United States: tax classification and treatment of non-U.S. private foundations

Abstract This article discusses a U.S. Court of Appeals decision from August 2022 regarding the proper classification of a Liechtenstein Stiftung foundation for U.S. federal tax purposes. It also discusses at a high level the implications of different classifications. Founders (including non-U.S. persons) and their advisers should consider these implications when establishing foundations, particularly when the foundations’ beneficiaries are U.S. persons or if the foundations hold U.S. situs assets.