(1)(a) Subject to the limits and provisions of this section, a credit is allowed against the tax otherwise due under this chapter for persons engaged in the manufacturing of alternative jet fuel.

(b) Except as provided in (c) of this subsection, the credit under this section is equal to $1 for each gallon of alternative jet fuel that has at least 50 percent less carbon dioxide equivalent emissions than conventional petroleum jet fuel and is sold during the prior calendar year by:

(i) A business that produces alternative jet fuel and is located in a qualifying county; or

(ii) A business's designated alternative jet fuel blender that is located in this state.

(c) The credit amount under (b) of this subsection must increase by 2 cents for each additional one percent reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions beyond 50 percent, not to exceed $2 for each gallon of alternative jet fuel.

(d) A person may not receive credit under both (b)(i) and (ii) of this subsection.

(e) The credit under this section is calculated only on the portion of jet fuel that is considered alternative jet fuel and does not include conventional petroleum jet fuel when such fuels are blended or otherwise used in a jet fuel mixture.

(f) A credit under this section may not be claimed until the department of ecology verifies that there are one or more facilities operating in this state with cumulative production capacity of at least 20,000,000 gallons of alternative jet fuel each year and has provided such notice to the department.

(g) Contract pricing for sales of alternative jet fuel between a person claiming the credit under this section and the final consumer must reflect the per gallon credit under (b) and (c) of this subsection.

(h) A credit under this section may not be claimed until the department of ecology, in consultation with the department of archaeology and historic preservation, verifies that the person applying for the credit is not engaged in the manufacturing of alternative jet fuel on the footprint of a structure listed with the department of archaeology and historic preservation as a historic cemetery or tribal burial grounds as per chapter 27.44 or 68.60 RCW. If the department of ecology has not made a determination within 60 days of the person requesting verification under this subsection, the application is deemed to be verified.

(2) A person may not receive credit under this section for amounts claimed as credits under RCW 82.04.4361 or chapter 82.16 RCW.

(3) To claim a credit under this section a person must electronically file with the department all returns, forms, and any other information required by the department, in an electronic format as provided or approved by the department.

(4) To claim a credit under this section, the person applying must:

(a) Complete an application for the credit which must include:

(i) The name, business address, and tax identification number of the applicant;

(ii) Documentation of the total amount of alternative jet fuel manufactured and sold in the prior calendar year;

(iii) Documentation sufficient for the department to verify that the alternative jet fuel for which the credit is being claimed meets the definition in RCW 82.04.287(3) and the carbon intensity reduction benchmarks under subsection (1)(b) and (c) of this section, as certified by the department of ecology under chapter 70A.535 RCW;

(iv) Documentation sufficient to verify compliance with subsection (1)(g) of this section; and

(v) Any other information deemed necessary by the department to support administration or reporting of the program.

(b) Obtain a carbon intensity score from the department of ecology prior to submitting an application to the department.

(5) The department must notify applicants of credit approval or denial within 60 days of receipt of a final application and documentation.

(6) If a person fails to supply the information as required in subsection (4) of this section, the department must deny the application.

(7)(a) The credit under this section may only be claimed against taxes due under RCW 82.04.287, less any taxable amount for which a credit is allowed under RCW 82.04.440.

(b) A credit earned during one calendar year may be carried over and claimed against taxes incurred for the next subsequent calendar year but may not be carried over for any calendar year thereafter.

(c) No refunds may be granted for credits under this section.

(8) For the purposes of this section:

(a) "Alternative jet fuel" has the same meaning as in RCW 70A.535.010.

(b) "Carbon dioxide equivalent" has the same meaning as in RCW 70A.45.010.

(c) "Qualifying county" means a county that has a population less than 650,000 at the time an application for a credit under this section is received by the department.

(9)(a) Credits may be earned beginning on the first day of the first calendar quarter following the month in which notice under subsection (1)(f) of this section was received by the department.

(b) Credits may not be earned beginning nine calendar years after the close of the calendar year in which the credit may be earned, as provided in (a) of this subsection.

(10) A person claiming the credit provided in this section must file a complete annual tax performance report with the department under RCW 82.32.534.

Tax preference performance statement—Effective date—2023 c 232 ss 9-12: See notes following RCW 82.04.287.

Intent—2023 c 232: See note following RCW 70A.535.010.

Automatic expiration date exemption—2023 c 232: See note following RCW 82.04.287.