Weatherization loan interest; commercial lending institutions

(1) A credit against taxes otherwise due under this chapter for the taxable year shall be allowed commercial lending institutions in an amount equal to the difference between: (a) The maximum amount of interest allowed to be charged during the taxable year under section 6b, chapter 887, Oregon Laws 1977, for loans made before November 1, 1981, by the lending institution to space-heating customers for the purpose of financing weatherization services; and (b) The amount of interest which would have been charged during the taxable year by the lending institution for such loans at an annual interest rate which is the lesser of the following: (A) The average interest rate charged by the commercial lending institution for home improvement loans made during the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the loans for weatherization services are made; or (B) Twelve percent. (2) Any tax credit otherwise allowable under this section which is not used by the taxpayer in a particular year may be carried forward and used in each of the 15 years following the unused tax credit year. However, the entire amount of the unused credit for an unused credit year shall be carried forward to the earliest of the 15 years to which it may be carried. (3) No credit shall be allowed under this section for loans made on or after November 1, 1981.