Title 26, Internal Revenue CodeRelease 119-110
§1394 Tax-exempt Enterprise Zone Facility Bonds
Title 26 › Subtitle A — Income Taxes › CHAPTER 1 — NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES › Subchapter U — Designation and Treatment of Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, and Rural Development Investment Areas › PART II — TAX-EXEMPT FACILITY BONDS FOR EMPOWERMENT ZONES AND ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES › § 1394
Summary
Lets governments issue tax-free bonds when 95 percent or more of the money raised will pay for an "enterprise zone facility." An enterprise zone facility means qualified zone property mainly used by a business that is an "enterprise zone business," plus land that is tied to that property. "Qualified zone property" follows the rules in section 1397D but with two changes: it counts enterprise communities like empowerment zones, and it uses an amount equal to 15 percent of the property's adjusted basis for one of the tests. An "enterprise zone business" follows the rules in section 1397C with changes that let businesses in enterprise communities qualify, treat certain employees who live in nearby low-income areas as zone residents for tests, allow a startup period if the business is expected to qualify and tries in good faith, and let a business stay qualified after testing if at least 35 percent of its employees live in an empowerment zone, enterprise community, or a qualified low-income community (with some exceptions). A "qualified low-income community" is a census tract with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent or with median family income at or below 80 percent (85 percent in certain high-migration rural counties) of the state or metro area median. The law also defines short terms like the startup period, the testing period (the first 3 taxable years after startup), and the local government that nominated the area. There are money limits and rules. A person cannot have more than $3,000,000 of outstanding enterprise zone facility bonds tied to any one empowerment zone or enterprise community, or more than $20,000,000 total for all such areas. Buying land or existing buildings is allowed. If a project stops meeting the rules, the issuer can avoid penalty if they tried in good faith and fixed the problem quickly. But interest on the bonds is not deductible for the time after a facility mostly stops being used in a zone or its main user stops being an enterprise zone business, starting at the first day of the calendar year that includes the change. That penalty does not apply just because a zone’s official designation ended or because of bankruptcy. Special rules apply for empowerment zone bonds: they are not treated as private activity bonds and are not subject to the $3,000,000/$20,000,000 limits if the local nominating government designates them. Designation limits per zone are $60,000,000 for rural zones, $130,000,000 for urban zones under 100,000 people, and $230,000,000 for urban zones with 100,000 or more. Refunding bonds can keep the designation if they meet narrow conditions. For some rules, which empowerment zones count depends on whether the bonds were issued before January 1, 2002 or after December 31, 2001.
Full Legal Text
Title 26, §1394
Internal Revenue Code, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In general
For purposes of part IV of subchapter B of this chapter (relating to tax exemption requirements for State and local bonds), the term “exempt facility bond” includes any bond issued as part of an issue 95 percent or more of the net proceeds (as defined in section 150(a)(3)) of which are to be used to provide any enterprise zone facility.
(b)Enterprise zone facility
For purposes of this section
(1) In general
(2)Qualified zone property
The term “qualified zone property” has the meaning given such term by section 1397D; except that—
(A)the references to empowerment zones shall be treated as including references to enterprise communities, and
(B)section 1397D(a)(2) shall be applied by substituting “an amount equal to 15 percent of the adjusted basis” for “an amount equal to the adjusted basis”.
(3)Enterprise zone business
(A)In general
Except as modified in this paragraph, the term “enterprise zone business” has the meaning given such term by section 1397C.
(B)Modifications
In applying section 1397C for purposes of this section— (i) Businesses in enterprise communities eligible
(ii)Waiver of requirements during startup period
A business shall not fail to be treated as an enterprise zone business during the startup period if—
(I)as of the beginning of the startup period, it is reasonably expected that such business will be an enterprise zone business (as defined in section 1397C as modified by this paragraph) at the end of such period, and
(II)such business makes bona fide efforts to be such a business.
(iii)Reduced requirements after testing period
A business shall not fail to be treated as an enterprise zone business for any taxable year beginning after the testing period by reason of failing to meet any requirement of subsection (b) or (c) of section 1397C if at least 35 percent of the employees of such business for such year are residents of an empowerment zone, an enterprise community, or a qualified low-income community within an applicable nominating jurisdiction. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any business which is not a qualified business by reason of paragraph (1), (4), or (5) of section 1397C(d).
(C)Qualified low-income community
For purposes of subparagraph (B)—
(i)In general
The term “qualified low-income community” means any population census tract if—
(I)the poverty rate for such tract is at least 20 percent, or
(II)the median family income for such tract does not exceed 80 percent of statewide median family income (or, in the case of a tract located within a metropolitan area, metropolitan area median family income if greater).
Subclause (II) shall be applied using possessionwide median family income in the case of census tracts located within a possession of the United States.
(ii)Targeted populations
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations under which 1 or more targeted populations (within the meaning of section 103(20) of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994) may be treated as qualified low-income communities.
(iii)Areas not within census tracts
In the case of an area which is not tracted for population census tracts, the equivalent county divisions (as defined by the Bureau of the Census for purposes of defining poverty areas) shall be used for purposes of determining poverty rates and median family income.
(iv)Modification of income requirement for census tracts within high migration rural counties
(I)In general
In the case of a population census tract located within a high migration rural county, clause (i)(II) shall be applied to areas not located within a metropolitan area by substituting “85 percent” for “80 percent”.
(II)High migration rural county
For purposes of this clause, the term “high migration rural county” means any county which, during the 20-year period ending with the year in which the most recent census was conducted, has a net out-migration of inhabitants from the county of at least 10 percent of the population of the county at the beginning of such period.
(D)Other definitions relating to subparagraph (B)
For purposes of subparagraph (B)—
(i)Startup period
The term “startup period” means, with respect to any property being provided for any business, the period before the first taxable year beginning more than 2 years after the later of— (I)
(II)the date such property is first placed in service after such issuance (or, if earlier, the date which is 3 years after the date described in subclause (I)).
(ii)Testing period
The term “testing period” means the first 3 taxable years beginning after the startup period.
(iii)Applicable nominating jurisdiction
The term “applicable nominating jurisdiction” means, with respect to any empowerment zone or enterprise community, any local government that nominated such community for designation under section 1391.
(E)Portions of business may be enterprise zone business
The term “enterprise zone business” includes any trades or businesses which would qualify as an enterprise zone business (determined after the modifications of subparagraph (B)) if such trades or businesses were separately incorporated.
(c)Limitation on amount of bonds
(1)In general
Subsection (a) shall not apply to any issue if the aggregate amount of outstanding enterprise zone facility bonds allocable to any person (taking into account such issue) exceeds—
(A)$3,000,000 with respect to any 1 empowerment zone or enterprise community, or
(B)$20,000,000 with respect to all empowerment zones and enterprise communities.
(2)Aggregate enterprise zone facility bond benefit
For purposes of paragraph (1), the aggregate amount of outstanding enterprise zone facility bonds allocable to any person shall be determined under rules similar to the rules of section 144(a)(10), taking into account only bonds to which subsection (a) applies.
(d)Acquisition of land and existing property permitted
The requirements of section 147(c)(1)(A) and 147(d) shall not apply to any bond described in subsection (a).
(e)Penalty for ceasing to meet requirements
(1)Failures corrected
An issue which fails to meet 1 or more of the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) shall be treated as meeting such requirements if—
(A)the issuer and any principal user in good faith attempted to meet such requirements, and
(B)any failure to meet such requirements is corrected within a reasonable period after such failure is first discovered.
(2)Loss of deductions where facility ceases to be qualified
No deduction shall be allowed under this chapter for interest on any financing provided from any bond to which subsection (a) applies with respect to any facility to the extent such interest accrues during the period beginning on the first day of the calendar year which includes the date on which—
(A)substantially all of the facility with respect to which the financing was provided ceases to be used in an empowerment zone or enterprise community, or
(B)the principal user of such facility ceases to be an enterprise zone business (as defined in subsection (b)).
(3)Exception if zone ceases
Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply solely by reason of the termination or revocation of a designation as an empowerment zone or an enterprise community.
(4)Exception for bankruptcy
Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to any cessation resulting from bankruptcy.
(f)Bonds for empowerment zones
(1)In general
In the case of an empowerment zone facility bond—
(A)such bond shall not be treated as a private activity bond for purposes of section 146, and
(B)subsection (c) of this section shall not apply.
(2)Limitation on amount of bonds
(A)In general
Paragraph (1) shall apply to an empowerment zone facility bond only if such bond is designated for purposes of this subsection by the local government which nominated the area to which such bond relates.
(B)Limitation on bonds designated
The aggregate face amount of bonds which may be designated under subparagraph (A) with respect to any empowerment zone shall not exceed—
(i)$60,000,000 if such zone is in a rural area,
(ii)$130,000,000 if such zone is in an urban area and the zone has a population of less than 100,000, and
(iii)$230,000,000 if such zone is in an urban area and the zone has a population of at least 100,000.
(C)Special rules
(i)Coordination with limitation in subsection (c)
Bonds to which paragraph (1) applies shall not be taken into account in applying the limitation of subsection (c) to other bonds.
(ii)Current refunding not taken into account
In the case of a refunding (or series of refundings) of a bond designated under this paragraph, the refunding obligation shall be treated as designated under this paragraph (and shall not be taken into account in applying subparagraph (B)) if—
(I)the amount of the refunding bond does not exceed the outstanding amount of the refunded bond, and
(II)the refunded bond is redeemed not later than 90 days after the date of issuance of the refunding bond.
(3)Empowerment zone facility bond
For purposes of this subsection, the term “empowerment zone facility bond” means any bond which would be described in subsection (a) if—
(A)in the case of obligations issued before January 1, 2002, only empowerment zones designated under section 1391(g) were taken into account under section 1397C and 1397D, and
(B)in the case of obligations issued after December 31, 2001, all empowerment zones (other than the District of Columbia Enterprise Zone) were taken into account under section 1397C and 1397D.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
section 103(20) of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(C)(ii), is classified to section 4702(20) of Title 12, Banks and Banking.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1394, added Pub. L. 95–600, title VI, § 601(a), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2895; amended Pub. L. 96–595, § 3(a)(6)–(8), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3465, related to rules applicable to distributions of an electing general stock ownership corporation, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–514, title XIII, § 1303(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2658. A prior section 1395, added Pub. L. 95–600, title VI, § 601(a), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2895, related to adjustment to basis of stock of shareholders, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–514, title XIII, § 1303(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2658.
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i)(II). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted “subsections” for “subsection”. 2015—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 114–113, § 171(b), designated existing provisions as subcl. (I), inserted heading, substituted “Except as provided in subclause (II), references” for “References”, and added subcl. (II). Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 114–113, § 171(d)(1), substituted “, an enterprise community, or a qualified low-income community within an applicable nominating jurisdiction” for “or an enterprise community”. Subsec. (b)(3)(C). Pub. L. 114–113, § 171(c)(1), added subpar. (C). Former subpar. (C) redesignated (D). Subsec. (b)(3)(D). Pub. L. 114–113, § 171(c)(1), (d)(2), redesignated subpar. (C) as (D) and substituted “Other definitions” for “Definitions” in heading. Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E). Subsec. (b)(3)(D)(iii). Pub. L. 114–113, § 171(c)(2), added cl. (iii). Subsec. (b)(3)(E). Pub. L. 114–113, § 171(c)(1), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E). 2014—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–295, § 220(o), struck out “designated under section 1391(g)” after “empowerment zones” in heading. Subsec. (f)(1), (2)(A). Pub. L. 113–295, § 220(p), substituted “an empowerment zone facility bond” for “a new empowerment zone facility bond”. 2002—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 107–147 substituted “paragraph (1)” for “subparagraph (A)”. 2000—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title I, § 116(b)(3)(A)], substituted “section 1397D” for “section 1397C” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title I, § 116(b)(3)(B)], substituted “section 1397D(a)(2)” for “section 1397C(a)(2)”. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title I, § 116(b)(4)(A)], substituted “section 1397C” for “section 1397B” wherever appearing. Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title I, § 116(b)(4)(B)], substituted “section 1397C(d)” for “section 1397B(d)”. Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title I, § 115(a)], amended heading and text of par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘new empowerment zone facility bond’ means any bond which would be described in subsection (a) if only empowerment zones designated under section 1391(g) were taken into account under section 1397B and 1397C.” 1997—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 105–34, § 955(b), amended heading and text of par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘qualified zone property’ has the meaning given such term by section 1397C; except that the references to empowerment zones shall be treated as including references to enterprise communities.” Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 105–34, § 955(b), amended heading and text of par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘enterprise zone business’ has the meaning given to such term by section 1397B, except that— “(A) references to empowerment zones shall be treated as including references to enterprise communities, and “(B) such term includes any trades or businesses which would qualify as an enterprise zone business (determined after the modification of subparagraph (A)) if such trades or businesses were separately incorporated.” Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–34, § 953(a), added subsec. (f). 1996—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 104–188, which directed that par. (2) be amended by striking “(i)” and inserting “(A)” and by striking “(ii)” and inserting “(B)”, could not be executed, because par. (2) contained neither “(i)” nor “(ii)”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2015 Amendment Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title I, § 171(e)(2), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3071, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by subsections (b), (c), and (d) [amending this section] shall apply to bonds issued after December 31, 2015.”
Effective Date
of 2000 Amendment Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title I, § 115(b)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–602, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to obligations issued after December 31, 2001.” Amendment by section 1(a)(7) [title I, § 116(b)(3), (4)] of Pub. L. 106–554 applicable to qualified empowerment zone assets acquired after Dec. 21, 2000, see section 1(a)(7) [title I, § 116(c)] of Pub. L. 106–554, set out as a note under section 1016 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1997 Amendment Pub. L. 105–34, title IX, § 953(b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 888, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to obligations issued after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 5, 1997].” Pub. L. 105–34, title IX, § 955(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 890, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to obligations issued after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 5, 1997].”
Effective Date
of 1996 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 104–188 effective as if included in the provision of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993, Pub. L. 103–66, §§ 13001–13444, to which such amendment relates, see section 1703(o) of Pub. L. 104–188, set out as a note under section 39 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
26 U.S.C. § 1394
Title 26, Internal Revenue Code
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110