WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Reps. Mike Carey (R-OH-15) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) introduced H.R. 9012, the Affordable Housing Credit Carryback Act to strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). This legislation will change the LIHTC carryback period from one year to five years, which will increase the uptake of these important credits and spur more investment in affordable housing production.
“Affordable housing projects depend on stable investment, but the current one-year carryback limit puts the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit at a disadvantage compared to other credits in the tax code,” said Rep. Carey. “Expanding the LIHTC carryback period to five years will provide greater certainty for investors, strengthen the housing credit market, and help support the development of more affordable housing across the country. I want to thank Congressman Panetta for co-leading this legislation that recognizes the importance of keeping affordable housing projects moving forward for working families.”
“The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition strongly supports this effort to increase investment in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, our nation’s primary tool for financing affordable housing,” said Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition CEO Emily Cadik. “Increasing the carryback period for the Housing Credit will provide investors with the flexibility to more fully leverage the recent historic expansion of the program. We applaud Congressmen Carey and Panetta for their leadership on addressing our nation’s affordability crisis.”
Background:
- This bill expands the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) carryback period from one year to five years, bringing it in line with other tax credits that already receive more favorable treatment under the tax code.
- Under current law, many LIHTC investors quickly max out the amount of credit they can apply toward their annual tax liability, making other credits with longer carryback periods more attractive.
- Expanding the LIHTC carryback period would provide greater flexibility for investors, strengthen the housing credit market, and encourage continued investment in affordable housing projects.
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