📄 Podcast Description:
This week on The Tax Credit Talk, hosts Hallie James and Parker An explore a packed lineup of federal and state developments reshaping housing, film, brownfield, and renewable energy credits. From California’s bold film funding expansion to new federal rules on bond thresholds and renewable construction tests, the landscape is shifting fast.
🏘️ In affordable housing, Congress has permanently lowered the private activity bond financing threshold for 4% LIHTCs from 50% to 25%. California quickly adopted new rules to encourage smaller bond requests and add incentives like higher developer fees and tiebreaker advantages, while Ohio and Georgia continue to expand their state programs to add thousands of units despite local challenges.
🎥 In film, California doubled its Film and Television Tax Credit program from $330 million to $750 million annually through 2030, making credits refundable and adding diversity incentives. The impact has been immediate, with a 400% surge in applications and billions in projected spending and job creation.
🌱 In brownfields, Congress reintroduced and extended the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive (H.R. 15), allowing developers to deduct cleanup costs through 2028. The goal is clear—spur private investment, create jobs, and bring contaminated sites back into productive use.
⚡ In renewable energy, the IRS issued Notice 2025-42, eliminating the 5% safe harbor for most projects after September 2, 2025, and requiring developers to meet the more stringent physical work test to qualify under Sections 45Y and 48E. Smaller solar projects under 1.5 MW will still have access to the safe harbor, but larger developments face a tougher path to eligibility.
🧩 Inside the episode:
- LIHTC bond threshold drops to 25%
- California, Ohio, and Georgia reshape housing credit programs
- California doubles film funding to $750M annually
- Brownfields tax incentive extended through 2028
- IRS tightens renewable energy safe harbor rules
🎙️ Brought to you by Fallbrook Financial Services
Fallbrook Financial Services is one of the largest state tax credit brokerages in the U.S., having placed over $6 billion in credits across renewable energy, housing, film, brownfields, and more. If you are buying, selling, or strategizing around credits, visit www.fallbrookfinancialservices.com or email [email protected].