Policy Issues
OPPORTUNITY ZONES
ISSUE
An Opportunity Zone is a low-income, economically-distressed
community where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for
preferential tax treatment. The tax
benefits can include the deferral of tax on invested capital and the exclusion
of capital gains tax on fund investments held for 10 years or more.
Explore an interactive map of all Opportunity Zones from the Economic Innovation Group.
Position
The Treasury Department’s final Opportunity
Zone implementing regulations should seek to spur economic
growth and opportunity by maximizing the flow of real estate investment,
capital, and jobs into the designated communities. The ability of Opportunity
Zones to unlock private capital for real estate investment will be a principal
determinant of the program’s effectiveness.
As Roundtable President Jeffrey DeBoer has noted, "[f]or real
estate, the proposed regulations are unquestionably positive. They clarify key
technical questions and open issues, and they should allow investments in funds
and in underlying projects to go forward. While some important questions
remain, we continue to believe that the Opportunity Zone program will be a
powerful catalyst for transformational real estate investment in these
designated low-income areas." (Roundtable
Weekly, Oct, 26, 2018)
The Roundtable is actively working with Congress and the Treasury
to answer critical questions, address concerns, and expedite the final rulemaking
process. The TPAC Opportunity Zone Working Group has an ongoing, active dialogue
with government officials to help ensure the program fulfills its ambitious
objectives of stimulating economic development and job creation in low-income
communities.
Background
Congress created Opportunity Zones in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to encourage long-term, capital investment in economically struggling, low-income communities. Opportunity Funds must invest in tangible business property located in a qualifying zone. Such property can include real estate. Tax benefits are tied to the investment holding period. The capital gain on an Opportunity Fund investment is excluded from tax altogether if the asset is held for 10 years or more.
The Treasury Department in June designated more than 8,700 low-income census tracts in the United States, Puerto Rico, and territories as qualified Opportunity Zones. (Explore an interactive map of OZs from the Economic Innovation Group.)
In October, Treasury issued Proposed Regulations governing the new "Opportunity Zone" investment program. The potential for the program to spur productive real estate investment in struggling, low-income communities – is the focus of an Oct. 26 GlobeSt.com interview with Real Estate Roundtable President & CEO Jeffrey DeBoer and Roundtable SVP and Counsel Ryan McCormick.
Some capital has remained on the sidelines as taxpayers wait for additional guidance on how the program will work for investors and funds alike.
In April 2019, Treasury released a highly anticipated second set of proposed regulations on Opportunity Zones. The rules expanded on the previously proposed regulations and favorably addressed a variety of Opportunity Zone investment issues. (Roundtable Weekly, April 2019)
In July 2019, the Roundtable submitted a third comment letter encouraging government officials to include 10 key clarifications in the final Opportunity Zone regulations. (Comment Letter)
RELATED CONTENT
-
June 5, 2020
IRS Issues Pandemic-Related Relief for Opportunity Zone Investors and Funds
-
May 15, 2020
Industry Coalition Urges Congress to Consider Opportunity Zone Rule Changes to Spur Investment in Hard-Hit Communities
-
December 20, 2019
Final Opportunity Zones Regulations Remove Uncertainty, Should Mobilize Real Estate Investment in Low-Income Communities
Other Resources


