(1) As used in this section, the term “port” means a state, county or municipal port or harbor established pursuant to Sections 59-5-1 through 59-5-69, Sections 59-7-1 through 59-7-519, Sections 59-9-1 through 59-9-85 or Sections 59-11-1 through 59-11-7.

(2) For any income taxpayer utilizing the port facilities at any port for the export of cargo that is loaded on a carrier calling at any such port, a credit against the taxes imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be allowed in the amounts provided in this section.

(3) Except as otherwise provided by subsection (5) of this section, the amount of the credit allowed pursuant to this section shall be the total of the following charges on export cargo paid by the corporation:

(a) Receiving into the port;

(b) Handling to a vessel; and

(c) Wharfage.

(4) The credit provided for in this section shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the amount of tax imposed upon the taxpayer for the taxable year reduced by the sum of all other credits allowable to such taxpayer under this chapter, except credit for tax payments made by or on behalf of the taxpayer. Any unused portion of the credit may be carried forward for the succeeding five (5) years. The maximum cumulative credit that may be claimed by a taxpayer pursuant to this section and for the period of time beginning on January 1, 1994, and ending on December 31, 2005, is limited to One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,200,000.00).

(5) To obtain the credit provided for in this section, a taxpayer must provide to the Department of Revenue a statement from the governing authority of the port certifying the amount of charges paid by the taxpayer for which a credit is claimed and any other information required by the Department of Revenue.

(6) The purpose of the tax credit provided for in this section is to promote the increased use of ports and related facilities in this state, particularly by those taxpayers which would not otherwise use such ports and related facilities without the benefit of such tax credit, and increase the number of port related jobs and other economic development benefits associated with the increased use of such ports and related facilities. It is the intent of the Legislature that in determining whether or not such tax credit will be continued in future years, the attainment of the purposes set forth in this subsection must be demonstrated by the material contained in the reports prepared by the Mississippi Development Authority under Section 27-7-22.9.