NAIS Legal Webinar Series: Proposed IRS Rule Threatens Tax-Exempt Status: What Independent Schools Need to Know

On September 3, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on race discrimination in education that puts the tax-exempt status of independent schools at risk.

If the rule is finalized as written, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will have the ability to revoke the tax-exempt status of schools that the IRS determines discriminate based on race. While schools will have to evaluate admissions policies and race-based scholarships or grants to be in compliance and retain their tax-exempt status, the rule will also apply to all aspects of school operations, which means that other mission-related inclusion and belonging work may be affected.

Join this webinar to hear the NAIS legal team provide an overview of the proposed rule, explain the legal history regarding race discrimination in education and revocation of tax-exempt status, outline the risks and areas of concern for independent schools, and provide insight on the path ahead, including the comment period and potential legal challenges.

Presenters:

• Justin Perillo, NAIS general counsel 
• Whitney Silverman, NAIS assistant legal counsel and director of government relations 
• Debra P. Wilson, NAIS president