A four-phase review process
All CAEATFA applications are evaluated to determine the extent to which the anticipated benefits to the State from a project exceed the estimated cost of the avoided sales and use tax. CAEATFA Staff evaluates the fiscal and environmental benefits that stem directly from the sales and use tax exclusion. Only the anticipated marginal additional production (and resulting fiscal and environmental benefits) associated with the sales and use tax exclusion are included for purposes of evaluating applications.
The marginal additional production associated with the sales and use tax exclusion is determined based on an estimated increase in equipment purchases resulting from the sales and use tax exclusion. That is, because the sales and use tax exclusion in effect lowers the cost of purchasing capital equipment, applicants are assumed to purchase more such equipment than would be the case in the absence of the sales and use tax exclusion.