Tax Equity News

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Incentives

Posted by Gabrielle Jacques

July 13, 2023

Posted in Blog article Renewable energy


Among the Inflation Reduction Act’s package of credits and incentives for renewable fuel production is a new set of tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”).  These incentives support the Biden administration’s goal of producing 3 billion gallons of SAF in the U.S. by 2030.  Treasury adopted a two-phase implementation approach.  The first phase applies to SAF/conventional jet fuel blends sold during 2023 and 2024.  Phase one is found in section 40B of the tax code.  Phase two applies to clean fuel, including SAF, produced and sold from 2025 through 2027.  Phase two is found in section 45Z of the tax code.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

SAF Tax Credit Details

Two ways to claim the new SAF credits for qualifying mixtures.

  • Section 40B income tax credit (not eligible for transferability or direct pay)
  • Section 6426(k) excise tax credit
  • Credit is same amount whether claimed against income or excise taxes

SAF must:

  • Meet ASTM International Standards;
  • Be derived from biomass, waste streams, renewable energy sources, or gaseous carbon oxides;
  • Not be derived from palm oil;
  • Reduce GHG emissions by at least 50%; and
  • Be used in an aircraft or sold for use in an aircraft in the ordinary course of business

A “qualifying mixture” contains SAF and traditional aviation fossil fuel

Treasury is accepting two models for calculating the GHG emissions reduction percentage.

  • Both are from the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
  • The GREET model is not accepted.
  • But Treasury asked for comments on whether methodologies beyond CORSIA may be applicable.

Producers and importers of SAF must complete IRS Form 637 registration process.

SAF Tax Credit Overview

Timing:

Fuel sold or used during 2023 and 2024

GHG Emission Requirement:

Minimum reduction of 50% in lifecycle GHG emissions

Credit Amount:

$1.25/gallon of SAF + $0.01 for each % that the reduction exceeds 50% (maximum credit of $1.75/gallon)

Monetization:

No direct pay.  No transferability.

Starting in 2025, SAF will be incentivized under the new section 45Z clean fuel production credit. 45Z is an “eligible credit” for transferability.

45Z applies to clean fuel produced after 2024 and sold before 2028.

45Z Tax Credit Overview

Credit Amount

Base:

PWA Compliant:

 

35 cents/gallon (adjusted for inflation) for sustainable aviation fuel

$1.75 gallon (adjusted for inflation) for sustainable aviation fuel

 

20 cents/gallon (adjusted for inflation) for other transportation fuels

$1.00 gallon (adjusted for inflation) for other transportation fuels

 

in each case, multiplied by the fuel’s emissions factor

in each case, multiplied by the fuel’s emissions factor

Direct Pay Eligible?

Yes, but limited to tax-exempt entities

 

Transferable?

Yes

 

 

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Tax Equity News reports on issues where renewable energy meets tax policy in the United States.

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