Intermediate Sanctions Staff Training

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

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© 2002 Centurion Communications LLC

How are they re lated?


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Questions to AskQuestions to Ask What are Intermediate Sanctions? How can they hurt me ? How can they hurt Penn ? How do we protect against them ?


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S e s s io n A g e n d aUnderstanding the “Intermediate Sanction” rules. Case studies—practical application of the rules. Group discussion—how the rules apply to Penn and you. Introduction of Penn “Intermediate Sanctions” Web site.Action steps—develop procedures that provide adequate protection.


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W h a t a r e In t e r m e d ia t e?S a n c t io n s

Excise taxesImposed by the IRSOn individualsAs penaltiesFor use of substantial influenceOver certain tax-exempt organizationsFor inappropriate personal gain


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H is t o r y o f In t e r m e d ia t e S a n c t io n s

Old rules—IRS only had the option to revoke tax exemption for misappropriating charitable assets for personal gain.IRS was reluctant to use such an extreme penalty.Revocation hurt the organization (already a victim) rather than responsible persons receiving inappropriate benefits.Intermediate Sanctions gives the IRS an effective “intermediate” solution to discourage certain individuals from misusing their influence over a tax exempt entity for personal benefit.


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Excess Benefit TransactionExcess Benefit Transaction

*An excess benefit transaction can include compensation /benefit arrangements as well as other transactions such as asset sales, rental agreements, or service contracts.

Services

Organization Manager

Transaction Approval

Management Authority

Disqualified Person

IRS

Compensation*

PENN


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Imposition of Excise Penalty TaxesImposition of Excise Penalty Taxes

IRS

Disqualified Person

Organization Manager

Return Excess Benefit

Cash

25% excise tax

(200% additional excise tax possible)

Cash

10% excise tax

Negatives for Penn

•Adverse publicity

•Disclosure of events on annual IRS form 990 available for public

inspection

PENN


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In d iv id u a ls Im p a c t e d b y In t e r m e d ia t e S a n c t io n s

Any “disqualified person”Who benefits from an “excess benefit transaction” with PennIs liable for the tax“Organization managers” can be liable for an additional tax


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E f f e c t iv e d a t e f o r In t e r m e d ia t e S a n c t io n s

The excise taxes generally apply to “excess benefit transactions” occurring on or after September 14, 1995.


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E x c is e T a x R a t e s

Disqualified Person who receives an excess benefit:

Disqualified Person who receives an excess benefit, and does not return such excess benefit to the organization within a prescribed time frame:

Organization Manager, who knowingly approves an excess benefit transaction: (Limited to $10,000 per Transaction)

25% Excise Tax

200% Excise Tax

10% Excise Tax


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– E x c is e T a x C o r r e c t iv e A c t io n

The disqualified person is required to correct the transaction by returning to the organization an amount equal to the excess benefit plus interest for the period the excess benefit was held.

The IRS Form 990 Annual Information Return (available for public inspection) requires the organization to disclose each excess benefit transaction and the amount of excise taxes paid.


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D is q u a lif ie d P e r s o n

Any person who is in a position to exercise substantial influence over the affairs of an organization.

The IRS will consider the person’s influence during the five-year period preceding the transaction (the lookback period).


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D is q u a lif ie d P e r s o n

Include certain family members of an individual with substantial influence.Include corporations, partnerships, or trusts in which a disqualified person owns more than a 35 percent interest.Individuals may be deemed to have substantial influence based upon all relevant facts and circumstances.


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D is q u a lif ie d P e r s o n s

Voting members of the governing body.CEOs, COOs, CFOs, and Treasurers.Department heads that manage a discrete segment or activity of the organization that represents a substantial portion of the activities, assets, income, or expenses of the organization.


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’ T h e U n iv e r s it y s P o t e n t ia l D is q u a lif ie d

P e r s o n s

TrusteesOverseersDonorsOfficersDeans & Vice Deans

Department ChairsBasic Science ChairsPhysiciansFacultyOthers ?


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O r g a n iz a t io n M a n a g e r

An officer, director, or trustee. Any individual having powers or

responsibilities similar to those of officers, directors, or trustees regardless of title.

Certain individuals serving on committees of the governing body even if not an officer, director or trustee.


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O r g a n iz a t io n M a n a g e r

An organization manager must knowingly participate in the excess benefit transaction, unless such participation was not willful and was due to reasonable cause.Participation includes silence or inaction on the part of an organization manager where the manager is under a duty to speak or act.Knowing includes negligently failing to make reasonable attempts to ascertain whether the transaction is an excess benefit transaction.


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E x c e s s B e n e f it T r a n s a c t io n

Any transaction in which an economic benefit is providedBy an applicable tax-exempt organizationDirectly or indirectlyTo or for the use of any disqualified person,And the value of the economic benefit exceeds the value of the consideration received for providing the benefit.


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P o t e n t ia l E x c e s s B e n e f itT r a n s a c t io n s

Compensation arrangements including fringe benefits (both reported and unreported).Property transactions including both real and personal property and both sales, purchases, or uncompensated use of assets.Rental agreements.Other contractual arrangements; vendor relationships.


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“ R e b u t t a b leP r e s u m p t io n ”

For transactions that satisfy the rebuttable presumption, the burden of proof shifts to the IRS.

Payments under a compensation arrangement are presumed to be reasonable and a transfer of property, or the right to use property, is presumed to be at fair market value, if three conditions are satisfied.


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“ R e b u t t a b le P r e s u m p t io n ”

Advance approval by the governing body (or authorized committee)

that is comprised of individuals entirely

without conflict.

Reliance upon appropriate data as to comparability prior to the board making its

determination.

Adequately documenting the basis

for the board’s determination

concurrent with making its decision.


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In t e r m e d ia t e S a n c t io n C a s e S t u d ie s

Group application of basic rules to real-life scenarios


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C a s e S t u d y Q u e s t io n s t oC o n s id e r

W h o a r e t h e d is q u a lif ie d W h o a r e t h e d is q u a lif ie d p e r s o n s a n d o r g a n iz a t io n p e r s o n s a n d o r g a n iz a t io n

m a n a g e r s m a n a g e r s ?? D o e s a p o t e n t ia l e x c e s s b e n e f it D o e s a p o t e n t ia l e x c e s s b e n e f it

t r a n s a c t io n e x is t t r a n s a c t io n e x is t ?? C o u ld a s im ila r f a c t u a l s it u a t io n C o u ld a s im ila r f a c t u a l s it u a t io n

?e v e r o c c u r a t P e n n ?e v e r o c c u r a t P e n n

W h a t s t e p s c o u ld b e t a k e n t o W h a t s t e p s c o u ld b e t a k e n t o p r o t e c t P e n n a n d it s le a d e r s p r o t e c t P e n n a n d it s le a d e r s

?f r o m e x p o s u r e t o t h is s c e n a r io ?f r o m e x p o s u r e t o t h is s c e n a r io


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G r o u p D is c u s s io n

Applying the Rules to Penn and You


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In t r o d u c t io n o f t h e N e w P e n n W e b S it e o n

“ In t e r m e d ia t eS a n c t io n s ”

Discussion on how to use and benefit from the Web site.


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Intermediate Sanctions Staff Training

Technology

Transcript of Intermediate Sanctions Staff Training