The Tax team is charged with administering all of MIT’s tax filings, most notably the 990T form, which is required for all tax-exempt organizations that have unrelated business income. For example, if the Institute generates income by leasing the Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel to an outside entity, this income is reported and taxed. However, income from tuition is not taxed, as tuition is considered business-related income.
While the team is focused on MIT’s responsibilities as a taxpayer, it nonetheless fields many inquiries about employee or student taxes and directs these calls to the proper area in VPF. The team hosts annual Tax Workshops for students and scholars, in collaboration with Student Financial Services, the International Scholars Office, the International Students Office, the Office of Graduate Education, and VPF’s HR/Payroll team. In addition, the tax team manages the Tax Guidance for Nonresident Aliens website on behalf of this team of collaborators. It does not provide personal tax advice to individuals but does provide guidance on choosing a tax preparer and using tax preparation software.
The team works closely with the MIT Investment Management Company (MITIMCo), providing tax advice and strategy in the early stages of new partnerships and investment agreements. They document income from MITIMCo’s investments in U.S. financial markets and real estate and then file tax returns in the states where these investments generate income.
The Tax team collaborates with a wide range of offices on campus, including the Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Associate Provost for International Activities (OIA), and Research Administration Services (RAS) in the Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR). It provides U.S. and international tax expertise and strategy to support the Institute’s operations, with a keen eye toward thoughtful stewardship and effective deployment of MIT’s financial resources.