Emory is generally tax-exempt, but certain types of revenue can still be taxable under federal rules when an agreement includes activities that look more like a commercial business than an educational or mission-related program. This is uncommon but comes up when an agreement includes revenue sharing or net income sharing.
The Controller’s Office (Tax) is engaged when the contract includes any of the following:
- Revenue sharing or “surplus/net income” sharing (the contract says Emory receives a percentage of net income, surplus, or revenue after expenses).
- Event sponsor deliverables that look like advertising (for example, promotional ads or marketing language provided to sponsors, not just name/logo acknowledgment).
- Event exhibitor sales activity or exclusivity (for example, exhibitors selling products onsite, or exclusive provider arrangements).
- Third-party retail, concessions, kiosks, vending: If the agreement includes any commission, revenue share, or net proceeds/surplus split tied to sales (for example, percentage of gross receipts, per-item fee, “net income after expenses,” or reconciliation and remittance back to Emory).