The Intro Tax Credit Finance WebCourse examines the application of tax credit programs in greater economic development finance efforts. This course will discuss the practical application of tax credit programs including brownfields, new markets, low income housing, historic preservation, and state-specific programs.
From urban redevelopment and historic preservation to housing and high tech infrastructure, myriad tax credit programs exist to help communities create jobs and energize their economies. Yet these innovative tools remain underutilized throughout the country. This course differs significantly from other tax credit training events offered in our industry because participants will learn how to effectively apply tax credits to development opportunities, rather than just be taught the facts and figures of each program.
The Intro Tax Credit Finance WebCourse is presented via the web over three days and includes lecture and presentations from speakers throughout the country. During the WebCourse, attendees can raise their hands, ask questions, comment on presentations and take interactive polls throughout the sessions. CDFA's Course Advisor moderates the WebCourse to ensure speaker and participant interaction throughout.
Participants must have access to a computer and phone to attend the WebCourse. Participants receive instructions for logging into the WebCourse in a follow-up email after registering. Course materials are mailed to participants approximately one week before the course.
This course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute's Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
By attending, you will:
- Learn about the application of state and federal tax credit programs
- Hear from leading tax credit professionals from around the country
- Review best practices and case studies that can be implemented in your community
- Gain a greater understanding of the partnership opportunities in the tax credit industry
- Receive a copy of CDFA's new publication, Tax Credit Finance Reference Guide
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You will learn through:
- Real life case studies
- Interactive, online discussions
- Presentations from industry experts
- A comprehensive reference guide
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Topics covered include:
- New Markets Tax Credit Program
- Brownfield Tax Credit Program
- Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program
- Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program
- Energy Tax Credits
- Innovative State Tax Credit Programs
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Who should attend?
- Bond Issuers
- Economic Development Professionals
- Community Development Professionals
- Broker/Dealers and Underwriters
- Elected Officials
- Government and Nonprofit Finance Officers
- Corporate Trustees
- Legal Counsel
- Underwriters
- Commercial Bankers
- Accountants
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Course Advisor:
James Carras serves as the Council's Tax Credit Finance Course Advisor providing expertise, leadership and direction for CDFA's Training Institute. Carras' vast experience in project and real estate finance provides a deep knowledge-base to help guide CDFA's educational elements related to tax credit finance.
James Carras is Principal of Carras Community Investment, Inc. and a Visiting Assistant Professor at FAU’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning. For over twenty years, he has concentrated on designing and implementing responses and solutions for community/economic development opportunities. Assignments have ranged from influencing national policy on community investment, affordable housing and community economic development (Fannie Mae’s “White Paper on Affordable Housing Context”) to creating local financing and funding partnerships (e.g. Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation, Delaware Community Investment Corporation) across the country. Mr. Carras is recognized nationally for the creation and expansion of over fifty development financial institutions and community investment initiatives. Most recently, he is recognized as an expert in planning and implementing New Markets Tax Credit initiatives.
His most recent consulting assignments include an investment plan for the Tampa Bay Partnership Workforce Housing Equity Fund, City of Fort Lauderdale’s Business Plan for a Business Improvement District, Miami-Dade County’s Economic Development Implementation Plan, the City of Miami’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and the City of Plantation Housing Needs Assessment. Mr. Carras prepared the Strategic Plan for the Broward Housing Partnership, Inc. resulting in the creation of the BHP Housing Trust, Inc. and BHP Community Land Trust, Inc.
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The following is the preliminary agenda for this course. This agenda will be updated and modified slightly to accommodate speakers and content. However, the main areas of tax credit finance as outlined in this agenda will be covered. All times are in Eastern Standard Time (EST).
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| 1:00 – 1:45 pm | Welcome & Overview |
From urban redevelopment and historic preservation to housing and high tech infrastructure, myriad tax credit programs exist to help communities create jobs and energize their economies. Yet these innovative tools remain underutilized throughout the country. During this introductory session, attendees will be introduced to the online learning software that will be used throughout the course and review the basics of tax credit finance.
| 1:45 – 2:30 pm | Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program |
Rehabilitation tax credits were established to discourage unnecessary demolition of older buildings and to slow capital flight from older urban areas. This incentive offers a credit against total federal taxes owed, which is taken for the year in which the renovated building is put into service. During this session, attendees will learn how this valuable program can reinvigorate historic communities in a cost-effective and investment-friendly manner.
| 2:45 – 4:00 pm | Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program, continued |
| 4:00 – 5:00 pm | Brownfield Tax Credit Program |
The federal brownfield tax incentive program is one of the most productive yet underutilized tax credits available for land redevelopment. Numerous cities have incorporated this valuable tool in comprehensive brownfield redevelopment projects that have paid large dividends for the local economy and community. The session will focus on the application of this tool in local brownfield redevelopment efforts.
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| 1:00 – 2:00 pm | Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program |
Congress created the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) in 1986 to promote the construction and rehabilitation of housing for low-income persons. During this session, attendees will learn the basics of the LIHTC program and how to implement this tool in their community.
| 2:00 – 3:15 pm | New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program |
The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) was created to address the lack of capital available to business and economic development ventures in low-income communities. The NMTC provides the incentive of a federal tax credit to individuals or corporations that invest in Community Development Entities (CDEs) working in targeted low-income communities. This session will focus on the nuts and bolts of the NMTC program with emphasis on case study examples of successful projects.
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| 3:30 – 5:00 pm | New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program, continued |
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| 1:00 – 2:00 pm | Unique State Tax Credit Programs for Economic Development |
State tax credits have become an extremely popular tool for encouraging investment and development in the local community. Every state currently has at least one tax credit program, and h many employ a package of diverse tools to address niche industry financing needs. This session will cover a few of the innovative tax credit programs currently being used across the country.
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| 2:00 – 3:00 pm | Energy Tax Credit Programs |
There are many federal and state tax credit programs that exist to encourage investment in a variety of energy projects, including solar, wind, geothermal, and energy efficiency. This session will outline some of the more widely used programs and demonstrate how they are making a difference in both large- and small-scale energy developments.
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| 3:15 – 4:15 pm | Tax Credits in Combination with Other Tools |
Federal tax credits are often used as just one of the financing components of a large project. They are regularly combined with state tax credit programs, bonds, tax increment finance, and more. During this session, attendees will learn how tax credits can be combined with other tools and the strategies that have been employed to achieve this comprehensive financing approach.
| 4:15 – 5:00 pm | Implementing Your Tax Credit Strategy |
Cities across the country have implemented tax credit programs that are impacting local economic development and making a real difference. This session will feature some of these successful programs and explain how they use tax credits as part of their overall development finance strategy.
The course will take place on the web through GoToWebinar, an online distance learning software. The course will meet each day from December 7-9, 2010 from 1:00-5:00 pm (EST). Participants must have access to a computer and phone to attend the WebCourse. Participants receive instructions for logging into the WebCourse in a follow-up email after registering. Course materials are mailed to participants approximately one week before the course.
This course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute's Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
Register before November 12, 2010 for Early-Bird Rates.
| Early-Bird Registration | Standard Registration |
| Member | $550.00 | $600.00 |
| Non-Member | $675.00 | $725.00 |
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