DRAFT Tax Increment Finance Resource Center

-About TIF

Tax Increment Finance (TIF) is a mechanism for capturing the future tax benefits of real estate improvements, in order to pay for the present cost of those improvements. TIF is generally used to channel funding toward improvements in distressed or underdeveloped areas where development would not otherwise occur.

Tax increment finance is a popular development finance tool generally used to address blight, promote neighborhood stability and inspire district-oriented development. TIF uses the increased property or sales taxes (increment) generated by new development to finance costs related to the development such as public infrastructure, land acquisition, demolition, and planning. The life of a district can be anywhere from 10-40 years, or enough time to pay back the costs or bonds issued to fund the improvements.

The tax increment from a TIF district is created without raising taxes, and also without dipping into the base tax revenues present at the time of adoption. The increment thus becomes a repayment stream for debt used to finance some aspects of what is driving the increase.

The second approach, Government Districts, is a directly targeted assessment program organized by the local government. Government Districts come in many shapes and sizes. These districts often provide services that are similar in scope to those provided by Business and Neighborhood Districts. However, in these cases, government entities typically direct the work of these districts.

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-What's New

Recent Updates

CDFA-Bricker Graydon Webinar Series: Pairing TIFs with Special Assessments to Spur Retail Revitalization Members only

During this installment of the CDFA-Bricker Webinar Series, speakers discuss how municipalities and the development finance industry are supporting efforts to spur economic development through retail with TIF and creatively utilizing special assessments to back them up.

Financing Tools and Incentives for Developers in Missing Middle Housing

Most low- to moderate-income households in North America must contend with the critical shortage in medium-density housing. Since the mid-1940s, American cities have been emblematic of low- and high-density developments with little in-between. The shift was due to strict density-based zoning laws, which made “blended densities” illegal, and car-centric transportation policies, which prioritized private over public transportation such as buses, trains, and streetcars. In response to this housing shortage, the federal government as well as state and local governments have developed several economic development and incentive programs to bridge the gap. This Toolkit summarizes the key development finance tools and incentives available to developers and homebuilders in connection with medium-density housing developments.

CDFA-Bricker Graydon Webinar Series: Catalyzing Transformative Redevelopment with TIF Members only

During this installment of the CDFA-Bricker Graydon Webinar Series, we explore the creative ways to use TIF and how to facilitate the successful financing of high-impact revitalization projects.

Upcoming Events

CDFA-Bricker Graydon Webinar Series: Strategies for Housing Project Funding
July 22, 2025
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Eastern

Through this webinar, attendees will learn how TIF can finance housing projects, with TIF providing funding for infrastructure and public improvements that support housing development and neighborhood revitalization.

CDFA Summer Institute: Intro Tax Increment Finance Course
August 7, 2025
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern

The Intro Tax Increment Finance Course offers an in-depth look at the guiding principles and appropriate application of TIF. Topics discussed include the basics of TIF, negotiating and structuring TIF deals, understanding various financing structures, and combining TIF with different capital sources.

TIF Networking Circle
August 21, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern

CDFA’s TIF Networking Circles are monthly, one-hour virtual meetups that bring together professionals working with Tax Increment Financing. Led by expert Ambassadors, these sessions offer a space to share ideas, explore real-world challenges, and stay connected between meetings through ongoing online discussions. Whether you’re new to TIF or managing complex deals, these circles offer valuable insight and community.

CDFA-Bricker Graydon Webinar Series: Special Assessments and TIF for Mixed-Use Projects
September 23, 2025
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Eastern

Through a real-world case study, participants will learn how Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and special assessments can effectively support mixed-use development projects.

TIF Networking Circle
November 5, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern

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-Programs Map

-TIF Data & Resources

-Resources

This section provides resources to help better understand and navigate the TIF program.

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-Headlines

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-Upcoming Events

CDFA-Bricker Graydon Webinar Series: Strategies for Housing Project Funding
July 22, 2025
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Eastern

CDFA Summer Institute: Intro Tax Increment Finance Course
August 7, 2025
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern

TIF Networking Circle
August 21, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern

CDFA-Bricker Graydon Webinar Series: Special Assessments and TIF for Mixed-Use Projects
September 23, 2025
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Eastern

Through a real-world case study, participants will learn how Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and special assessments can effectively support mixed-use development projects.

TIF Networking Circle
November 5, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern

Intro Tax Increment Finance Course
November 18-19, 2025
Daily: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern

Advanced Tax Increment Finance Course
November 20, 2025
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern

This course will focus on structuring TIF deals and developing short- and long-term policies. Attendees will also learn about performance monitoring, feasibility analysis, and using TIF in conjunction with other development finance tools.

TIF Networking Circle
February 25, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern

TIF Networking Circle
May 13, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern

View more Upcoming Events

-Previous Events

CDFA-Bricker Graydon Webinar Series: Pairing TIFs with Special Assessments to Spur Retail Revitalization Members only

Tax Increment Finance (TIF) | Webcasts

CDFA-Bricker Graydon Webinar Series: Catalyzing Transformative Redevelopment with TIF Members only

Tax Increment Finance (TIF) | Webcasts

During this installment of the CDFA-Bricker Graydon Webinar Series, we explore the creative ways to use TIF and how to facilitate the successful financing of high-impact revitalization projects.

CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series: Layering the Capital Stack Members only

This webinar discussed how Bonds, Tax Increment Finance, Tax Credits as well as the litany of federal funding through recent legislation can work for your project and ultimately the community that is benefitting.

Value Capture Strategies: Tax Increment Financing Members only

This FHWA webinar discusses how Tax Increment Financing (TIF) can be utilized as a value capture strategy for transportation projects. The webinar is intended for professionals from States, cities, counties, Tribes, and metropolitan and rural transportation agencies looking for innovative funding and financial strategies to pay for transportation projects.

CDFA Reframe, Build, Plan: Restoring America's Local Food Systems

CDFA released the final publication of the CDFA Food Finance White Paper Series, Advancing Local Food Systems Through Development Finance. This webinar provides an overview of this publication as we review CDFA's framework for expanding traditional financing and attracting capital to local food systems through the Reframe, Build, Plan approach.

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