FY 2018 Sequestration Reduction Percentage for Direct Pay Tax Credit Bonds Set at 6.6 Percent

According to an update released by The IRS Office of Tax Exempt Bonds, the sequester reduction percentage applied to the payments made to issuers of direct pay bonds in fiscal year 2018 will be 6.6 percent. This percentage will apply to all direct credit subsidy payments scheduled to be made on or after October 1, 2017 through and including September 30, 2018. Direct pay bonds include Build America Bonds, Qualified School Construction Bonds, Qualified Zone Academy Bonds, New Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, and Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds for which an issuer elected to receive a direct credit subsidy pursuant to section 6431 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fiscal year 2018 percentage represents a slight decrease from the fiscal year 2017 sequestration reduction rate of 6.9 percent.  Congress may still alter the sequester for fiscal year 2018, and if such action is taken, the percentage may change or be eliminated. Absent Congressional action, the sequester reductions will continue through and including fiscal year 2024, with the sequestration reduction rate being set at different percentages each year.

For more information regarding the sequester reduction percentage, please contact Todd Greenwalt, Victoria Ozimek or Brian Teaff.