REFERENCE TITLE: income tax credit; historic preservation

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

2023

 

 

 

HB 2791

 

Introduced by

Representatives Mathis: Contreras P, Gutierrez, Travers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Act

 

amending title 41, chapter 4.2, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-882; amending section 43-222, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending title 43, chapter 10, article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 43-1080; amending title 43, chapter 11, article 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 43-1166; relating to income tax credits.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 41, chapter 4.2, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-882, to read:

START_STATUTE41-882. Historic preservation tax credit; definitions

A. The state historic preservation officer shall receive applications and evaluate and certify the substantial rehabilitation of a certified historic structure for the purpose of income tax credits under sections 43-1080 and 43-1166.  The state historic preservation officer shall establish and adopt a schedule for receiving, evaluating and approving applications twice each year for certification under this section.  Sixty percent of the annual aggregate tax credit dollar limit prescribed in subsection K of this section is reserved for certification during the first application period each year of rehabilitation projects located in cities and towns with a population of less than one hundred fifty thousand persons.  The remainder of the annual aggregate tax credit dollar limit may be certified in the second application period each year with respect to rehabilitation projects located anywhere in this state.

B. The state historic preservation officer may issue a certification for a tax credit for the rehabilitation of a historic structure if, after the completion of the rehabilitation work, the rehabilitation of the historic structure that is the subject of the certification:

1. Is consistent with the standards for rehabilitation of the secretary of the United States department of the interior as determined by the state historic preservation officer.

2. Produces a positive economic impact for this state or the local municipality under the cost-benefit analysis required by this section.

3. Achieves the minimum number of points necessary under the rehabilitation grading system established by the state historic preservation officer.

4. Complies with subsection C of this section.

C. The owner of the certified historic structure that is the subject of the application for certification under this section grants a restrictive covenant to the state historic preservation officer for the holding period and agrees that alterations may not be made to the certified historic structure during the holding period:

1. That are inconsistent with the standards for rehabilitation of the secretary of the United States department of the interior as determined by the state historic preservation officer.

2. Without the state historic preservation officer's approval.

D. The state historic preservation officer shall include in its certification the amount of the tax credit for which a rehabilitation qualifies.

E. The state historic preservation officer shall prescribe the form of application for the certification of the rehabilitation. Except for the cost-benefit analysis required by this section, the state historic preservation officer may rely on the facts provided in the application without the need for an independent investigation. For rehabilitations with qualified expenses of $1,500,000 or more, the amount of the qualified rehabilitation expenses and the amount of the credit for which a rehabilitation qualifies shall be certified by a certified public accountant licensed in this state and filed as part of the application for certification. The state historic preservation officer may authorize a certified local government to perform the certification process required by this section.

F. Within ninety days after receiving the application for certification, the state historic preservation officer shall issue to the applicant a written determination either denying or approving the rehabilitation and certifying the amount of the tax credit allowable.

G. If the state historic preservation officer becomes aware of information that is materially inconsistent with the information provided in the application for certification, the state historic preservation officer may deny the request for certification or revoke an already-issued certification.

H. The state historic preservation officer shall establish and use a point system for evaluating and grading proposed rehabilitations of certified historic structures that are the subject of applications. the state historic preservation officer shall award Points based on positive job growth, significant positive economic impact and community support of the rehabilitation proposal.

I. The Arizona commerce authority shall conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the rehabilitation of the certified historic structure that is the subject of an application. The state historic preservation officer may not issue a certification unless the authority determines as a result of its analysis that the proposed rehabilitation will produce a positive economic impact for this state or a local municipality once the certified historic structure is in use.

J. The state historic preservation officer shall:

1. Charge a fee for each application as follows:

(a) For rehabilitations with qualified rehabilitation expenses that are less than $15,000, no application fee.

(b) For rehabilitations with qualified rehabilitation expenses that are at least $15,000 but less than $50,000, $250.

(c) For rehabilitations with qualified rehabilitation expenses that are at least $50,000 but less than $100,000, $500.

(d) For rehabilitations with qualified rehabilitation expenses that are at least $100,000 but less than $500,000, $750.

(e) For rehabilitations with qualified rehabilitation expenses that are $500,000 or more, fifteen percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenses.

2. use the monies for the costs of implementing and administering the application and certification process prescribed in this section. The fees received by the state historic preservation officer under this subsection do not revert to the state general fund.

K. The state historic preservation officer may certify substantial rehabilitations of certified historic structures for the purpose of tax credits under sections 43-1080 and 43-1166 in a combined annual aggregate amount of $30,000,000 for taxable years beginning from and after December 31, 2023. For taxable years beginning from and after December 31, 2033, the state historic preservation officer may certify an additional combined annual aggregate amount of up to $30,000,000 for the tax credits under sections 43-1080 and 43-1166.

L. To the extent not otherwise prohibited by law, the state historic preservation officer shall provide to the department of revenue information the department requests to determine a claimant's eligibility for a tax credit claimed under section 43-1080 or 43-1166.

M. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Certified historic structure" means a property that is located in this state and is either:

(a) Listed individually in the national register of historic places.

(b) Listed individually in the Arizona register of historic places.

(c) Located in a registered historic district and certified by either the state historic preservation officer or the secretary of the United States department of the interior as being of historic significance to the district.

2. "Certified local government" means a local government that is certified by the state historic preservation officer as having the capacity to administer preservation programs, including the certification process required by this section.

3. "Holding period" means twenty-four months after the state historic preservation officer issues a final certification under this section or, if the rehabilitation is to be completed in phases, twenty-four months after the certification of the final phase of the rehabilitation.

4. "Placed in service" means that the rehabilitation work has been substantially completed to allow for the occupancy of the structure or an identifiable part of the structure, or the owner has begun depreciating the qualified rehabilitation expenses, whichever occurs first.

5. "Principal residence" means a principal residence as prescribed in section 121 of the internal revenue code.

6. "Qualified rehabilitation expense":

(a) Means monies that are spent in the rehabilitation of a certified historic structure properly capitalized to the building and that are spent with respect to property that is either:

(i) Depreciable under the internal revenue code.

(ii) Held for sale by the owner, other than the principal residence of the owner.

(b) Except for nonprofit corporations, does not include monies that are spent from direct grants from federal, state or local agencies or instrumentalities.

7. "Registered historic district" means any district listed in the national register of historic places or Arizona register of historic places.

8. "State historic preservation officer" means the state historic preservation officer designated pursuant to section 41-511.02.

9. "Substantial rehabilitation" means that, with regard to a certified historic structure, the qualified rehabilitation expenses of the certified historic structure during a twenty-four-month period, or a sixty-month period If the rehabilitation is to be done in phases set forth in architectural plans and specifications that are completed before the rehabilitation begins, chosen by the taxpayer ending with or within the taxable year exceed the greater of $5,000 or twenty-five percent of the adjusted basis in the certified historic structure and its structural components. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Section 43-222, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE43-222. Income tax credit review schedule

The joint legislative income tax credit review committee shall review the following income tax credits:

1. For years ending in 0 and 5, sections 43-1079.01, 43-1088, 43-1089.04, 43-1167.01 and 43-1175.

2. For years ending in 1 and 6, sections 43-1072.02, 43-1074.02, 43-1075, 43-1076.01, 43-1077, 43-1078, 43-1083, 43-1083.02, 43-1162, 43-1164.03 and 43-1183.

3. For years ending in 2 and 7, sections 43-1073, 43-1082, 43-1085, 43-1086, 43-1089, 43-1089.01, 43-1089.02, 43-1089.03, 43-1164, 43-1165,  and 43-1181.

4. For years ending in 3 and 8, sections 43-1074.01, 43-1080, 43-1166, 43-1168, 43-1170 and 43-1178.

5. For years ending in 4 and 9, sections 43-1073.01, 43-1081.01, 43-1083.03, 43-1084, 43-1164.04, 43-1164.05 and 43-1184. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Title 43, chapter 10, article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 43-1080, to read:

START_STATUTE43-1080. Credit for historic preservation; definitions

A. For taxable years beginning from and after December 31, 2023 through December 31, 2033, a credit is allowed against the taxes imposed by this title for qualified rehabilitation expenses for the substantial rehabilitation of a certified historic structure only if the taxpayer has certification from the state historic preservation officer issued under section 41-882.

B. The amount of the credit is:

1. Twenty percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenses for substantial rehabilitation of a certified historic structure.

2. Twenty-five percent of the qualified REHABILITATION expenses for substantial REHABILITATION of a certified historic structure that is also a certified affordable housing project.

C. The credit is allowed for the taxable year that the certified historic structure or identifiable portion of the historic structure that meets the substantial rehabilitation test is placed in service.

D. To claim a credit, an applicant shall apply to the state historic preservation officer for certification issued pursuant to section 41-882 after completion of the rehabilitation work. The certification shall include the amount of the tax credit for which the rehabilitation qualifies.

E. The certification shall be attached to any filed return that claims a credit under this section.

F. The department may request information from the state historic preservation officer for the purpose of determining a claimant's eligibility for credits claimed, and the state historic preservation officer shall provide the requested information to the extent allowed by law.

G. If the allowable tax credit exceeds taxes otherwise due under this title on the claimant's income, or if there are no taxes due under this title, the amount of the claim not used to offset the taxes under this title may be carried forward to the next ten consecutive taxable years as a credit against subsequent years' income tax liability.

H. Co-owners of a business, including partners in a partnership and shareholders of an s corporation as defined in section 1361 of the internal revenue code, may each claim only the pro rata share of credit allowed under this section based on ownership interest or the share of credit allowed pursuant to an executed agreement among the owners, partners or shareholders documenting an alternate distribution method without regard to the sharing of other tax or economic attributes of the business. The total of the credits allowed all the owners, partners or shareholders may not exceed the amount that would have been allowed a sole owner.

I. An applicant who does not claim the credits allowed under this section, in whole or in part, may assign, transfer or sell the tax credits to any person, including condominium owners if the certified historic structure is converted into condominiums. The assignee, transferee or buyer of the tax credits may use the acquired credits against the tax imposed by this title and may carry forward the tax credits for ten consecutive taxable years after the date the certified historic structure is placed in service. The assignor, transferor or seller shall notify the department in writing within thirty days after an assignment, transfer or sale under this subsection and shall provide the department with any information required by the department.

J. The proceeds of any sale, transfer or assignment of tax credits received by the applicant under this section are exempt from this title. If a tax credit is subsequently recaptured, revoked or adjusted, the seller's, transferor's or assignor's taxable income shall be increased by the total amount of the sale, transfer or assignment proceeds in the taxable year of the recapture, revocation or adjustment.

K. A taxpayer that claims a credit under this section may not claim a credit under section 43-1166.

L. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Certified historic structure" means a property that is located in this state and is either:

(a) Listed individually in the national register of historic places.

(b) Listed individually in the Arizona register of historic places.

(c) Located in a registered historic district and certified by either the state historic preservation officer or the secretary of the United States department of the interior as being of historic significance to the district.

2. "Placed in service" means that the rehabilitation work has been substantially completed to allow for the occupancy of the structure or an identifiable part of the structure, or the owner has begun depreciating the qualified rehabilitation expenses, whichever occurs first.

3. "Principal residence" means a principal residence as prescribed in section 121 of the internal revenue code.

4. "Qualified rehabilitation expense":

(a) Means monies that are spent in the rehabilitation of a certified historic structure properly capitalized to the building and that are spent with respect to property that is either:

(i) Depreciable under the internal revenue code.

(ii) Held for sale by the owner, other than the principal residence of the owner.

(b) Except for nonprofit corporations, does not include monies that are spent from direct grants from federal, state or local agencies or instrumentalities.

5. "Registered historic district" means any district listed in the national register of historic places or Arizona register of historic places.

6. "State historic preservation officer" means the state historic preservation officer designated pursuant to section 41-511.02.

7. "Substantial rehabilitation" means that, with regard to a certified historic structure, the qualified rehabilitation expenses of the certified historic structure during a twenty-four-month period, or a sixty-month period If the rehabilitation is to be done in phases set forth in architectural plans and specifications that are completed before the rehabilitation begins, chosen by the taxpayer ending with or within the taxable year exceed the greater of $5,000 or twenty-five percent of the adjusted basis in the certified historic structure and its structural components. END_STATUTE

Sec. 4. Title 43, chapter 11, article 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 43-1166, to read:

START_STATUTE43-1166. Credit for historic preservation; definitions

A. For taxable years beginning from and after December 31, 2023 through December 31, 2033, a credit is allowed against the taxes imposed by this title for qualified rehabilitation expenses for the substantial rehabilitation of a certified historic structure only if the taxpayer has certification from the state historic preservation officer issued under section 41-882.

B. The amount of the credit is:

1. Twenty percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenses for substantial rehabilitation of a certified historic structure.

2. Twenty-five percent of the qualified REHABILITATION expenses for substantial REHABILITATION of a certified historic structure that is also a certified affordable housing project.

C. The credit is allowed for the taxable year that the certified historic structure or identifiable portion of the historic structure that meets the substantial rehabilitation test is placed in service.

D. To claim a credit, an applicant shall apply to the state historic preservation officer for certification issued pursuant to section 41-882 after completion of the rehabilitation work. The certification shall include the amount of the tax credit for which the rehabilitation qualifies.

E. The final certification shall be attached to any filed return that claims a credit under this section.

F. The department may request information from the state historic preservation officer for the purpose of determining a claimant's eligibility for credits claimed, and the state historic preservation officer shall provide the requested information to the extent allowed by law.

G. If the allowable tax credit exceeds taxes otherwise due under this title on the claimant's income, or if there are no taxes due under this title, the amount of the claim not used to offset the taxes under this title may be carried forward to the next ten consecutive taxable years as a credit against subsequent years' income tax liability.

H. Co-owners of a business, including corporate partners in a partnership and members of a limited liability company, may each claim only the pro rata share of credit allowed under this section based on ownership interest or the share of credit allowed pursuant to an executed agreement among the owners, partners or members documenting an alternate distribution method without regard to the sharing of other tax or economic attributes of the business. The total of the credits allowed all the owners, partners or members may not exceed the amount that would have been allowed a sole owner.

I. An applicant that does not claim the credits allowed under this section, in whole or in part, may assign, transfer or sell the tax credits to any person, including condominium owners if the certified historic structure is converted into condominiums. The assignee, transferee or buyer of the tax credits may use the acquired credits against the tax imposed by this title and may carry forward the tax credits for ten consecutive taxable years after the date the certified historic structure is placed in service. The assignor, transferor or seller shall notify the department in writing within thirty days after an assignment, transfer or sale under this subsection and shall provide the department with any information required by the department.

J. The proceeds of any sale, transfer or assignment of tax credits received by the applicant under this section are exempt from this title. If a tax credit is subsequently recaptured, revoked or adjusted, the seller's, transferor's or assignor's taxable income shall be increased by the total amount of the sale, transfer or assignment proceeds in the taxable year of the recapture, revocation or adjustment.

K. A taxpayer that claims a credit under this section may not claim a credit under section 43-1080.

L. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Certified historic structure" means a property that is located in this state and is either:

(a) Listed individually in the national register of historic places.

(b) Listed individually in the Arizona register of historic places.

(c) Located in a registered historic district and certified by either the state historic preservation officer or the secretary of the United States department of the interior as being of historic significance to the district.

2. "Placed in service" means that the rehabilitation work has been substantially completed to allow for the occupancy of the structure or an identifiable part of the structure, or the owner has begun depreciating the qualified rehabilitation expenses, whichever occurs first.

3. "Principal residence" means a principal residence as prescribed in section 121 of the internal revenue code.

4. "Qualified rehabilitation expense":

(a) Means monies spent in the rehabilitation of a certified historic structure properly capitalized to the building and that are spent with respect to property that is either:

(i) Depreciable under the internal revenue code.

(ii) Held for sale by the owner, other than the principal residence of the owner.

(b) Except for nonprofit corporations, does not include monies that are spent from direct grants from federal, state or local agencies or instrumentalities.

5. "Registered historic district" means any district listed in the national register of historic places or Arizona register of historic places.

6. "State historic preservation officer" means the state historic preservation officer designated pursuant to section 41-511.02.

7. "Substantial rehabilitation" means that, with regard to a certified historic structure, the qualified rehabilitation expenses of the certified historic structure during a twenty-four-month period, or a sixty-month period If the rehabilitation is to be done in phases set forth in architectural plans and specifications that are completed before the rehabilitation begins, chosen by the taxpayer ending with or within the taxable year exceed the greater of $5,000 or twenty-five percent of the adjusted basis in the certified historic structure and its structural components. END_STATUTE

Sec. 5. Purpose

Pursuant to section 43-223, Arizona Revised Statutes, the legislature enacts sections 43-1080 and 43-1166, Arizona Revised Statutes, to create economic incentives for the purpose of stimulating the redevelopment and reuse of historic structures in this state.