-Overview
The Intro Tax Credit Finance WebCourse examines the variety of tax credit programs and their use in economic development efforts. This course discusses the practical application of tax credits for supporting new markets, low-income housing, historic preservation, and other local goals.
From urban redevelopment and historic preservation to housing and energy infrastructure, tax credit programs exist to help communities create jobs and energize economies - yet these innovative tools are underutilized. This course will reach beyond the facts and figures of each program to help attendees learn how to apply tax credits successfully to development opportunities.
This course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute's Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Join us online and start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
Register
Course Objectives
- Learn about the application of state and federal tax credit programs
- Hear from leading tax credit professionals from around the country
- Review best practices and case studies that can be implemented in your community
- Gain a greater understanding of the partnership opportunities in the tax credit industry
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Topics Covered
- New Markets Tax Credit Program
- Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program
- Innovative state tax credit programs
- Federal energy tax credit programs
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Who Should Attend?
- Bond issuers
- Economic development professionals
- Community development professionals
- Elected officials
- Government and nonprofit finance officers
- Corporate trustees
- Legal counsel
- Underwriters
- Commercial bankers
- Accountants
- Financial advisors
- Policymakers
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Course Advisor
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Fawn Zimmerman
Council of Development Finance Agencies
Managing Director, CDFA Advisory Services
Fawn Zimmerman is Managing Director of CDFA Advisory Services in the Knowledge & Networks Division at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). In her role, Fawn assists development finance agencies nationwide with strategic planning, ... finance program development, and obtaining CDFI certification. She also leads initiatives to enhance capital access for underserved communities. Fawn oversees the CDFA Equitable Capital Loan Guarantee Program, aimed at increasing funding for underserved small businesses, and the CDFA–NASDA Foundation Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Access to Capital Program, which focuses on building a comprehensive agricultural resource database, offering hands-on technical assistance, and developing culturally relevant programs to boost investment in socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
Fawn holds a Bachelor of Arts with honors in Communication from The Ohio State University and has pursued postgraduate studies at Ohio University. Her career is deeply intertwined with her philanthropic goals, and she is committed to leveraging her creative, academic, and professional experiences to drive positive changes in the development finance sector. (More)
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-Agenda
Monday, December 15, 2025
| Mon 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM |
Welcome & Overview
Welcome to the course! This session will introduce CDFA, explain how to use the online software, and discuss the framework for the two-day Intro Tax Credit Finance WebCourse.
Speaker(s)
- Fawn Zimmerman, Managing Director, CDFA Advisory Services, Council of Development Finance Agencies
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| Mon 12:15 PM - 1:45 PM |
Introduction to Tax Credits
During this session, attendees will learn the basics of tax credit finance and how tax credits work as an economic development tool, with an introduction to the main tax credit programs covered in the Intro Tax Credit Finance WebCourse.
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| Mon 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM |
Break
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| Mon 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM |
Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program
Rehabilitation tax credits were established to discourage unnecessary demolition of older buildings and to slow capital flight from older urban areas. This incentive offers a credit against total federal taxes owed, which is taken for the year in which the renovated building is put into service. During this session, attendees will learn how this valuable program can reinvigorate historic communities in a cost-effective and investment-friendly manner.
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| Mon 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM |
Break
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| Mon 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM |
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program
Congress created the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) in 1986 to promote the construction and rehabilitation of housing for low-income persons. During this session, attendees will learn the basics of the LIHTC program, how these tax credits can be combined with other types of financing, and how to implement this tool in their community.
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| Mon 5:00 PM |
Adjourn
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Tuesday, December 16, 2025
| Tue 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM |
Overview of Day 1
The first day of the Intro Tax Credit Finance WebCourse focused on the basics of tax credit financing. At the start of Day 2, we will review important terms and set the stage for the remaining sessions focused on the more technical aspects of tax credits.
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| Tue 12:15 PM - 1:45 PM |
New Markets Tax Credit Program
The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) was created to address the lack of capital available to business and economic development ventures in low-income communities. The NMTC provides a federal tax credit to individuals or corporations that invest in Community Development Entities (CDEs) working in targeted low-income communities. Speakers for this session will cover the basics of the NMTC program, how investors, developers, CDCs, and other project sponsors view NMTC, and regulator issues to keep your project in compliance.
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| Tue 1:45 PM - 2:30 PM |
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Projects
Tax credit programs exist to help advance the development of clean energy and energy efficiency infrastructure. This session will provide an update on different federal tax credits available for driving investment and encouraging economic development in this sector.
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| Tue 2:30 PM - 2:45 PM |
Break
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| Tue 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM |
State Tax Credit Programs for Economic Development
Every state has at least one tax credit program and many use diverse tools to address niche industry financing needs. This session will discuss best practices for quality state tax credit programs and look at examples of the innovative tax credit programs currently being used nationwide.
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| Tue 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM |
Tax Credits as a Source of Gap Finance
Federal tax credit programs were created to advance a national policy objective, though implementation of these programs occurs at the local level. Practitioners must decide how and when these tools can be employed with individual projects to support local goals. In many instances, tax credits are used only after other financing options have failed. This session provides an overview of financial gap analysis and how tax credits can help fill a project capital stack.
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| Tue 5:00 PM |
Adjourn
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-Location
The Intro Tax Credit Finance WebCourse will take place on Zoom. The course will meet each day from 12:00-5:00 PM Eastern. Attendees must have access to a computer and the internet to attend the course.
-Registration
This training course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute's
Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
Scholarships are available to attend this event. Learn more about the
CDFA Scholarship Program,
and submit your application today.
Please note that the application deadline is two weeks prior to the course start date.
CDFA permits only one person to log in and participate in the course. If multiple people are accessing the course without paying to attend, we will terminate the connection and access. CDFA offers group discounts for organizations that wish to register multiple people.
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CDFA Member: $625
Non-Member: $950
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Register