Section 4940 of the Code imposes an excise tax on the “net investment income” of private foundations.  Historically, the excise tax was 2%, with an opportunity for reduction to 1% for a year in which the foundation’s qualifying distributions exceeded a certain amount calculated pursuant to a complicated formula.  Recent tax legislation simplifies the two-tiered system by replacing it with a flat rate of 1.39%.  The new rate is effective for tax years beginning after the date of enactment; which would be 2020 for calendar year private foundations.

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