Tax increment financing (TIF) is a mechanism that uses anticipated future property tax revenue increases from development to fund current infrastructure improvements. Under TIF, a baseline assessment is established for an area, then any future assessment increases (the 'increment') generate tax revenue dedicated to repaying bonds issued for infrastructure improvements. The theory is that infrastructure investment enables development that wouldn't otherwise occur, creating new tax revenue that funds the infrastructure. TIF is common in the United States but less used in Canada. Variations like Community Revitalization Levies (CRLs) in Alberta serve similar purposes. TIF concerns include whether it truly generates additional development or captures development that would occur anyway, and impacts on school funding from diverted education taxes.