26 U.S.C. § 25
(a) Allowance of credit
(1) In general There shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the product of—
(2) Limitation where credit rate exceeds 20 percent
(b) Certificate credit rate; certified indebtedness amount For purposes of this section—
(2) Certified indebtedness amount The term “certified indebtedness amount” means the amount of indebtedness which is—
(A) incurred by the taxpayer—
(c) Mortgage credit certificate; qualified mortgage credit certificate program For purposes of this section—
(1) Mortgage credit certificate The term “mortgage credit certificate” means any certificate which—
(C) specifies—
(2) Qualified mortgage credit certificate program
(A) In general The term “qualified mortgage credit certificate program” means any program—
(iii) under which the indebtedness certified by mortgage credit certificates meets the requirements of the following subsections of section 143 (as modified by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph):
Under regulations, rules similar to the rules of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 143(a)(2) shall apply to the requirements of this subparagraph.
(B) Modifications of section 143 Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, in applying section 143 for purposes of subclauses (II), (IV), and (V) of subparagraph (A)(iii)—
(ii) the product determined by multiplying—
shall be treated as proceeds of such issue and the sum of such products shall be treated as the total proceeds of such issue, and
Clause (iii) shall not apply if the issuing authority submits a plan to the Secretary for administering the 95-percent requirement of section 143(d)(1) and the Secretary is satisfied that such requirement will be met under such plan.
(d) Determination of certificate credit rate For purposes of this section—
(2) Aggregate limit on certificate credit rates
(A) In general In the case of each qualified mortgage credit certificate program, the sum of the products determined by multiplying—
shall not exceed 25 percent of the nonissued bond amount.
(e) Special rules and definitions For purposes of this section—
(1) Carryforward of unused credit
(B) Limitation The amount of the unused credit which may be taken into account under subparagraph (A) for any taxable year shall not exceed the amount (if any) by which the applicable tax limit for such taxable year exceeds the sum of—
(3) Period for which certificate in effect
(A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a mortgage credit certificate shall be treated as in effect with respect to interest attributable to the period—
(ii) ending on the earlier of the date on which—
(5) Public notice that certificates will be issued At least 90 days before any mortgage credit certificate is to be issued after a qualified mortgage credit certificate program, the issuing authority shall provide reasonable public notice of—
(8) Qualified rehabilitation and home improvement
(f) Reduction in aggregate amount of qualified mortgage bonds which may be issued where certain requirements not met
(2) Correction amount
(B) Excess credit amount
(i) In general For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), the term “excess credit amount” means the excess of—
(g) Reporting requirements Each person who makes a loan which is a certified indebtedness amount under any mortgage credit certificate shall file a report with the Secretary containing—
Each person who issues a mortgage credit certificate shall file a report showing such information as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe. Any such report shall be filed at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require by regulations.
(h) Regulations; contracts
(Added Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VI, § 612(a), , 98 Stat. 905; amended Pub. L. 99–514, title XIII, § 1301(f), title XVIII, §§ 1862(a)–(d)(1), 1899A(1), , 100 Stat. 2655, 2883, 2884, 2958; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1013(a)(25), (26), title IV, § 4005(a)(2), (g)(7), , 102 Stat. 3543, 3645, 3651; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7104(b), , 103 Stat. 2305; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11408(b), , 104 Stat. 1388–477; Pub. L. 102–227, title I, § 108(b), , 105 Stat. 1688; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13141(b), , 107 Stat. 436; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1807(c)(1), , 110 Stat. 1902; Pub. L. 105–34, title III, § 312(d)(1), , 111 Stat. 839; Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, § 6008(d)(7), , 112 Stat. 812; Pub. L. 107–16, title II, § 201(b)(2)(F), title VI, § 618(b)(2)(B), , 115 Stat. 46, 108; Pub. L. 109–58, title XIII, § 1335(b)(2), , 119 Stat. 1036; Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 402(i)(3)(C), (4), , 119 Stat. 2613, 2615; Pub. L. 110–343, div. B, title II, § 205(d)(1)(B), , 122 Stat. 3838; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, §§ 1004(b)(2), 1142(b)(1)(B), 1144(b)(1)(B), , 123 Stat. 314, 330, 332; Pub. L. 111–148, title X, § 10909(b)(2)(B), (c), , 124 Stat. 1023; Pub. L. 111–312, title I, § 101(b)(1), , 124 Stat. 3298; Pub. L. 112–240, title I, § 104(c)(2)(C), , 126 Stat. 2322; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(d)(4)(B)(ii), , 132 Stat. 1209; Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70411(a)(2)(A), , 139 Stat. 217.)
Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70411(a)(2)(A), (c)(1), , 139 Stat. 217, 218, provided that, applicable to taxable years ending after , subsection (e)(1)(C) of this section is amended by striking “and 25D” and inserting “25D, and 25F”. See 2025 Amendment note below.
A prior section 25 was renumbered section 26 of this title.
2025—Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 119–21 substituted “25D, and 25F” for “and 25D”.
2018—Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted “sections 23 and 25D” for “sections 23, 25D, and 1400C”.
2013—Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 112–240 amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘applicable tax limit’ means—
“(i) in the case of a taxable year to which section 26(a)(2) applies, the limitation imposed by section 26(a)(2) for the taxable year reduced by the sum of the credits allowable under this subpart (other than this section and sections 23, 25D, and 1400C), and
“(ii) in the case of a taxable year to which section 26(a)(2) does not apply, the limitation imposed by section 26(a)(1) for the taxable year reduced by the sum of the credits allowable under this subpart (other than this section and sections 23, 24, 25A(i), 25B, 25D, 30, 30B, 30D, and 1400C).”
2010—Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 111–148, § 10909(b)(2)(B), (c), as amended by Pub. L. 111–312, temporarily struck out “23,” after “and sections” in cls. (i) and (ii). See Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment note below.
2009—Subsec. (e)(1)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1144(b)(1)(B), inserted “30B,” after “30,”.
Pub. L. 111–5, § 1142(b)(1)(B), inserted “30,” after “25D,”.
Pub. L. 111–5, § 1004(b)(2), inserted “25A(i),” after “24,”.
2008—Subsec. (e)(1)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 110–343 inserted “30D,” after “25D,”.
2005—Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 109–135, § 402(i)(3)(C), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘applicable tax limit’ means the limitation imposed by section 26(a) for the taxable year reduced by the sum of the credits allowable under this subpart (other than this section and sections 23, 24, 25B, and 1400C).”
Pub. L. 109–58, § 1335(b)(2), which directed amendment of subpar. (C) by substituting “other than this section, section 23, section 25D, and section 1400C” for “this section and sections 23 and 1400C”, was repealed by Pub. L. 109–135, § 402(i)(4). See Effective and Termination Dates of 2005 Amendments notes below.
2001—Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 107–16, § 618(b)(2)(B), inserted “25B,” after “24,”.
Pub. L. 107–16, § 201(b)(2)(F), inserted “, 24,” after “sections 23”.
1998—Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 105–206 substituted “sections 23 and 1400C” for “section 23”.
1997—Subsec. (e)(7). Pub. L. 105–34 substituted “section 121” for “section 1034”.
1996—Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 104–188 inserted “and section 23” after “other than this section”.
1993—Subsecs. (h) to (j). Pub. L. 103–66 redesignated subsecs. (i) and (j) as (h) and (i), respectively, and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (h). Text read as follows: “No election may be made under subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii) for any period after .”
1991—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 102–227 substituted “” for “”.
1990—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 101–508 substituted “” for “”.
1989—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 101–239 substituted “for any period after ” for “for any calendar year after 1989”.
1988—Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1013(a)(25), amended Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(C)(ii), see 1986 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 100–647, § 4005(a)(2), substituted “1989” for “1988”.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1013(a)(26), substituted “1988” for “1987”.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 100–647, § 4005(g)(7), added subsec. (j).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1862(d)(1), substituted “paid or accrued” for “paid or incurred”.
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(A), substituted “section 143(k)(4)” for “section 103A(l)(6)”.
Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(B), substituted “section 143(k)(5)” for “section 103A(l)(7)”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(E), substituted “section 143(a)(2)” for “section 103A(c)(2)” in provision following cl. (vii).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1862(b), inserted “Under regulations, rules similar to the rules of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 103A(c)(2) shall apply to the requirements of this subparagraph.”
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(C)(ii), as amended by Pub. L. 100–647, § 1013(a)(25), substituted “private activity bonds which it may otherwise issue during such calendar year under section 146” for “qualified mortgage bonds which it may otherwise issue during such calendar year under section 103A”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(C)(i), substituted “section 143” for “section 103A” in introductory provisions, added subcls. (I) to (VI), and struck out former subcls. (I) to (V) which read as follows:
“(I) subsection (d) (relating to residence requirements),
“(II) subsection (e) (relating to 3-year requirement),
“(III) subsection (f) (relating to purchase price requirement),
“(IV) subsection (h) (relating to portion of loans required to be placed in targeted areas), and
“(V) subsection (j), other than paragraph (2) thereof (relating to other requirements),”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(iii)(V). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1862(a), substituted “subsection (j), other than paragraph (2) thereof” for “paragraph (1) of subsection (j)”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(C)(i), substituted in heading and introductory provisions “section 143” for “section 103A”.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(F), inserted in introductory provisions reference to subcl. (V), added cl. (iii) and closing provisions, and struck out former cl. (iii) and closing provisions which read as follows:
“(iii) paragraph (1) of section 103A(e) shall be applied by substituting ‘100 percent’ for ‘90 percent or more’.
Clause (iii) shall not apply if the issuing authority submits a plan to the Secretary for administering the 90-percent requirement of section 103A(e)(1) and the Secretary is satisfied that such requirement will be met under such plan.”
Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(1)(A), substituted “25 percent” for “20 percent” in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(G), struck out par. (3) “Additional limit in certain cases” which read as follows: “In the case of a qualified mortgage credit certificate program in a State which—
“(A) has a State ceiling (as defined in section 103A(g)(4)) for the year an election is made that exceeds 20 percent of the average annual aggregate principal amount of mortgages executed during the immediately preceding 3 calendar years for single family owner-occupied residences located within the jurisdiction of such State, or
“(B) issued qualified mortgage bonds in an aggregate amount less than $150,000,000 for calendar year 1983,
the certificate credit rate for any mortgage credit certificate shall not exceed 20 percent unless the issuing authority submits a plan to the Secretary to ensure that the weighted average of the certificate credit rates in such mortgage credit certificate program does not exceed 20 percent and the Secretary approves such plan.”
Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1862(c), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) “Limitations” read as follows: “The amount of the unused credit which may be taken into account under subparagraph (A) for any taxable year shall not exceed the amount by which the applicable tax limit for such taxable year exceeds the sum of the amounts which, by reason of this paragraph, are carried to such taxable year and are attributable to taxable years before the unused credit year.”
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(H), substituted “subsections (c)(1), (d), (e), (f), and (i) of section 143” for “subsection (d)(1), (e), (f), and (j) of section 103A”.
Subsec. (e)(6). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(I), substituted “section 144(a)(3)(A)” for “section 103(b)(6)(C)(i)”.
Subsec. (e)(8)(A). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(J), substituted “section 143(k)(5)(B)” for “section 103A(l)(7)(B)”.
Subsec. (e)(8)(B). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(K), substituted “section 143(k)(4)” for “section 103A(l)(6)”.
Subsec. (e)(9). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(L), substituted “section 143(a)(1)” for “section 103A(c)(1)”.
Subsec. (e)(10). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(M), substituted “section 143” for “section 103A”.
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(N), substituted “subsection (d) of section 146” for “paragraph (4) of section 103A(g)”.
Subsec. (f)(2)(A). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(1)(B), substituted “0.25” for “0.20”.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1301(f)(2)(O), substituted “section 146(d)(3)(C)” for “section 103A(g)(5)(C)”.
Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1899A(1), substituted “ensure” for “insure”.
Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70411(c), , 139 Stat. 218, provided that:
- “(1) In general.— Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section [enacting sections 25F and 139K of this title and amending this section] shall apply to taxable years ending after .
- “(2) Exclusion from gross income.— The amendments made by subsection (b) [enacting section 139K of this title] shall apply to amounts received after , in taxable years ending after such date.”
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–240 applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 104(d) of Pub. L. 112–240, set out as a note under section 23 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 111–148 terminated applicable to taxable years beginning after , and section is amended to read as if such amendment had never been enacted, see section 10909(c) of Pub. L. 111–148, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 111–148 applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 10909(d) of Pub. L. 111–148, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Amendment by section 1004(b)(2) of Pub. L. 111–5 applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 1004(d) of Pub. L. 111–5, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note under section 24 of this title.
Amendment by section 1142(b)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 111–5 applicable to vehicles acquired after , see section 1142(c) of Pub. L. 111–5, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note under section 24 of this title.
Amendment by section 1144(b)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 111–5 applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 1144(c) of Pub. L. 111–5, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2009 Amendment note under section 24 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 110–343 applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 205(e) of Pub. L. 110–343, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2008 Amendment note under section 24 of this title.
Amendment by section 402(i)(3)(C) of Pub. L. 109–135 subject to title IX of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107–16, § 901, in the same manner as the provisions of such Act to which such amendment relates, see section 402(i)(3)(H) of Pub. L. 109–135, set out as a note under section 23 of this title. Title IX of Pub. L. 107–16 was repealed by Pub. L. 112–240, title I, § 101(a)(1), , 126 Stat. 2315.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to be applied and administered as if the amendments made by section 1335(b)(1)–(3) of Pub. L. 109–58 had never been enacted, see section 402(i)(4) of Pub. L. 109–135, set out as a note under section 23 of this title.
Amendments by Pub. L. 109–135 effective as if included in the provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109–58, to which they relate, except that amendment by section 402(i)(3)(C) of Pub. L. 109–135 is applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 402(m) of Pub. L. 109–135, set out as a note under section 23 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–58 applicable to property placed in service after , in taxable years ending after such date, see section 1335(c) of Pub. L. 109–58, set out as a note under section 23 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–16 inapplicable to taxable years beginning during 2004 or 2005, see section 312(b)(2) of Pub. L. 108–311, set out as a note under section 23 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–16 inapplicable to taxable years beginning during 2002 and 2003, see section 601(b)(2) of Pub. L. 107–147, set out as a note under section 23 of this title.
Amendment by section 201(b)(2)(F) of Pub. L. 107–16 applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 201(e)(2) of Pub. L. 107–16, set out as a note under section 24 of this title.
Amendment by section 618(b)(2)(B) of Pub. L. 107–16 applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 618(d) of Pub. L. 107–16, set out as a note under section 24 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 105–206 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Pub. L. 105–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 6024 of Pub. L. 105–206, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 105–34 applicable to sales and exchanges after , with certain exceptions, see section 312(d) of Pub. L. 105–34, set out as a note under section 121 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–188 applicable to taxable years beginning after , see section 1807(e) of Pub. L. 104–188, set out as an Effective Date note under section 23 of this title.
Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13141(f)(2), , 107 Stat. 437, provided that:
“The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to elections for periods after
June 30, 1992.”
Pub. L. 102–227, title I, § 108(c)(2), , 105 Stat. 1688, provided that:
“The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to elections for periods after
December 31, 1991.”
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–508 applicable to elections for periods after , see section 11408(d)(2) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 143 of this title.
Amendment by section 1013(a)(25), (26) of Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Amendment by section 4005(a)(2) of Pub. L. 100–647 applicable to bonds issued, and nonissued bond amounts elected, after , see section 4005(h)(1) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 143 of this title.
Amendment by section 4005(g)(7) of Pub. L. 100–647 applicable to financing provided, and mortgage credit certificates issued, after , with certain exceptions, see section 4005(h)(3) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 143 of this title.
Amendment by section 1301(f)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to nonissued bond amounts elected after , and amendment by section 1301(f)(2) of Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to certificates issued with respect to nonissued bond amounts elected after , see section 1311(b) of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as an Effective Date; Transitional Rules note under section 141 of this title.
Amendment by section 1862(a)–(d)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, to which such amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VI, § 612(g), , 98 Stat. 913, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, , 100 Stat. 2095, provided that:
- “(1) In general.— Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section [enacting this section and section 6708 of this title, redesignating former section 25 as 26, and amending sections 23, 28 to 30, 38, 55, 103A, 163, 168, and 901 of this title] shall apply to interest paid or accrued after , on indebtedness incurred after .
- “(2) Elections.— The amendments made by this section shall apply to elections under section 25(c)(2)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as added by this section) for calendar years after 1983.”
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–141 not applicable to certain obligations issued, DC Zone assets acquired, or principal residences acquired before , see section 401(d)(4)(C) of Pub. L. 115–141, set out as a note under former section 1400 of this title.
For provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 115–141 be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to , for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after , see section 401(e) of Pub. L. 115–141, set out as a note under section 23 of this title.
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of Pub. L. 99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after , see section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.