section 101(l)(3) of Pub. L. 91–172, set out as a note under section 4940 of this title.