Chapter 38. Supermarket Tax Incentives.

§ 47–3801. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1)(A) “Development” means the new construction or substantial rehabilitation of a qualified supermarket for which building permits are issued on or after [October 4, 2000]. For the purposes of this paragraph, “substantial rehabilitation” means a capital investment within any 24-month period in a qualified supermarket that exceeds 50% of the adjusted basis of the building as calculated for District income tax purposes.

(B) “Development” also means the new construction or substantial rehabilitation of a qualified restaurant or retail store for which building permits are issued on or after October 4, 2000. For the purposes of this sub-subparagraph, “substantial rehabilitation” means a capital investment within any 24-month period in a qualified restaurant or retail store that exceeds 50% of the adjusted basis of the building as calculated for District income tax purposes.

(1A) “Priority development area” means:

(A) The Downtown East Area which shall consist of land within the boundary descriptions beginning at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., and New Jersey Avenue, N.W., to Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.; west on Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., to 15th Street, N.W.; south on 15th Street, N.W., to Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.; and east on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., to New Jersey Avenue N.W.;

(B) The Capital City Business and Industrial Area which shall consist of land within the boundary descriptions beginning at the intersection of New York Avenue, N.E., and 9th Street, N.E., to Montana Avenue, N.E.; north on Montana Avenue, N.E., to W Street, N.E.; west on W Street, N.E., to 13th Street, N.E.; northwest on 13th Street, N.E., to Brentwood Road, N.E.; southwest on Brentwood Road, N.E., to 9th Street, N.E.; and south on 9th Street, N.E., to New York Avenue, N.E.;

(C) The Capital City Market Area which shall consist of land within the boundary descriptions beginning at the intersection of Florida Avenue, N.E., and North Capitol Street; southeast on Florida Avenue, N.E., to 12th Street, N.E.; south on 12th Street, N.E., to H Street, N.E., west on H street, N.E., to 9th Street, N.E., and north on 9th Street, N.E., to Florida Avenue, N.E.;

(D) The Georgia Avenue Area which shall consist of any square located on or abutting Georgia Avenue, N.W., beginning at the intersection of Florida Avenue, N. W., and north on Georgia Avenue, N.W., to Eastern Avenue, N.W.;

(E) All land within the District that is located east of the Anacostia River or east of the Potomac River that is not within the Anacostia Waterfront;

(F) Any District-designated Foreign Trade Zone or Free Trade Zone pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 81a et seq.;

(G) Any federally-approved enterprise zone or empowerment zone;

(H) Any federally-approved enterprise community, including Target Area 1: New York Avenue/Northwest; Target Area 2: Marshall Heights; and Target Area 3: Buzzard Point/Anacostia/Congress Heights;

(I) Any area designated as Development Zone Areas pursuant to [Chapter 15 of Title 6], including Alabama Avenue, D.C. Village, and Anacostia;

(J) Any housing opportunity area, development opportunity area, or new or upgraded commercial center designated on the District of Columbia Generalized Land Use Policies Map that is part of the Comprehensive Plan;

(K) The Transit Impact Area which shall consist of any area located within 1500 feet of a Metrorail station in any of the areas set forth in this paragraph, or within 1500 feet of a Metrorail station at a designated Metrorail Station Development Opportunity Area, as defined in the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan of the District of Columbia;

(L) The Minnesota Avenue area which shall consist of land within the boundary descriptions beginning from East Capitol Street, N.E., to Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, N.E.; the Dix Street area which shall consist of land within the boundary descriptions beginning from 58th Street, N.E., to Eastern Avenue, N.E.; the Nannie Helen Burroughs area which shall consist of land within the boundary descriptions beginning from Eastern Avenue, N.E., to 49th Street, N.E.; the Pennsylvania Avenue area which shall consist of land within the boundary descriptions beginning from Branch Avenue, S.E., to Carpenter Street, S.E.; the Benning Road area which shall consist of land within the boundary descriptions beginning from East Capitol Street, S.E., to 44th Street, N.E., from Hanna Place, S.E., to Hillside Road, S.E., and from 39th Street, S.E., to 36th Street, S.E.; and the Division Avenue area from Eads Street, N.E., to Hayes Street, N.E.; and

(M) Any property abandoned or underutilized because of perceived or actual contamination by hazardous substances or any property in which the expansion or redevelopment of the property is complicated by perceived or actual contamination by hazardous substances.

(1B) “Qualified restaurant or retail store” means a restaurant or retail store located in an eligible area.

(1C) “Building materials” means all materials necessary for the construction and build-out of real property, including furniture, fixtures, and other equipment installed in the property.

(1D) "Eligible area" means:

(A)(i) An area consisting of those properties within or abutting the boundaries of low-income census tracts where a significant number of residents are more than 1/2 mile from the nearest supermarket, as designated based on the 2019 data from the United States Department of Agriculture Food Access Research Atlas, not including any census tract, as identified by the Mayor, in which a college or university campus is located or nearby that has been designated as a low-income census tract due primarily to the incomes of college or university students residing within the census tract; or

(ii) An area consisting of properties within or abutting proximal neighborhood groups with over 20% participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or other public assistance programs as designated in the 2018 District of Columbia Health Equity Report; or

(B) For supermarkets under construction as of January 1, 2021, for which a certificate of occupancy is issued on or before July 1, 2023, and for which an application for certification under this chapter is filed on or before July 1, 2023:

(i) A historically underutilized business zone, as defined by section 3(p)(1) of the Small Business Act, approved July 18, 1958 (72 Stat. 384; 15 U.S.C. § 632(p)(1)); or

(ii) Census tracts 103, 33.01, 94, 95.05, 95.07, or 95.08.

(2) “Qualified supermarket” means a supermarket located in an eligible area.

(3)(A) “Supermarket” means a self-service retail establishment, independently owned or part of a corporation operating a chain of retail establishments under the same trade name, that:

(i) Is licensed as a grocery store under § 47-2827;

(ii) Offers for sale at least 6 of the following categories of food or beverages:

(I) Fresh fruits and vegetables;

(II) Fresh and uncooked meats, poultry, and seafood;

(III) Dairy products;

(IV) Canned foods;

(V) Frozen foods;

(VI) Dry groceries and baked goods; and

(VII) Non-alcoholic beverages;

(iii) Occupies the address under a certificate of occupancy with the use declared as a grocery store;

(iv) Dedicates either 50% of the establishment's total square footage of selling area (defined as the area in the establishment that is open to the public and not including storage areas, preparation areas, or bathrooms), or 6,000 square feet of the establishment's selling area to the sale of the categories of food or beverages listed in sub-subparagraph (ii) of this subparagraph; and

(v) Dedicates at least 5% of the establishment's total square footage of selling area to each of at least 6 of the categories of food or beverages listed in sub-subparagraph (ii) of this subparagraph.

(B) The term “supermarket” shall include related service departments, such as a kitchen, bakery, pharmacy, or flower shop, of a retail establishment that meets the criteria set forth in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.

(Sept. 29, 1988, D.C. Law 7-173, § 2, 35 DCR 5758; enacted, Apr. 9, 1997, D.C. Law 11-254, § 2, 44 DCR 1575; October 4, 2000, D.C. Law 13-166, § 2(a), 47 DCR 5821; Mar. 26, 2008, D.C. Law 17-138, § 703(a)(1), 55 DCR 1689; Apr. 8, 2011, D.C. Law 18-353, § 205(a), 58 DCR 746; Sept. 26, 2012, D.C. Law 19-171, § 114(o), 59 DCR 6190; Feb. 18, 2017, D.C. Law 21-204, § 3, 63 DCR 15047; Dec. 13, 2017, D.C. Law 22-33, § 7113, 64 DCR 7652; Nov. 13, 2021, D.C. Law 24-45, § 2022(b), 68 DCR 010163.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 47-3801.

Section References

This section is referenced in § 47-1002, § 47-1508, § 47-2005, § 47-2827, § 47-3805, and § 47-4630.

Effect of Amendments

D.C. Law 13-166 rewrote this section, which previously read:

“For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

“(1) ‘Fair market rent’ means an amount as determined by the Mayor with reference to the average rent charged to tenants for occupancy of comparable space in other buildings in the underserved area.

“(2)(A) ‘Supermarket’ means a self-service retail establishment, independently owned or part of a corporation operating a chain of supermarkets under the same name, that:

“(i) Is licensed as a grocery store pursuant to § 47-2827;

“(ii) Offers for sale a full line of meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and dry groceries, household products, and sundries; and

“(iii) Occupies at least 6,000 square feet of space.

“(B) The term ‘supermarket’ shall include related service departments, such as kitchens, bakeries, pharmacies, or flower shops of a retail establishment that meet the criteria set by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.

“(3) ‘Supermarket development’ means a new supermarket for which construction begins on or after September 29, 1988, or an expansion or modernization of an existing supermarket if the expansion or modernization begins on or after September 29, 1988.

“(4) ‘Underserved area’ means an area of no more than one square mile within the District having a ratio of less than 2 supermarkets per 10,000 residents or having less than 1 supermarket.”

D.C. Law 17-138 designated the existing text of par. (1) as subpar. (A); added pars. (1)(B), (1A), (1B); and, in par. (2), deleted “as defined in § 2-1219.20” following “area”.

D.C. Law 18-353, in pars. (1B) and (2), substituted “eligible area” for “priority development area”; and added pars. (1C) and (1D).

The 2012 amendment by D.C. Law 19-171 substituted “an eligible” for “a eligible” in (1B) and (2).

Cross References

License law, supermarket developments, exemption conditions, see § 47-2827.

Real property exempt from taxation, enumerated, see § 47-1002.

Applicability

Section 7020 of D.C. Law 22-33 repealed § 4 of D.C. Law 21-204. Therefore the changes made to this section by D.C. Law 21-204 have been implemented.

Applicability of D.C. Law 21-204: § 4 of D.C. Law 21-204 provided that the change made to this section by § 3 of D.C. Law 21-204 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 7113 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-167, Oct. 24, 2017, 64 DCR 10802).

For temporary (90 days) repeal of § 4 of D.C. Law 21-204, see § 7020 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-167, Oct. 24, 2017, 64 DCR 10802).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 7113 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-104, July 20, 2017, 64 DCR 7032).

For temporary (90 days) repeal of § 4 of D.C. Law 21-204, see § 7020 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-104, July 20, 2017, 64 DCR 7032).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Supermarket Tax Incentives Clarification Emergency Act of 2008 (D.C. Act 17-268, January 23, 2008, 55 DCR 1499).

§ 47–3801.01. Expansion of supermarket investment areas.

(a) If the Mayor determines that there is an area that warrants investment pursuant to this chapter that is not an eligible area, as defined by § 47-3801(1D), the Mayor shall prepare a plan describing the area, geographically and otherwise, along with a detailed rationale for extending the tax incentives provided for by this chapter, a fiscal impact statement, and an explication of the benefits to be derived for the area and the District as a whole.

(b) The Mayor shall transmit the plan to the Council, with a proposed resolution for a 45-day period of review, excluding days of Council recess. If the Council does not approve or disapprove the plan, in whole or in part, by resolution within this 45-day review period, the plan shall be deemed approved, and the area described in the plan shall be considered an eligible area for purposes of this chapter.

§ 47–3802. Tax exemption.

(a) The development of a qualified supermarket, qualified restaurant, or retail store shall be eligible for:

(1) A 10-year real property tax exemption under § 47-1002(23);

(2) A 10-year exemption from the license fee under § 47-2827(b);

(3) A 10-year personal property tax exemption as provided under § 47-1508(a)(9); and

(4) A sales and use tax exemption on the purchase of all building materials related to the development of a qualified supermarket, qualified restaurant, or retail store as provided under §§ 47-2005(28) and 47-2206.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a qualified restaurant or retail store shall not be eligible for an exemption beginning on or after October 1, 2010 until the fiscal effect of any such new exemptions is included in an approved budget and financial plan.

(c)(1) Effective for applications filed on or after January 1, 2011, to be eligible for any exemption provided under subsection (a) of this section, an applicant shall file with the Mayor, in such manner and form as the Mayor may prescribe, an application requesting certification of eligibility for the exemption. As part of the application, and as a condition of certification, an applicant seeking an exemption for a qualified supermarket shall agree in writing to:

(A) Become authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ("SNAP") benefits as payment at the qualified supermarket, and to accept SNAP benefits for payment after such authorization;

(B) Apply to the Department of Health ("DOH") for approval to accept Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children ("WIC") benefits as payment at the qualified supermarket, and accept WIC benefits as payment at the qualified supermarket if approved by DOH to accept WIC benefits; and

(2) The Mayor shall, as nearly as practicable, complete review of requests for certification within 45 days after receipt.

(3) The Mayor shall certify to the Office of Tax and Revenue each taxpayer and property eligible for an exemption. The certification shall identify:

(A) The tax to which the certification applies;

(B) The specific taxpayer (including taxpayer identification number) and property (by square and lot or parcel or reservation number) eligible;

(D) The effective date of eligibility;

(E) The date on which eligibility is to terminate; and

(F) Such other information as the Office of Tax and Revenue shall require to administer the exemption.

(4) The Office of Tax and Revenue shall, as nearly as practicable, review and process certifications by the Mayor for real property tax exemptions under subsection (a)(1) of this section within 10 days after receipt.

(5) The Mayor shall notify the Office of Tax and Revenue if any taxpayer or property certified as eligible under paragraph (3) of this subsection becomes ineligible for an exemption under subsection (a) of this section. The notification shall identify:

(A) The type of tax to which the notice applies;

(B) The taxpayer (including taxpayer identification number) and property (by square and lot or parcel or reservation number);

(D) The date on which the taxpayer or property became ineligible; and

(E) Such other information as the Office of Tax and Revenue shall require to administer the termination of the exemption.

(6) This subsection applies to the application requirements otherwise applicable to requests for exemption from the taxes listed in subsection (a) of this section, but shall not affect any other provision governing administration of the taxes.

(d) A qualified supermarket certified by the Mayor pursuant to this section shall be eligible for the tax exemptions provided by subsection (a)(1) through (3) of this section throughout the 10-year tax abatement period even if, during the 10-year period, the boundary of the eligible area in which the qualified supermarket was located at the time of certification changes and, as a result of the boundary change, the supermarket is no longer located in an eligible area.

(e) To remain eligible to continue to receive the tax benefits provided by this chapter, a qualified supermarket shall:

(1) Accept SNAP benefits for payment at the qualified supermarket;

(2) Accept WIC benefits for payment at the qualified supermarket, unless determined ineligible by DOH to accept payments by WIC benefits; and

(3) Conduct a community listening session on the store's product offerings and operations at least once every 2 years.

(f) The Mayor shall review the definition of the term "eligible area" at least once every 5 years to determine whether it continues to appropriately reflect the areas of the District where tax incentives for new supermarkets provide substantial benefits to District residents and neighborhoods.

(Sept. 29, 1988, D.C. Law 7-173, § 3, 35 DCR 5758; enacted, Apr. 9, 1997, D.C. Law 11-254, § 2, 44 DCR 1575; October 4, 2000, D.C. Law 13-166, § 2(b), 47 DCR 5821; Mar. 26, 2008, D.C. Law 17-138, § 703(a)(2), 55 DCR 1689; Sept. 24, 2010, D.C. Law 18-223, § 7006, 57 DCR 6242; Apr. 8, 2011, D.C. Law 18-353, § 205(b), 58 DCR 746; Dec. 24, 2013, D.C. Law 20-61, § 7156, 60 DCR 12472; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 2002, 65 DCR 9388; Nov. 13, 2021, D.C. Law 24-45, § 2022(d), 68 DCR 010163.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 47-3802.

Section References

This section is referenced in § 2-1215.55.

Effect of Amendments

D.C. Law 13-166 rewrote this section, which previously read:

“The Mayor shall, within 180 days of September 29, 1988, submit to the Council for its approval, by resolution, a listing of all underserved areas ranked in order ranging from the most underserved to the least underserved. The Mayor may, from time to time, submit to the Council for its approval, by resolution, a listing of additional underserved areas ranked in order ranging from the most underserved to the least underserved.”

D.C. Law 17-138 inserted “, qualified restaurant, or retail store” following “qualified supermarket” in two places.

D.C. Law 18-223 designated the existing text as subsec. (a); and added subsec. (b).

D.C. Law 18-353 added subsec. (c).

The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 20-61 substituted “a qualified restaurant or retail store” for “a qualified supermarket, qualified restaurant, or retail store” in (b).

Cross References

Real property exempt from taxation, enumerated, see § 47-1002.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2002 of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2002 of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see §§ 2 and 3 of Supermarket Tax Exemption Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2010 (D.C. Act 18-517, August 3, 2010, 57 DCR 7981).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 7006 of Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2010 (D.C. Act 18-463, July 2, 2010, 57 DCR 6542).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Supermarket Tax Exemption Clarification Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2010 (D.C. Act 18-572, October 20, 2010, 57 DCR 10088).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 12 of Revised Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Support Technical Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2011 (D.C. Act 19-157, October 4, 2011, 58 DCR 8688).

For temporary amendment of (b), see § 107 of the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Support Technical Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-482, October 12, 2012, 59 DCR 12478).

For temporary amendment of section, see § 107 of the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Support Technical Clarification Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-604, January 14, 2013, 60 DCR 1045), applicable as of January 10, 2013.

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 7156 of the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2013 (D.C. Act 20-130, July 30, 2013, 60 DCR 11384, 20 DCSTAT 1827).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 7156 of the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2013 (D.C. Act 20-204, October 17, 2013, 60 DCR 15341, 20 DCSTAT 2311).

Temporary Legislation

Sections 2 and 3 of D.C. Law 18-261, in subsec. (b), substituted “a qualified restaurant or retail store” for “a qualified supermarket, qualified restaurant, or retail store”.

Section 5(b) of D.C. Law 18-261 provided that the act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect.

Section 12 of D.C. Law 19-53, in subsec. (b), substituted “a qualified restaurant or retail store” for “a qualified supermarket, qualified restaurant, or retail store”.

Section 15(b) of D.C. Law 19-53 provided that the act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect.

Section 107 of D.C. Law 19-226 amended (b) by striking the phrase “a qualified supermarket, qualified restaurant, or retail store” and inserting the phrase “a qualified restaurant or retail store” in its place.

Section 402(b) of D.C. Law 19-226 provided that the act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect.

Short Title

Section 7151 of D.C. Law 20-61 provided that Subtitle O of Title VII of the act may be cited as the “Tax Clarification Amendment Act of 2013”.

Editor's Notes

Applicability of D.C. Law 20-61: Section 11001 of D.C. Law 20-61 provided that, except as otherwise provided, the act shall apply as of October 1, 2013.

Delegation of Authority

Delegation of authority pursuant to D.C. Law 7-173, the “Supermarket Tax Incentive Amendment Act of 1988”, see Mayor’s Order 89-84, April 24, 1989.

§ 47–3803. Tax and license fee incentives. [Repealed]

Repealed.

§ 47–3804. Rules.

The Mayor shall, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, issue rules to implement the provisions of this chapter.

§ 47–3805. Supermarket real property tax rebate.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the term “qualified supermarket” means a qualified supermarket, as defined in § 47-3801(2), for which all of the requirements for the real property tax exemption provided by § 47-1002(23), other than § 47-1002(23)(B)(iii), are satisfied.

(b) Beginning October 1, 2007, if a qualified supermarket leases real property (or a portion thereof) that is subject to tax under Chapter 8 of this title, the qualified supermarket shall receive a rebate of the tax that represents the qualified supermarket’s pro rata share of the tax levied for the tax year on the real property (or portion thereof) that the qualified supermarket leases if:

(1) The qualified supermarket is liable under the lease for its pro rata share of the tax;

(2) An application for the rebate of the tax is made on or before December 31 of the succeeding tax year; and

(3) The lessor paid the tax.

(c) The rebate shall be the amount of the pro rata share of the tax paid by the qualified supermarket as required by the lease.

(d) The application shall include:

(1) A copy of the lease; and

(2) Documentation that the tax has been paid, as required by the Mayor.

(e) If a proper application has been made, the Mayor shall rebate the tax to the qualified supermarket on or before March 1 of the succeeding tax year.

(f) Any rebates authorized under this section shall be paid from the General Fund of the District of Columbia.

(July 1, 2010, D.C. Law 18-186, § 2(b), 57 DCR 4351.)

Cross References

Gross sales tax, “retail sale” and “sale at retail” defined, exceptions, see § 47-2001.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 2(b) of Neighborhood Supermarket Tax Relief Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2008 (D.C. Act 17-560, October 27, 2008, 55 DCR 12013).

For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 2 of Neighborhood Supermarket Tax Relief Clarification Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2009 (D.C. Act 18-1, January 23, 2009, 56 DCR 1620).

For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 2(b) of Neighborhood Supermarket Tax Relief Clarification Emergency Act of 2009 (D.C. Act 18-213, October 21, 2009, 56 DCR 8494).

Temporary Legislation

Section 2(b) of D.C. Law 17-298 added a section to read as follows:

“(a) For the purposes of this section, the term ‘qualified supermarket’ means a qualified supermarket, as defined in § 47-3801(2), for which all of the requirements for the real property tax exemption provided by § 47-1002(23), other than § 47-1002(23)(B)(iii), are satisfied.

“(2) An application for the rebate of the tax is made on or before December 31st of the succeeding tax year; and

“(e) If a proper application has been made, the Mayor shall rebate the tax to the qualified supermarket on or before March 1st of the succeeding tax year.

Section 4(b) of D.C. Law 17-298 provided that the act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect.

Section 2(b) of D.C. Law 18-102 added a section to read as follows:

“§ 47-3805. Supermarket real property tax rebate.

“(a) For the purposes of this section, the term ‘qualified supermarket’ means a qualified supermarket, as defined in § 47-3801, for which all of the requirements for the real property tax exemption provided by § 47-1002(23), other than § 47-1002(23)(B)(iii), are satisfied.

“(b) Beginning October 1, 2007, if a qualified supermarket leases real property (or a portion thereof) that is subject to tax under Chapter 8 of Title 47, the qualified supermarket shall receive a rebate of the tax that represents the qualified supermarket’s pro rata share of the tax levied for the tax year on the real property (or portion thereof) that the qualified supermarket leases if:

“(1) The qualified supermarket is liable under the lease for its pro rata share of the tax;

“(2) An application for the rebate of the tax is made on or before December 31 of the succeeding tax year; and

“(3) The lessor paid the tax.

“(c) The rebate shall be the amount of the pro rata share of the tax paid by the qualified supermarket as required by the lease.

“(d) The application shall include:

“(1) A copy of the lease; and

“(2) Documentation that the tax has been paid, as required by the Mayor.

“(e) If a proper application has been made, the Mayor shall rebate the tax to the qualified supermarket on or before March 1 of the succeeding tax year.

“(f) Any rebates authorized under this section shall be paid from the General Fund of the District of Columbia.”.

Section 4(b) of D.C. Law 18-102 provided that the act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect.