4. Projects that will result in the location or retention of a person's corporate headquarters in Wisconsin or that will result in the retention of employees if the person's corporate headquarters are located in Wisconsin.
Commerce may allocate tax benefits under the consolidated program up to the total amount remaining to be allocated under the five development zone programs on the effective date of this bill. Tax benefits are allocated under the bill only after the person has verified to Commerce that the person has met the performance obligations established under the contract.
The value of tax benefits for which a person is eligible under the new tax credit program depends on the number of jobs created by the person, the amount of the capital investment made by the person, the amount of training or reeducation provided to the employees of a person, or the number of jobs retained by the person having its corporate headquarters located in Wisconsin.
Under the bill, Commerce may award additional tax benefits to a person that conducts eligible activities in an economically distressed area or if the eligible activities benefit members of a targeted group. Commerce is required by the bill to develop a methodology for designating an area as an "economically distressed area." The bill defines "member of a targeted group" as a person who resides in an area designated by the federal government as an economic revitalization area, a person who is employed in an unsubsidized job but meets certain eligibility requirements for a Wisconsin Works employment position, a person who is employed in a trial job or in a real work real pay project position, a person who is eligible for child care assistance, a person who is a vocational rehabilitation referral, an economically disadvantaged youth, an economically disadvantaged veteran, a supplemental security income recipient, a general assistance recipient, an economically disadvantaged ex-convict, a dislocated worker, as defined under federal law, or a food stamp recipient, if the person has been certified by a designated local agency.
Audit by the Legislative Audit Bureau
The bill requires the Legislative Audit Bureau to prepare a financial and program evaluation audit of the consolidated economic development tax benefit program created by the bill no later than July 1, 2012.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. 13.94 (1) (ms) of the statutes is created to read:
13.94 (1) (ms) No later than July 1, 2014, prepare a financial and performance evaluation audit of the economic development tax benefit program under ss. 560.701 to 560.706. The legislative audit bureau shall file a copy of the report of the audit under this paragraph with the distributees specified in par. (b).
SECTION 2. 49.149 (4) of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 3. 71.07 (2dy) of the statutes is created to read:
71.07 (2dy) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT. (a) Definition. In this subsection, "claimant" means a person who files a claim under this subsection and is certified under s. 560.701 (2) and authorized to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703.
(b) Filing claims. Subject to the limitations under this subsection and ss. 560.701 to 560.706, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008, a claimant may claim as a credit against the tax imposed under s. 71.02 or 71.08, up to the amount of the tax, the amount authorized for the claimant under s. 560.703.
(c) Limitations. 1. No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the claimant includes with the claimant's return a copy of the claimant's certification under s. 560.701 (2) and a copy of the claimant's notice of eligibility to receive tax benefits under s. 560.703 (3).
2. Partnerships, limited liability companies, and tax-option corporations may not claim the credit under this subsection, but the eligibility for, and the amount of, the credit are based on their authorization to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703. A partnership, limited liability company, or tax-option corporation shall compute the amount of credit that each of its partners, members, or shareholders may claim and shall provide that information to each of them. Partners, members of limited liability companies, and shareholders of tax-option corporations may claim the credit in proportion to their ownership interests.
(d) Administration. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., s. 71.28 (4) (e) and (f), as it applies to the credit under s. 71.28 (4), applies to the credit under this subsection.
2. If a claimant's certification is revoked under s. 560.705, or if a claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits under s. 560.702, the claimant may not claim credits under this subsection for the taxable year that includes the day on which the certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years and the claimant may not carry over unused credits from previous years to offset the tax imposed under s. 71.02 or 71.08 for the taxable year that includes the day on which certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years.
3. Section 71.28 (4) (g) and (h), as it applies to the credit under s. 71.28 (4), applies to the credit under this subsection.
SECTION 4. 71.10 (4) (gv) of the statutes is created to read:
71.10 (4) (gv) Economic development tax credit under s. 71.07 (2dy).
SECTION 5. 71.28 (1dy) of the statutes is created to read:
71.28 (1dy) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT. (a) Definition. In this subsection, "claimant" means a person who files a claim under this subsection and is certified under s. 560.701 (2) and authorized to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703.
(b) Filing claims. Subject to the limitations under this subsection and ss. 560.701 to 560.706, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008, a claimant may claim as a credit against the tax imposed under s. 71.23, up to the amount of the tax, the amount authorized for the claimant under s. 560.703.
(c) Limitations. 1. No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the claimant includes with the claimant's return a copy of the claimant's certification under s. 560.701 (2) and a copy of the claimant's notice of eligibility to receive tax benefits under s. 560.703 (3).
2. Partnerships, limited liability companies, and tax-option corporations may not claim the credit under this subsection, but the eligibility for, and the amount of, the credit are based on their authorization to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703. A partnership, limited liability company, or tax-option corporation shall compute the amount of credit that each of its partners, members, or shareholders may claim and shall provide that information to each of them. Partners, members of limited liability companies, and shareholders of tax-option corporations may claim the credit in proportion to their ownership interests.
(d) Administration. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., sub. (4) (e) and (f), as it applies to the credit under sub. (4), applies to the credit under this subsection.
2. If a claimant's certification is revoked under s. 560.705, or if a claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits under s. 560.702, the claimant may not claim credits under this subsection for the taxable year that includes the day on which the certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years and the claimant may not carry over unused credits from previous years to offset the tax imposed under s. 71.23 for the taxable year that includes the day on which certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years.
3. Subsection (4) (g) and (h), as it applies to the credit under sub. (4), applies to the credit under this subsection.
SECTION 6. 71.30 (3) (em) of the statutes is renumbered 71.30 (3) (eh).
SECTION 7. 71.30 (3) (ema) of the statutes is created to read:
71.30 (3) (ema) Economic development tax credit under s. 71.28 (1dy).
SECTION 8. 71.30 (3) (emb) of the statutes is renumbered 71.30 (3) (ei).
SECTION 9. 71.30 (3) (en) of the statutes is renumbered 71.30 (3) (ej).
SECTION 10. 71.30 (3) (eo) of the statutes is renumbered 71.30 (3) (ek).
SECTION 11. 71.30 (3) (eom) of the statutes is renumbered 71.30 (3) (eL).
SECTION 12. 71.47 (1dy) of the statutes is created to read:
71.47 (1dy) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT. (a) Definition. In this subsection, "claimant" means a person who files a claim under this subsection and is certified under s. 560.701 (2) and authorized to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703.
(b) Filing claims. Subject to the limitations under this subsection and ss. 560.701 to 560.706, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008, a claimant may claim as a credit against the tax imposed under s. 71.43, up to the amount of the tax, the amount authorized for the claimant under s. 560.703.
(c) Limitations. 1. No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the claimant includes with the claimant's return a copy of the claimant's certification under s. 560.701 (2) and a copy of the claimant's notice of eligibility to receive tax benefits under s. 560.703 (3).
2. Partnerships, limited liability companies, and tax-option corporations may not claim the credit under this subsection, but the eligibility for, and the amount of, the credit are based on their authorization to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703. A partnership, limited liability company, or tax-option corporation shall compute the amount of credit that each of its partners, members, or shareholders may claim and shall provide that information to each of them. Partners, members of limited liability companies, and shareholders of tax-option corporations may claim the credit in proportion to their ownership interests.
(d) Administration. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., sub. (4) (e) and (f), as it applies to the credit under sub. (4), applies to the credit under this subsection.
2. If a claimant's certification is revoked under s. 560.705, or if a claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits under s. 560.702, the claimant may not claim credits under this subsection for the taxable year that includes the day on which the certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years and the claimant may not carry over unused credits from previous years to offset the tax imposed under s. 71.43 for the taxable year that includes the day on which certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years.
3. Subsection (4) (g) and (h), as it applies to the credit under sub. (4), applies to the credit under this subsection.
SECTION 13. 71.49 (1) (em) of the statutes is renumbered 71.49 (1) (eh).
SECTION 14. 71.49 (1) (ema) of the statutes is created to read:
71.49 (1) (ema) Economic development tax credit under s. 71.47 (1dy).
SECTION 15. 71.49 (1) (emb) of the statutes is renumbered 71.49 (1) (ei).
SECTION 16. 71.49 (1) (en) of the statutes is renumbered 71.49 (1) (ej).
SECTION 17. 71.49 (1) (eo) of the statutes is renumbered 71.49 (1) (ek).
SECTION 18. 71.49 (1) (eom) of the statutes is renumbered 71.49 (1) (eL).
SECTION 19. 76.637 of the statutes is created to read:
76.637 Economic development credit. (1) DEFINITION. In this section, "claimant" means an insurer who files a claim under this section and is certified under s. 560.701 (2) and authorized to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703.
(2) FILING CLAIMS. Subject to the limitations under this section and ss. 560.701 to 560.706, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008, a claimant may claim as a credit against the fees due under s. 76.60, 76.63, 76.65, 76.66, or 76.67 the amount authorized for the claimant under s. 560.703.
(3) LIMITATIONS. No credit may be allowed under this section unless the insurer includes with the insurer's annual return under s. 76.64 a copy of the claimant's certification under s. 560.701 (2) and a copy of the claimant's notice of eligibility to receive tax benefits under s. 560.703 (3).
(4) ADMINISTRATION. If an insurer's certification is revoked under s. 560.705, or if an insurer becomes ineligible for tax benefits under s. 560.702, the insurer may not claim credits under this section for the taxable year that includes the day on which the certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the insurer becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years and the insurer may not carry over unused credits from previous years to offset the fees imposed under ss. 76.60, 76.63, 76.65, 76.66, or 76.67 for the taxable year that includes the day on which certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the insurer becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years.
SECTION 20. 76.67 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
76.67 (2) If any domestic insurer is licensed to transact insurance business in another state, this state may not require similar insurers domiciled in that other state to pay taxes greater in the aggregate than the aggregate amount of taxes that a domestic insurer is required to pay to that other state for the same year less the credits under ss. 76.635, 76.636, 76.637, 76.638, and 76.655, except that the amount imposed shall not be less than the total of the amounts due under ss. 76.65 (2) and 601.93 and, if the insurer is subject to s. 76.60, 0.375% of its gross premiums, as calculated under s. 76.62, less offsets allowed under s. 646.51 (7) or under ss. 76.635, 76.636, 76.637, 76.638, and 76.655 against that total, and except that the amount imposed shall not be less than the amount due under s. 601.93.
****NOTE: This is reconciled s. 76.67 (2). This SECTION has been affected by drafts with the following LRB numbers: LRB-0252/P7 and LRB-0284/P4.
SECTION 21. 234.01 (4n) (a) 3m. e. of the statutes is amended to read:
234.01 (4n) (a) 3m. e. The facility is located in a targeted area, as determined by the authority after considering the factors set out in s. 560.605 (2m) (c), 2005 stats., s. 560.605 (2m) (d), 2005 stats., s. 560.605 (2m) (e), 2005 stats., s. 560.605 (2m) (g), 2007 stats., and s. 560.605 (2m) (a), (b), and (f) to, and (h).
SECTION 22. 234.03 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.03 (2m) To issue notes and bonds in accordance with ss. 234.08, 234.40, 234.50, 234.60, 234.61, 234.626, 234.63, and 234.65.
SECTION 23. 234.03 (11) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.03 (11) To collect fees and charges on mortgage loans and economic development loans and airport development loans under s. 234.63 (3), 2007 stats., for the purpose of paying all or a portion of authority costs as the authority determines are reasonable and as approved by the authority.
SECTION 24. 234.08 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.08 (1) The authority may issue its negotiable notes and bonds in such principal amount, as, in the opinion of the authority, is necessary to provide sufficient funds for achieving its corporate purposes, including the purchase of certain mortgages and securities and the making of secured loans for low- and moderate-income housing, for the rehabilitation of existing structures and for the construction of facilities appurtenant thereto as provided in this chapter; for the making of secured loans to assist eligible elderly homeowners in paying property taxes and special assessments; for the payment of interest on notes and bonds of the authority during construction; for the awarding of airport development loans under s. 234.63 (3); for the establishment of reserves to secure such notes and bonds; for the provision of moneys for the housing development fund in order to make temporary loans to sponsors of housing projects as provided in this chapter; and for all other expenditures of the authority incident to and necessary or convenient to carry out its corporate purposes and powers.
SECTION 25. 234.265 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.265 (2) Records or portions of records consisting of personal or financial information provided by a person seeking a grant or loan under s. 234.63, 2007 stats., or s. 234.04, 234.08, 234.49, 234.59, 234.61, 234.63, 234.65, 234.67, 234.83, 234.84, 234.90, 234.905, 234.907, or 234.91, seeking a loan under ss. 234.621 to 234.626, seeking financial assistance under s. 234.66, 2005 stats., seeking investment of funds under s. 234.03 (18m), or in which the authority has invested funds under s. 234.03 (18m), unless the person consents to disclosure of the information.
SECTION 26. 234.40 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.40 (4) The limitations established in ss. 234.18, 234.50, 234.60, 234.61, 234.63, and 234.65 are not applicable to bonds issued under the authority of this section. The authority may not have outstanding at any one time bonds for veterans housing loans in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $61,945,000, excluding bonds being issued to refund outstanding bonds.
SECTION 27. 234.50 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.50 (4) The limitations established in ss. 234.18, 234.40, 234.60, 234.61, 234.63, and 234.65 are not applicable to bonds issued under the authority of this section. The authority may not have outstanding at any one time bonds for housing rehabilitation loans in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100,000,000, excluding bonds being issued to refund outstanding bonds. The authority shall consult with and coordinate the issuance of bonds with the building commission prior to the issuance of bonds.
SECTION 28. 234.60 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.60 (2) The limitations in ss. 234.18, 234.40, 234.50, 234.61, 234.63, and 234.65 do not apply to bonds or notes issued under this section.
SECTION 29. 234.61 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
234.61 (1) Upon the authorization of the department of health services, the authority may issue bonds or notes and make loans for the financing of housing projects which are residential facilities as defined in s. 46.28 (1) (d) and the development costs of those housing projects, if the department of health services has approved the residential facilities for financing under s. 46.28 (2). The limitations in ss. 234.18, 234.40, 234.50, 234.60, 234.63, and 234.65 do not apply to bonds or notes issued under this section. The definition of "nonprofit corporation" in s. 234.01 (9) does not apply to this section.
SECTION 30. 234.63 of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 31. 560.605 (2m) (g) of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 32. 560.605 (7) (e) of the statutes is repealed.
SECTION 33. Subchapter VI (title) of chapter 560 [precedes 560.70] of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
CHAPTER 560
SUBCHAPTER VI
TAX INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT IN WISCONSIN
SECTION 34. 560.70 (2g) of the statutes is created to read:
560.70 (2g) "Eligible activity" means an activity described under s. 560.702.
SECTION 35. 560.70 (2m) of the statutes is renumbered 560.70 (2m) (a) and amended to read:
560.70 (2m) (a) "Full Except as provided in par. (b), "full-time job" means a regular, nonseasonal full-time position in which an individual, as a condition of employment, is required to work at least 2,080 hours per year, including paid leave and holidays, and for which the individual receives pay that is equal to at least 150% of the federal minimum wage and benefits that are not required by federal or state law. "Full-time job" does not include initial training before an employment position begins.
SECTION 36. 560.70 (2m) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
560.70 (2m) (b) The department may by rule specify circumstances under which the department may grant exceptions to the requirement under par. (a) that a full-time job means a job in which an individual, as a condition of employment, is required to work at least 2,080 hours per year, but under no circumstances may a full-time job mean a job in which an individual, as a condition of employment, is required to work less than 37.5 hours per week.
SECTION 37. 560.70 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:
560.70 (4m) "Member of a targeted group" means a person who resides in an area designated by the federal government as an economic revitalization area, a person who is employed in an unsubsidized job but meets the eligibility requirements under s. 49.145 (2) and (3) for a Wisconsin Works employment position, a person who is employed in a trial job, as defined in s. 49.141 (1) (n), or in a real work, real pay project position under s. 49.147 (3m), a person who is eligible for child care assistance under s. 49.155, a person who is a vocational rehabilitation referral, an economically disadvantaged youth, an economically disadvantaged veteran, a supplemental security income recipient, a general assistance recipient, an economically disadvantaged ex-convict, a dislocated worker, as defined in 29 USC 2801 (9), or a food stamp recipient, if the person has been certified in the manner under 26 USC 51 (d) (13) (A) by a designated local agency, as defined in 26 USC 51 (d) (12).
SECTION 38. 560.70 (7) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: