New Report Examines Growing Practice of Tax-Increment Financing for Development

From the report's executive summary:

"Tax-increment financing (TIF) has been a widely used tool for municipalities seeking private investment. TIF allows cities and towns to borrow against an area's future tax revenues in order to invest in immediate projects or encourage present development. When used properly, TIF can promote enduring growth and stronger communities for blighted neighborhoods; but TIF can also end up wasting taxpayer resources or channeling money to politically favored special interests.

This report lays out problems with tax-increment financing and recommends a series of reforms focused on added transparency and accountability."

Thanks to Phineas Baxandall