Alabama House Bill HB357

Alabama 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/20/23
• Refer: 4/20/23

Caption

Relating to the state income tax; to establish the Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act; to create the Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit for qualified workforce housing projects; to define certain terms; to provide for minimum and maximum annual award amounts for qualified projects; to allow the tax credits to be claimed for 10 years against the income tax liability of a qualified taxpayer; to allow carryforward for earned but unused tax credits; to require a minimum of the annual award cycle cap be awarded for qualified projects located in areas designated as rural by the authority; and to require the Alabama Housing Finance Authority to implement and administer the provisions of this act.

Impact

The bill will significantly influence state income tax laws by enabling eligible contractors and developers engaged in workforce housing to reduce their tax burdens. Specifically, the Alabama Housing Finance Authority is tasked with implementing and managing this program, including establishing necessary regulations and guidelines. The tax credit benefits not only developers but extends to communities that will gain from new housing developments that cater to the workforce. The provision for minimum grant allocations to rural designated areas underscores a commitment to promote housing equity throughout the state.

Summary

House Bill 357, known as the Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act, aims to facilitate affordable housing development in Alabama by providing tax credits to qualified taxpayers involved in designated workforce housing projects. This legislation introduces a structured framework for such projects, allowing tax credits to be claimed against individuals' or corporations' state income tax liabilities over a ten-year period. This initiative responds to growing concerns about housing shortages in workforce communities across Alabama, aiming to bolster both economic development and job stability in the region.

Contention

Critics of HB 357 might highlight concerns regarding how the implementation of tax credits could affect local tax revenues or inadvertently favor certain developers, leading to potential inequities in housing availability. Opponents may also argue that while the bill seeks to address workforce housing, it must ensure that the quality and accessibility of such housing are prioritized. Some stakeholders emphasize the need for careful oversight to avoid any misuse of tax credits which could defeat the bill’s overarching intent of supporting public welfare and sustainable communities in Alabama.