86 Ill. Adm. Code 100.2100 — Replacement Tax Investment Credit Prior to January 1, 1994 (IITA 201(e))

# Replacement Tax Investment Credit Prior to January 1, 1994 (IITA 201(e))

TITLE 86: REVENUE CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE PART 100 INCOME TAX SECTION 100.2100 REPLACEMENT TAX INVESTMENT CREDIT PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1994 (IITA 201(E))

Section 100.2100 Replacement Tax Investment Credit Prior to January 1, 1994 (IITA 201(e))

a) Scope of this Section. Hereinafter, unless specifically provided otherwise the term "investment credit" refers to the credit against the Personal Property Tax Replacement Income Tax provided by IITA Section 201(e).

b) A taxpayer shall be allowed a credit equal to .5% of the basis of qualified property placed in service during the taxable year, provided such property is placed in service on or after July 1, 1984 (IITA Section 201(e)(1)).

c) There shall be allowed an additional credit equal to .5% of the basis of qualified property placed in service during the taxable year provided such property is placed in service on or after July 1, 1986, and the taxpayer's base employment within Illinois has increased by 1% or more over the preceding year as determined by the taxpayer's employment records filed with the Illinois Department of Employment Security. If, in any year, the increase in base employment over the preceding year is less than 1%, the additional credit shall be limited to that percentage times a fraction, the numerator of which is .5% and the denominator of which is 1%, but shall not exceed .5% (IITA Section 201(e)(1)). 1) Base employment. For purposes of calculating the additional investment credit, base employment in Illinois is defined as the average monthly total of individuals employed in Illinois by a taxpayer during the taxable year. To calculate base employment for a particular taxable year, the taxpayer need only total the number of individuals he employed in Illinois during each month of the taxable year as reported to the Illinois Department of Employment Security on Line 1 of Form UC-3/40 or UI-3/40M and divide this total by the number of months in the taxable year. 2) Example of the Additional Investment Credit Computation. During the calendar year 1991, Corporation A reported 500 employees each month on Line 1 of Form UC-3/40. Therefore, Corporation A's base employment in Illinois for 1991 was 500 ((500 x 12)/12 = 500). In 1992, Corporation A reported 500 employees for each of the first six months, and 505 employees for each of the remaining six months of the taxable year. Therefore, Corporation A's base employment for 1992 was 502.5 ((500 x 6) + (505 x 6)/12 = 502.5). Corporation A's percentage of increase in 1992 base employment over 1991 base employment is .5%. This figure is computed by subtracting the 1991 base employment from the 1992 base employment and dividing the remainder by the 1991 base employment ((502.5 - 500)/500 = .005 or .5%). Corporation A will be allowed an additional investment credit for 1992 of .25% (one-half the percentage of increase) times the adjusted basis of qualified property placed in service in Illinois during the taxable year and on or after July 1986.

d) The investment credit is not allowed to the extent it would decrease the taxpayer's replacement tax liability for the taxable year to less than zero, nor may any credit for qualified property be allowed for any year other than the year in which the property was placed in service in Illinois.

1) No carryback or carryforward of unused credit is allowed for tax years ending prior to December 31, 1985.

2) For tax years ending on or after December 31, 1987, and on or before December 31, 1988, the credit shall be allowed for the tax year in which the property is placed in service, or, if the amount of the credit exceeds the tax liability for that year, whether it exceeds the original liability or the liability as later amended, such excess may be carried forward and applied to the tax liability of the 5 taxable years following the excess credit years if the taxpayer: A) makes investments which cause the creation of a minimum of 2,000 full-time equivalent jobs in Illinois, B) is located in an enterprise zone established pursuant to the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act, and C) is certified by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs as complying with the requirements specified in subsections (d)(2)(A) and (B) above, by July 1, 1986 (IITA Section 203(e)(1)).

3) For tax years ending after December 31, 1988, the credit shall be allowed for the tax year in which the property is placed in service, or, if the amount of the credit exceeds the tax liability for that year, whether it exceeds the original liability or the liability as later amended, such excess may be carried forward and applied to the tax liability of the 5 taxable years following the excess credit year. The credit shall be applied to the earliest year for which there is a liability. If there is credit from more than one tax year that is available to offset a liability, earlier credit shall be applied first.

e) Qualified property. In order to qualify for the investment credit, property must be tangible; depreciable pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 167, except that "3-year property" as defined in IRC Section 168(c)(2)(A) is not eligible; and acquired by purchase as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 179(d). IRC Section 168(c)(2)(A), as in effect at the time the credit was enacted, defined "3-year property" to mean "section 1245 property: with a present class life of 4 years or less; or used in connection with research and experimentation." In addition to the above requirements, property must be used in Illinois, by the taxpayer, in manufacturing, retailing, coal mining or fluorite mining in order to qualify for the IITA Section 201(e) credit against the replacement tax. Qualified property can be new or used; but cannot have been previously used in Illinois, in such a manner and by such a person as would qualify for the investment credit, or for the Section 201(f) Enterprise Zone Investment Credit, and includes buildings and structural components thereof.

1) Tangible property. Tangible property can consist of personalty or realty and includes, but is not limited to, buildings, component parts of buildings, machinery, equipment, and vehicles. Certain property, though tangible in nature, does not qualify as investment credit property because it is not depreciable.

2) Depreciable. In order to qualify for the investment credit, property must also be depreciable pursuant to IRC Section 167. IRC Section 167 provides that depreciable property is property used in the taxpayer's trade or business or held for the production of income which is subject to wear and tear, exhaustion, or obsolescence.

A) Property which is depreciated under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) as provided by IRC Section 168, is considered depreciable pursuant to IRC Section 167 for purposes of the investment credit. Property assigned to a MACRS class of less than 4 years does not qualify for the investment credit.

B) Examples of tangible property which is not depreciable are land, inventories or stock in trade, natural resources, and coin or currency.

C) The provisions of Treasury Reg. Section 1.167(a)-4 shall govern in determining whether leasehold improvements are depreciable.

D) IRC Section 179 allows taxpayers, under certain circumstances, to expense up to $10,000 of equipment purchased in a single tax year. Based on this provision, if the total cost of the property was $10,000 or less, the taxpayer has the option of expensing the cost all in one year as a depreciation expense. While the property does have a useful life of four or more years, since the election was made to completely expense the cost of the property in one year, the property has no federal depreciable basis and does not have a basis upon which to compute the Illinois investment tax credit. Property not fully expensed under Section 179 would qualify for the credit based on the cost of the depreciable property reduced by the Section 179 deduction.

3) Placed in service. For purposes of the Illinois investment credit, "placed in service" has the same meaning as under IRC Section 46. Property will be considered to have been placed in service in the same taxable year in which it is taken into account in determining the federal investment tax credit. See Treasury Reg. Section 1.46-3(d). A) Even though property is placed in service in the same taxable year in which it is taken into account in determining the Federal investment tax credit only property placed in service in Illinois after June 30, 1984 and before January 1, 1997 can qualify for consideration in determining the credit against the replacement tax. Qualifying property shall be considered placed in service in Illinois on the date on which the property is placed in a condition or state of readiness and availability for a specifically assigned function. See Treasury Reg. Section 1.46-3(d)(2). B) Property which is disposed of or which ceases to qualify for any other reason during the same taxable year it was placed in service in Illinois will not be considered in computing the investment credit for the taxable year.

4) Adjusted basis. The basis of qualified property for purposes of the investment credit is the property's basis used to compute the depreciation deduction for federal income tax purposes. A) In computing the amount of investment credit available for a taxable year, the proper investment credit rate will be applied to the total basis of all qualified property placed in service in Illinois during the taxable year, provided the property continues to qualify on the last day of the taxable year. B) If the basis of property placed in service during a taxable year is increased or decreased during the same taxable year, the increased or decreased basis will be used to compute the investment credit for the taxable year.

5) Acquired by purchase. In order to qualify for the investment credit, the property must have been acquired by purchase as defined in IRC Section 179(d). For purposes of determining whether property is acquired by purchase as defined by IRC Section 179(d), the family of an individual includes only his spouse, ancestors and lineal descendants. Also, for these purposes only, a controlled group has the same meaning as in IRC Section 1563(a), except stock ownership of only 50% or more is required. See Treasury Reg. Section 1.179-4 under the Internal Revenue Code. Property which the taxpayer constructs, reconstructs or erects itself is generally considered acquired by purchase. IRC Section 179 defines purchase as any acquisition of property except: A) an acquisition from a person whose relationship to the acquiring person is such that a resulting loss would be disallowed under IRC Section 267 or 707(b); B) an acquisition by one component member of a controlled group from another component member of the group; an acquisition of property, if the basis of the property in the hands of the person acquiring it is determined in whole or in part by its adjusted basis in the hands of the person from whom the property was acquired; or C) an acquisition of property, the basis of which is determined under IRC Section 1014(a). IRC Section 1014(a) covers property acquired from a decedent. Property acquired by bequest or demise is not acquired by purchase.

6) Used in Illinois. Mobile property such as vehicles must be used predominantly in Illinois. Removal of such property from Illinois for a temporary and transitory purpose will not disqualify the property so long as it continues to be used predominantly in the Illinois operation of the taxpayer. For purposes of this Section, mobile property is considered to be predominantly used in Illinois if usage in Illinois exceeds usage outside of Illinois. Example. A retailer sometimes uses its trucks based in Illinois to deliver goods both in Illinois and to out-of-State buyers. Such temporary absence of its trucks from Illinois does not disqualify them.

7) Manufacturing, retailing, coal or fluorite mining. In general, in order to qualify for the investment credit against the replacement tax, property must be used in Illinois by the taxpayer exclusively in manufacturing operations, retailing, coal mining, or fluorite mining. See subsection (d) of this regulation for the method of apportioning the cost of a building or structural component thereof when a portion of such building or structural component is used in a non-qualifying operation. A lessor of otherwise qualifying property, which property is used by the lessee in manufacturing, retailing, or coal or fluorite mining operations, would not qualify for the credit because the property is not used "by the taxpayer".

8) Manufacturing operations. "Manufacturing operations" is defined in IITA Section 201(e)(3) as the material staging and production of tangible personal property by procedures commonly regarded as manufacturing, processing, fabrication or assembling which changes some existing material into new shapes, new qualities, or new combinations. It is not necessary that such procedures result in a finished consumer product. Procedures commonly regarded as manufacturing, processing, fabrication or assembling are those so regarded by the general public. The use of otherwise qualifying property in any industrial, commercial or business activity which may be distinguished from manufacturing, processing, fabrication or assembling will not be considered a manufacturing operation for purposes of the Section 201(e) credit. For example, a building constructed to house the administrative services division of a manufacturing company would not be used for manufacturing operations and would not qualify for the Section 201(e) credit. By way of further example, otherwise qualifying property used in the following operations will not qualify for the investment credit because the activities described are generally not considered manufacturing operations:

A) Agricultural activities such as cultivating the soil; raising or harvesting crops; the production of seed or seedlings; and the development of hybrid seeds, plants, or shoots are not manufacturing operations. The raising or breeding of livestock, poultry, fish or any other animals, as well as commercial fishing or beekeeping is not manufacturing.

B) Manufacturing operations do not include mining; quarrying; logging; drilling for oil, gas or water; or any other operations which result in the extraction or procurement of a natural resource. However, the refining or processing of such natural resources into a product of a different form or a product which has different qualities is manufacturing.

C) Persons engaged in the construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, or improvement of real estate are not considered engaged in manufacturing operations.

D) Manufacturing operations do not include research and development of new products or production techniques.

E) Manufacturing operations do not include the use of machinery or equipment in managerial or other non-production, non-operational activities including disposal of waste, scrap or residue, inventory control, production scheduling, work routing, purchasing, receiving, accounting, fiscal management, general communications, plant security, or personnel recruitment, selection or training.

9) Retailing. Retailing is defined as the sale of tangible personal property or services rendered in conjunction with the sale of tangible consumer goods or commodities (IITA Section 203(e)(3)). It is not required that such tangible personal property be finished consumer goods, or that the property be sold to its ultimate consumer. For example, sales of tangible personal property for resale are included in the definition of retailing. Also included in the definition of retailing for these purposes are any services rendered in conjunction with the sale of tangible consumer goods or commodities such as uncrating, cleaning, assembling, delivery or installation, provided such services are in conjunction with a specific sale. For example, a delivery truck would qualify for the Section 201(e) credit as it is used in conjunction with specific sales but a company jet used by the president of the company for general or personal purposes would not. Similarly, equipment used by the payroll division of a company would not be used in a retailing operation or in a service rendered in conjunction with the sale of tangible consumer goods. The following activities are not considered retailing operations:

A) The construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, or improvement of real estate;

B) The operation of a hotel or motel or other institution providing only lodging facilities;

C) Other service professions which do not involve the transfer of tangible personal property other than as an incident to the service performed. For guidance in distinguishing service professions from retailing professions, the Department will rely on rules promulgated under the Service Occupation Tax Act at 86 Ill. Adm. Code 140;

D) Farming operations related to crop and livestock production do not constitute retailing. However, the marketing of such products would constitute a retailing operation and otherwise qualifying property used in marketing farm produce would qualify for the Section 201(h) credit.

10) Mining of coal or fluorite. Mining has the same meaning as in Section 613(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, but shall be limited to the mining of coal and fluorite (IITA Section 203(e)(3)). Mining as defined in IRC Section 613(c) includes not only extraction, but also treatment processes such as cleaning, breaking, sorting, sizing, dust allaying, and loading for shipment.

11) New or used. Qualifying property can be new or used; however, used property does not qualify if it was previously used in Illinois in such a manner and by such a person as would qualify for the Illinois investment credit. A) Example: Corporation A purchases a used pick-up truck, for use in its manufacturing business in Illinois, from an Illinois resident who used the truck for personal purposes in Illinois. If the truck meets all the other requirements for the investment credit it will not be disqualified, merely, because it was previously used in Illinois for a purpose which did not qualify for the credit. However, had Corporation A purchased the used truck from an Illinois taxpayer in whose hands the truck qualified for the investment credit, the truck would not be qualified property to Corporation A, even though the party from whom the truck was acquired had never received an investment credit for it. B) Property which would otherwise qualify for the credit will not be disqualified because it was previously used in such a manner and by such a person as would have qualified for the investment credit before the time such credit came into effect. Example: In August of 1983, Corporation A purchased a drill press for use in its manufacturing operation in an Illinois Enterprise Zone from Corporation B. Corporation B originally placed the drill press into service in its Illinois manufacturing operation in January of 1980, before the investment credit came into effect. Even though Corporation B would have qualified for the Illinois investment credit had there been a credit in 1980, this will not disqualify Corporation A from claiming a credit for this property, provided the property is otherwise qualified. However, should Corporation A sell the property to Corporation C for use in its Illinois manufacturing operation, the property would not qualify for the investment credit, even though it would otherwise qualify. Because the property was used in such a manner and by such a person as would have qualified for the investment credit at a time when at least one of the credits was in effect. The fact that the credit was not yet effective when Corporation A placed the property in service will not cause the property to qualify for the credit in the hands of Corporation C because IITA Section 201(e) specifically provides that the property is disqualified if it previously qualified under either IITA Section 201(e) or 201(f).

f) Apportioning cost when a building is used for both qualifying and non-qualifying operations. To qualify for the Section 201(e) credit, property must be used exclusively in one of the qualified operations, such as manufacturing, but the taxpayer need not be exclusively engaged in such operations. Therefore, situations may arise where a building or structure is used to house both qualifying and non-qualifying operations. In such cases, the portion of the cost associated with that part of the building used exclusively in manufacturing operations would qualify for the credit, but not that part of the building, or any part of a separate building, used for non-qualified operations. The cost of the building can be apportioned by multiplying the cost of the building by a fraction, the numerator of which is total square footage devoted to qualifying operations and the denominator of which is total square footage.

g) Recapture. If within 48 months after being placed in service, any property ceases to be qualified property in the hands of the taxpayer or the situs of any qualified property is moved outside of Illinois, or outside of the enterprise zone, for other than a temporary or transitory purpose, then the personal property tax replacement income or the income tax (whichever was reduced by the credit) for the taxable year in which such event occurred will be increased.

1) Any property disposed of by the taxpayer within 48 months of being placed in service ceases to qualify. Also, any property converted to personal use ceases to qualify. Any property used in other than manufacturing, retailing, coal mining or fluorite mining ceases to qualify.

2) A taxpayer disposes of property when he sells the property, exchanges or trades in worn-out property for new property, abandons the property or retires it from use. Property destroyed by casualty, stolen, or transferred as a gift is treated as having been disposed of. Property which is mortgaged or used as security for a loan does not cease to qualify provided the taxpayer continues to use the property in its business within Illinois. Property transferred to a trustee in bankruptcy is considered disposed of in the year the property is transferred to the trustee. A transfer of property by foreclosure is treated as a disposition.

3) The reduction of the basis of qualified property resulting from the redetermination of the purchase price is a disposition of qualified property to the extent of such reduction in the taxable year the reduction takes place. This occurs, for example, when property is purchased and placed in service in one year, and in a later year the taxpayer receives a refund of part of the original purchase price. See Treasury Reg. Section 1.47-2(c) under the Internal Revenue Code.

4) In order to determine the amount by which the personal property tax replacement income tax or the income tax must be increased in the taxable year in which the property ceased to qualify, was moved outside of Illinois or the enterprise zone, the taxpayer must recompute the investment credit for the taxable year in which the property was placed in service by eliminating from his calculations any such property. This recomputed investment credit is subtracted from the amount of credit actually used in the year in which the disqualified property was placed in service. The difference between the recomputed credit and the credit actually used is added to the personal property tax replacement income tax or the income tax for the year in which the property ceased to qualify or was moved outside of Illinois. If the recomputed credit is greater than the credit actually used in the year the property was placed in service, no addition to the current taxable year's personal property tax replacement income tax or income tax is required. EXAMPLE: In 1985, Corporation A places qualifying property with a basis of $55,000 into service in an enterprise zone located in Illinois and computes a Section 201(g) investment credit for the year of $275 ($55,000.00 x .5%) and a Section 201(h) investment credit of $275 ($55,000 x .5%). Corporation A's 1985 personal property tax replacement income tax is $260 and its income tax liability for the year is $420. After application of the investment credit, Corporation A has no remaining replacement tax liability and its remaining income tax liability is $145. In the following year, Corporation A moved a qualifying asset having a basis in 1985 of $5,000 from Illinois and is therefore required to recapture a portion of the investment credit applied against its replacement tax. In order to determine its additional income tax for 1986, Corporation A must recompute its 1985 investment credit by eliminating the disqualified property ($55,000 - $5,000 x .5% = $250). This recomputed credit is subtracted from the investment credit actually used in 1985 against the income tax ($260 - $250 = $10) and the difference is added to Corporation A's 1986 income tax after application of the 1986 investment credit. (Source: Amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 10593, effective July 7, 2000)

Section 100.2100 Replacement Tax Investment Credit Prior to January 1, 1994 (IITA 201(e))

a) Scope of this Section. Hereinafter, unless specifically provided otherwise the term "investment credit" refers to the credit against the Personal Property Tax Replacement Income Tax provided by IITA Section 201(e).

b) A taxpayer shall be allowed a credit equal to .5% of the basis of qualified property placed in service during the taxable year, provided such property is placed in service on or after July 1, 1984 (IITA Section 201(e)(1)).

c) There shall be allowed an additional credit equal to .5% of the basis of qualified property placed in service during the taxable year provided such property is placed in service on or after July 1, 1986, and the taxpayer's base employment within Illinois has increased by 1% or more over the preceding year as determined by the taxpayer's employment records filed with the Illinois Department of Employment Security. If, in any year, the increase in base employment over the preceding year is less than 1%, the additional credit shall be limited to that percentage times a fraction, the numerator of which is .5% and the denominator of which is 1%, but shall not exceed .5% (IITA Section 201(e)(1)).

1) Base employment. For purposes of calculating the additional investment credit, base employment in Illinois is defined as the average monthly total of individuals employed in Illinois by a taxpayer during the taxable year. To calculate base employment for a particular taxable year, the taxpayer need only total the number of individuals he employed in Illinois during each month of the taxable year as reported to the Illinois Department of Employment Security on Line 1 of Form UC-3/40 or UI-3/40M and divide this total by the number of months in the taxable year.

2) Example of the Additional Investment Credit Computation. During the calendar year 1991, Corporation A reported 500 employees each month on Line 1 of Form UC-3/40. Therefore, Corporation A's base employment in Illinois for 1991 was 500 ((500 x 12)/12 = 500). In 1992, Corporation A reported 500 employees for each of the first six months, and 505 employees for each of the remaining six months of the taxable year. Therefore, Corporation A's base employment for 1992 was 502.5 ((500 x 6) + (505 x 6)/12 = 502.5). Corporation A's percentage of increase in 1992 base employment over 1991 base employment is .5%. This figure is computed by subtracting the 1991 base employment from the 1992 base employment and dividing the remainder by the 1991 base employment ((502.5 - 500)/500 = .005 or .5%). Corporation A will be allowed an additional investment credit for 1992 of .25% (one-half the percentage of increase) times the adjusted basis of qualified property placed in service in Illinois during the taxable year and on or after July 1986.

d) The investment credit is not allowed to the extent it would decrease the taxpayer's replacement tax liability for the taxable year to less than zero, nor may any credit for qualified property be allowed for any year other than the year in which the property was placed in service in Illinois.

1) No carryback or carryforward of unused credit is allowed for tax years ending prior to December 31, 1985.

2) For tax years ending on or after December 31, 1987, and on or before December 31, 1988, the credit shall be allowed for the tax year in which the property is placed in service, or, if the amount of the credit exceeds the tax liability for that year, whether it exceeds the original liability or the liability as later amended, such excess may be carried forward and applied to the tax liability of the 5 taxable years following the excess credit years if the taxpayer:

A) makes investments which cause the creation of a minimum of 2,000 full-time equivalent jobs in Illinois,

B) is located in an enterprise zone established pursuant to the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act, and

C) is certified by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs as complying with the requirements specified in subsections (d)(2)(A) and (B) above, by July 1, 1986 (IITA Section 203(e)(1)).

3) For tax years ending after December 31, 1988, the credit shall be allowed for the tax year in which the property is placed in service, or, if the amount of the credit exceeds the tax liability for that year, whether it exceeds the original liability or the liability as later amended, such excess may be carried forward and applied to the tax liability of the 5 taxable years following the excess credit year. The credit shall be applied to the earliest year for which there is a liability. If there is credit from more than one tax year that is available to offset a liability, earlier credit shall be applied first.

e) Qualified property. In order to qualify for the investment credit, property must be tangible; depreciable pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 167, except that "3-year property" as defined in IRC Section 168(c)(2)(A) is not eligible; and acquired by purchase as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 179(d). IRC Section 168(c)(2)(A), as in effect at the time the credit was enacted, defined "3-year property" to mean "section 1245 property: with a present class life of 4 years or less; or used in connection with research and experimentation." In addition to the above requirements, property must be used in Illinois, by the taxpayer, in manufacturing, retailing, coal mining or fluorite mining in order to qualify for the IITA Section 201(e) credit against the replacement tax. Qualified property can be new or used; but cannot have been previously used in Illinois, in such a manner and by such a person as would qualify for the investment credit, or for the Section 201(f) Enterprise Zone Investment Credit, and includes buildings and structural components thereof.

1) Tangible property. Tangible property can consist of personalty or realty and includes, but is not limited to, buildings, component parts of buildings, machinery, equipment, and vehicles. Certain property, though tangible in nature, does not qualify as investment credit property because it is not depreciable.

2) Depreciable. In order to qualify for the investment credit, property must also be depreciable pursuant to IRC Section 167. IRC Section 167 provides that depreciable property is property used in the taxpayer's trade or business or held for the production of income which is subject to wear and tear, exhaustion, or obsolescence.

A) Property which is depreciated under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) as provided by IRC Section 168, is considered depreciable pursuant to IRC Section 167 for purposes of the investment credit. Property assigned to a MACRS class of less than 4 years does not qualify for the investment credit.

B) Examples of tangible property which is not depreciable are land, inventories or stock in trade, natural resources, and coin or currency.

C) The provisions of Treasury Reg. Section 1.167(a)-4 shall govern in determining whether leasehold improvements are depreciable.

D) IRC Section 179 allows taxpayers, under certain circumstances, to expense up to $10,000 of equipment purchased in a single tax year. Based on this provision, if the total cost of the property was $10,000 or less, the taxpayer has the option of expensing the cost all in one year as a depreciation expense. While the property does have a useful life of four or more years, since the election was made to completely expense the cost of the property in one year, the property has no federal depreciable basis and does not have a basis upon which to compute the Illinois investment tax credit. Property not fully expensed under Section 179 would qualify for the credit based on the cost of the depreciable property reduced by the Section 179 deduction.

3) Placed in service. For purposes of the Illinois investment credit, "placed in service" has the same meaning as under IRC Section 46. Property will be considered to have been placed in service in the same taxable year in which it is taken into account in determining the federal investment tax credit. See Treasury Reg. Section 1.46-3(d).

A) Even though property is placed in service in the same taxable year in which it is taken into account in determining the Federal investment tax credit only property placed in service in Illinois after June 30, 1984 and before January 1, 1997 can qualify for consideration in determining the credit against the replacement tax. Qualifying property shall be considered placed in service in Illinois on the date on which the property is placed in a condition or state of readiness and availability for a specifically assigned function. See Treasury Reg. Section 1.46-3(d)(2).

B) Property which is disposed of or which ceases to qualify for any other reason during the same taxable year it was placed in service in Illinois will not be considered in computing the investment credit for the taxable year.

4) Adjusted basis. The basis of qualified property for purposes of the investment credit is the property's basis used to compute the depreciation deduction for federal income tax purposes.

A) In computing the amount of investment credit available for a taxable year, the proper investment credit rate will be applied to the total basis of all qualified property placed in service in Illinois during the taxable year, provided the property continues to qualify on the last day of the taxable year.

B) If the basis of property placed in service during a taxable year is increased or decreased during the same taxable year, the increased or decreased basis will be used to compute the investment credit for the taxable year.

5) Acquired by purchase. In order to qualify for the investment credit, the property must have been acquired by purchase as defined in IRC Section 179(d). For purposes of determining whether property is acquired by purchase as defined by IRC Section 179(d), the family of an individual includes only his spouse, ancestors and lineal descendants. Also, for these purposes only, a controlled group has the same meaning as in IRC Section 1563(a), except stock ownership of only 50% or more is required. See Treasury Reg. Section 1.179-4 under the Internal Revenue Code. Property which the taxpayer constructs, reconstructs or erects itself is generally considered acquired by purchase. IRC Section 179 defines purchase as any acquisition of property except:

A) an acquisition from a person whose relationship to the acquiring person is such that a resulting loss would be disallowed under IRC Section 267 or 707(b);

B) an acquisition by one component member of a controlled group from another component member of the group; an acquisition of property, if the basis of the property in the hands of the person acquiring it is determined in whole or in part by its adjusted basis in the hands of the person from whom the property was acquired; or

C) an acquisition of property, the basis of which is determined under IRC Section 1014(a). IRC Section 1014(a) covers property acquired from a decedent. Property acquired by bequest or demise is not acquired by purchase.

6) Used in Illinois. Mobile property such as vehicles must be used predominantly in Illinois. Removal of such property from Illinois for a temporary and transitory purpose will not disqualify the property so long as it continues to be used predominantly in the Illinois operation of the taxpayer. For purposes of this Section, mobile property is considered to be predominantly used in Illinois if usage in Illinois exceeds usage outside of Illinois. Example. A retailer sometimes uses its trucks based in Illinois to deliver goods both in Illinois and to out-of-State buyers. Such temporary absence of its trucks from Illinois does not disqualify them.

7) Manufacturing, retailing, coal or fluorite mining. In general, in order to qualify for the investment credit against the replacement tax, property must be used in Illinois by the taxpayer exclusively in manufacturing operations, retailing, coal mining, or fluorite mining. See subsection (d) of this regulation for the method of apportioning the cost of a building or structural component thereof when a portion of such building or structural component is used in a non-qualifying operation. A lessor of otherwise qualifying property, which property is used by the lessee in manufacturing, retailing, or coal or fluorite mining operations, would not qualify for the credit because the property is not used "by the taxpayer".

8) Manufacturing operations. "Manufacturing operations" is defined in IITA Section 201(e)(3) as the material staging and production of tangible personal property by procedures commonly regarded as manufacturing, processing, fabrication or assembling which changes some existing material into new shapes, new qualities, or new combinations. It is not necessary that such procedures result in a finished consumer product. Procedures commonly regarded as manufacturing, processing, fabrication or assembling are those so regarded by the general public. The use of otherwise qualifying property in any industrial, commercial or business activity which may be distinguished from manufacturing, processing, fabrication or assembling will not be considered a manufacturing operation for purposes of the Section 201(e) credit. For example, a building constructed to house the administrative services division of a manufacturing company would not be used for manufacturing operations and would not qualify for the Section 201(e) credit. By way of further example, otherwise qualifying property used in the following operations will not qualify for the investment credit because the activities described are generally not considered manufacturing operations:

A) Agricultural activities such as cultivating the soil; raising or harvesting crops; the production of seed or seedlings; and the development of hybrid seeds, plants, or shoots are not manufacturing operations. The raising or breeding of livestock, poultry, fish or any other animals, as well as commercial fishing or beekeeping is not manufacturing.

B) Manufacturing operations do not include mining; quarrying; logging; drilling for oil, gas or water; or any other operations which result in the extraction or procurement of a natural resource. However, the refining or processing of such natural resources into a product of a different form or a product which has different qualities is manufacturing.

C) Persons engaged in the construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, or improvement of real estate are not considered engaged in manufacturing operations.

D) Manufacturing operations do not include research and development of new products or production techniques.

E) Manufacturing operations do not include the use of machinery or equipment in managerial or other non-production, non-operational activities including disposal of waste, scrap or residue, inventory control, production scheduling, work routing, purchasing, receiving, accounting, fiscal management, general communications, plant security, or personnel recruitment, selection or training.

9) Retailing. Retailing is defined as the sale of tangible personal property or services rendered in conjunction with the sale of tangible consumer goods or commodities (IITA Section 203(e)(3)). It is not required that such tangible personal property be finished consumer goods, or that the property be sold to its ultimate consumer. For example, sales of tangible personal property for resale are included in the definition of retailing. Also included in the definition of retailing for these purposes are any services rendered in conjunction with the sale of tangible consumer goods or commodities such as uncrating, cleaning, assembling, delivery or installation, provided such services are in conjunction with a specific sale. For example, a delivery truck would qualify for the Section 201(e) credit as it is used in conjunction with specific sales but a company jet used by the president of the company for general or personal purposes would not. Similarly, equipment used by the payroll division of a company would not be used in a retailing operation or in a service rendered in conjunction with the sale of tangible consumer goods. The following activities are not considered retailing operations:

A) The construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, or improvement of real estate;

B) The operation of a hotel or motel or other institution providing only lodging facilities;

C) Other service professions which do not involve the transfer of tangible personal property other than as an incident to the service performed. For guidance in distinguishing service professions from retailing professions, the Department will rely on rules promulgated under the Service Occupation Tax Act at 86 Ill. Adm. Code 140;

D) Farming operations related to crop and livestock production do not constitute retailing. However, the marketing of such products would constitute a retailing operation and otherwise qualifying property used in marketing farm produce would qualify for the Section 201(h) credit.

10) Mining of coal or fluorite. Mining has the same meaning as in Section 613(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, but shall be limited to the mining of coal and fluorite (IITA Section 203(e)(3)). Mining as defined in IRC Section 613(c) includes not only extraction, but also treatment processes such as cleaning, breaking, sorting, sizing, dust allaying, and loading for shipment.

11) New or used. Qualifying property can be new or used; however, used property does not qualify if it was previously used in Illinois in such a manner and by such a person as would qualify for the Illinois investment credit.

A) Example: Corporation A purchases a used pick-up truck, for use in its manufacturing business in Illinois, from an Illinois resident who used the truck for personal purposes in Illinois. If the truck meets all the other requirements for the investment credit it will not be disqualified, merely, because it was previously used in Illinois for a purpose which did not qualify for the credit. However, had Corporation A purchased the used truck from an Illinois taxpayer in whose hands the truck qualified for the investment credit, the truck would not be qualified property to Corporation A, even though the party from whom the truck was acquired had never received an investment credit for it.

B) Property which would otherwise qualify for the credit will not be disqualified because it was previously used in such a manner and by such a person as would have qualified for the investment credit before the time such credit came into effect. Example: In August of 1983, Corporation A purchased a drill press for use in its manufacturing operation in an Illinois Enterprise Zone from Corporation B. Corporation B originally placed the drill press into service in its Illinois manufacturing operation in January of 1980, before the investment credit came into effect. Even though Corporation B would have qualified for the Illinois investment credit had there been a credit in 1980, this will not disqualify Corporation A from claiming a credit for this property, provided the property is otherwise qualified. However, should Corporation A sell the property to Corporation C for use in its Illinois manufacturing operation, the property would not qualify for the investment credit, even though it would otherwise qualify. Because the property was used in such a manner and by such a person as would have qualified for the investment credit at a time when at least one of the credits was in effect. The fact that the credit was not yet effective when Corporation A placed the property in service will not cause the property to qualify for the credit in the hands of Corporation C because IITA Section 201(e) specifically provides that the property is disqualified if it previously qualified under either IITA Section 201(e) or 201(f).

f) Apportioning cost when a building is used for both qualifying and non-qualifying operations. To qualify for the Section 201(e) credit, property must be used exclusively in one of the qualified operations, such as manufacturing, but the taxpayer need not be exclusively engaged in such operations. Therefore, situations may arise where a building or structure is used to house both qualifying and non-qualifying operations. In such cases, the portion of the cost associated with that part of the building used exclusively in manufacturing operations would qualify for the credit, but not that part of the building, or any part of a separate building, used for non-qualified operations. The cost of the building can be apportioned by multiplying the cost of the building by a fraction, the numerator of which is total square footage devoted to qualifying operations and the denominator of which is total square footage.

g) Recapture. If within 48 months after being placed in service, any property ceases to be qualified property in the hands of the taxpayer or the situs of any qualified property is moved outside of Illinois, or outside of the enterprise zone, for other than a temporary or transitory purpose, then the personal property tax replacement income or the income tax (whichever was reduced by the credit) for the taxable year in which such event occurred will be increased.

1) Any property disposed of by the taxpayer within 48 months of being placed in service ceases to qualify. Also, any property converted to personal use ceases to qualify. Any property used in other than manufacturing, retailing, coal mining or fluorite mining ceases to qualify.

2) A taxpayer disposes of property when he sells the property, exchanges or trades in worn-out property for new property, abandons the property or retires it from use. Property destroyed by casualty, stolen, or transferred as a gift is treated as having been disposed of. Property which is mortgaged or used as security for a loan does not cease to qualify provided the taxpayer continues to use the property in its business within Illinois. Property transferred to a trustee in bankruptcy is considered disposed of in the year the property is transferred to the trustee. A transfer of property by foreclosure is treated as a disposition.

3) The reduction of the basis of qualified property resulting from the redetermination of the purchase price is a disposition of qualified property to the extent of such reduction in the taxable year the reduction takes place. This occurs, for example, when property is purchased and placed in service in one year, and in a later year the taxpayer receives a refund of part of the original purchase price. See Treasury Reg. Section 1.47-2(c) under the Internal Revenue Code.

4) In order to determine the amount by which the personal property tax replacement income tax or the income tax must be increased in the taxable year in which the property ceased to qualify, was moved outside of Illinois or the enterprise zone, the taxpayer must recompute the investment credit for the taxable year in which the property was placed in service by eliminating from his calculations any such property. This recomputed investment credit is subtracted from the amount of credit actually used in the year in which the disqualified property was placed in service. The difference between the recomputed credit and the credit actually used is added to the personal property tax replacement income tax or the income tax for the year in which the property ceased to qualify or was moved outside of Illinois. If the recomputed credit is greater than the credit actually used in the year the property was placed in service, no addition to the current taxable year's personal property tax replacement income tax or income tax is required.

EXAMPLE: In 1985, Corporation A places qualifying property with a basis of $55,000 into service in an enterprise zone located in Illinois and computes a Section 201(g) investment credit for the year of $275 ($55,000.00 x .5%) and a Section 201(h) investment credit of $275 ($55,000 x .5%). Corporation A's 1985 personal property tax replacement income tax is $260 and its income tax liability for the year is $420. After application of the investment credit, Corporation A has no remaining replacement tax liability and its remaining income tax liability is $145. In the following year, Corporation A moved a qualifying asset having a basis in 1985 of $5,000 from Illinois and is therefore required to recapture a portion of the investment credit applied against its replacement tax. In order to determine its additional income tax for 1986, Corporation A must recompute its 1985 investment credit by eliminating the disqualified property ($55,000 - $5,000 x .5% = $250). This recomputed credit is subtracted from the investment credit actually used in 1985 against the income tax ($260 - $250 = $10) and the difference is added to Corporation A's 1986 income tax after application of the 1986 investment credit.

# Source

(Source: Amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 10593, effective July 7, 2000)