The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund awarded $26 billion in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) through 2009 for invest. in low-income communities. The NMTC allows investors to claim a tax credit totaling 39% of their invest. in Community Development Entities (CDE) over 7 years which CDEs reinvest in qualified communities. This report: (1) describes where and how CDEs are using NMTCs; (2) assesses how CDEs use NMTCs to offer favorable financing terms to low-income community bus. and describes options for simplifying the NMTC; (3) describes how NMTC invest. support low-income community development; and (4) determines how effective IRS and the CDFI Fund have been in monitoring NMTC compliance. Illustrations.

The Community Develop. Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund has awarded $19 bill. in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to encourage invest. in low-income communities. The NMTC allows investors to claim a tax credit in exchange for investing in Community Development Entities (CDE) that reinvest the funds in qualified communities. This report: (1) identifies the number of minority and non-minority CDEs that have applied to the CDFI Fund and received NMTC awards; (2) explains the process by which the CDFI Fund makes NMTC awards; (3) describes challenges that minority and non-minority CDEs face in receiving NMTC awards; and (4) identifies efforts the CDFI Fund are taking to assist minority CDEs in applying for NMTC awards. Illus.

"The Treasury Department's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund awarded $26 billion in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) through 2009 for investment in low-income communities. The NMTC allows investors to claim a tax credit totaling 39 percent of their investment in Community Development Entities (CDE) over 7 years which CDEs reinvest in qualified communities.This mandated report (1) describes where and how CDEs are using NMTCs, (2) assesses how CDEs use NMTCs to offer favorable financing terms to low-income community businesses and describes options for simplifying the NMTC, (3) describes how, if at all, NMTC investments support low-income community development, and (4) determines how effective IRS and the CDFI Fund have been in monitoring NMTC compliance. GAO analyzed CDFI Fund and CDE data, didcase studies of CDEs, and interviewed relevant experts. "

The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund has awarded $21 billion of the $26 billion in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to Community Development Entities (CDE) between 2001 and 2009. CDEs use the NMTC to make qualified investments in low-income communities. This testimony: (1) identifies the number of minority and non-minority CDEs that applied to the CDFI Fund and received NMTC awards; (2) explains the process by which the CDFI Fund makes awards and summarizes application scores; (3) describes challenges minority and non-minority CDEs face in applying for and receiving awards and; (4) identifies efforts the CDFI Fund and others have taken to assist minority CDEs in applying for awards. Tables.

The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) is a non-refundable tax credit intended to encourage private capital investment in eligible, impoverished, low-income communities. NMTCs are allocated by the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI), a bureau within the United States Department of the Treasury, under a competitive application process. Investors who make qualified equity investments reduce their federal income tax liability by claiming the credit. This book describes the New Markets Tax Credit Program and the major considerations banks may need to address when using the tax credits to support community and economic development activities. The book examines the primary opportunities and risks associated with the use of NMTCs and discusses the methods used by national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) to structure transactions and use the credits effectively.

This guide, intended to introduce practitioners to the new markets tax credit, is divided into distinct sections, starting with a general overview of the credit, its purpose and impacts.

New Markets Tax Credit: Minority Entities Are Less Successful in Obtaining Awards Than Non-Minority Entitities