Upload
others
View
2
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
September 4, 2018 www.novoco.com
Benefits and Overview of Nonprofits
Participating in LIHTC Partnershipsfor the Florida Housing Coalition Conference
Christina ApostolidisPartner, Naples, FL
[email protected] & Company LLP
Agenda
Benefits of using LIHTCs and Overview
Safe Harbor Rules for Nonprofit Organizations in Affordable Housing
Structure and Partnership Agreements
Protecting the Credit
Life after LIHTC
Brief discussion on Tax Reform and the LIHTC Industry
September 4, 2018 www.novoco.com
Affordable Housing Overview
DEBT
InvestorTax Liability
Section 42
“Low-Income Housing Tax Credit”
Developer/Owner
x 10 years
• Income limits• Rent limits• Suitability for Occupancy
• Partnership• LLC• S-Corp
Tax Liability
DEBT
Total Project Costs
Equity
4mil130%
5.2mil100%
5.2mil
6mil130%
7.8mil75%
5.85mil
$x$x$
$x$
$x$x$
$x$
Ineligible costs:• Land• Marketing• P’ship org. costs• Commercial property• Off-site improvements*
Total Project Costs
$10.8mil $800k
Eligible basisDDA/QCT basis boostEligible basis (adjusted)Applicable fractionQualified basis
Annual tax creditsTen yearsTotal tax credits
Eligible Basis = $10mil
BA
468k10
4.68mil
527k10
5.27mil
See IRC § 42(b)
$8.46M
$10.8 Mil
Equity 78%
x
4mil130%
5.2mil100%
5.2mil
468k10
4.68mil
6mil130%
7.8mil75%
5.85mil
527k10
5.27mil
$x$x$
$x$
$x$x$
$x$
Eligible basisDDA/QCT basis boostEligible basis (adjusted)Applicable fractionQualified basis
Annual tax creditsTen yearsTotal tax credits
BA
Total Project Costs
Benefits of using LIHTCs
• How can LIHTCs help you further your mission?
• What assets do you have to make a deal work?
September 4, 2018 www.novoco.com
Safe Harbor Test for Low-Income Housing Organizations
• A low-income housing organization seeking 501(c)(3) charitable status, can either qualify using a facts and circumstances test or, more easily, by satisfying the following 4-part test (Rev. Proc. 96-32):– Minimum percentage tests;– Actual occupancy requirements;– Affordable to charitable beneficiaries; and– Special requirements for multiple building projects.
Minimum Set-Aside Test
• For each project, at least 75% of the units are occupied by residents that qualify as low-income (80% of the area’s median income (AMI) and either– 20% @ 50% - at least 20% of the units are occupied by
residents with incomes at or below 50% of AMI, or
– 40% @ 60% - 40% of the units are occupied by residents that do not exceed 60% of AMI (or 120% of Very Low Income).
• Similar to Section 42 – the 20% @50% and 40% @ 60% tests match the minimum set-aside requirements for LIHTC. However, the overall requirement that 75% of units must be rented to people at or below 80% of AMI is an additional requirement.
LIHTC Minimum Set-Aside = 40 at 60
Minimum Percentage Tests
Min. Set-Aside for 501(c)(3) status = 75 at 80
Safe Harbor*
*Rev. Proc. 96-32 identifies 10 factors to evaluate in determining whether a nonprofit entity is serving its charitable purpose even if safe harbor requirements are not met
LIHTC Minimum Set-Aside = 40 at 60
Minimum Percentage Tests
Min. Set-Aside for 501(c)(3) status = 75 at 80
Additional facts and circumstancesA substantially greater percentage than required by the safe harbor of residents with incomes up to 120 percent of the area’s very low-income limit
“ ”(60% of AMI)
Safe Harbor
Actual Occupancy Requirements• The project must actually be occupied by poor and distressed
residents.
• A reasonable Transition Period is permitted for the organization to place the project in service.– Reasonableness is determined by all facts and circumstances.
• If a project does not require substantial construction or rehabilitation, 1 year is generally considered reasonable.
• If a project operates under a government program that permits a longer period, that longer period governs.
• Next Available Unit Rule – The safe harbor will continue to be met even if a resident’s income increases, but only if– the resident’s income does not exceed 140% applicable income limit or
– the next comparable non-qualifying unit is rented to someone under the qualifying income limits.
– Same as the LIHTC Next Available Unit Rule
LIHTC Available Unit Rule Search
Tax credits. Simplified.
Affordable to Charitable Beneficiaries
• The housing is affordable to charitable beneficiaries (low-income and very low-income individuals).
– This requirement is ordinarily satisfied by the adoption of a rental policy or mortgage policy that complies with government-imposed rental restrictions or mortgage limitations.
– In practice, renting to tenants at 30% of the applicable AMI percentage (30% of 50% or 30% of 60%) is deemed charitable.
Special Requirements for Multiple Buildings Projects
• Generally, if a project has multiple buildings and each building does not meet the first 3 prongs of the 4-part test, the buildings must share the same grounds.
• Exception: this prong is not required if the units are– individual homes or apartments located at scattered sites in a
community and
– provided exclusively to families with income at or below 80% of the area’s median income.
Other Charitable Purposes Can Qualify
• Renting to low-income persons is not the only qualifying charitable purpose. Other charitable purposes include
– Combating Community Deterioration
– Lessening the burdens of government
– Elimination of Discrimination and Prejudice
– Lessening Neighborhood Tensions
– Relief of the Distress of the Elderly or Physically Handicapped
Developer/Owner
GP
Fund LP
Non-Profit
GP
P’ship
Developer/Owner
GPNon-Profit
GP
Investor(s)
Fund LP
P’ship
Typical Ownership Structure
P’ship
Owner/Borrower Entity
Developer/Owner
GPFund LP
Typical Ownership Structure with Non-Profit MGP
P’ship
Owner/Borrower Entity
For-Profit
GPFund LPNon-Profit
GPManaging Administrative
Developer Fee
P’ship
Owner/Borrower Entity
For-Profit
GPFund LPNon-Profit
GP
Tax Credits, Profits, and Losses
99.99% 0.001% 0.009%
Managing Administrative
Allocation of Tax Benefits (including Tax Credits)
Residual Annual Cash
Flow10.00% Fixed Fee Prior to
Residual Allocation 90.00%
P’ship
Owner/Borrower Entity
For-Profit
GPFund LPNon-Profit
GP
Tax Credits, Profits, and Losses
99.99% 0.001% 0.009%
Managing Administrative
Allocation of Cash Flow
Residual Sale and Refinance
Proceeds10.00% 90.00%
Residual Annual Cash
Flow99.99% Fixed Fee Prior to
Residual Allocation 00.01%
P’ship
Owner/Borrower Entity
For-Profit
GPFund LPNon-Profit
GP
Tax Credits, Profits, and Losses
99.99% 0.001% 0.009%
Managing Administrative
Allocation of Sale and Refinance Proceeds
Note: Residual annual cash flow and sale proceeds are negotiable
• Operating Cash Flow = NOI less (Debt Service and Lender Reserves)
– Fixed Asset Management Fee to tax credit investor – Fixed MGP Fee if Nonprofit included in ownership structure– Investor Loan Recovery (if operating loans made)– Deferred Developer Fee– GP Loan Recovery (if operating loans made)– Incentive Management Fee to Sponsor/General Partner
• 90% – Balance according to ownership interests
• 99.99% to Investor• 00.01% to Sponsor/General Partner
Limited Partnership Provisions during Operations:Cash Flow Waterfall
JOINT VENTURING WITH FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
• Factors to consider when partnering with a For-Profit
– Experience requirement
– Development activities and negotiating the developer fee
– Cash Flow splits
– Liability exposure
JOINT VENTURING WITH FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
• Nonprofit assets – must be used EXCLUSIVELY for charitable purposes
• The IRS is very concerned when nonprofit organizations joint venture with for-profit organizations. – This creates the possibility that the charity’s assets will
benefit the for-profit.
$2
Mill
ions
$10
Construction
Lease up
Perm Loan Closing
Compliance PeriodTax Credit Period
CreditsRemaining
Potential Recapture + Interest
Debt Balance
NOI
Risk
$10 Mil LIHTCs
$8 Mil Equity
$2 Mil Perm Loan• 30 yr amort
• 7.0% int rate
0 17
Casualty(Fire/Hurricane/Flood)
3
1 Cost overruns,Slow lease-up,Perm loan shortage
2 Rise in operating costs,Drop in rental revenue
Fund LP
Noncompliance with tax credit rules
4
Lease up
Compliance PeriodTax Credit Period
0 17
1 Cost overruns,Slow lease-up,Perm loan shortage
Construction Fund LP
DevelopmentCompletionGuaranty
Construction
Perm Loan Closing
Compliance PeriodTax Credit Period
0 17
Lease up NOI
Fund LP
2 Rise in operating costs,Drop in rental revenue
Operating Deficit Guaranty
Construction
Lease up
Perm Loan Closing
Compliance PeriodTax Credit Period
0 17
CreditsRemaining
Potential Recapture + Interest
Risk
Fund LP
Tax Credit Guaranty(nonrecourse to Guarantor)
Possible reasons for reduction of tax credit amount:1. Reduction in eligible basis2. Rental to non-qualified occupants3. Rental rates exceeding LIHTC limits4. Noncompliance due to property condition
Noncompliance with tax credit rules
4
IRS Guidance - The Choi Memo
• Specific guidance has been issued for processing tax-exemption applications for nonprofit organizations that want to be the general partner in a partnership with a for-profit, such as an LIHTC investor.
• See Memorandum for Manager, EO Determinations from Robert S. Choi, Director EO Rulings and Agreements, Re: Low Income Housing Tax Credit Limited Partnerships (July 30, 2007)
http://www.novoco.com/low_income_housing/resource_files/irs_rulings/memorandums/choi_memo_073007.pdf
IRS Requirements to Process Application
• Limited Partnership Agreement or LLC Operating Agreement must specify that the LP or LLC will operate
– housing that it owns in a manner that furthers charitable purposes by
– providing decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing for low income
– persons and families (including the elderly or physically handicapped, where appropriate).
Choi Memo
Charitable Purpose Prevails
• Partnership/Operating Agreement must provide that in the event of a conflict between
– the obligations of the nonprofit (in its capacity as general partner or managing member) to operate the LP or LLC in a manner consistent with such charitable purpose, and
– any duty to maximize profits for the limited partners or other members,
the charitable purposes contained in the LP agreement or the LLC governing documents will prevail.
Choi Memo
Must have a Conflict of Interest Policy
• Nonprofit must adopt a conflict of interest policy to protect the Nonprofit ’s interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might result in an excess benefit transaction or might benefit the private interests of the applicant’s officers, directors, trustees or its partners.
• The sample conflict of interest contained in the Instructions for Form 1023, or a similar conflict of interest policy, may be adopted.
Choi Memo
Protecting the Nonprofit
• Must limit the Nonprofit’s financial exposure as General Partner in case the Project doesn’t go forward as planned. A number of protections are listed, but alternative protections can be used if shown to protect the Nonprofit– Must have an independent Phase I environmental
report on the proposed project and exercise due diligence to minimize any risk before entering into any agreements for any environmental indemnification.
Choi Memo
Protecting the NonprofitMore financial protections
• Must have a fixed price construction contract with a bonded contractor or one that has a letter of credit
• Operating Deficit Guarantees must be limited either to:– Not more than 5 years from break-even operations, or– 6 months of operating expenses (including debt service)
Choi Memo
Protecting the NonprofitMore financial protections
• Must have a fixed price construction contract with a bonded contractor or one that has a letter of credit
• Operating Deficit Guarantees must be limited either to:– Not more than 5 years from break-even operations, or– 6 months of operating expenses (including debt service)
Choi Memo
Protecting the NonprofitLimits on Credit Adjusters
• If the Nonprofit is obligated to make adjuster payments to the LIHTC investor, such payments must be limited:– Not exceed the amount of developer fee and other fees
that the Nonprofit is entitled to, or
– Provide that payments of adjusters will be treated as capital contributions or a loan which takes priority over any other distribution of residual assets upon sale or refinancing
Choi Memo
Protecting the NonprofitNonprofit Right of First Refusal
• The Nonprofit must get the Section 42 Right of First Refusal (ROFR)
– ROFR purchase price cannot be less than debt plus exit taxes
Choi Memo
Protecting the NonprofitRepurchase Price Limitations
• LIHTC Partnership agreements frequently provide that the Investor can require that its interest be repurchased by the General Partner for failure to meet certain critical items, such as failure to qualify for LIHTC.
• Limitation – the LIHTC investor cannot receive more than its capital account from the Nonprofit.
Choi Memo
Protecting the NonprofitConsent Limitations
• LIHTC Investors can have consent rights• Examples of consent right matters:
– sale or refinancing of the LIHTC project; – admission of a new partner or member;– acquisition of additional property; – transfer of the applicant’s interest in the limited partnership or limited
liability company; (v) borrowing substantial additional funds; – entering into contracts with affiliated entities; – amendment of the limited partnership agreement or
operating agreement; – change of accountant or property manager; and/or – approval of annual budget
Choi Memo
Protecting the NonprofitLimitations on GP Removal
• The LIHTC Investor’s right to remove the Nonprofit General Partner should only be for cause.
• Partnership Agreement must provide the Nonprofit General Partner with
– Written Notice of the proposed removal
– Reasonable Cure Period
Choi Memo
Limitations on Choi Memo
• The Memo does not attempt to apply itself to already existing nonprofits. On its face the Memo is limited to situations where tax-exempt applications will be processed.
– Some large pre-existing nonprofits feel comfortable operating outside the Choi memo.
• The Memo does not attempt to list the full extent of what Nonprofits, only gives a safe harbor, that if complied with, will get an application for tax-exemption processed
• However, the Choi Memo has been added to the Internal Revenue Manual which is generally used by the IRS.
– It has also been cited in one audit which was settled.
Choi Memo
Protecting the Credit: Tax Credit & Compliance Period
x %
x %
6,250,00080
5,000,0009
450,000
Eligible Basisx Applicable FractionQualified Basisx Tax Credit PercentageAnnual LIHTCs
Protecting the Credit: What is Recapture?
• Casualty loss• Reconfiguring space• Disrepair• Building disposition
• Over-income tenants• Bad files• Rent too high• Violate Available Unit Rule, Full-Time Student Rule, Vacant Unit Rule
Protecting the Credit: What is Recapture?
• Casualty loss• Reconfiguring space• Disrepair• Building disposition
• Over-income tenants• Bad files• Rent too high• Violate Available Unit Rule, Full-Time Student Rule, Vacant Unit Rule
Protecting the Credit: What is Recapture?
• Option to buyout LP in Year 15 – non-profits (as GP)
– Nonprofits can have option price of:
• Partnership debt +
• Taxes (i.e. exit taxes)
(Great Deal! If taxes don’t exist, then just assume debt!)
– Technically supposed to be right of refusal; often worded as an option though
– Very important to monitor, manage, and babysit the LP’s capital account, to make sure it doesn’t head negative
Life after LIHTC period:Option to Buyout LP In Year 15
Tax Reform and LIHTC Industry
• Reduction in corporate tax rate makes the LIHTC less valuable to investors
• Business Interest Limitations & Depreciable Lives• Bonus Depreciation• Opportunity Zones
September 4, 2018 www.novoco.com