12 LC
34 3275
House
Bill 868
By:
Representatives Collins of the
27th,
Carter of the
175th,
Atwood of the
179th,
Hatchett of the
143rd,
Clark of the
98th,
and others
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To
amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to imposition, computation, and exemptions from state income
tax, so as to provide for the comprehensive revision of income tax credits for
business enterprises located in less developed areas, designated by tiers, for
business enterprises located in less developed areas consisting of contiguous
census tracts, for existing manufacturing and telecommunications facilities
located in certain tier counties, and for establishing new quality jobs or
relocating quality jobs; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations;
to change certain provisions so as to correct certain cross-references; to
provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide that this Act shall
not abate or affect prosecutions, punishments, penalties, administrative
proceedings or remedies, or civil actions related to certain violations; to
provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to imposition, computation, and exemptions from state income tax, is amended by
revising subsections (a), (e), (f), (h), and (l) of Code Section 48-7-40,
relating to designation of counties as less developed areas, as
follows:
"(a)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
'Broadcasting' means the transmission or licensing of audio, video, text, or
other programming content to the general public, subscribers, or to third
parties via radio, television, cable, satellite, or the Internet or Internet
Protocol and includes motion picture and sound recording, editing, production,
postproduction, and distribution. 'Broadcasting' is limited to establishments
classified under the 2007 North American Industry Classification System Codes
515, broadcasting; 519, Internet publishing and broadcasting; 517,
telecommunications; and 512, motion picture and sound recording
industries.
(2)
'Business enterprise' means any business or the headquarters of any such
business which is engaged in manufacturing,
including, but
not limited to, the manufacturing of alternative energy products for use in
solar, wind, battery, bioenergy, biofuel, and electric vehicle
enterprises, warehousing and distribution,
processing, telecommunications, broadcasting, tourism, research and development
industries,
biomedical
manufacturing, and services for the
elderly and persons with disabilities. Such term shall not include retail
businesses.
(3)
'Competitive project' means expansion or location of some or all of a business
enterprise's operations in this state having significant regional impact where
the commissioner of economic development certifies that but for some or all of
the tax incentives provided in this Code section, the business enterprise would
have located or expanded outside this state.
(4)
'Existing business enterprise' means any business or the headquarters of any
such business which has operated for the immediately preceding three years a
facility in this state which is engaged in manufacturing,
including, but
not limited to, the manufacturing of alternative energy products for use in
solar, wind, battery, bioenergy, biofuel, and electric vehicle
enterprises, warehousing and distribution,
processing, telecommunications, broadcasting, tourism,
biomedical
manufacturing, or research and development
industries. Such term shall not include retail businesses.
(5)
'New full-time employee job' means a newly created position of employment that
was not previously located in this state, requires a minimum of 35 hours a week,
and pays at or above the average wage earned in the county with the lowest
average wage earned in this state, as reported in the most recently available
annual issue of the Georgia Employment and Wages Averages Report of the
Department of Labor."
"(e)(1)
Business enterprises in counties designated by the commissioner of community
affairs as tier 1 counties shall be allowed a tax credit for taxes imposed under
this article equal to $3,500.00 annually per eligible new full-time employee job
for five years beginning with the first taxable year in which the new full-time
employee job is created and for the four immediately succeeding taxable years;
provided, however, that where the amount of such credit exceeds a business
enterprise's liability for such taxes in a taxable year, the excess may be taken
as a credit against such business enterprise's quarterly or monthly payment
under Code Section 48-7-103 but not to exceed in any one taxable year
$3,500.00
$3,750.00
for each new full-time employee job when aggregated with the credit applied
against taxes under this article. Each employee whose employer receives credit
against such business enterprise's quarterly or monthly payment under Code
Section 48-7-103 shall receive credit against his or her income tax liability
under Code Section 48-7-20 for the corresponding taxable year for the full
amount which would be credited against such liability prior to the application
of the credit provided for in this paragraph. Credits against quarterly or
monthly payments under Code Section 48-7-103 and credits against liability under
Code Section 48-7-20 established by this paragraph shall not constitute income
to the taxpayer. Business enterprises in counties designated by the
commissioner of community affairs as tier 2 counties shall be allowed a job tax
credit for taxes imposed under this article equal to $2,500.00
annually,
and
business enterprises in counties designated by the commissioner of community
affairs as tier 3
and tier
4 counties shall be allowed a job tax
credit for taxes imposed under this article equal to
$1,250.00
$2,000.00
annually,
and business enterprises in counties designated by the commissioner of community
affairs as tier 4 counties shall be allowed a job tax credit for taxes imposed
under this article equal to $750.00
annually for each new full-time employee
job for five years beginning with the first taxable year in which the new
full-time employee job is created and for the four immediately succeeding
taxable years. Where a business enterprise is engaged in a competitive project
located in a county designated by the commissioner of community affairs as a
tier 2 county and where the amount of the credit provided in this paragraph
exceeds such business enterprise's liability for taxes imposed under this
article in a taxable year,
the excess may
be taken as a credit against such business enterprise's quarterly or monthly
payment under Code Section 48-7-103 but not to exceed in any one taxable year
$2,750.00 for each new full-time employee job when aggregated with the credit
applied against taxes under this article.
or
where
Where
a business enterprise is engaged in a competitive project located in a county
designated by the commissioner of community affairs as a tier 3 or tier 4 county
and where the amount of the credit provided in this paragraph exceeds 50 percent
of such business enterprise's liability for taxes imposed under this article in
a taxable year, the excess may be taken as a credit against such business
enterprise's quarterly or monthly payment under Code Section 48-7-103 but not to
exceed in any one taxable year
$2,500.00
$2,250.00
for each new full-time employee job when aggregated with the credit applied
against taxes under this article. Each employee whose employer receives credit
against such business enterprise's quarterly or monthly payment under Code
Section 48-7-103 shall receive credit against his or her income tax liability
under Code Section 48-7-20 for the corresponding taxable year for the full
amount which would be credited against such liability prior to the application
of the credit provided for in this paragraph. Credits against quarterly or
monthly payments under Code Section 48-7-103 and credits against liability under
Code Section 48-7-20 established by this paragraph shall not constitute income
to the taxpayer. The number of new full-time
employee
jobs shall be determined by comparing the monthly average number of full-time
employees subject to Georgia income tax withholding for the taxable year with
the corresponding period of the prior taxable year. In tier 1 counties, those
business enterprises that increase employment by
five
two
or more shall be eligible for the credit. In tier
2, 3, and
4 counties, only those business
enterprises that increase employment by ten or more shall be eligible for the
credit. In
tier 3 counties, only those business enterprises that increase employment by 15
or more shall be eligible for the credit. In tier 4 counties, only those
business enterprises that increase employment by 25 or more shall be eligible
for the credit. The average wage of the new jobs created must be above the
average wage of the county that has the lowest average wage of any county in the
state to qualify as reported in the most recently available annual issue of the
Georgia Employment and Wages Averages Report of the Department of
Labor. To qualify for a credit under this
paragraph, the employer must make health insurance coverage available to the
employee filling the new full-time
employee
job; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to
require the employer to pay for all or any part of health insurance coverage for
such an employee in order to claim the credit provided for in this paragraph if
such employer does not pay for all or any part of health insurance coverage for
other employees. Credit shall not be allowed during a year if the net
employment increase falls below the number required in such tier.
In any year
in which the net employment
increase
falls below the number required in such tier, the taxpayer shall forfeit the
right to the credit claimed for that taxable year. For the year that the net
employment increase falls below the number required in such tier, a taxpayer
that forfeits such right is therefore liable for all past taxes imposed by this
article for that taxable year and all past payments under Code Section 48-7-103
for that taxable year that were foregone by the state as a result of the credits
provided by this Code section; provided, however, that Code Section 48-2-40
shall not apply to any such forfeiture.
The state revenue commissioner shall adjust the credit allowed each year for net
new employment fluctuations above the minimum level of the number required in
such tier.
(2)
Existing business enterprises
that are
eligible for the credit established under paragraph (1) of this
subsection shall be allowed an additional
tax credit for taxes imposed under this article equal to
$500.00
$250.00
per eligible new full-time employee job
the first
year in which the new full-time employee job is created. The additional credit
shall be claimed in the first taxable year in which the new full-time employee
job is created
for five years
beginning with the first taxable year in which the new full-time employee job is
created and for the four immediately succeeding taxable
years. The number of new full-time
employee
jobs shall be determined by comparing the monthly average number of full-time
employees subject to Georgia income tax withholding for the taxable year with
the corresponding period of the prior taxable year.
In tier 1
counties, those existing business enterprises that increase employment by five
or more shall be eligible for the credit. In tier 2 counties, only those
existing business enterprises that increase employment by ten or more shall be
eligible for the credit. In tier 3 counties, only those existing business
enterprises that increase employment by 15 or more shall be eligible for the
credit. In tier 4 counties, only those existing business enterprises that
increase employment by 25 or more shall be eligible for the credit. The average
wage of the new jobs created must be above the average wage of the county that
has the lowest average wage of any county in the state to qualify as reported in
the most recently available annual issue of the Georgia Employment and Wages
Averages Report of the Department of Labor. To qualify for a credit under this
paragraph, the employer must make health insurance coverage available to the
employee filling the new full-time job; provided, however, that nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to require the employer to pay for all or any part
of health insurance coverage for such an employee in order to claim the credit
provided for in this paragraph if such employer does not pay for all or any part
of health insurance coverage for other employees. Credit shall not be allowed
during a year if the net employment increase falls below the number required in
such tier. Any credit generated and utilized for years prior to the year in
which the net employment increase falls below the number required in such tier
shall not be affected. The state revenue commissioner shall adjust the credit
allowed each year for net new employment fluctuations above the minimum level of
the number required in such tier. This paragraph shall apply only to new
eligible full-time jobs created in taxable years beginning on or after January
1, 2006, and ending no later than taxable years beginning prior to January 1,
2011.
(f)
Tax credits for
four
five
years for the taxes imposed under this article shall be awarded for additional
new full-time employee jobs created by business enterprises qualified under
subsection (b), (c), or (c.1) of this Code section. Additional new full-time
employee
jobs shall be determined by subtracting the highest total employment of the
business enterprise during years two through five, or whatever portion of years
two through five which has been completed, from the total increased employment.
The state revenue commissioner shall adjust the credit allowed in the event of
employment fluctuations during the five years of credit.
An existing
business enterprise shall also be allowed the additional amount provided in
paragraph (2) of subsection (e) of this Code section for new full-time employee
jobs created during years two through
five."
"(h)(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection,
any
Any
credit claimed under this Code section but not used in any taxable year may be
carried forward for ten years from the close of the taxable year in which the
qualified jobs were established, subject to forfeiture as provided in paragraph
(1) of subsection (e) of this Code section, but in tiers 3 and 4 the credit
established by this Code section taken in any one taxable year shall be limited
to an amount not greater than 50 percent of the taxpayer's state income tax
liability which is attributable to income derived from operations in this state
for that taxable year. In tier 1 and 2 counties, the credit allowed under this
Code section against taxes imposed under this article in any taxable year shall
be limited to an amount not greater than 100 percent of the taxpayer's state
income tax liability attributable to income derived from operations in this
state for such taxable year.
(2)
The additional credit claimed by an existing business enterprise pursuant to the
provisions of paragraph (2) of subsection (e) of this Code section must be
applied against taxes imposed for the taxable year in which such credit is
available and may not be carried forward to any subsequent taxable
year."
"(l)
Taxpayers that initially claimed the credit under this Code section for any
taxable year beginning before January 1,
2009
2012,
shall be governed, for purposes of all such credits claimed as well as any
credits claimed in subsequent taxable years related to such initial claim, by
this Code section as it was in effect for the taxable year in which the taxpayer
made such initial claim."
SECTION
2.
Said
article is further amended by revising subsections (a), (e), (f), and (j) of
Code Section 48-7-40.1, relating to tax credits for business enterprises located
in less developed areas, as follows:
"(a)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
'Broadcasting' means the transmission or licensing of audio, video, text, or
other programming content to the general public, subscribers, or to third
parties via radio, television, cable, satellite, or the Internet or Internet
Protocol and includes motion picture and sound recording, editing, production,
postproduction, and distribution. 'Broadcasting' is limited to establishments
classified under the 2007 North American Industry Classification System Codes
515, broadcasting; 519, Internet publishing and broadcasting; 517,
telecommunications; and 512, motion picture and sound recording
industries.
(2)
'Business enterprise' means any business or the headquarters of any such
business which is engaged in manufacturing,
including, but
not limited to, the manufacturing of alternative energy products for use in
solar, wind, battery, bioenergy, biofuel, and electric vehicle
enterprises, warehousing and distribution,
processing, telecommunications, broadcasting, tourism,
biomedical
manufacturing, and research and
development industries. Such term shall not include retail
businesses.
(3)
'Existing business enterprise' means any business or the headquarters of any
such business which has operated for the immediately preceding three years a
facility in this state which is engaged in manufacturing, including, but not
limited to, the manufacturing of alternative energy products for use in solar,
wind, battery, bioenergy, biofuel, and electric vehicle enterprises, warehousing
and distribution, processing, telecommunications, broadcasting, tourism,
biomedical manufacturing, or research and development industries. Such term
shall not include retail
businesses."
"(e)(1)
Business enterprises in areas designated by the commissioner of community
affairs as less developed areas shall be allowed a job tax credit for taxes
imposed under this article equal to $3,500.00 annually per eligible new
full-time employee job for five years beginning with the first taxable year in
which the new full-time employee job is created and for the four immediately
succeeding taxable years; provided, however, that where the amount of such
credit exceeds a business enterprise's liability for such taxes in a taxable
year, the excess may be taken as a credit against such business enterprise's
quarterly or monthly payment under Code Section 48-7-103 but not to exceed in
any one taxable year
$3,500.00
$3,750.00
for each new full-time employee job when aggregated with the credit applied
against taxes under this article. Each employee whose employer receives credit
against such business enterprise's quarterly or monthly payment under Code
Section 48-7-103 shall receive credit against his or her income tax liability
under Code Section 48-7-20 for the corresponding taxable year for the full
amount which would be credited against such liability prior to the application
of the credit provided for in this subsection. Credits against quarterly or
monthly payments under Code Section 48-7-103 and credits against liability under
Code Section 48-7-20 established by this subsection shall not constitute income
to the taxpayer. The number of new full-time jobs shall be determined by
comparing the monthly average number of full-time employees subject to Georgia
income tax withholding for the taxable year with the corresponding period of the
prior taxable year. Only those business enterprises that increase employment by
five or more in a less developed area shall be eligible for the credit;
provided, however, that within areas of pervasive poverty as designated under
paragraphs (2) and (4) of subsection (c) of this Code section businesses shall
only have to increase employment by two or more jobs in order to be eligible for
the credit, provided that, if a business only increases employment by two jobs,
the persons hired for such jobs shall not be married to one another. The
average wage of the new jobs created must be above the average wage of the
county that has the lowest wage of any county in the state to qualify as
reported in the most recently available annual issue of the Georgia Employment
and Wages Averages Report of the Department of Labor. To qualify for a credit
under this subsection, the employer must make health insurance coverage
available to the employee filling the new full-time job; provided, however, that
nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require the employer to pay for
all or any part of health insurance coverage for such an employee in order to
claim the credit provided for in this subsection if such employer does not pay
for all or any part of health insurance coverage for other employees. Credit
shall not be allowed during a year if the net employment increase falls below
five or two, as applicable.
In any year
in which the net employment increase falls below five or two, as applicable, the
taxpayer shall forfeit the right to the credit claimed for that taxable year.
For the year that the net employment increase falls below five or two, as
applicable, a taxpayer that forfeits such right is therefore liable for all past
taxes imposed by this article for that taxable year and all past payments under
Code Section 48-7-103 for that taxable year that were foregone by the state as a
result of the credits provided by this Code section; provided, however that Code
Section 48-2-40 shall not apply to any such
forfeiture. The state revenue
commissioner shall adjust the credit allowed each year for net new employment
fluctuations above the minimum level of five or two.
(2)
Existing business enterprises that are eligible for the credit established under
paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be allowed an additional tax credit for
taxes imposed under this article equal to $250.00 per eligible new full-time
employee job for five years beginning with the first taxable year in which the
new full-time employee job is created and for the four immediately succeeding
taxable years. The number of new full-time employee jobs shall be determined by
comparing the monthly average number of full-time employees subject to Georgia
income tax withholding for the taxable year with the corresponding period of the
prior taxable year.
(f)
Tax credits for
four
five
years for the taxes imposed under this article shall be awarded for additional
new full-time
employee
jobs created by business enterprises qualified under subsection (b) or (c) of
this Code section. Additional new full-time
employee
jobs shall be determined by subtracting the highest total employment of the
business enterprise during years two through five, or whatever portion of years
two through five which has been completed, from the total increased employment.
The state revenue commissioner shall adjust the credit allowed in the event of
employment fluctuations during the additional five years of credit.
An existing
business enterprise shall also be allowed the additional amount provided in
paragraph (2) of subsection (e) of this Code section for new full-time employee
jobs created during years two through
five."
"(j)
Taxpayers that initially claimed the credit under this Code section for any
taxable year beginning before January 1,
2009
2012,
shall be governed, for purposes of all such credits claimed as well as any
credits claimed in subsequent taxable years related to such initial claim, by
this Code section as it was in effect for the taxable year in which the taxpayer
made such initial claim."
SECTION
3.
Said
article is further amended by revising subsection (e) of Code Section
48-7-40.12, relating to tax credit for qualified research expenses, as
follows:
"(e)
In the
first five years of a newly formed business enterprise's operations in this
state, where
Where
the amount of a credit claimed under this Code section exceeds 50 percent of
a
taxpayer's liability for such taxes
the business
enterprise's remaining Georgia net income tax liability after all other credits
have been applied in a taxable year, the
excess may be taken as a credit against such taxpayer's quarterly or monthly
payment under Code Section 48-7-103. Each employee whose employer receives
credit against such taxpayer's quarterly or monthly payment under Code Section
48-7-103 shall receive a credit against his or her income tax liability under
Code Section 48-7-20 for the corresponding taxable year for the full amount
which would be credited against such liability prior to the application of the
credit provided for in this subsection. Credits against quarterly or monthly
payments under Code Section 48-7-103 and credits against liability under Code
Section 48-7-20 established by this subsection shall not constitute income to
the taxpayer."
SECTION
4.
Said
article is further amended by revising Code Section 48-7-40.15, relating to
alternative tax credits for base year port traffic increases, as
follows:
"48-7-40.15.
(a)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
'Base year port traffic' means:
(A)
For taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2010, the total amount of net
tons, containers, or twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU's) of product actually
transported by way of a waterborne ship or vehicle through a port facility
during the period from January 1, 1997, through December 31, 1997; provided,
however, that in the event the total amount actually transported during such
period was not at least 75 net tons, five containers, or ten twenty-foot
equivalent units (TEU's), then 'base year port traffic' means 75 net tons, five
containers, or ten twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU's).
(B)
For all taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2010, the total amount of
net tons, containers, or twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU's) of product
actually imported into this state or exported out of this state by way of a
waterborne ship or vehicle through a port facility during the second preceding
12 month period; provided, however, that in the event the total amount actually
imported into this state or exported out of this state during such period was
not at least 75 net tons, five containers, or ten twenty-foot equivalent units
(TEU's), then 'base year port traffic' means 75 net tons, five containers, or
ten twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU's).
(2)
'Broadcasting' means the transmission or licensing of audio, video, text, or
other programming content to the general public, subscribers, or to third
parties via radio, television, cable, satellite, or the Internet or Internet
Protocol and includes motion picture and sound recording, editing, production,
postproduction, and distribution. 'Broadcasting' is limited to establishments
classified under the 2007 North American Industry Classification System Codes
515, broadcasting;
516,
519,
Internet publishing and broadcasting; 517, telecommunications; and 512, motion
picture and sound recording industries.
(3)
'Business enterprise' means any business or the headquarters of any such
business which is engaged in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution,
processing, telecommunications, broadcasting, tourism, and research and
development industries but shall not include retail businesses.
(4)
'Port facility' means any privately owned or publicly owned facility located
within this state through which product is transported by way of a waterborne
ship or vehicle to or from destinations outside this state.
(5)
'Port traffic' means:
(A)
For taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2010, the total amount of net
tons, containers, or twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU's) of product transported
by way of a waterborne ship or vehicle through a port facility.
(B)
For all taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2010, the total amount of
net tons, containers, or twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU's) of product
imported into this state or exported out of this state by way of a waterborne
ship or vehicle through a port facility.
(6)
'Product' means a marketable product or component of a product which has an
economic value to the wholesale or retail consumer and is ready to be used
without further alteration of its form or a product or material which is
marketed as a prepared material or is a component in the manufacturing and
assembly of other finished products.
(7)
'Qualified investment property' means all real and personal property purchased
or acquired by a taxpayer for use in the construction of an additional
manufacturing or telecommunications facility to be located in this state or in
the expansion of an existing manufacturing or telecommunications facility
located in this state, including, but not limited to, moneys expended on land
acquisition, improvements, buildings, building improvements, and machinery and
equipment to be used in the manufacturing or telecommunications facility. The
department shall promulgate rules defining eligible manufacturing facilities,
telecommunications facilities, and qualified investment property pursuant to
this Code section.
(b)(1)
In the case of any business enterprise which has increased its port traffic of
products during the previous 12 month period by more than 10 percent above its
base year port traffic and is qualified to claim a job tax credit under Code
Section 48-7-40
or
48-7-40.1 for jobs added at any time on or
after January 1, 1998, there shall be allowed an additional $1,250.00 job tax
credit against the tax imposed under this article.
(2)
The tax credit described in this subsection shall be allowed subject to the
conditions and limitations set forth in Code Section 48-7-40
or
48-7-40.1 and shall be in addition to the
credit allowed under Code Section 48-7-40
or
48-7-40.1; provided, however,
that
such credit shall not be allowed during a year if the port traffic does not
remain above the minimum level established in this Code section.
(c)
In the case of any business enterprise which has increased its port traffic of
products during the previous 12 month period by more than 10 percent above its
base year port traffic and is qualified to claim a tax credit under Code Section
48-7-40.2, 48-7-40.3, 48-7-40.4, 48-7-40.7, 48-7-40.8, or 48-7-40.9 upon
qualified investment property added at any time on or after January 1, 1998,
there shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed under this article in an
amount equal to the applicable percentage amount otherwise allowed under Code
Section 48-7-40.2 or 48-7-40.7 to business enterprises for the cost of such
property. The tax credit described in this subsection shall be allowed subject
to the conditions and limitations set forth in Code Section 48-7-40.2 or
48-7-40.7, as applicable, except that such property may be placed in service in
any county without regard to its tier designation. Such credit shall also be in
lieu of and not in addition to the credit authorized under Code Sections
48-7-40.2, 48-7-40.3, 48-7-40.4, 48-7-40.7, 48-7-40.8, and
48-7-40.9.
(d)
No business enterprise shall be authorized to claim the credits provided for in
both subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section on a tax return for any
taxable year unless such business enterprise has increased its port traffic of
products during the previous 12 month period by more than 20 percent above its
base year port traffic, has increased employment by 400 or more no sooner than
January 1, 1998, and has purchased or acquired qualified investment property
having an aggregate cost in excess of $20 million no sooner than January 1,
1998.
(e)
The credit granted under this Code section shall be subject to the following
conditions and limitations:
(1)
For every year in which a taxpayer claims the credit, the taxpayer shall attach
a schedule to the taxpayer's state income tax return which shall set forth the
following information, as a minimum, in addition to the information required
under Code Sections
48-7-40,
48-7-40.1, and 48-7-40.2 or
48-7-40.7:
(A)
A description of how the base year port traffic and the increase in port traffic
was determined;
(B)
The amount of the base year port traffic;
(C)
The amount of the increase in port traffic for the taxable year, including
information which demonstrates an increase in port traffic in excess of the
minimum amount required to claim the tax credit under this Code
section;
(D)
Any tax credit utilized by the taxpayer in prior years;
(E)
The amount of tax credit carried over from prior years;
(F)
The amount of tax credit utilized by the taxpayer in the current taxable year;
and
(G)
The amount of tax credit to be carried over to subsequent tax
years.
(2)(A)
Any tax credit claimed under subsection (b) of this Code section but not used in
any taxable year may be carried forward for ten years from the close of the
taxable year in which the qualified jobs were established, provided that the
increase in port traffic remains above the minimum levels established in Code
Section 48-7-40
or
48-7-40.1 and this Code section,
respectively.
(B)
Any tax credit claimed under subsection (c) of this Code section in lieu of Code
Section 48-7-40.2, 48-7-40.3, or 48-7-40.4 but not used in any taxable year may
be carried forward for ten years from the close of the taxable year in which the
qualified investment property was acquired, provided that the increase in port
traffic remains above the minimum level established in this Code section and the
qualified investment property remains in service.
(3)(A)
Any tax credit claimed under subsection (c) of this Code section in lieu of Code
Section 48-7-40.7, 48-7-40.8, or 48-7-40.9 shall be allowed for the ensuing ten
taxable years following the taxable year the qualified investment property was
first placed in service, provided that the increase in port traffic remains
above the minimum level established in this Code section and the qualified
investment property remains in service.
(B)
The tax credit established by this Code section in lieu of Code Section
48-7-40.2, 48-7-40.3, or 48-7-40.4 and taken in any one taxable year shall be
limited to an amount not greater than 50 percent of the taxpayer's state income
tax liability which is attributable to income derived from operations in this
state for that taxable year.
(C)
The tax credit established by this Code section in addition to that pursuant to
Code Section 48-7-40
or
48-7-40.1 and taken in any one taxable
year shall be limited to an amount not greater than 50 percent of the taxpayer's
state income tax liability which is attributable to income derived from
operations in this state for that taxable year.
(D)
The sale, merger, acquisition, or bankruptcy of any taxpayer shall not create
new eligibility for any succeeding taxpayer, but any unused credit may be
transferred and continued by any transferee of the taxpayer."
SECTION
5.
Said
article is further amended by revising Code Section 48-7-40.17, relating to
establishing or relocating headquarters and tax credit, as follows:
"48-7-40.17.
(a)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
'Average wage' means the average wage of the county in which a new quality job
is located as reported in the most recently available annual issue of the
Georgia Employment and Wages Averages Report of the Department of
Labor.
(2)
'New quality job' means employment for an individual which:
(A)
Is located in this state;
(B)
Has a regular work week of 30 hours or more;
(C)
Is not a job that is or was already located in Georgia regardless of which
taxpayer the individual performed services for;
and
(D)
Pays at or above 110 percent of the average wage of the county in which it is
located;
and
(E)
Has no predetermined end
date.
(b)
A taxpayer establishing new quality jobs in this state or relocating quality
jobs into this state which elects not to receive the tax credits provided for by
Code Sections 48-7-40, 48-7-40.1, 48-7-40.2, 48-7-40.3, 48-7-40.4, 48-7-40.7,
48-7-40.8, and 48-7-40.9 for such jobs and investments created by, arising from,
related to, or connected in any way with the same project and, within one year
of the first date on which the taxpayer pursuant to the provisions of Code
Section 48-7-101 withholds wages for employees in this state and employs at
least
50
15
persons in new quality jobs in this state, shall be allowed a credit for taxes
imposed under this article:
(1)
Equal to $2,500.00 annually per eligible new quality job where the job pays 110
percent or more but less than 120 percent of the average wage of the county in
which the new quality job is located;
(2)
Equal to $3,000.00 annually per eligible new quality job where the job pays 120
percent or more but less than 150 percent of the average wage of the county in
which the new quality job is located;
(3)
Equal to $4,000.00 annually per eligible new quality job where the job pays 150
percent or more but less than 175 percent of the average wage of the county in
which the new quality job is located;
(4)
Equal to $4,500.00 annually per eligible new quality job where the job pays 175
percent or more but less than 200 percent of the average wage of the county in
which the new quality job is located; and
(5)
Equal to $5,000.00 annually per eligible new quality job where the job pays 200
percent or more of the average wage of the county in which the new quality job
is located;
provided,
however, that where the amount of such credit exceeds a taxpayer's liability for
such taxes in a taxable year, the excess may be taken as a credit against such
taxpayer's quarterly or monthly payment under Code Section 48-7-103 but not to
exceed in any one taxable year the credit amounts in paragraphs (1) through (5)
of this subsection for each new quality job when aggregated with the credit
applied against taxes under this article. Each employee whose employer receives
credit against such taxpayer's quarterly or monthly payment under Code Section
48-7-103 shall receive a credit against his or her income tax liability under
Code Section 48-7-20 for the corresponding taxable year for the full amount
which would be credited against such liability prior to the application of the
credit provided for in this subsection. Credits against quarterly or monthly
payments under Code Section 48-7-103 and credits against liability under Code
Section 48-7-20 established by this subsection shall not constitute income to
the taxpayer. For each new quality job created, the credit established by this
subsection may be taken for the first taxable year in which the new quality job
is created and for the four immediately succeeding taxable years; provided,
however, that such new quality jobs must be created within seven years from the
close of the taxable year in which the taxpayer first becomes eligible for such
credit. Credit shall not be allowed during a year if the net employment
increase falls below the
50
15
new quality jobs required. Any credit received for years prior to the year in
which the net employment increase falls below the
50
15
new quality jobs required shall not be affected except as provided in subsection
(f) of this Code section. The
state
revenue commissioner shall adjust the
credit allowed each year for net new employment fluctuations above the
50
15
new quality jobs required.
(c)
The number of new quality jobs to which this Code section shall be applicable
shall be determined by comparing the monthly average of new quality jobs subject
to Georgia income tax withholding for the taxable year with the corresponding
average for the prior taxable year.
(d)
Any credit claimed under this Code section but not used in any taxable year may
be carried forward for ten years from the close of the taxable year in which the
new quality jobs were established.
(e)
Notwithstanding Code Section 48-2-35, any tax credit claimed under this Code
section shall be claimed within one year of the earlier of the date the original
return was filed or the date such return was due as prescribed in subsection (a)
of Code Section 48-7-56, including any approved extensions.
(f)
If the
taxpayer has failed to maintain a new quality job in a taxable year, the
taxpayer shall forfeit the right to the credit claimed for such job in that
year. For each year such new quality job is not maintained, a taxpayer that
forfeits such right is therefore liable for all past taxes imposed by this
article for that taxable year and all past payments under Code Section 48-7-103
for that taxable year that were foregone by the state as a result of
the
credits
provided by this Code section; provided, however, that Code Section 48-2-40
shall not apply to any such forfeiture.
(g)
Taxpayers that initially claimed the credit under this Code section for any
taxable year beginning before January 1,
2009
2012,
shall be governed, for purposes of all such credits claimed as well as any
credits claimed in subsequent taxable years related to such initial claim, by
this Code section as it was in effect for the taxable year in which the taxpayer
made such initial claim.
(h)(g)
The state
revenue commissioner shall promulgate any
rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer this Code
section."
SECTION
6.
(a)
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its
becoming law without such approval and shall be applicable to all taxable years
beginning on or after January 1, 2012.
(b)
Tax, penalty, and interest liabilities and refund eligibility for prior taxable
years shall not be affected by the passage of this Act and shall continue to be
governed by the provisions of general law as it existed immediately prior to
January 1, 2012.
(c)
This Act shall not abate any prosecution, punishment, penalty, administrative
proceedings or remedies, or civil action related to any violation of law
committed prior to January 1, 2012.
SECTION
7.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.