District of Columbia

District of Columbia Tax Changes - November 2024

Quick Look

Week Of 11.04.2024

The District of Columbia has amended its downtown housing tax abatement program through the "Housing in Downtown Tax Abatement Technical Amendment Act of 2024."

This act extends the time for obtaining a certificate of occupancy to 24 months from 18 months, requires the inclusion of a TOPA exemption in property covenants, mandates a competitive process for awarding abatements, and removes a square footage calculation for the abatement amount. These provisions were previously enacted on a temporary basis and are now permanent.

Last updated: November 8, 2024
Detailed Look

Week Of 11.04.2024

District of Columbia Property Tax Pending legislation—District of Columbia amends downtown housing tax abatement program.

The Mayor has signed the "Housing in Downtown Tax Abatement Technical Amendment Act of 2024," which will be sent to Congress for review. This act makes several amendments to the tax abatement program for downtown housing, including: (1) extending the time in which applicants must obtain a certificate of occupancy after an eligibility and reservation letter is transmitted to 24 months from 18 months; (2) requiring that the exemption allowed recipients of an abatement from the requirements of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) be included in the covenants that the properties must file to receive the abatement; (3) requiring the tax abatement to be awarded through a competitive process; and (4) removing a calculation of the abatement amount referencing square footage. Editor's Note: These provisions were previously enacted on a temporary basis by Act 25-399 (expires 11/20/2024). (L. 2024, Act 25-617, effective after a 30-day period of Congressional review and publication in the D.C. Register.)

Last updated: November 8, 2024

Week Of 11.04.2024

District of Columbia Property Tax Pending legislation—District of Columbia amends downtown housing tax abatement program.

The Mayor has signed the "Housing in Downtown Tax Abatement Technical Amendment Act of 2024," which will be sent to Congress for review. This act makes several amendments to the tax abatement program for downtown housing, including: (1) extending the time in which applicants must obtain a certificate of occupancy after an eligibility and reservation letter is transmitted to 24 months from 18 months; (2) requiring that the exemption allowed recipients of an abatement from the requirements of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) be included in the covenants that the properties must file to receive the abatement; (3) requiring the tax abatement to be awarded through a competitive process; and (4) removing a calculation of the abatement amount referencing square footage. Editor's Note: These provisions were previously enacted on a temporary basis by Act 25-399 (expires 11/20/2024). (L. 2024, Act 25-617, effective after a 30-day period of Congressional review and publication in the D.C. Register.)