Private-Purpose Bond
A private-purpose bond is a municipal bond that is issued to finance a project that benefits a non-governmental entity. While public-purpose municipal bonds are tax-free, private-purpose bonds are not, making the private bonds less appealing to investors than other munis. A private-purpose bond is a municipal bond that uses most of its funding to benefit private, non-public activities or private parties. A private-purpose bond is a municipal bond that is issued to finance a project that benefits a non-governmental entity. By law, it must contain an opinion by a qualified tax attorney on whether the bonds are public-purpose or private-purpose as defined by the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
What Is a Private-Purpose Bond?
A private-purpose bond is a municipal bond that is issued to finance a project that benefits a non-governmental entity. By definition, if 10% or more of the benefit of the money raised benefits a private entity, it is a private-purpose bond.
Private-purpose bonds generally do not offer the same tax benefits of other municipal bonds. As such, they are sometimes known as private activity bonds.
The Basics of Private-Purpose Bonds
Generally, municipal bonds are issued in order to finance projects that benefit its residents. It might fund road improvements or finance a senior citizens center.
In some cases, the project may also benefit a private entity. For example, a city might construct a new football stadium. The city expects to benefit economically from the presence of the new stadium, as do the owners of the football franchise. That may make it a private-purpose bond.
The interest payments that investors receive from private-purpose bonds are taxable unless the bonds are specifically exempted.
Investing in Private-Purpose Bonds
The tax benefit is one of the biggest incentives to invest in municipal bonds. They are exempt from federal taxes, and usually from state and local taxes as well, if the investor is a resident of the state or municipality that issued the bond — that is, unless they are private-purpose bonds.
An investor considering buying municipal bonds should check the offering statement. By law, it must contain an opinion by a qualified tax attorney on whether the bonds are public-purpose or private-purpose as defined by the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
In addition, private-purpose bonds are sometimes referred to as taxable municipal bonds. That, of course, makes the difference quite plain without resorting to the fine print in the offering.
The Broader Impact
Before the Tax Reform Act of 1986, municipal bonds intended to spur private economic investment were more common. A depressed city, for example, might issue a bond to help underwrite the construction costs of new industrial development, in hopes of bringing a number of new jobs to town.
The loss of some or all of the tax advantages of a municipal bond made them less attractive to investors.
Related terms:
Industrial Revenue Bonds—IRBs Definiton
Municipal debt securities issued by a government agency on behalf of a private sector company and intended to build or acquire factories or tools. read more
Municipal Note
A municipal note is debt issued by state and local governments to finance capital expenditures, such as construction projects. read more
Private Activity Bond (PAB)
Private activity bonds are tax-exempt bonds issued by local or state governments to provide special financing benefits for qualified projects. read more
Public Purpose Bond
A public purpose bond is used by municipalities to finance public works as opposed to private purpose bonds. read more
Revenue Bond
A revenue bond is a municipal bond supported by the revenue from a specific project, such as a toll bridge, highway, or local stadium. read more
Taxable Municipal Bond
A taxable municipal bond is a fixed-income security issued by a local government to finance projects that the federal government will not subsidize. read more
Tax Reform Act of 1986
The Tax Reform Act of 1986 is a law passed by Congress that reduced the maximum rate on ordinary income and raised the tax rate on long-term capital gains. read more