Tax Incentive Evaluation Law: Mississippi

Fact Sheet January 21, 2015 Read time:

Projects: Economic Development

This page is no longer being updated. As of June 15, 2017, newer tax incentive evaluation fact sheets are available here.

To ensure that economic development tax incentives are achieving their goals effectively, many states have approved laws requiring regular, rigorous, independent evaluations of these programs. For a list of states that have passed evaluation laws since the start of 2012, click here.

Mississippi

H.B. 1365, enacted April 23, 2014

What it does

Requires evaluation of all major tax incentives
The University Research Center, an office led by the state economist, studies all economic development tax incentives at least once every four years. New tax incentives are evaluated within five years of enactment. The reviews examine the goals of the programs, the number of jobs created, and how much revenue the state is forgoing.
Ensures that agencies share relevant information
State agencies are instructed to provide information to the center as needed to complete the review. University Research Center analysts follow a confidentiality agreement specified in statute. If a thorough review isn't possible, the evaluators recommend how to improve data gathering.

Requires evaluation of all major tax incentives

The University Research Center, an office led by the state economist, studies all economic development tax incentives at least once every four years.

New tax incentives are evaluated within five years of enactment.

The reviews examine the goals of the programs, the number of jobs created, and how much revenue the state is forgoing.

Ensures that agencies share relevant information

State agencies are instructed to provide information to the center as needed to complete the review.

University Research Center analysts follow a confidentiality agreement specified in statute.

If a thorough review isn't possible, the evaluators recommend how to improve data gathering.

Excerpt from Mississippi’s law: Agencies share data, while protecting confidential information

Information required by the University Research Center to prepare the analyses required by Sections 1 through 6 of this act shall be furnished to the University Research Center upon request. It shall be unlawful for any officer or employee of the University Research Center to divulge or make known in any manner the amount of income or any particulars set forth or disclosed in any information received by the center from the Department of Revenue other than as may be required by Sections 1 through 6 of this act in an analysis prepared pursuant to Sections 1 through 6 of this act.