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Guide to Federal and Louisiana State Incentives: Gulf Opportunity Zone (Federal Incentive) Freeport Law New Markets Tax Credit (Federal Incentive) Industrial Property Tax Exemption Enterprise Zone Tax Equalization Program Quality Jobs Industry Assistance Program Angel Investor Tax Credit Inventory Tax Program Restoration Tax Abatement Research & Development Tax Credit Digital Interactive Media/Motion Picture/ Corporate Jobs Tax Credit Sound Recording Tax Credits Gulf Opportunity Zone The Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 establishes tax incentives and bond provisions to rebuild the local and regional economies affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The act is commonly referred to as the "GO Zone Act." All six Acadiana parishes are located in the GO Zone. Tax-Exempt Bond Financing: GO Zone Bonds Gulf Opportunity Zone Bonds present a unique opportunity for private business owners and corporations to borrow capital at very favorable tax-exempt rates to acquire, construct, reconstruct or renovate non-residential real property, qualified residential rental projects, and public utility property in the GO Zone. The bonds must be issued prior to January 1, 2011. GO Zone Bonus Depreciation Under the GO Zone Act, taxpayers are allowed an additional depreciation deduction equal to 50% of the depreciable basis of qualified GO Zone property for the first year the property is placed in service. New GO Zone property cannot qualify for both tax-exempt bond financing and the 50% bonus depreciation. The property must be placed in service before December 31, 2008, for residential and non-residential real property. Qualified project costs include the costs of acquisition, construction, reconstruction and renovation of nonresidential real property (including buildings and their structural components and fixed improvements associated with such property), qualified residential rental projects, and public utility properties. Click to learn more about the Gulf Opportunity Zone.
New Markets Tax Credit - Exists to create investment into urban and rural low-income areas to help finance community development projects, stimulate economic growth and create jobs
- The program allows individual and corporate taxpayers to receive a credit against federal income taxes for making qualified equity investments in Community Development Entities (CDEs)
- Investors in qualified projects can obtain a tax credit of five or six percent of the amount invested for each year the investment is held, for up to seven years of the credit period
Back To Top For most Louisiana incentives, an advance notification form and fees must be filed with the Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED) prior to beginning construction, installation, hiring or purchasing equipment. Click to download a copy of the Advance Notification Form. To submit and track your business incentive application, utilize Fast Lane administered by LED. Enterprise Zone Qualifying businesses are eligible for a one-time tax credit of $2,500 ($5,000 for SIC 3720 aircraft & parts or 3760 guided missiles & space vehicles & parts, or NAICS 3363) for each net new permanent job created during the first five years of the project Workforce must increase by 10% within the first 12 months OR create five new jobs within the first 24 months of the project start date Tax credit may be used to satisfy state income tax or state franchise tax obligations Businesses are also eligible for a rebate of state sales taxes on non-consumable materials used to construct/expand the business and machinery/equipment purchased during the construction period; the machinery must be used exclusively on site, in that specific business operation The state sales tax rebate covers only the construction period
Quality Jobs Program Employer must provide a basic healthcare plan to the individuals it employs in new direct jobs in which shall be determined to have a value of at least one dollar and twenty-five cents per hour For new direct jobs which pay at least fourteen dollars and fifty cents per hour in wages and healthcare benefits, the benefit rate shall be 5%; for new direct jobs which pay at least nineteen dollars and ten cents per hour in wages and healthcare benefits, the benefit rate shall be 6% Example: XYZ Company creates 50 new jobs with a new annual payroll of $2,000,000. The rebate back to the company could be as high as $1,200,000 or $120,000 a year for 10 years Offers the option of receiving a rebate of State sales/use tax on materials purchased for new infrastructure, machinery, and equipment purchased during the construction period and used exclusively on site or a Refundable Investment Tax Credit equal to 1.5% of capitalized investment minus cost of land, interest, existing building acquisition costs, and the portion of manufacturing equipment that is exempt under Sales/Use tax laws.
Back to Top Angel Investor Tax Credit Allows an accredited investor to receive a 50% tax credit on Louisiana income or franchise tax liability for early-stage investments Useful for early-stage investments in the Louisiana Entrepreneurial Business
Restoration Tax Abatement Commercial property owners and homeowners who expand, restore, improve, or develop an existing structure in a qualifying district are eligible The program grants a five-year deferred assessment of the ad valorem property taxes assessed on renovations and improvements with an option for a second five-year exemption
Digital Interactive Media/Motion Picture/Sound Recording Tax Credits Provides a tax credit for investors that is calculated as a percentage of the total base investment dollars certified per production project Allows an additional labor tax credit based on payroll amount for each LA resident employed in connection with the production Investors in this industry are also able to transfer these earned credits for a percentage of the face value of the credits
Back to Top Freeport Law Permits most manufacturers to bring raw materials into the state without having to pay a tax on them until after they have been placed in the manufacturing process Cargoes in transit are exempt from taxation as long as they are kept intact within their smallest original shipping container Louisiana ports and distribution facilities are also eligible for Freeport Law exemptions
Industrial Property Tax Exemption New and expanding manufacturing operations or expansions are eligible for exemption of property taxes on new construction or additions to existing buildings; the purchase of permanently fixed equipment and machinery is also included A business can take advantage of this program for a period of five years; there is a provision for the granting of a second five-year exemption
Tax Equalization Program Eligibility includes new and expanding manufacturing establishments, headquarters, warehousing, and distribution facilities The program equalizes the overall taxes between a Louisiana site and a competing site in another state
Industry Assistance Program This program provides a tax exemption when manufacturers and their contractors give preference and priority to Louisiana manufacturers or Louisiana suppliers, engineers, contractors and labor, except where not reasonably possible Taxes or portions thereof to be exempt can include the following: the corporation franchise tax, state sales and use taxes on goods necessary for production, state sales and use taxes on machinery and equipment, the corporation income tax, and any other taxes imposed directly by the state on the applicant
Back to Top Inventory Tax Program Offsetting tax credit to compensate manufacturers, retailers, and distributors for ad valorem taxes paid on inventories These credits may be applied against State corporate franchise taxes and corporate and personal income taxes
Research & Development Tax Credit Allows existing businesses with operating facilities in Louisiana to establish or continue research and development activities within the state Companies claiming Federal income tax credit for research activities may claim against state income and corporation franchise taxes up to 8% of the state's apportioned share of increased R&D expenses or 25% of its apportioned share of federal research credit claimed under 26 USCA Sec. 41 (alternative incremental tax credit) Additional one-time tax credits may also be awarded to taxpayers who receive Small Business Innovation Research Grants in an amount equal to 8% of the award
Corporate Jobs Tax Credit One time tax credit ranging from up to $225 for each net new permanent job created as the result of a new business start-up or the expansion of an existing one Credits may be used to satisfy state corporate income tax obligations Program is offered to most industries; however, it is not offered in conjunction with the Enterprise Zone program nor the Industrial Tax Exemption program Back to Top
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