Grocery Affordability Act

This bill introduces a new tax credit within the Internal Revenue Code to encourage the establishment and improvement of grocery stores in areas designated as food deserts. The credit, known as the food desert grocery store credit , amounts to 30 percent of the basis of a new qualified grocery store or 30 percent of qualified renovation expenditures for an existing store. A significant provision is the annual limitation, capping the credit at $500,000 per taxpayer for any taxable year, ensuring a targeted financial incentive for these developments. To qualify, a grocery store must be located in a food desert , defined by specific criteria including population density, distance from an existing grocery store (e.g., more than 1 mile in metropolitan areas), and income levels. A "grocery store" is further defined as a retail establishment where at least 35 percent of its total annual sales come from specific categories of groceries, such as fresh produce, meats, and dairy products. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, is tasked with determining food desert designations and prescribing necessary regulations to implement this credit, which applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.