maintenance-of-effort amount
(5) Maintenance-of-effort amount For purposes of this subsection— (A) In general The term “maintenance-of-effort amount” means, with respect to any taxable year, an amount equal to the excess (if any) of— (i) an amount equal to— (I) the average of the nondesignated university contributions paid by the taxpayer during the base period, multiplied by (II) the cost-of-living adjustment for the calendar year in which such taxable year begins, over (ii) the amount of nondesignated university contributions paid by the taxpayer during such taxable year. (B) Nondesignated university contributions For purposes of this paragraph, the term “nondesignated university contribution” means any amount paid by a taxpayer to any qualified organization described in paragraph (6)(A)— (i) for which a deduction was allowable under section 170, and (ii) which was not taken into account— (I) in computing the amount of the credit under this section (as in effect during the base period) during any taxable year in the base period, or (II) as a basic research payment for purposes of this section. (C) Cost-of-living adjustment defined (i) In general The cost-of-living adjustment for any calendar year is the cost-of-living adjustment for such calendar year determined under section 1(f)(3), by substituting “calendar year 1987” for “calendar year 2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof. (ii) Special rule where base period ends in a calendar year other than 1983 or 1984 If the base period of any taxpayer does not end in 1983 or 1984, section 1(f)(3)(A)(ii) shall, for purposes of this paragraph, be applied by substituting the calendar year in which such base period ends for 2016. Such substitution shall be in lieu of the substitution under clause (i).