—formally known as tax credit transferability—allows businesses and certain individuals to purchase federal or state tax credits at a discount to reduce their overall tax liability. Historically a niche activity for large corporations, this market has expanded significantly since the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 enabled a broader range of "transferable" credits. How Buying Tax Credits Works
All transfers must be made in cash (checks, wires, etc.) to be valid. These payments are not considered taxable income for the seller and are not deductible for the buyer. Key Market Segments (2026 Context) buying tax credits
Tax credit transfer involves a seller (e.g., a renewable energy developer) who has generated more credits than they can use and a buyer with a large tax bill. These payments are not considered taxable income for
Most federal credits can only be transferred once ; the buyer cannot resell them to another party. Buyers typically pay a discounted rate for credits,
Buyers typically pay a discounted rate for credits, such as $0.92 for every $1.00 of credit value. For example, a company might buy $1 million in credits for $920,000, creating an immediate $80,000 tax saving.