Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones

Texas Tax Code Chapter 311 gives cities the authority to create special districts, one of the most effective key economic development tools in the state. The City of Garland has three tax increment financing (TIF) districts to promote the development and redevelopment of the following key geographic areas:

ALL GARLAND TIF DISTRICTS

map of all TIF districts in Garland

HIGHWAY 30 TIF DISTRICT

map of the IH30 TIF district in Garland

DOWNTOWN TIF

map of the Downtown TIF district in Garland

TIF #3

map of TIF 3 district in Garland

HOW TIFS WORK

The tax year in which the city establishes the TIF sets the real property and/or sales tax assessed value base (base year). For each year in the life of the TIF, a special fund captures the tax revenue (either or both real property and sales) generated from the difference between the base year assessed value and that year’s assess value. Other taxing districts except for school districts can choose to direct all or a portion of their tax revenues into the TIF.

A TIF District board of directors (TIF Authority) chooses how to spend the money captured in the TIF fund. TIF funds can only pay for a specific menu of eligible projects. When the TIF expires, all assessed value revenues are paid to the respective taxing districts like before the TIF was designated. The graph depicts how a TIF district works.

Source: Craig Johnson, Indiana University

Tax Increment Financing Example Graph Opens in new window

TIF-ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

  • Project costs related to the cost of buildings, schools or other educational facilities owned by or on behalf of a school district, community college district or other state political subdivision
  • Railroad or transit facilities
  • Affordable housing
  • Remediation of conditions that contaminate public or private land and buildings
  • Preservation of the facade of a private or public building
  • Demolition of public or private buildings
  • TIF administration fees
  • Financing costs, including interest and payments to TIF bond holders
  • Land acquisition, capital costs and interest before and during construction related to the acquisition and construction of public works of public improvements (streets, streetscape enhancements, utility infrastructure, sidewalks)
  • Land assembly costs for projects