Tax Credit Finance Resource Center
Tax credit programs allow businesses and investors to claim tax credits for committing resources to a project or business. Several different types of tax credit programs exist at the federal and state levels to encourage investments in redevelopment projects, affordable housing, specific industries, and communities of all sizes.The Tax Credit Finance Resource Center provides information about the various tax credit programs available and how they can be used within the context of development finance. Tax credits directly reduce a tax payer's tax liability and are not a deduction, thus making them a very desirable and effective tool. They can be used in urban, rural and suburban communities, and in some cases on a regional basis. They can also provide a targeted impact by addressing many different community sectors, such as low-income neighborhoods, historic districts and under-served markets that present opportunities for new investment.
There are three main federal tax credit programs: New Markets Tax Credits, Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. There are also numerous state tax credit programs available, which can be found in the map provided in the resource center below.
In order to receive a tax credit, an investor must first demonstrate that an investment has been made. Such a resource commitment could be an investment in a bricks and mortar real estate project or a cash investment in a business. The distributor of the tax credit is authorized to issue credit based on the actual outlay of resources as evidenced by the investor. Tax credits can be used for several purposes in development projects: to provide an increased internal rate of return for investors, to reduce the interest rates on a particular financing package, and perhaps most importantly, to provide a repayment method for investors in place of cash. In the latter case, the credits can often be sold on the secondary market to generate income.
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-Understanding Tax Credits
Interested in learning more about Tax Credits? This section contains resources on understanding the basics of Tax Credits.
The Low Income Housing Tax Credit: How It Works and Who It Serves
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is a complex but crucial tool for the production and preservation of affordable rental housing. In this report, the Urban Institute outlines the basics of the LIHTC program, including how it works, the various partners involved, how financing is structured, how investors benefit from the program, and who lives in the LIHTC properties.
Historic Tax Credits - Community Development Fact Sheet
This Community Developments Fact Sheet summarizes certain aspects of the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) program for national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) and explains how HTCs may be used to support a bank’s affordable housing and community development strategies.
New Markets Tax Credit Summary Report - FY 2003 to FY 2017Members only 
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The CDFI Fund requires all CDEs that have been awarded NMTC allocations to submit an annual report detailing how they invested Qualified Equity Investment (QEI) proceeds in low-income communities. The Summary Report categorizes all CDE investments utilizing the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) from FY 2003 - FY 2017.
-Resources
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-Federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC) Resources
Opportunity Zone Development Profile - Ox Fibre ApartmentsMembers only Login
Ox Fibre Apartments will bring 83 new affordable apartments to Frederick, MD—a growing community located within one hour of both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Layering Opportunity Zones equity with state LIHTC, federal Historic Tax Credits (HTC), and additional sources of debt will allow the developer to bring a 19th century warehouse back to life while providing much-needed one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes at price points affordable to current residents.
Historic Tax Credits - Community Development Fact Sheet
This Community Developments Fact Sheet summarizes certain aspects of the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) program for national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) and explains how HTCs may be used to support a bank’s affordable housing and community development strategies.
CDFA Food Finance White Paper Series: Food Systems & Investment Tools
This paper continues a white paper series demonstrating the ways in which traditional development financing is already supporting food systems, with a focus on finance tools that help to stimulate investment. An overview of investment tools, such as tax credits and opportunity zones, is provided with examples of current programs as well as an extensive collection of case studies to illustrate how these tools can make an impact.
View More Federal Historic Tax Credit Resources
-Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Resources
Understanding Whom the LIHTC Serves - Data on Tenants in LIHTC UnitsMembers only Login
As mandated through the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, state agencies administering the Program are required to submit demographic and economic data on LIHTC tenants to HUD. While not inclusive of all tenants served by the LIHTC, the summary tables of state tenant data received as of December 31, 2017, provides a useful picture of the program's beneficiaries.
Internal Revenue Bulletin: 2020-10
IRS Notice 2020-10 provides population figures to calculate calendar-year 2020 limits for private activity bonds (PABs) and low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) for all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The PAB cap is the greater of the population multiplied by $105 or $321,775,000. The LIHTC cap for each state is the greater of the population multiplied by $2.8125 or $3,217,500.
California Rural Infrastructure Finance Guidebook
CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help build capacity in those areas, as well as move economic development projects forward.
The Low Income Housing Tax Credit: How It Works and Who It Serves
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is a complex but crucial tool for the production and preservation of affordable rental housing. In this report, the Urban Institute outlines the basics of the LIHTC program, including how it works, the various partners involved, how financing is structured, how investors benefit from the program, and who lives in the LIHTC properties.
View more LIHTC Resources
-New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Resources
New Markets Tax Credits: A Flexible Capital Source and a Change Agent
The New Markets Tax Credit program, created to spark investment in disadvantaged communities, has become a valuable source of flexible capital for healthcare providers and health systems to tackle the immediate needs of both their organizations and communities to affect positive change. NMTC funding has been used for new construction or renovation of facilities including emergency rooms, mental health departments, primary care and community clinics, and specialty service facilities such as testing sites, wellness centers, and radiology and imaging facilities.
NMTC Program Award Book CY2019
The CDFI Fund has released its calendar year 2019 awards for the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program. The round of funding awarded over $3.5 billion in NMTC allocation to 76 community development entities.
COVID-19 Rebirth Using Proven Tools
This white paper looks at how 5 successful programs can be used to finance the recovery from COVID-19. The 5 programs are C-PACE and R-PACE, State Historic Tax Credits, State Opportunity Zones Programs, State New Markets Tax Credits, and Solar and Energy Tax Credits (ITCs).
View more NMTC Resources
-State Tax Credits
COVID-19 Rebirth Using Proven Tools
This white paper looks at how 5 successful programs can be used to finance the recovery from COVID-19. The 5 programs are C-PACE and R-PACE, State Historic Tax Credits, State Opportunity Zones Programs, State New Markets Tax Credits, and Solar and Energy Tax Credits (ITCs).
California Rural Infrastructure Finance Guidebook
CALED knows from its work supporting economic development throughout California that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. CALED collaborated with CDFA to develop this guidebook to meet the need for a resource to help build capacity in those areas, as well as move economic development projects forward.
Available CFA Resources - New York Regional Economic Development CouncilsMembers only Login
In 2011, Governor Cuomo created ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) and the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) to advance the administration’s efforts to improve New York’s business climate and expand economic growth. This 2019 document outlines information about each agency’s grant programs, including eligibility, scoring criteria, applicant requirements, and agency contact information.
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-Programs Map
Search the map below for tax credit programs by state. This specialized search is part of
CDFA's State Financing Program Directory, the only online resource cataloging the development finance programs offered by state governments. Click on a state to see a sample of state tax credit programs available. Login with a CDFA Member account at the top of the page to view full results.
-Case Studies
CDFA Food Finance White Paper Series: Food Systems & Investment Tools
This paper continues a white paper series demonstrating the ways in which traditional development financing is already supporting food systems, with a focus on finance tools that help to stimulate investment. An overview of investment tools, such as tax credits and opportunity zones, is provided with examples of current programs as well as an extensive collection of case studies to illustrate how these tools can make an impact.
Innovative State-Led Efforts to Finance Agricultural ConservationMembers only Login
U.S. farmers are currently facing the most difficult agricultural economy since the 1980s. At the same time, many states are wrestling with the necessity of addressing environmental challenges. This report expounds upon the excellent work states are doing regarding conservation tax credits, cover crop incentives and environmental certifications to increase conservation across the landscape. The report also highlights how these programs work for agricultural producers and states.
Finance Fund Invests in UC Gardner Neuroscience InstituteMembers only Login
University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute (UCGNI) is comprised of a diverse group of world-class physicians and faculty that provide specialized services for complex neurologic and psychiatric disease, illness, and injuries. Finance Fund provided $8 million of federal NMTC allocation; Cincinnati Development Fund, Inc. provided $8 million of federal NMTC allocation; Uptown Consortium, Inc. provided $20 million of federal NMTC allocation; and Capital One Community Renewal Fund, LLC, the investor, provided an additional $5 million of federal NMTC allocation.
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-Headlines
-Publications
Tax Credit Finance Reference Guide
Written in conjunction with Ice Miller LLP, the Tax Credit Finance Reference Guide examines how to effectively apply tax credits to development opportunities, and explains the basics of tax credits and the fundamentals of using these tools. In addition, the guide walks through the pros and cons of using tax credits along with the guidelines for completing due diligence, performance monitoring, and benchmarking success. This comprehensive Reference Guide discusses in detail the primary tax credits available at the federal level, along with certain state tax credit programs, and includes numerous case studies of successful tax credit projects.
Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance
The Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance 2nd Edition is the only comprehensive resource dedicated to building and utilizing the development finance toolbox. The Practitioner's Guide provides the insight and practical information needed to critically understand how economic development is financed and the tools, strategies and techniques used to build strong communities. From bonds, tax increment finance and special districts to tax credits, seed & venture capital, revolving loan funds and much more, this Guide outlines the financing tools required for succeeding in today's competitive economic development climate.
Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency
Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency (Handbook) serves as a companion to the Practitioner’s Guide to help illuminate the structures of development finance agencies (DFAs), essential conduits to access development finance tools. The Handbook provides an overview of DFAs and their myriad roles in various development efforts. Included in this discussion is a comprehensive look at over a dozen high-performing DFAs throughout the country. The Handbook is designed to be a starting point for local leaders to engage in the creation or acceleration of a DFA to build and utilize the development finance toolbox.
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Intro Food Systems Finance WebCourse
December 9-10, 2020
12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern
The Intro Food Systems Finance WebCourse examines the development finance programs that sustain a local food system and how investments in that system can drive economic development on a broader scale. Topics covered include federal, state, and local sources of capital, stakeholders involved in the financing process, and case study examples that showcase the variety of financing programs.
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-Upcoming Events
Intro Food Systems Finance WebCourse
December 9-10, 2020
12:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern
The Intro Food Systems Finance WebCourse examines the development finance programs that sustain a local food system and how investments in that system can drive economic development on a broader scale. Topics covered include federal, state, and local sources of capital, stakeholders involved in the financing process, and case study examples that showcase the variety of financing programs.
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-Webcasts
CDFA // BNY Mellon Webcast Series: Unlocking Capital for Native American CommunitiesMembers only Login
Tribal lands cover over 5% of the national land base, making Tribal nations the fourth largest state and some of America’s largest rural populations. The U.S. Constitution recognizes Tribal nations as sovereign governments, yet have a nation-to-nation relationship with the U.S. government. Due to this political structure, Native American-owned businesses face steep barriers to accessing capital and economic development policies, and therefore face crippling poverty with unemployment levels far above the national average. With limited access to capital, many Native American-owned businesses struggle to start, build, and grow. During this installment of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, we will discuss financing tools for Native American-owned businesses to assist in strengthening tribal nation’s local economies.
2019 Q2 CDFA Quarterly Legislative Update
In the second Quarterly Legislative Update of 2019, CDFA's Legislative Team discussed progress on pending CDFA legislation, other pending development finance legislation such as extenders, as well as what to expect from Congress in the coming months.
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