Even though outdated, this article demonstrates how, when some heat was on, how our Governor and Legislators issued great proclamations with strong sounding convictions of how they were going to protect the public. You will notice that as soon as those proclamations soothed the savages all the efforts simply faded into the background.

See [Ref M101] for current status.

Tax credits await changes.
The Oklahoman, April 17, 2006
By Paul Monies

Apr. 17--Too many gray areas.

That's why Robert Nall doesn't offer venture capital tax credits to his clients. Instead, Nall prefers to focus on state tax credits that are freely transferable, such as those for wind-powered energy. Transferable tax credits make up just six of the scores of state income tax credits.

"I don't do any rural or venture capital deals," said Nall, who owns Cash Flow Enhancement Strategies in Duncan. "I choose to deal in something that is in black and white."

As the Legislature moves to tighten apparent loopholes in the venture capital tax credit law, the people who market these tax credits and the start-up companies that benefit from the direct investments are hoping a proposed moratorium won't scuttle pending deals.

Now the IRS is question the "tax loophole" claim.

Gov. Brad Henry issued an executive order in March that stopped the Oklahoma Tax Commission from issuing rulings on new venture capital funds until lawmakers study the issue.

However, just who claims the tax credits remains a mystery, largely because taxpayer information is private. Those involved in the deals say clients include wealthy Oklahomans, as well as banks and insurance companies, which can claim the tax credits against state tax burdens unique to their industries.

Starting July 1, oil and gas companies paying gross production taxes can take advantage of the state tax credits for rural and small business venture capital funds, a change that the Legislature approved last year.

Many Oklahomans are familiar with the state tax credits for child care, but most of the rest are out of the reach of all but a few state residents. Those claiming large state income tax credits have sizable tax burdens, experts said. "If you're paying a six-figure Oklahoma income tax, you've got a pretty nice annual income," said Nall, who spent more than 30 years as banker before starting his own company.

Rep. John Nance, R-Bethany, is one of the lawmakers concerned with disclosure requirements on the state's tax credit programs.

"If it's government money, I resent not being able to know who the people are who are profiting from it, and if they are really Oklahomans, if they're really involved in helping Oklahoma or if they're just involved in taking the money," Nance told a House committee in March.

Selling credits

For its part, Capital West Securities in Oklahoma City said it has been careful with its involvement in the rural venture capital tax credit programs. The company has sold tax credits and investments in the latest round of funding for Quartz Mountain Aerospace in Altus.

Bob Rader, senior vice president, said Capital West wanted a ruling from the Oklahoma Tax Commission that the fund -- known as Altus V -- would be eligible for the tax credits. It wasn't enough to have Capital West's attorneys sign off on it or to simply refer to the Oklahoma statute, he said.

The fund received its Tax Commission ruling in 2004.

"We didn't want our clients to have to worry about the Tax Commission coming back at a later date and saying the credits wouldn't qualify," Rader said.

The investments under the rural venture capital fund are for qualified investors only, Rader said. Besides corporations, limited liability companies, trusts and partnerships, individuals who want to invest to take advantage of the tax credits must have a net worth of at least $1 million, or meet certain income requirements.

The investments -- with the added sweetener of a state income tax credit -- are offered in what's called a private placement memorandum. Such private placements fall outside the regulation for public offerings of stock, which typically need clearance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Rader said the subscription agreement that an investor signs is known in the industry as a "big boys' memo," with the understanding that the investor has consulted his or her attorneys and accountants before buying subscription units. Matthew Griffith, a securities attorney with Oklahoma City firm Andrews Davis, is one of the key players in the state tax credit program. His firm advises Altus in its funding efforts for Quartz Mountain Aerospace. Griffith concedes that the venture capital tax credit needs tightening to protect it from abuse. However, he said, lawmakers should be careful not to disturb the intent of the law -- to help bring needed capital to undeserved areas of the state.