What's in It: 'Fiscal Cliff' Deal Includes 'NASCAR Tax Credit'

What's in It: 'Fiscal Cliff' Deal Includes 'NASCAR Tax Credit'

The “fiscal cliff” deal reached by the Senate and the White House on New Year’s Eve, and passed in legislative form by the Senate early New Year’s Day, includes many giveaways to special interests–including an extension of a perk enjoyed by “motorsports entertainment complexes” otherwise known as the “NASCAR tax credit.”

The provision, under section 168(i)(15) of the federal tax code, allows speedways to write off their costs over seven years. Typically, such expensing occurs over a much longer period of time, from 15 to 39 years. The cost of the NASCAR tax credit to taxpayers has been estimated at some $40 million–over and above any tax incentives provided by state and local authorities.

Hollywood films also enjoy a tax incentive extension in the “fiscal cliff” deal. The 157-page bill may grow yet larger–and more lucrative for special interests–as the House adds amendments.

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