Higher Education Accountability Tax Act
This bill, the Higher Education Accountability Tax Act, would substantially change the private college and university investment income tax (the excise tax on endowments). It would raise the base tax rate from 1.4% to 10% on net investment income (NII) and, for certain institutions, impose a higher rate of 20%. The bill also expands which institutions are subject to the tax by lowering the threshold of investment income that triggers the tax, from $500,000 to $250,000. Additionally, it introduces a category called “net-price-increase institutions,” which would pay the 20% rate if their net price increased faster than CPI over a three-year period. The changes would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. Net price is defined using a Higher Education Act concept but measured using all first-time, full-time undergraduates (including those who receive aid).
Key Points
- 1Increase in tax rates: The base rate on net investment income would be 10%; net-price-increase institutions would face a 20% rate.
- 2Net-price-increase institutions: Defined as institutions whose net price increased at a rate exceeding the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the prior three-taxable-year period. Net price is measured as in the Higher Education Act, but using all first-time, full-time undergraduates (including those receiving aid).
- 3Expansion of subject institutions: The threshold to be subject to the tax is lowered from $500,000 to $250,000 in net investment income.
- 4Effective date: Applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
- 5What’s being taxed: The excise tax on investment income of private colleges and universities, as currently administered under Section 4968 of the Internal Revenue Code (the bill redefines rates and eligibility under that section).