It’s a challenging time for many businesses. Therefore, any help you can get, such as tax incentives and sales tax exemptions, can make a big difference. Unfortunately, these benefits often go unclaimed because businesses don’t know about them or erroneously think they’re ineligible.
1. Statutory Incentives
Some credits are available “as of right.” If your business meets the specified requirements, you just need to claim the benefit on a timely filed tax return to receive it.
State and federal tax credits and exemptions incentivize businesses to engage in certain activities or invest in specific economically distressed areas. Here are a few:
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). The WOTC is a federal credit ranging from $2,400 to $9,600 per eligible new hire from certain disadvantaged groups. Examples include convicted felons, welfare recipients, veterans, and workers with disabilities. Other steps must also be taken, such as completing paperwork.
State and federal research and development tax credits are available to eligible businesses, regardless of size, that invest in developing new products or techniques, improving processes, or developing software for internal use. The federal “increasing research activities” credit is generally equal to 20% of the amount by which the business increases qualified research expenditures compared to a base amount.
The credit is available even to businesses with no income tax liability and may be carried forward to offset taxable income in future years. A start-up company can claim the federal research credit against up to $500,000 in employer-paid payroll taxes if eligible.
Empowerment zone incentives. Certain tax breaks are available to companies that operate in federally designated, economically distressed “empowerment zones.” Tax credits may be worth up to $3,000 for each eligible employee.
Industry-based and investment credits. Many states and jurisdictions offer tax credits and other incentives to attract certain types of businesses, such as manufacturing or film and television production. Jurisdictions may also offer investment tax credits for capital investments within their borders.
2. Discretionary Incentives
Discretionary tax breaks must be negotiated with government representatives. Typically, these incentives are intended to persuade a business to stay in or relocate to a certain state or locality.
To secure these incentives, a business must show it will benefit the jurisdiction through job creation and revenue generation. Discretionary incentives may include income and payroll tax credits, property tax abatements, and utility rate reductions.
3. Sales Tax Exemptions
States with sales taxes provide exemptions for some business purchases. Common exemptions include purchases by:
- Retailers for resale,
- Manufacturers of equipment, raw materials, or components used in the manufacturing process,
- Specific tax-exempt entities, and
- Agricultural businesses that buy such items as farming equipment and fuel, feed, seeds, fertilizer, and chemical sprays.
Businesses should familiarize themselves with the exemptions available where they do business and what it takes to qualify. For example, they may need to prove to the sellers that they have a resale or exemption certificate.
Don’t Miss These Opportunities
Many tax credits and incentives aren’t claimed yearly because businesses are unaware of them or erroneously believe they’re ineligible. Many more examples exist. Contact the office for help ensuring your business receives all the tax breaks it deserves.
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