This page is no longer being updated. As of June 15, 2017, newer tax incentive evaluation fact sheets are available here.
To ensure that economic development tax incentives are achieving their goals effectively, many states have approved laws requiring regular, rigorous, independent evaluations of these programs. For a list of states that have passed evaluation laws since the start of 2012, click here.
Tennessee
H.B. 291, enacted May 20, 2015
What it does
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Requires evaluation of all major tax incentives
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The commissioners of economic and community development and revenue will collaborate to review economic development tax credits on a four-year cycle.
Evaluators will assess the fiscal and economic impact of each incentive.
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Ensures that reports draw policy-relevant conclusions
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Evaluations will include a recommendation to modify, discontinue, or extend each credit.
Evaluators will provide reports to the governor, speakers of both houses, and legislative budget and tax committees.
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Excerpt from Tennessee’s law: Evaluation criteria
The review shall evaluate the previous four (4) fiscal years and may include an evaluation of the purpose of the credit, foregone revenue to the state as a result of the credit, any benefits provided to the state as a result of the credit, and the estimated indirect economic impact of the tax credit, where applicable.
The report shall include a recommendation to modify, discontinue, or take no action with respect to each credit. The departments shall prepare a report of their findings and recommendations and shall deliver such report to the governor, the speakers of both houses, the finance, ways and means committees of both houses, and the Office of Legislative Budget Analysis no later than January 15, 2017.