Affordable Tax Credit  – a federal tax incentive program described in Internal Revenue Code section 42, also known as the “low-income housing tax credit” or “LIHTC”.  The program is designed to encourage corporate investors to provide equity capital to build new or rehabilitated housing units for Americans who earn less than certain levels of an area’s median income (typically under 60%, but in certain cases under 50%).  Under the program, corporate investors are “paid back” by receiving federal tax credits, instead of cash flow from the property, which in turn allows “affordable” rents for tenants.