Bills › 90th General Assembly

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedFebruary 22, 2024
  2. Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 22, 2024
  3. Done: House committeeMarch 13, 2024
  4. Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 2660
  5. Next: Senate committee
  6. Next: Passes the Senate
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Became HF 2660 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2660 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary People doing agriscience research can now get a tax credit that was previously unavailable to those in agricultural production. This change allows researchers to claim money back for their work to help encourage more science activities in Iowa. The new rule applies to tax years starting on or after January 1, 2017.1

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to eligibility for claiming the research activities tax credit available against the individual and corporate income tax. Under current law, a person engaged in agricultural production as defined in Code section 423.1(5), is not eligible for claiming the research activities tax credit. However, the bill specifies a person conducting agriscience research is eligible to claim the research activities tax credit and is not considered agricultural production for purposes of the tax credit. The calculation of the tax credit is based upon increasing research activities in the state and is refundable. The bill defines “agriscience research”. The bill applies retroactively to January 1, 2017, for tax years beginning on or after that date.

Full bill text2

House subcommittee

Named February 22, 2024. On March 5, 2024 it recommended passage. Vote Total: 3-0.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Fiscal note

AI summary This bill allows agriscience research to qualify for the Research Activities Tax Credit. It is projected to decrease net General Fund revenue by $37.7 million in fiscal year 2024, $48.3 million in fiscal year 2025, $28.0 million in fiscal year 2026, $16.5 million in fiscal year 2027, $13.7 million in fiscal year 2028, and $13.0 million in fiscal year 2029.3

Read the fiscal note

Description

House File 2660 includes agriscience research as an eligible activity for claiming the Research Activities Tax Credit (RAC) and defines “agriscience research.”

The Bill applies retroactively to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2017.

Background

2018 Iowa Acts, chapter 1161 (Income and Sales Tax Modification Act), made changes to the RAC that restricted the types of industries eligible for the credit, which were retroactively effective to tax year (TY) 2017. Iowa Code chapter 422 details the RAC, which is available to claim against the individual income tax and corporate income tax for qualified research activities in the State. There is currently an exclusion from the RAC for persons engaged in agricultural production as defined in Iowa Code section 423.1. The Bill redefines “agriscience research” to include qualified research activities in the areas of animal science, veterinary medicine, nutritional science, or genetic science that may be eligible to claim the RAC. From FY 2019 to FY 2023, approximately $294.9 million in credits was claimed against the State individual income and corporate income taxes.

Assumptions

  • The Bill makes no provision to allow tax returns to be amended beyond the standard three-year amendment period in current law, according to the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR). Therefore, it is assumed that tax years prior to TY 2020 would not have amendments filed.
  • It is assumed that $24.3 million in pending tax credit appeals filed with the IDR is included in this fiscal analysis, which includes pending appeals from tax years beginning in TY 2017.
  • The initial fiscal impact of the Bill will occur in FY 2024 due to amended tax returns.
  • The tax credit is fully refundable for tax years beginning prior to January 1, 2023.
  • According to the IDR, aggregate tax credit claims will increase by $21.9 million for TY 2020 based on appeals filed with the IDR.
  • Tax credits due to the Bill will increase at a rate of 2.9% based on historical claim data.
  • For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, any refundable portion of the tax credit is limited to a percentage of the excess of the tax liability as follows: 70.0% for tax years beginning in 2023, 65.0% for tax years beginning in 2024, 60.0% for tax years beginning in 2025, 55.0% for tax years beginning in 2026, and 50.0% for tax years beginning in 2027 or later.
  • The tax credit is refundable and will have no impact on the income surtax for schools.
  • According to the IDR, it is assumed that 94.7% of the tax credits will be claimed, with the timing of claims indicated below:
  • Year 0 = 0.0%
  • Year 1 = 10.1%
  • Year 2 = 50.4%
  • Year 3 = 28.8%
  • Year 4 = 3.0%
  • Year 5 = 2.4%

Fiscal Impact

The proposed expansion of the RAC in House File 2660 is projected to decrease net General Fund revenue by the following amounts each fiscal year:

  • FY 2024 = $37.7 million
  • FY 2025 = $48.3 million
  • FY 2026 = $28.0 million
  • FY 2027 = $16.5 million
  • FY 2028 = $13.7 million
  • FY 2029 = $13.0 million

Sources

  • Iowa Department of Revenue
  • Legislative Services Agency analysis

Reading a fiscal note4

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§422.10§422.33

How the Code works5

Lobbying

2 for · 0 against · 18 undecided · Who →

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