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> what a 501(c)(3) nonprofit In the case of Harvard and many other institutions, it's a tax-dodge, and nothing more. Same thing with non-profit hospitals whos

by _zagj 1y ago

> what a 501(c)(3) nonprofit In the case of Harvard and many other institutions, it's a tax-dodge, and nothing more. Same thing with non-profit hospitals whose administrators pay themselves seven-figure salaries.

Braxton1980 1y ago
Ok and? What does this article have to do with nonprofits in general? Also the board of the nonprofit sets salaries for admin
wasabi991011 1y ago
According to the article you linked: > ... the National Association of College and University Business Officers issues a report on ... where the money [endowments] generate ends up. ... About 48 percent of investment income went to student aid ... about a quarter of the money ... went to academic programs and maintaining facilities. To claim it's a "tax dodge, and nothing more" without elaborating is absurd. I won't argue further with someone more interested in inflammatory statements than actually discussing.
- _zagj 1y ago
  > About 48 percent of investment income went to student aid How much of that "student aid" just covers some of the astronomical tuition Harvard charges?
  - WalterGR 1y ago
    That's something that you can look up. Not "you" in the "some person" sense, but literally you. I suggest doing that. Your ‘arguments’ are falling flat because you don't have any facts, don't seem to be interested in learning any, and are just venting your personal feelings, which are neither compelling nor merely interesting.
WalterGR 1y ago
> it's a tax-dodge, and nothing more. Same thing with non-profit hospitals whose administrators pay themselves seven-figure salaries. What do you mean by tax dodge, in this context? How familiar are you with taxes? Off the top of my head, people who work for non-profits have to pay withholdings and income taxes, just like the rest of us. Generally, 'business' expenses for both non-profit and for-profit organizations (whether a McDonalds, university, church) are tax-deductible. Tax rules differ between states, but being a non-profit doesn't automatically exempt you from collecting and forwarding other forms of tax, such as sales tax.
- _zagj 1y ago
  They pay no corporate income or capital gains tax.
  - WalterGR 1y ago
    Well, right. In that case, all non-profits are "tax dodges" using the literal interpretation of the words. But tax dodge usually implies something unsavory... Is the issue that you don't think that any university - or perhaps specifically Harvard? - should be granted non-profit status? If that’s the case, then I'm curious what you think about the same question for religion-affiliated universities and non-profit organizations whose missions you agree with?
    - _zagj 1y ago
      > all non-profits are "tax dodges" No, some of them operate like genuine non-profits by promoting some public good and compensate their executives only modestly. For example, the Salvation Army.
      - p_ing 1y ago
        Education is a supreme public good. If our society lacks education we end up having people question the utility of 501(c)(3) status of universities.
      - 1y ago
rsynnott 1y ago
... Are you suggesting that Harvard is a for-profit enterprise? Do you think it pays dividends or something?

by _zagj 1y ago

Braxton1980 1y ago

Ok and? What does this article have to do with nonprofits in general? Also the board of the nonprofit sets salaries for admin

wasabi991011 1y ago

According to the article you linked: > ... the National Association of College and University Business Officers issues a report on ... where the money [endowments] generate ends up. ... About 48 percent of investment income went to student aid ... about a quarter of the money ... went to academic programs and maintaining facilities. To claim it's a "tax dodge, and nothing more" without elaborating is absurd. I won't argue further with someone more interested in inflammatory statements than actually discussing.

_zagj 1y ago
> About 48 percent of investment income went to student aid How much of that "student aid" just covers some of the astronomical tuition Harvard charges?
- WalterGR 1y ago
  That's something that you can look up. Not "you" in the "some person" sense, but literally you. I suggest doing that. Your ‘arguments’ are falling flat because you don't have any facts, don't seem to be interested in learning any, and are just venting your personal feelings, which are neither compelling nor merely interesting.

WalterGR 1y ago

> it's a tax-dodge, and nothing more. Same thing with non-profit hospitals whose administrators pay themselves seven-figure salaries. What do you mean by tax dodge, in this context? How familiar are you with taxes? Off the top of my head, people who work for non-profits have to pay withholdings and income taxes, just like the rest of us. Generally, 'business' expenses for both non-profit and for-profit organizations (whether a McDonalds, university, church) are tax-deductible. Tax rules differ between states, but being a non-profit doesn't automatically exempt you from collecting and forwarding other forms of tax, such as sales tax.

_zagj 1y ago
They pay no corporate income or capital gains tax.
- WalterGR 1y ago
  Well, right. In that case, all non-profits are "tax dodges" using the literal interpretation of the words. But tax dodge usually implies something unsavory... Is the issue that you don't think that any university - or perhaps specifically Harvard? - should be granted non-profit status? If that’s the case, then I'm curious what you think about the same question for religion-affiliated universities and non-profit organizations whose missions you agree with?
  - _zagj 1y ago
    > all non-profits are "tax dodges" No, some of them operate like genuine non-profits by promoting some public good and compensate their executives only modestly. For example, the Salvation Army.
    - p_ing 1y ago
      Education is a supreme public good. If our society lacks education we end up having people question the utility of 501(c)(3) status of universities.
    - 1y ago

rsynnott 1y ago

... Are you suggesting that Harvard is a for-profit enterprise? Do you think it pays dividends or something?