The Tax Services team is reviewing current fiscal year unrelated business income (UBI) activity. We want to ensure departments are prepared to report any UBI they may have.
What is unrelated business income tax (UBIT)?
As an integral part of the State of Arizona, the University of Arizona is exempt from federal income tax when revenue is generated from activities that are substantially related to university exempt purposes, which include research and discovery, teaching and learning, and outreach and public service.
However, your department's revenue-generating activity may be subject to UBIT if these three conditions are met:
- Activity is a trade or business
- Activity is regularly carried on
- Activity is not substantially related to university exempt purposes
Using the facts and circumstances of an activity, Tax Services will work with departments to provide guidance and assist with determinations regarding the applicability of UBIT. Additional information is available on the Tax Services UBIT web page.
Deadline to submit UBI and associated expenses is August 31, 2026
Departments with activities determined to be UBI are responsible for providing the fiscal year’s UBI and associated expenses to Tax Services by August 31, 2026.
If you believe your department has UBI activity, or if you are unsure and have questions, please complete a UBIT Questionnaire and contact Tax Services at FNSV-Tax-Services@arizona.edu or 520-621-1957.
Why filing matters
Per IRS Publication 598, assessments and correction penalties apply to UBIT returns in the same manner as other tax returns. If an activity is retroactively found to be subject to UBIT, the home department will be responsible for providing funds to cover the corresponding tax liability, plus any applicable interest and penalties.
Thank you for your continued collaboration to ensure tax compliance across the University.