10 Tex. Admin. Code § 10.402
Housing Tax Credit and Tax Exempt Bond Developments
Effective Dec 30, 201843 TexReg 8297Source Note: The provisions of this §10.402 adopted to be effective January 5, 2017, 41 TexReg 10569; amended to be effective January 4, 2018, 42 TexReg 7610; amended to be effective December 30, 2018, 43 TexReg 8297.Texas Secretary of State
- (a) Commitment. For Competitive HTC Developments, the Department shall issue a Commitment to the Development Owner which shall confirm that the Board has approved the Application and state the Department's commitment to make a Housing Credit Allocation to the Development Owner in a specified amount, subject to the feasibility determination described in Subchapter D of this chapter (relating to Underwriting and Loan Policy) and the determination that the Development satisfies the requirements of this chapter and other applicable Department rules. The Commitment shall expire on the date specified therein, which shall be 30 calendar days from the effective date, unless the Development Owner indicates acceptance by executing the Commitment, pays the required fee specified in §11.901 of this chapter (relating to Fee Schedule, Appeals, and other Provisions), and satisfies any conditions set forth therein by the Department. The Commitment expiration date may not be extended.
- (b) Determination Notices. For Tax Exempt Bond Developments, the Department shall issue a Determination Notice which shall confirm the Board's determination that the Development satisfies the requirements of this chapter as applicable and other applicable Department rules in accordance with the §42(m)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). The Determination Notice shall also state the Department's determination of a specific amount of housing tax credits that the Development may be eligible for, subject to the requirements set forth in the Department's rules, as applicable. The Determination Notice shall expire on the date specified therein, which shall be 30 calendar days from the effective date, unless the Development Owner indicates acceptance by executing the Determination Notice, pays the required fee specified in Chapter 11, Subchapter E of this title, and satisfies any conditions set forth therein by the Department. The Determination Notice expiration date may not be extended without prior Board approval for good cause. The Determination Notice will terminate if the Tax Exempt Bonds are not closed within the timeframe provided for by the Board on its approval of the Determination Notice, by the expiration of the Certificate of Reservation associated with the Determination Notice, or if the financing or Development changes significantly as determined by the Department pursuant to its rules and any conditions of approval included in the Board approval or underwriting report.
- (c) Tax Credit Amount. The amount of tax credits reflected in the IRS Form(s) 8609 may be greater or less than the amount set forth in the Determination Notice based upon the Department's and the bond issuer's determination as of each building's placement in service. Any increase of tax credits will only be permitted if it is determined necessary by the Department, as required by §42(m)(2)(D) of the Code through the submission of the Cost Certification package. Increases to the amount of tax credits that exceed 110 % of the amount of credits reflected in the Determination Notice must be approved by the Board. Increases to the amount of tax credits that do not exceed 110% of the amount of credits reflected in the Determination Notice may be approved administratively by the Executive Director and are subject to the Credit Increase Fee as described in Chapter 11, Subchapter E of this title.
(d) Documentation Submission Requirements at Commitment of Funds. No later than the expiration date of the Commitment (or no later than December 31 for Competitive HTC Applications, whichever is earlier) or Determination Notice, the documentation described in paragraphs (1) - (6) of this subsection must be provided. Failure to provide these documents may cause the Commitment or Determination Notice to be rescinded:
- (1) For entities formed outside the state of Texas, evidence that the entity filed a Certificate of Application for foreign qualification in Texas, a Franchise Tax Account Status from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, and a Certificate of Fact from the Office of the Secretary of State. If the entity is newly registered in Texas and the Franchise Tax Account Status or Certificate of Fact are not available, a statement can be provided to that effect;
- (2) For Texas entities, a copy of the Certificate of Filing for the Certificate of Formation from the Office of the Secretary of State; a Certificate of Fact from the Secretary of State, and a Franchise Tax Account Status from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. If the entity is newly registered and the Certificate of Fact and the Franchise Tax Account Status are not available, a statement can be provided to that effect;
- (3) Evidence that the signer(s) of the Commitment or Determination Notice have sufficient authority to sign on behalf of the Applicant in the form of a corporate resolution which indicates the sub-entity in Control consistent with the entity contemplated and described in the Application;
- (4) Evidence of final zoning that was proposed or needed to be changed pursuant to the Development plan;
- (5) Evidence of satisfaction of any conditions identified in the Credit Underwriting Analysis Report, in the recommendations to the Board from the Executive Award Review and Advisory Committee as provided for in 10 TAC Chapter 1, Subchapter C (relating to Previous Participation and Executive Award Review and Advisory Committee), or any other conditions of the award required to be met at Commitment or Determination Notice; and
- (6) Documentation of any changes to representations made in the Application subject to §10.405 of this chapter (relating to Amendments and Extensions).
- (7) For Applications underwritten with a property tax exemption, documentation must be submitted in the form of a letter from an attorney identifying the statutory basis for the exemption and indicating that the exemption is reasonably achievable, subject to appraisal district review. Additionally, any Development with a proposed Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement must provide evidence regarding the statutory basis for the PILOT and its terms.
(e) Post Bond Closing Documentation Requirements. Regardless of the issuer of the bonds, no later than 60 calendar days following closing on the bonds, the Development Owner must submit the documentation in paragraphs (1) - (5) of this subsection.
- (1) A training certificate from a Department approved "property owner and manager Fair Housing trainer" showing that the Development Owner and on-site or regional property manager has attended at least five hours of Fair Housing training. The certificate must not be older than two years from the date of submission;
- (2) A training certificate from a Department approved "architect and engineer Fair Housing trainer" showing that the lead architect or engineer responsible for certifying compliance with the Department's accessibility and construction standards has attended at least five hours of Fair Housing training. The certificate must not be older than two years from the date of submission;
- (3) Evidence that the financing has closed, such as an executed settlement statement;
- (4) A confirmation letter from the Compliance Division evidencing receipt of the Electronic Compliance Reporting Filing Agreement and the Owner's Designation of Administrator of Accounts forms pursuant to §10.607(a); and
- (5) Initial construction status report consisting of items (1) - (5) as outlined in §10.402(h) of this chapter (relating to Construction Status Reports).
(f) Carryover (Competitive HTC Only). All Developments which received a Commitment, and will not be placed in service and receive IRS Form(s) 8609 in the year the Commitment was issued, must submit the Carryover documentation, in the form prescribed by the Department in the Carryover Manual, no later than the Carryover Documentation Delivery Date as identified in §11.2 of this title (relating to Program Calendar for Competitive Housing Tax Credits) of the year in which the Commitment is issued pursuant to §42(h)(1)(C) of the Code.
- (1) Commitments for credits will be terminated if the Carryover documentation has not been received by this deadline, unless an extension has been approved. This termination is subject to right of appeal directly to the Board, and if so determined by the Board, immediately upon final termination by the Board, staff is directed to award the credits to other qualified Applicants on the approved waiting list.
- (2) If the interim or permanent financing structure, syndication rate, amount of debt or syndication proceeds are finalized but different at the time of Carryover from what was proposed in the original Application, applicable documentation of such changes must be provided and the Development may be re-evaluated by the Department for a reduction of credit or change in conditions.
- (3) All Carryover Allocations will be contingent upon the Development Owner providing evidence that they have and will maintain Site Control through the 10% Test or through the anticipated closing date, whichever is earlier. For purposes of this paragraph, any changes to the Development Site acreage between Application and Carryover must be addressed by written explanation or, as appropriate, in accordance with §10.405.
- (4) Confirmation of the right to transact business in Texas, as evidenced by the Franchise Tax Account Status (the equivalent of the prior Certificate of Account Status) from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and a Certificate of Fact from the Office of the Secretary of State must be submitted with the Carryover Allocation.
(g) 10% Test (Competitive HTC Only). No later than July 1 of the year following the submission of the Carryover Allocation Agreement or as otherwise specified in the applicable year's Qualified Allocation Plan, documentation must be submitted to the Department verifying that the Development Owner has expended more than 10% of the Development Owner's reasonably expected basis, pursuant to §42(h)(1)(E)(i) and (ii) of the Code (as amended by The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008), and Treasury Regulations, §1.42-6. The Development Owner must submit, in the form prescribed by the Department, documentation evidencing paragraphs (1) - (8) of this subsection, along with all information outlined in the Post Award Activities Manual. Satisfaction of the 10% Test will be contingent upon the submission of the items described in paragraphs (1) - (8) of this subsection as well as all other conditions placed upon the Application in the Commitment. Requests for an extension will be reviewed on a case by case basis as addressed in §10.405(c) of this Subchapter and 10 TAC §13.12(1) of this title, as applicable, and a point deduction evaluation will be completed in accordance with Tex. Gov't Code §2306.6710(b)(2) and §11.9(f) of this title. Documentation to be submitted for the 10% Test includes:
- (1) An Independent Accountant's Report and Taxpayer's Basis Schedule form. The report must be prepared on the accounting firm's letterhead and addressed to the Development Owner or an Affiliate of the Development Owner. The Independent Accountant's Report and Taxpayers Basis Schedule form must be signed by the Development Owner. If, at the time the accountant is reviewing and preparing their report, the accountant has concluded that the taxpayer's reasonably expected basis is different from the amount reflected in the Carryover Allocation agreement, then the accountant's report should reflect the taxpayer's reasonably expected basis as of the time the report is being prepared;
- (2) Any conditions of the Commitment or Real Estate Analysis underwriting report due at the time of 10% Test submission;
- (3) Evidence that the Development Owner has purchased, transferred, leased, or otherwise has ownership of the Development Site. The Development Site must be identical to the Development Site that was submitted at the time of Application submission. For purposes of this paragraph, any changes to the Development Site acreage between Application and 10% Test must be addressed by written explanation or, as appropriate, in accordance with §10.405 of this subchapter;
- (4) A current survey or plat of the Development Site, prepared and certified by a duly licensed Texas Registered Professional Land Surveyor. The survey or plat must clearly delineate the flood plain boundary lines and show all easements and encroachments;
- (5) For New Construction, Reconstruction, and Adaptive Reuse Developments, a certification from a Third Party civil engineer or architect stating that all necessary utilities will be available at the Development Site and that there are no easements, licenses, royalties, or other conditions on or affecting the Development that would materially or adversely impact the ability to acquire, develop, and operate as set forth in the Application. Copies of supporting documents may be required by the Department;
- (6) For the Development Owner and on-site or regional property manager, a training certificate from a Department approved "property owner and manager Fair Housing trainer" showing that the Development Owner and on-site or regional property manager attended at least five hours of Fair Housing training. For architects and engineers, a training certificate from a Department approved "architect and engineer Fair Housing trainer" showing that the lead architect or engineers responsible for certifying compliance with the Department's accessibility and construction standards has attended at least five hours of Fair Housing training. Certifications required under this paragraph must not be older than two years from the date of submission of the 10% Test Documentation;
- (7) A Certification from the lender and syndicator identifying all known Guarantors. If identified Guarantors have changed from the Guarantors or Principals identified at the time of Application, a non-material amendment must be requested by the Applicant in accordance with §10.405 of this subchapter, and the new Guarantors or Principals must be reviewed in accordance with Chapter 1, Subchapter C of this title (relating to Previous Participation and Executive Award Review and Advisory Committee); and
- (8) A Development Owner's preliminary construction schedule or statement showing the prospective construction loan closing date, construction start and end dates, prospective placed in service date for each building, and planned first year of the credit period.
(h) Construction Status Report (All Multifamily Developments). All multifamily developments must submit a construction status report. Construction status reports shall be due by the tenth day of the month following each reporting quarter's end (January, April, July, and October) and continue on a quarterly basis until the entire development is complete as evidenced by one of the following: certificates of occupancy for each building, the Architect's Certificate(s) of Substantial Completion (AIA Document G704) for the entire development, the final Application and Certificate for Payment (AIA Document G702 and G703), or an equivalent form approved for submission by the construction lender and/or investor. For Competitive Housing Tax Credit Developments, the initial report must be submitted no later than October 10th following the year of award (this includes Developments funded with HTC and TDHCA Multifamily Direct Loans), and for Developments awarded under the Department's Multifamily Direct Loan programs only, the initial report must be submitted 90 calendar days after loan closing. For Tax Exempt Bond Developments, the initial construction status report must be submitted as part of the Post Bond Closing Documentation due no later than 60 calendar days following closing on the bonds as described in §10.402(e) of this section. The initial report for all multifamily Developments shall consist of the items identified in paragraphs (1) - (5) of this subsection, unless stated otherwise. All subsequent reports shall contain items identified in subparagraphs (3) - (5) of this paragraph and must include any changes or amendments to items in subparagraphs (1) - (2) if applicable:
- (1) The executed partnership agreement with the investor (accompanied by identification of all Guarantors) or, for Developments receiving an award only from the Department's Direct Loan Programs, other documents setting forth the legal structure and ownership. If identified Guarantors or Principals of a Guarantor entity were not already identified as a Principal of the Owner, Developer, or Guarantor at the time of Application, a non-material amendment must be requested in accordance with §10.405 of this subchapter and the new Guarantors and all of its Principals, as applicable, must be reviewed in accordance with Chapter 1, Subchapter C of this title (relating to Previous Participation and Executive Award Review and Advisory Committee);
- (2) The executed construction contract for the General Contractor, prime subcontractor(s) and Affiliates or Related Party subcontractor(s) and construction loan agreement. If the loan has not closed, the anticipated closing date must be provided and, upon closing, the agreement must be provided to the Department;
- (3) The most recent Application and Certificate for Payment (AIA Document G702 and G703) certified by the Architect of Record (or equivalent form approved for submission by the construction lender and/or investor) for the General Contractor, prime subcontractor(s) and Affiliates or Related Party subcontractor(s); and
- (4) All Third Party construction inspection reports not previously submitted. If the lender and/or investor does not require third party construction inspection reports, the Development Owner must hire a third party inspector to perform these inspections on a quarterly basis and submit the reports to the Department. Third Party construction inspection reports must include, at a minimum, a discussion of site conditions as of the date of the site visit, current photographs of the construction site and exterior and interior of buildings, an estimated percentage of construction completion as of the date of the site visit, identification of construction delays and other relevant progress issues, if any, and the anticipated construction completion date;
- (5) Minority Owned Business Report (HTC only) showing the attempt to ensure that at least 30% of the construction and management businesses with which the Applicant contracts in connection with the Development are Minority Owned Businesses as required and further described in Tex. Gov't Code §2306.6734.
(i) LURA Origination.
- (1) The Development Owner must request a copy of the HTC LURA as directed in the Post Award Activities Manual. The Department will draft a LURA for the Development Owner that will impose the income and rent restrictions identified in the Development's final underwriting report and other representations made in the Application, including but not limited to specific commitments to provide tenant services, to lease to Persons with Disabilities, and/or to provide specific amenities. After origination, the Department executed LURA and all exhibits and addendums will be sent to the Development Owner to execute and record in the real property records for the county in which the Development is located. The original or a copy of the recorded LURA must be returned to the Department no later than the end of the first year of the Credit Period. In general, no Housing Tax Credits are allowed to be issued for a building unless there is a properly executed and recorded LURA in effect at the end of the first year of the Credit Period. Nothing in this section negates a Development Owner's responsibility for full compliance with §42(h)(6) of the Code. The Department will not issue IRS Form(s) 8609 until it receives the original or a copy of the properly-recorded LURA, or has alternative arrangements which are acceptable to the Department and approved by the Executive Director.
- (2) LURAs for Direct Loan awardees will be prepared by the Department's Legal Division and executed at loan closing.
(j) Cost Certification (Competitive and Non-Competitive HTC, and related activities only). The Department conducts a feasibility analysis in accordance with §42(m)(2)(C)(i)(III) of the Code and Subchapter D of this chapter (relating to Underwriting and Loan Policy) to make a final determination on the allocation of Housing Tax Credits. The requirements for cost certification include those identified in paragraphs (1) - (3) of this subsection.
- (1) Development Owners must file cost certification documentation no later than January 15 following the first year of the Credit Period, as defined in §42(f)(1) of the Code.
- (2) The Department will evaluate the cost certification documentation and notify the Development Owner of any additional required documentation needed to complete the review. The Department reserves the right to request additional documents or certifications as it deems necessary or useful in the determination of the Development's eligibility for a final Housing Tax Credit allocation amount. Any communication issued to the Development Owner pertaining to the cost certification documentation may also be sent to the syndicator.
(3) IRS Form(s) 8609 will not be issued until the conditions as stated in subparagraphs (A) - (G) of this paragraph have been met. The Development Owner has:
(A) provided evidence that all buildings in the Development have been placed in service by:
- (i) December 31 of the year the Commitment was issued;
- (ii) December 31 of the second year following the year the Carryover Allocation Agreement was executed; or
- (iii) the approved Placed in Service deadline;
(B) Provided a complete final cost certification package in the format prescribed by the Department. As used herein, a complete final cost certification package means a package that meets all of the Department's criteria with all required information and exhibits listed in clauses (i) - (xxxvi) of this subparagraph, and pursuant to the Post Award Activities Manual. If any item on this list is determined to be unclear, deficient, or inconsistent with the cost certification review completed by the Department, a Request for Information (RFI) will be sent to the Development Owner. Failure to respond to the requested information within a 30 day period from the date of request may result in the termination of the cost certification review and request for 8609s and require a new request be submitted with a Cost Certification Extension Fee as described in Subchapter E of Chapter 11 (relating to Fee Schedule, Appeals, and other Provisions).
- (i) Owner's Statement of Certification;
- (ii) Owner Summary & Organization Charts for the Owner, Developer, and Guarantors;
- (iii) Evidence of Qualified Nonprofit or CHDO Participation;
- (iv) Evidence of Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Participation;
- (v) Development Team List;
- (vi) Development Summary with Architect's Certification;
- (vii) Development Change Documentation;
- (viii) As Built Survey;
- (ix) Closing Statement;
- (x) Title Policy;
- (xi) Title Policy Update;
- (xii) Placement in Service;
- (xiii) Evidence of Placement in Service;
- (xiv) Architect's Certification of Completion Date and Date Ready for Occupancy;
- (xv) Auditor's Certification of Acquisition/Rehabilitation Placement in Service Election;
- (xvi) Independent Auditor's Report;
- (xvii) Independent Auditor's Report of Bond Financing;
- (xviii) Development Cost Schedule;
- (xix) Contractor's Application for Final Payment (G702/G703) for the General Contractor, all prime subcontractors, Affiliated Contractors, and Related Party Contractors;
- (xx) Additional Documentation of Offsite Costs;
- (xxi) Rent Schedule;
- (xxii) Utility Allowances;
- (xxiii) Annual Operating Expenses;
- (xxiv) 30 Year Rental Housing Operating Pro Forma;
- (xxv) current Operating Statement in the form of a trailing twelve month statement;
- (xxvi) current Rent Roll;
- (xxvii) Summary of Sources and Uses of Funds;
- (xxviii) Financing Narrative;
- (xxix) Final Limited Partnership Agreement with all amendments and exhibits;
- (xxx) all Loan Agreements and Promissory Notes (except for Agreements and Notes issued directly by the Department);
- (xxxi) Architect's Certification of Fair Housing Requirements;
- (xxxii) Development Owner Assignment of Individual to Compliance Training;
- (xxxiii) TDHCA Compliance Training Certificate (not older than two years from the date of cost certification submission);
- (xxxiv) TDHCA Final Inspection Clearance Letter or evidence of submitted final inspection request to the Compliance Division;
- (xxxv) Completion Certificate (TDHCA Issued Bonds Only); and
- (xxxvi) other Documentation as Required, including but not limited to conditions to be satisfied at cost certification as reflected in the Development's latest Underwriting Report;
- (C) Informed the Department of and received written approval for all amendments, extensions, and changes in ownership relating to the Development in accordance with §10.405 of this chapter (relating to Amendments and Extensions) and §10.406 of this chapter (relating to Ownership Transfers (§2306.6713));
- (D) Paid all applicable Department fees, including any past due fees;
- (E) Met all conditions noted in the Department underwriting report, Determination Notice, and Commitment;
- (F) Corrected all issues of noncompliance, including but not limited to noncompliance status with the LURA (or any other document containing an Extended Low-income Housing Commitment) or the program rules in effect for the subject Development, as described in this chapter. Developments in the corrective action period and/or with any uncorrected issues of noncompliance outside of the corrective action period or that have had a monitoring review where noncompliance was identified, will not be issued IRS Form(s) 8609s until all events of noncompliance are assessed, corrected, or otherwise approved by the Executive Award Review and Advisory Committee;
- (G) Completed an updated underwriting evaluation in accordance with Subchapter D of this chapter based on the most current information at the time of the review.
Source Note:The provisions of this §10.402 adopted to be effective January 5, 2017, 41 TexReg 10569; amended to be effective January 4, 2018, 42 TexReg 7610; amended to be effective December 30, 2018, 43 TexReg 8297.