Biden Administration Issues FY22 Budget with Tax Policy Details; Policymakers Face Deadline on Bipartisan Infrastructure Negotiations
Congressional Briefing on Section 1031 Exchanges; ‘Stand with Cities’ Event Focuses on Economic Growth
Senate Finance Committee Advances Energy Tax Bill with Enhanced Incentive for Energy Efficient Building “Retrofits”
"Building Success" Reports on The Roundtable’s FY2018 Policy Activities in Tax, Capital and Credit, Homeland Security, Energy and Infrastructure Issue Areas
Roundtable Weekly
May 28, 2021
Budget and Infrastructure
Biden Administration Issues FY22 Budget with Tax Policy Details; Policymakers Face Deadline on Bipartisan Infrastructure Negotiations

The Biden Administration today issued its FY22 budget proposal, which serves as a benchmark of its tax policy priorities, accompanied by the Treasury Department’s “General Explanations of the Administration’s Revenue Proposals.” Meanwhile, negotiations continued this week between Senate Republicans and the White House on the scope and cost of President Biden’s multitrillion infrastructure investment proposal.

Budget Pay-fors 

  • The administration’s $6 trillion 2022 budget beginning Oct. 1 represents some of the highest levels of federal spending of the postwar era. The revenue portion of the proposal would sharply raise taxes on corporations and high-income households to fund President Biden’s infrastructure, climate change and social safety net goals. (BGov, White House Fact Sheet and budget appendix, May 28)
  • Although Congress will eventually determine final legislation that controls the federal government’s annual spending, today’s White House budget influences the debate on how to pay for its proposed programs with a variety of taxes, including:
    • An increase in the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%;
    • Nearly doubling the tax rate on long-term capital gains to 40.8% from 23.8%;
    • Limiting capital gains treatment to invested cash and disregarding other forms of risk taken by partners;
    • Limiting taxpayers’ ability to defer gain that is reinvested in property of a like-kind; and
    • Making death a taxable event at far lower levels of income and potentially taxing the unrealized gain on appreciated assets not once but twice when an individual dies.

GOP Infrastructure Counteroffer 

  • Senate Republicans yesterday outlined a $928 billion infrastructure proposal over eight years as a counteroffer to Biden’s $1.7 trillion infrastructure initiative. The GOP proposal would repurpose funds from the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief law enacted in March, an approach rejected by Democrats. The Republican proposal also includes $257 billion in new spending for traditional “hard” infrastructure such as roads, bridges and other public works. (NPR / New York Times / AP, May 27)
  • Democrats are weighing whether to advance the Biden infrastructure plan under the same “reconciliation” budget process that was used to pass the March pandemic relief package by a simple majority vote – thereby bypassing the 60-vote requirement typically needed to advance most legislation in the 50-50 Senate.
     
  • President Biden yesterday referred to the infrastructure talks, stating, “We’re going to have to close this down soon.” He added that he plans to meet next week with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), above at podium, who has led Republican policymakers in infrastructure negotiations. (Bloomberg, May 27) 
  • Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on May 25 said, “The bottom line is very simple, that it has always been our plan regardless of the vehicle to work on an infrastructure bill in July. And that’s our plan, to move forward in July.” (The Hill, May 28) 
  • Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KT) stated during a May 27 CNBC interview, “We’re open to spending some more … we’re going to keep talking.”  
  • White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki issued a May 27 statement on the Republican infrastructure proposal. “We are concerned that the proposal on how to pay for the plan remains unclear: we are worried that major cuts in COVID relief funds could imperil pending aid to small businesses, restaurants and rural hospitals using this money to get back on their feet after the crush of the pandemic.” The statement added, “As for the path forward … we will work actively with members of the House and Senate next week, so that there is a clear direction on how to advance much needed jobs legislation when Congress resumes legislative business during the week of June 7.” 

According to Axios, Senate Democrats intend to continue working on bipartisan infrastructure negotiations through the week after Memorial Day congressional recess “… then forge ahead on their own if there's no deal.” (Axios, May 24) 

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Like-Kind Exchanges And Economic Growth
Congressional Briefing on Section 1031 Exchanges; ‘Stand with Cities’ Event Focuses on Economic Growth

A broad business coalition that includes The Real Estate Roundtable held a virtual briefing this week on the economic importance of like-kind exchanges (LKEs) for members of Congress and their staff. Additionally, several Roundtable members focused on the future of urban areas and economic growth during a “Stand With Cities” webcast.

  • The May 27 briefing focused on the longstanding, positive role of like-kind exchanges in the economy and the potential negative unintended consequences of limiting section 1031. (View video of the briefing)
  • DeBoer said that as Washington policymakers consider whether and how to pay for infrastructure, clean energy, education, child care, housing and other policy goals,  various tax provisions are under consideration, including the Section 1031 exchanges. He also noted how LKEs have been used to finance economic development and support local communities for 100 years – the provision is nearly as old as the income tax itself. (Exeter, history of Section 1031)

LKE Examples & Data

  • Nadji described the practical uses of LKEs, which help small business, partnerships and family farms to reinvest profits—in this case, the capital gain earned in a real estate business or investment—on a tax-deferred basis so that a business can continue to grow. He noted that if the exchanges are restricted, it would stifle transactions and hamper the marketplace.
  • Mayor Chirico gave real-world examples of how like-kind exchanges have provided an essential tool for attracting economic investment to his community. He stated that because of 1031, Naperville was able to secure a Costco store, which has produced jobs and as much sales tax revenue as their entire downtown business district. “The halo effect of all the Mom and Pop businesses that have now occupied vacant spaces in that very worn-out and distressed area that we once had – it has now been transformed, and it happened during the pandemic,” Chirico said.
  • Professor Petrova addressed her extensive research into the macro-economic impact of LKEs with Dr. David Ling. In their recent study, “The Tax and Economic Impacts of Section 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges in Real Estate,” data shows how LKEs have helped preserve capital, allowed investors to upgrade their portfolios and make capital improvements.
  • Petrova’s research also demonstrates how elimination of LKEs would likely lead to a decrease in CRE prices, less investment in real estate, greater use of leverage and a decrease in liquidity.
  • Dr. Carroll discussed his recent study on the “ Economic contribution of the like-kind exchange rules to the US economy in 2021.” His key results focused on the positive economic activity supported by LKEs; employment supported by the exchanges, listed by industry; and taxes paid by and related to businesses that make use of Section 1031.

Stand With Cities

Like-Kind exchanges and economic growth proposals under consideration by Washington policymakers will be a focus of discussion during The Roundtable’s June 15-16 Annual Business Meeting and Policy Advisory Committees Meetings (all remote).

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Tax and Energy Policy
Senate Finance Committee Advances Energy Tax Bill with Enhanced Incentive for Energy Efficient Building “Retrofits”

The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday advanced an improved energy efficiency tax deduction for commercial buildings (Section 179D) that would make the incentive more usable for “retrofits” of older buildings, multifamily structures, and REITs. (Clean Energy for America Act (S. 1298), mark-up video and supporting documents)

 Section 179D & CRE 

  • The modified bill introduced by Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), above,  included amendments originally proposed by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) to improve Section 179D. Overall, the bill would replace a patchwork of more than 40 energy tax policies with incentives for commercial and residential energy efficiency, clean electricity, and clean transportation fuels, and eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. 
  • The Section 179D enhancements would allow:
    • A retrofit project tax deduction for efficiency investments that lower an existing building’s energy consumption from a “pre-retrofit” baseline measured through EPA’s Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool;
    • All multifamily buildings to qualify for the Section 179D incentive;
    • REITs to benefit from the incentive by allowing the amount of the 179D tax deduction to reduce earnings and profits (“E&P”) in the year that energy efficient equipment is placed in service. 
       
  • The legislation also includes new rules requiring that taxpayers claiming Section 179D or other tax benefits in the bill comply with the Department of Labor’s prevailing wage standards and use qualified apprentices for at least 15 percent of the labor hours associated with any construction, alteration, or repair work on the project.  

Roundtable Recommendations

Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage Concerns

  • The  Roundtable's letter opposed new prevailing wage mandates proposed by the bill. The Roundtable warned that the excessive costs from Davis-Bacon compliance will greatly exceed the amount of any tax deduction that Section 179D might provide to incentivize an energy efficient construction project.
  • “Davis-Bacon has never been applied simply because the Internal Revenue Code provides a deduction to lower a private entity’s taxable income,” the letter stated. “The Roundtable recommends that the Clean Energy for America Act avoid unchartered territory that would transform the Internal Revenue Code into a ‘Davis-Bacon Related Act.’”
  • Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID), above, said, “I cannot support attaching labor requirements to energy tax policy. Linking labor policy to energy-related tax credits is unprecedented, and I have concerns not only about the policy, but also about the dangerous precedent it sets for amending the tax code.” 
  • After the committee voted 14-14 along party lines to advance the $260 billion energy tax bill, Chairman Wyden said he would place the bill on the Senate calendar. (CQ, May 26).
  • The bill’s prospects in the full Senate are uncertain, yet specific elements within the bill could be incorporated into a larger economic package proposed by President Biden. Wyden has not said whether he will work to roll the measure into the president’s infrastructure plans. (BGov, May 26)

Energy and tax policies affecting commercial real estate will be a focus of discussions during The Roundtable’s June 15 all-member Annual Meeting – and during its June 16 Tax Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC) and Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) Meetings.

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News
"Building Success" Reports on The Roundtable’s FY2018 Policy Activities in Tax, Capital and Credit, Homeland Security, Energy and Infrastructure Issue Areas

The Real Estate Roundtable has released its FY2018 Annual Report “Building Success,” which reports on the organization’s policy activities from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 and outlines its policy priorities for the coming year.

  • "We are extremely proud of our success this past year and equally eager to build on its foundation as we move into our new fiscal year. As always, we will continue to inform lawmakers with consistent and credible policy analysis that encourages economic growth, job creation, and a healthy national real estate market,” said Roundtable President and CEO Jeffrey D. DeBoer.
  • Immediate Past Roundtable Chair (2015-2018) William C. Rudin (Co-Chairman and CEO, Rudin Management Company, Inc.) noted the continued efforts of promoting greater diversity throughout the organization and his efforts during his tenure as Chair. “We have made measurable progress at identifying and recruiting more highly qualified women and people of color to join, and participate at The Roundtable. With greater membership diversity, we ensure that our decisions are better informed and more sustainable.”

The Report includes summaries showing continued progress on the policy front, including:

  • In late 2017, the most comprehensive tax reform in over 30 years, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, was signed into law.  Due in large part to the Roundtable’s advocacy efforts, TCJA preserved interest deductibility; retained like-kind exchanges for real estate; and maintained depreciation and cost recovery rules. The Roundtable and its Tax Policy Advisory Committee is continuing its efforts with Treasury and the Administration to ensure appropriate implementation of the comprehensive law.
  • Congress passed financial deregulation legislation – Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S.2155) – that included important reforms to the Basel III High Volatility Commercial Real Estate (HVCRE), which promote sustainable development and lending, and lowers financial barriers for job-creating projects.
  • The Federal Reserve and four other federal agencies approved a proposal to simplify and ease the Volcker Rule.  The proposal, known as Volcker 2.0, seeks to simplify regulatory requirements by giving banks new quantitative “bright-line rules” to provide more clarity on what activities are prohibited and permitted.
  • As a long-time supporter of the ENERGY STAR Program, The Roundtable was a key player in the creation and ongoing development of the EPA’s new charter tenant program “ENERGY STAR for Tenants” labeling platform of high-performance leased office spaces.
  • Anticipating infrastructure as a policy issue for possible compromise after the upcoming midterm elections, The Roundtable offered comments to the Administration and Congressional committees on real estate’s role in creating public-private partnerships to help repair the roads, transit, broadband, power grid and other systems needed to make our communities safe, productive and competitive.

Newly elected Roundtable Chair Debra A. Cafaro (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ventas, Inc.) emphasized that The Roundtable’s policy agenda remains full of key issues that require our engagement as a non-partisan industry voice. “Above all, we must uphold our independent and respected position on Capitol Hill, emphasizing our optimism about the economy and the positive contributions the real estate industry provides as a job creator and as a cornerstone for retirement savings. We are committed to proactively advancing policies that promote a healthy balance of capital and people flows to create sustainable economic growth that is good for our members, our industry and our national economy,” said Cafaro.

The publication includes a listing of all Roundtable members, as well as the FY2019 Board of Directors and Committee Leadership, and has been mailed to all Roundtable members, congressional offices on Capitol Hill, and is available online.

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