Saturday June 6, 2026
Private Letter Ruling
Foundation's Set-Aside Extension Approved
GiftLaw Note:
Foundation is tax-exempt under Sec. 501(c)(3) and a private foundation under Sec. 509(a). Foundation previously requested and received approval to expend set-aside funds within a 60-month period in connection with Foundation's construction project. During planning work, it was determined that the initial site was not suitable. An alternate site selected by Foundation had an existing structure that required renovation and retrofitting. Renovation of the alternate site project experienced significant delays due to COVID-19 and Foundation was unable to expend the funds over the five years. Foundation requests approval of an extension for a specified number of months to expend the set-aside funds. Foundation expects all payments will be completed within the requested time frame.
Section 4942(g)(2)(B)(i) allows for a set-aside if the organization establishes that the amount will be paid within five years and the project can be better accomplished using the set-aside than by an immediate payment. The five-year period to expend funds can be extended if a set-aside satisfies the requirements of Section 4942(g)(2)(B)(i) and good cause is shown. Under Reg. 53.4942(a)-3(b)(7)(i)(e), the request for an extension must include a statement showing good cause for why the period should be extended and specifying the requested extended period. Here, the Service determined that Foundation met the requirements for an extension. As such, Foundation's request for an extension of the set-aside payment period is approved.
Foundation is tax-exempt under Sec. 501(c)(3) and a private foundation under Sec. 509(a). Foundation previously requested and received approval to expend set-aside funds within a 60-month period in connection with Foundation's construction project. During planning work, it was determined that the initial site was not suitable. An alternate site selected by Foundation had an existing structure that required renovation and retrofitting. Renovation of the alternate site project experienced significant delays due to COVID-19 and Foundation was unable to expend the funds over the five years. Foundation requests approval of an extension for a specified number of months to expend the set-aside funds. Foundation expects all payments will be completed within the requested time frame.
Section 4942(g)(2)(B)(i) allows for a set-aside if the organization establishes that the amount will be paid within five years and the project can be better accomplished using the set-aside than by an immediate payment. The five-year period to expend funds can be extended if a set-aside satisfies the requirements of Section 4942(g)(2)(B)(i) and good cause is shown. Under Reg. 53.4942(a)-3(b)(7)(i)(e), the request for an extension must include a statement showing good cause for why the period should be extended and specifying the requested extended period. Here, the Service determined that Foundation met the requirements for an extension. As such, Foundation's request for an extension of the set-aside payment period is approved.
PLR 202333008 Foundation's Set-Aside Extension Approved
8/18/2023 (5/23/2023)
Dear * * *:
We received your G request for * * *-month extension to pay out a set-aside approval on H. Based on the information furnished, we approved your request.
Our ruling dated J approved a c dollars set-aside for the year ending K for the purpose of completing the construction project related to your exemption purpose. You stated the set-aside would be expended within months.
In B you submitted and received approval for a set-aside in the amount of c dollars toward the development and construction of D. Planning work revealed the selected location for D would not be ideal; another existing structure was found to be more suitable but would require renovation/retrofitting. During subsequent planning phases for this project you experienced significant delays in renovating the newly selected facility due to COVID-19. As a result of these delays, it is highly unlikely that the approved set-aside funds will be expended within the 60-month period.
Therefore, you are requesting a * * *-month extension to the advance approval set-aside amount granted in B of c dollars for the completion of D. All set-asides totaling c dollars are now anticipated to be disbursed by F. You expect updated budgetary and project timelines will allow you to complete the planned project by the given time frames.
Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 4942(g)(2)(B)(i) provides requirements for approval of a set-aside for a specific project that will be paid out in five years. A foundation must establish that the project can be accomplished better by using the set-aside instead of by making an immediate payment. A set-aside may have its period to pay extended if it satisfies the requirements of IRC Section 4942(g)(2)(B)(i) and good cause is shown.
Treasury Regulation Section 53.4942(a)-3(b)(7)(i)(e) states that you must provide a statement showing good cause as to why the set-aside payment period should be extended, specifying the requested extension of time.
This determination may only be used by the organization that requested it. IRC Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it may not be used or cited as a precedent.
Visit irs.gov/set-asides for more information.
We'll make this determination letter available for public inspection after deleting certain identifying information, as required by IRC Section 6110. Read the enclosed Letter 437, Notice of Intention to Disclose, and review the attached letter that shows our proposed deletions. If you disagree with our proposed deletions, follow the instructions in the Letter 437 on how to notify us. If you agree with our deletions, you don't need to take any further action.
Keep a copy of this letter for your records.
If you have questions, you can call the contact person shown above.
Sincerely,
Stephen A. Martin
Director, Exempt Organizations
Rulings and Agreements
Enclosures:
Redacted Letter 4798
Letter 437
8/18/2023 (5/23/2023)
Dear * * *:
We received your G request for * * *-month extension to pay out a set-aside approval on H. Based on the information furnished, we approved your request.
Our ruling dated J approved a c dollars set-aside for the year ending K for the purpose of completing the construction project related to your exemption purpose. You stated the set-aside would be expended within months.
Description of your set-aside request
In B you submitted and received approval for a set-aside in the amount of c dollars toward the development and construction of D. Planning work revealed the selected location for D would not be ideal; another existing structure was found to be more suitable but would require renovation/retrofitting. During subsequent planning phases for this project you experienced significant delays in renovating the newly selected facility due to COVID-19. As a result of these delays, it is highly unlikely that the approved set-aside funds will be expended within the 60-month period.
Therefore, you are requesting a * * *-month extension to the advance approval set-aside amount granted in B of c dollars for the completion of D. All set-asides totaling c dollars are now anticipated to be disbursed by F. You expect updated budgetary and project timelines will allow you to complete the planned project by the given time frames.
Basis for our determination
Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 4942(g)(2)(B)(i) provides requirements for approval of a set-aside for a specific project that will be paid out in five years. A foundation must establish that the project can be accomplished better by using the set-aside instead of by making an immediate payment. A set-aside may have its period to pay extended if it satisfies the requirements of IRC Section 4942(g)(2)(B)(i) and good cause is shown.
Treasury Regulation Section 53.4942(a)-3(b)(7)(i)(e) states that you must provide a statement showing good cause as to why the set-aside payment period should be extended, specifying the requested extension of time.
Additional information
This determination may only be used by the organization that requested it. IRC Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it may not be used or cited as a precedent.
Visit irs.gov/set-asides for more information.
We'll make this determination letter available for public inspection after deleting certain identifying information, as required by IRC Section 6110. Read the enclosed Letter 437, Notice of Intention to Disclose, and review the attached letter that shows our proposed deletions. If you disagree with our proposed deletions, follow the instructions in the Letter 437 on how to notify us. If you agree with our deletions, you don't need to take any further action.
Keep a copy of this letter for your records.
If you have questions, you can call the contact person shown above.
Sincerely,
Stephen A. Martin
Director, Exempt Organizations
Rulings and Agreements
Enclosures:
Redacted Letter 4798
Letter 437
Published August 25, 2023
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