CS/HB 485

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to fast track economic stimulus for small
3businesses; amending s. 213.053, F.S.; authorizing the
4Department of Revenue to share certain confidential
5taxpayer information with the Office of Tourism, Trade,
6and Economic Development; preserving certain
7confidentiality of such information; amending s. 220.02,
8F.S.; revising legislative intent with respect to the
9order of tax credits to include the New Markets
10Development Program tax credit; amending s. 220.13, F.S.;
11revising a definition; creating ss. 288.991-288.9922,
12F.S.; providing a short title; establishing the New
13Markets Development Program; providing a purpose;
14providing definitions; providing for a tax credit for
15making certain qualified equity investments; specifying a
16credit amount; providing for uses of the credit;
17prohibiting sale or transfer of such credits; authorizing
18allocation of the credit; specifying limitations on such
19credits; specifying application and certification
20requirements and procedures for the Office of Tourism,
21Trade, and Economic Development to qualify certain equity
22investments as eligible for tax credits; providing for
23application fees; providing duties and responsibilities of
24the Department of Revenue; limiting the amount of
25investments the office may certify; providing requirements
26and limitations on issuance of certified equity
27investments; providing for calculation of tax credits;
28limiting the amount of the tax credit that may be redeemed
29in a fiscal year; providing for carryover of unredeemed
30tax credits under certain circumstances; providing for
31redemption of tax credits; specifying how tax credits may
32be claimed by insurance companies; requiring the
33calculations to be certified and accompanied by audited
34financial statements and notarized affidavits; providing
35requirements for recapture of tax credits under certain
36circumstances; requiring notice of proposed recapture;
37providing requirements for compliance and audits of
38qualified equity investments; providing annual reporting
39requirements for certain community development entities;
40providing annual reporting requirements for the office;
41authorizing the office to conduct certain examinations;
42authorizing the office to revoke or modify tax credit
43authorizations under certain circumstances; providing for
44taxpayer liability for reimbursement of fraudulently
45claimed tax credits; providing penalties; authorizing the
46office and the department to adopt rules; providing for
47future repeal of the tax credit program; providing an
48effective date.
49
50Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
51
52     Section 1.  Subsection (19) is added to section 213.053,
53Florida Statutes, to read:
54     213.053  Confidentiality and information sharing.--
55     (19)  The department may disclose information relative to
56tax credits taken by a taxpayer pursuant to s. 288.9916 to the
57Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development or its
58employees or agents. Such employees must be identified in
59writing by the office to the department. All information
60disclosed under this subsection is subject to the same
61requirements of confidentiality and the same penalties for
62violation of the requirements as the department.
63     Section 2.  Subsection (8) of section 220.02, Florida
64Statutes, is amended to read:
65     220.02  Legislative intent.--
66     (8)  It is the intent of the Legislature that credits
67against either the corporate income tax or the franchise tax be
68applied in the following order: those enumerated in s. 631.828,
69those enumerated in s. 220.191, those enumerated in s. 220.181,
70those enumerated in s. 220.183, those enumerated in s. 220.182,
71those enumerated in s. 220.1895, those enumerated in s. 221.02,
72those enumerated in s. 220.184, those enumerated in s. 220.186,
73those enumerated in s. 220.1845, those enumerated in s. 220.19,
74those enumerated in s. 220.185, those enumerated in s. 220.187,
75those enumerated in s. 220.192, and those enumerated in s.
76220.193, and those enumerated in s. 288.9916.
77     Section 3.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
78220.13, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
79     220.13  "Adjusted federal income" defined.--
80     (1)  The term "adjusted federal income" means an amount
81equal to the taxpayer's taxable income as defined in subsection
82(2), or such taxable income of more than one taxpayer as
83provided in s. 220.131, for the taxable year, adjusted as
84follows:
85     (a)  Additions.--There shall be added to such taxable
86income:
87     1.  The amount of any tax upon or measured by income,
88excluding taxes based on gross receipts or revenues, paid or
89accrued as a liability to the District of Columbia or any state
90of the United States which is deductible from gross income in
91the computation of taxable income for the taxable year.
92     2.  The amount of interest which is excluded from taxable
93income under s. 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or any other
94federal law, less the associated expenses disallowed in the
95computation of taxable income under s. 265 of the Internal
96Revenue Code or any other law, excluding 60 percent of any
97amounts included in alternative minimum taxable income, as
98defined in s. 55(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, if the
99taxpayer pays tax under s. 220.11(3).
100     3.  In the case of a regulated investment company or real
101estate investment trust, an amount equal to the excess of the
102net long-term capital gain for the taxable year over the amount
103of the capital gain dividends attributable to the taxable year.
104     4.  That portion of the wages or salaries paid or incurred
105for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of the credit
106allowable for the taxable year under s. 220.181. This
107subparagraph shall expire on the date specified in s. 290.016
108for the expiration of the Florida Enterprise Zone Act.
109     5.  That portion of the ad valorem school taxes paid or
110incurred for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of
111the credit allowable for the taxable year under s. 220.182. This
112subparagraph shall expire on the date specified in s. 290.016
113for the expiration of the Florida Enterprise Zone Act.
114     6.  The amount of emergency excise tax paid or accrued as a
115liability to this state under chapter 221 which tax is
116deductible from gross income in the computation of taxable
117income for the taxable year.
118     7.  That portion of assessments to fund a guaranty
119association incurred for the taxable year which is equal to the
120amount of the credit allowable for the taxable year.
121     8.  In the case of a nonprofit corporation which holds a
122pari-mutuel permit and which is exempt from federal income tax
123as a farmers' cooperative, an amount equal to the excess of the
124gross income attributable to the pari-mutuel operations over the
125attributable expenses for the taxable year.
126     9.  The amount taken as a credit for the taxable year under
127s. 220.1895.
128     10.  Up to nine percent of the eligible basis of any
129designated project which is equal to the credit allowable for
130the taxable year under s. 220.185.
131     11.  The amount taken as a credit for the taxable year
132under s. 220.187.
133     12.  The amount taken as a credit for the taxable year
134under s. 220.192.
135     13.  The amount taken as a credit for the taxable year
136under s. 220.193.
137     14.  Any amount in excess of $25,000 allowable as a
138deduction for federal income tax purposes under s. 179 of the
139Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for the taxable year.
140     15.  Any amount allowable as a deduction for federal income
141tax purposes under s. 167 or s. 168 of the Internal Revenue Code
142of 1986, as amended, for the taxable year to the extent that
143such amount includes bonus depreciation allowable as deduction
144under s. 168(k).
145     16.  Any portion of a qualified investment, as defined in
146s. 288.9913, which is claimed as a deduction by the taxpayer and
147taken as a credit against income tax pursuant to s. 288.9916.
148     Section 4.  Section 288.991, Florida Statutes, is created
149to read:
150     288.991  Short title.--Sections 288.991-288.9922 may be
151cited as the "New Markets Development Program Act."
152     Section 5.  Section 288.9912, Florida Statutes, is created
153to read:
154     288.9912  New Markets Development Program; purpose.--The
155New Markets Development Program is established to encourage
156capital investment in rural and urban low-income communities by
157allowing taxpayers to earn credits against specified taxes by
158investing in qualified community development entities that make
159qualified low-income community investments in qualified active
160low-income community businesses to create and retain jobs.
161     Section 6.  Section 288.9913, Florida Statutes, is created
162to read:
163     288.9913  Definitions.--As used in ss. 288.991-288.9922,
164the term:
165     (1)  "Credit allowance date" means:
166     (a)  The date on which a qualified investment is made; and
167     (b)  Each of the six anniversaries of that date.
168     (2)  "Department" means the Department of Revenue.
169     (3)  "Long-term debt security" means a debt instrument
170issued by a qualified community development entity at par value
171or a premium which has a maturity date of at least 7 years
172following the date of its issuance, with no acceleration of
173repayment, amortization, or prepayment features prior to its
174original maturity date, except in instances of default.
175     (4)  "Low-income community" means any population census
176tract within the state where:
177     1.  The poverty rate of such tract is at least 20 percent;
178or
179     2.  In the case of a tract that is:
180     a.  Not located within a metropolitan area, the median
181family income for such tract does not exceed 80 percent of the
182statewide median family income; or
183     b.  Located within a metropolitan area, the median family
184income for such tract does not exceed 80 percent of the greater
185of the statewide median family income or the metropolitan area
186median income.
187     (5)  "Office" means the Office of Tourism, Trade, and
188Economic Development.
189     (6)  "Purchase price" means the amount of cash paid to a
190qualified community development entity in exchange for a
191qualified investment.
192     (7)  "Qualified active low-income community business" means
193a corporation, including a nonprofit corporation, or partnership
194that:
195     (a)1.  Derives at least 50 percent of its total gross
196income from the active conduct of business within any low-income
197community for any taxable year;
198     2.  Uses a substantial portion of its tangible property,
199whether owned or leased, within any low-income community for any
200taxable year;
201     3.  Performs a substantial portion of its services through
202its employees in a low-income community for any taxable year;
203     4.  Attributes less than 5 percent of the average of the
204aggregate unadjusted bases of the property of the entity to
205collectibles, as defined in 26 U.S.C. s. 408(m)(2), other than
206collectibles that are held primarily for sale to customers in
207the ordinary course of the business for any taxable year; and
208     5.  Attributes less than 5 percent of the average of the
209aggregate unadjusted bases of the property of the entity to
210nonqualified financial property, as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.
2111397C(e), for any taxable year.
212     (b)  Is reasonably expected by a qualified community
213development entity at the time of an investment to continue to
214satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (a), (c), and (d) for the
215duration of the investment.
216     (c)  Satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b),
217but does not:
218     1.  Derive or project to derive 15 percent or more of its
219annual revenue from the rental or sale of real estate;
220     2.  Engage predominantly in the development or holding of
221intangibles for sale or license;
222     3.  Operate a private or commercial golf course, country
223club, massage parlor, hot tub facility, suntan facility,
224racetrack, gambling facility, or a store the principal business
225of which is the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off
226premises; or
227     4.  Engage principally in farming and owns or leases assets
228the sum of the aggregate unadjusted bases or the fair market
229value of which exceeds $500,000.
230     (d)  Will create or retain jobs that pay an average wage of
231at least 115 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines
232for a family of four.
233     (8)  "Qualified community development entity" means an
234entity that:
235     (a)  Is certified by the Secretary of the United States
236Department of the Treasury as a qualified community development
237entity under 26 U.S.C. s. 45D; and
238     (b)  Has entered into, or is controlled by an entity that
239has entered into, an allocation agreement with the Community
240Development Financial Institutions Fund of the United States
241Department of the Treasury with respect to tax credits under 26
242U.S.C. s. 45D and is authorized to serve businesses in this
243state under the agreement.
244     (9)  "Qualified investment" means an equity investment in,
245or a long-term debt security issued by, a qualified community
246development entity that:
247     (a)  Is issued solely in exchange for cash; and
248     (b)  Is designated by the qualified community development
249entity as a qualified investment under this paragraph and is
250approved by the office as a qualified investment.
251     (10)  "Qualified low-income community investment" means a
252capital or equity investment in, or loan to, any qualified
253active low-income community business.
254     Section 7.  Section 288.9914, Florida Statutes, is created
255to read:
256     288.9914  Certification of qualified investments;
257investment issuance reporting.--
258     (1)  ELIGIBLE INDUSTRIES.--
259     (a)  The office, in consultation with Enterprise Florida,
260Inc., shall designate industries using the North American
261Industry Classification System which are eligible to receive
262low-income community investments. The designated industries must
263be those industries that have the greatest potential to create
264strong positive impacts on or benefits to the state, regional,
265and local economies.
266     (b)  A qualified community development entity may not make
267a qualified low-income community investment in a business unless
268the principal activities of the business are within an eligible
269industry. The office may waive this limitation if the office
270determines that the investment will have a positive impact on a
271community.
272     (2)  APPLICATION.--A qualified community development entity
273must submit an application to the office to approve a proposed
274investment as a qualified investment. The application must
275include:
276     (a)  The name, address, and tax identification number of
277the qualified community development entity.
278     (b)  Proof of certification as a qualified community
279development entity under 26 U.S.C. s. 45D.
280     (c)  A copy of an allocation agreement executed by the
281entity, or its controlling entity, and the Community Development
282Financial Institutions Fund, which authorizes the entity to
283serve businesses in this state.
284     (d)  A verified statement by the chief executive officer of
285the entity that the allocation agreement remains in effect.
286     (e)  A description of the proposed amount, structure, and
287purchaser of an equity investment or long-term debt security.
288     (f)  The name and tax identification number of any person
289authorized to claim a tax credit earned as a result of the
290purchase of the proposed qualified investment.
291     (g)  A detailed explanation of the proposed use of the
292proceeds from a proposed qualified investment.
293     (h)  A nonrefundable application fee of $1,000, payable to
294the office.
295     (i)  A statement that the entity will invest only in the
296industries designated by the office.
297     (j)  The entity's plans for the development of
298relationships with community-based organizations, local
299community development offices and organizations, and economic
300development organizations. The entity must also explain steps it
301has taken to implement its plans to develop these relationships.
302     (k)  A statement that the entity will not invest in a
303qualified active low-income community business unless the
304business will create or retain jobs that pay an average wage of
305at least 115 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines
306for a family of four.
307     (3)  REVIEW.--
308     (a)  The office shall review applications to approve an
309investment as a qualified investment in the order received. The
310office shall approve or deny an application within 30 days after
311receipt.
312     (b)  If the office intends to deny the application, the
313office shall inform the applicant of the basis of the proposed
314denial. The applicant shall have 15 days after it receives the
315notice of the intent to deny the application to submit a revised
316application to the office. The office shall issue a final order
317approving or denying the revised application within 30 days
318after receipt.
319     (c)  The office may not approve a cumulative amount of
320qualified investments that may result in the claim of more than
321$97.5 million in tax credits during the existence of the program
322or more than $20 million in tax credits in a single fiscal year.
323However, the potential for a taxpayer to carry forward an unused
324tax credit may not be considered in calculating the annual
325limit.
326     (4)  APPROVAL.--
327     (a)  The office shall provide a copy of the final order
328approving an investment as a qualified investment to the
329qualified community development entity and to the department.
330The notice shall include the identity of the taxpayers who are
331eligible to claim the tax credits and the amount that may be
332claimed by each taxpayer.
333     (b)  The office shall approve an application for part of
334the amount of the proposed investment if the amount of tax
335credits available are insufficient.
336     (c)  If more than one application is found to comply with
337subsection (3) on the same day and the amount of tax credits
338available are insufficient for all of the applications, the tax
339credits available to each applicant shall be in proportion to
340the proposed purchase price to the total purchase price of all
341of the proposed investments.
342     (5)  DURATION OF APPROVAL.--The qualified community
343development entity must issue the qualified investment in
344exchange for cash within 60 days after it receives the order
345approving an investment as a qualified investment, otherwise the
346order is void.
347     (6)  REPORT OF ISSUANCE OF A QUALIFIED INVESTMENT.--The
348qualified community development entity must provide the office
349with evidence of the receipt of the cash in exchange for the
350qualified investment within 30 business days after receipt.
351     Section 8.  Section 288.9915, Florida Statutes, is created
352to read:
353     288.9915  Use of proceeds from qualified investments;
354recordkeeping.--
355     (1)  A qualified community development entity may not make
356cash interest payments on a long-term debt security that is a
357qualified investment in excess of the entity's operating income
358for 6 years following the issuance of the security.
359     (2)  A qualified community development entity shall keep
360detailed records showing the use of proceeds from qualified
361investments to fund qualified low-income community investments.
362     (3)  A qualified active low-income community business,
363including its affiliates, may not receive more than $10 million
364in qualified low-income community investments under the New
365Markets Development Program Act.
366     Section 9.  Section 288.9916, Florida Statutes, is created
367to read:
368     288.9916  New markets tax credit.--
369     (1)  A person or entity that makes a qualified investment
370earns a vested tax credit pursuant to the New Markets
371Development Program Act against taxes under s. 220.11 or s.
372624.509 equal to 39 percent of the purchase price of the
373qualified investment. The holder of a qualified investment may
374claim the tax credit as follows:
375     (a)  The holder may apply 7 percent of the purchase price
376against its tax liability in the tax year containing the third
377credit allowance date.
378     (b)  The holder may apply 8 percent of the purchase price
379against its tax liability in the tax years containing the fourth
380through seventh credit allowance dates.
381     (c)  A taxpayer may not claim a tax credit in excess of the
382taxpayer's tax liability. If the credit granted pursuant to this
383section is not fully used in any single year because of
384insufficient tax liability on the part of the taxpayer, the
385unused amount may be carried forward for a period not to exceed
3865 years. The carryover credit may be used in a subsequent year
387when the tax imposed for such year exceeds the credit for such
388year, after applying the other credits and unused credit
389carryovers in the order provided in s. 220.02(8). Carryover
390credit amounts shall be treated as unused credits for purposes
391of the transfer of unused credits pursuant to paragraph (2)(b).
392     (d)  An insurance company that is subject to the insurance
393premium tax under s. 624.509 must apply the tax credit against
394the insurance premium tax. An insurer that claims a credit
395against premium tax liability earned by making a qualified
396investment under this section is not required to pay any
397additional retaliatory tax levied pursuant to s. 624.5091 as a
398result of claiming the tax credit. If the credit granted
399pursuant to this section is not fully used in any single year
400because of insufficient tax liability on the part of the
401taxpayer, the unused amount may be carried forward for a period
402not to exceed 5 years. The carryover credit may be used in a
403subsequent year when the tax imposed for such year exceeds the
404credit for such year, after applying the other credits and
405unused credit carryovers in the order provided in s. 220.02(8).
406Carryover credit amounts shall be treated as unused credits for
407purposes of the transfer of unused credits pursuant to paragraph
408(2)(b).
409     (2)  A tax credit earned under this section may not be sold
410or transferred, except as provided in this subsection.
411     (a)  A partner, member, or shareholder of a partnership,
412limited liability company, S-corporation, or other "pass-
413through" entity may claim the tax credit pursuant to an
414agreement among the partners, members, or shareholders. Any
415change in the allocation of a tax credit under the agreement
416must be reported to the office and to the department.
417     (b)  Eligibility to claim a tax credit transfers to
418subsequent purchasers of a qualified investment. Such transfers
419must be reported to the office and to the department along with
420the identity, tax identification number, and tax credit amount
421allocated to a taxpayer pursuant to paragraph (a). The notice of
422transfer also must state whether unused tax credits are being
423transferred and the amount of unused tax credits being
424transferred.
425     Section 10.  Section 288.9917, Florida Statutes, is created
426to read:
427     288.9917  Community development entity reporting after a
428credit allowance date; certification of tax credit amount.--
429     (1)  A qualified community development entity that has
430issued a qualified investment shall submit the following to the
431office within 30 days after each credit allowance date:
432     (a)  A list of all qualified active low-income community
433businesses in which a qualified low-income community investment
434was made since the last credit allowance date. The list shall
435also describe the type and amount of investment in each business
436and the address of the principal location of each business. The
437list must be verified by the chief executive officer of the
438community development entity.
439     (b)  Bank records, wire transfer records, or similar
440documents that provide evidence of the qualified low-income
441community investments made since the last credit allowance date.
442     (c)  A verified statement by the chief financial or
443accounting officer of the community development entity that no
444redemption or principal repayment was made with respect to the
445qualified investment since the previous credit allowance date.
446     (d)  Information relating to the recapture of the federal
447new markets tax credit since the last credit allowance date.
448     (2)  The office shall certify in writing to the qualified
449community development entity and to the department the amount of
450the tax credit authorized for each taxpayer eligible to claim
451the tax credit in the tax year containing the last credit
452allowance date.
453     Section 11.  Section 288.9918, Florida Statutes, is created
454to read:
455     288.9918  Annual reporting by a community development
456entity.--A community development entity that has issued a
457qualified investment shall submit an annual report to the office
458by April 30 after the end of each year which includes a credit
459allowance date. The report shall include:
460     (1)  The entity's annual financial statements for the
461preceding tax year, audited by an independent certified public
462accountant.
463     (2)  The identity of the types of industries, identified by
464the North American Industry Classification System Code, in which
465qualified low-income community investments were made.
466     (3)  The names of the counties in which the qualified
467active low-income businesses are located which received
468qualified low-income community investments.
469     (4)  The number of jobs created and retained by qualified
470active low-income community businesses receiving qualified low-
471income community investments, including verification that the
472average wages paid meet or exceed 115 percent of the federal
473poverty income guidelines for a family of four.
474     (5)  A description of the relationships that the entity has
475established with community-based organizations and local
476community development offices and organizations and a summary of
477the outcomes resulting from those relationships.
478     (6)  Other information and documentation required by the
479office to verify continued certification as a qualified
480community development entity under 26 U.S.C. s. 45D.
481     Section 12.  Section 288.9919, Florida Statutes, is created
482to read:
483     288.9919  Audits and examinations; penalties.--
484     (1)  AUDITS.--A community development entity that issues an
485investment approved by the office as a qualified investment
486shall be deemed a recipient of state financial assistance under
487s. 215.97, the Florida Single Audit Act. However, an entity that
488makes a qualified investment or receives a qualified low-income
489community investment is not a subrecipient for the purposes of
490s. 215.97.
491     (2)  EXAMINATIONS.--The office may conduct examinations to
492verify compliance with the New Markets Development Program Act.
493     Section 13.  Section 288.9920, Florida Statutes, is created
494to read:
495     288.9920  Recapture and penalties.--
496     (1)  Notwithstanding s. 95.091, the office shall direct the
497department, at any time before December 31, 2022, to recapture
498all or a portion of a tax credit authorized pursuant to the New
499Markets Development Program Act if one or more of the following  
500occur:
501     (a)  The Federal Government recaptures any portion of the
502federal new markets tax credit. The recapture by the department
503shall equal the recapture by the Federal Government.
504     (b)  The qualified community development entity redeems or
505makes a principal repayment on a qualified investment before the
506final allowance date. The recapture by the department shall
507equal the redemption or principal repayment divided by the
508purchase price and multiplied by the tax credit authorized to a
509taxpayer for the qualified investment.
510     (c)1.  The qualified community development entity fails to
511invest at least 85 percent of the purchase price in qualified
512low-income community investments within 12 months after the
513issuance of a qualified investment; or
514     2.  The qualified community development entity fails to
515maintain 85 percent of the purchase price in qualified low-
516income community investments until the last credit allowance
517date for a qualified investment.
518
519For the purposes of this paragraph, an investment by a qualified
520community development entity includes principal recovered from
521an investment for 12 months after its recovery or principal
522recovered after the sixth credit allowance date. Principal held
523for longer than 12 months or recovered before the sixth credit
524allowance date is not an investment unless it is reinvested in a
525qualified low-income community investment.
526     (d)  The qualified community development entity fails to
527provide the office with information, reports, or documentation
528required by the New Markets Development Program Act.
529     (e)  The office determines that a taxpayer received tax
530credits to which the taxpayer was not entitled.
531     (2)  The office shall provide notice to the qualified
532community development entity and the department of a proposed
533recapture of a tax credit. The entity shall have 90 days
534following the receipt of the notice to cure a deficiency
535identified in the notice and avoid recapture. The department
536shall issue a final order of recapture if the entity fails to
537cure a deficiency within the 90-day period. The final order of
538recapture shall be provided to the entity, the department, and a
539taxpayer otherwise authorized to claim the tax credit.
540Recaptured funds shall be deposited into the General Revenue
541Fund.
542     (3)  An entity that submits fraudulent information to the
543office is liable for the costs associated with the investigation
544and prosecution of the fraudulent claim plus a penalty in an
545amount equal to double the tax credits claimed by investors in
546the entity's qualified investments. This penalty is in addition
547to any other penalty that may be imposed by law.
548     Section 14.  Section 288.9921, Florida Statutes, is created
549to read:
550     288.9921  Rulemaking.--The office and the department may
551adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer
552ss. 288.991-288.9920.
553     Section 15.  Section 288.9922, Florida Statutes, is created
554to read:
555     288.9922  Expiration of the New Markets Development Program
556Act.--Sections 288.991-288.9921 and this section expire December
55731, 2022.
558     Section 16.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.