General Tax Information

Department Mission

The mission of the Tax Department is to provide a current centralized knowledge base of federal, state and international tax law and to develop appropriate policies and procedures for those aspects of the law which impact the University. The tax staff endeavor to create and maintain a working relationship with the diverse university constituencies, educating and informing them as to the tax aspects of their current and future transactions. We work to ensure that University tax policy and procedures are adhered to and meet tax compliance requirements in a timely manner.

Department Vision

• Ensure timely filing of the University and, where applicable, its affiliated organizations’ Federal and State tax returns, reports and payments.
• Develop necessary procedures and reporting systems to ensure compliance with Federal and State tax laws applicable to the University and affiliated organizations.
• Conduct research as needed and advise accordingly on tax consequences of the University and affiliated organizations’ transactions.
• Track University-related legislative tax developments at the Federal and State level and advise the University and affiliated organizations accordingly.
• Function as the University and affiliated organizations’ liaison with Federal and State tax authorities as well as with outside consulting firms with respect to tax issues.
• Administer University and affiliated organizations’ tax compliance with respect to tax matters.

Department Core Values

Service
We will serve our constituencies through a department-wide commitment to the philosophy of total quality.

Excellence
We will strive to attain high standards of performance and proficiency.

Stewardship
We will protect the tax-exempt status and integrity of the University.

University's Tax Position

The University's tax considerations fall into two principal categories:

• as a corporate, non-profit, educational institution responsible for complying with appropriate federal and state corporate tax laws:
  1. The University is exempt from federal and state income tax on revenue from activities within its exempt mission;
  2. The University is exempt from state sales tax on sales and purchases within its exempt mission;
  3. State sales tax is collected and remitted on sales of goods (other than text books) sold in University bookstores and other "retail like" services available to the public; and
  4. The University is exempt from ad valorem state tax on real or personal property owned by the University.
• as both an employer and provider of student financial aid responsible for the correct tax withholding and reporting of the income of its faculty, staff, student employees and independent contractors to the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities.

In accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Treasury Department, the information included on this website is not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purposes of avoiding federal tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. This statement is intended to comply with Section 10.35 (b) (4) (ii) of Circular 230, 31 C.F.R. Part 10.