As the State of California’s economy continues through the recession, the California Enterprise Zone program offers local businesses a great opportunity to save money and reap sizable tax benefits.  In another great demonstration of the power of the EZ program, EDC President Greg O’Sullivan thinks Shasta County can grow its economic job base, despite Sacramento.

With the recession forcing many companies to put expansion plans on hold, the EDC is focusing more on business retention, O’Sullivan said, promoting the Shasta Metro Enterprise Zone, which gives hiring credits to businesses.

In the past year, the enterprise zone has grown from about 800 credited employees to 1,300 credited employees, accounting for $13.5 million in hiring credits to companies, O’Sullivan said.

This is another great example of the potential of the EZ program, if you have a business that resides in an Enterprise Zone, contact us directly to see what benefits you are entitled to.

Click here for the Board of Equalizations June 2009 tax bulletin.

Centrally located, Fresno is the financial, industrial, trade, and commercial capital in the Central San Joaquin Valley. This dynamic city is the hub of a region rich in heritage, resources, and people. The home for a diverse mixture of industries, businesses, agencies and institutions, Fresno offers an ideal location and the tools you need to build a successful business.

Businesses in the zone – from large manufacturing companies to small neighborhood restaurants – can significantly reduce their state income taxes by taking advantage of special California Enterprise Zone tax benefits.

Located within the Fresno Enterprise Zone borders are affordable manufacturing and commercial sites, as well as unique retail locations.  The zone is within immediate access of two freeways, two state highways, the Fresno Yosemite International Airport and the Downtown Chandler Airport.  It is also in close proximity to a wide range of educational facilities, housing and other amenities.  These assets add up to an increasingly powerful ability to assist current businesses and attract new companies, jobs and investments.

A business located within the Enterprise Zone can receive tax credits each time it hires an eligible employee or purchases qualified new machinery, equipment or pollution control devices.  Incentives are also available to many employees who work in the zone and lenders who make loans to qualified businesses.  Most businesses in the Enterprise Zone are automatically eligible for benefits.  There is no certification process.

There is a bill being pushed through the California State Assembly that is taking aim at one of the State’s largest enterprise zones.  In it’s current state, the bill would alter the current enterprise zones while eliminating several key regions.  Considering the ramifications of this bill passing, it has met with heavy conflict, especially with the current job market and nationwide recession.

“Let’s be very clear, this isn’t a reform bill. It’s an enterprise zone killer, and would cost California thousands of jobs,” said Craig Johnson, president of the California Association of Enterprise Zones and manager of the Long Beach enterprise zone. He testified against the measure at a recent hearing in Sacramento.

California Assemblyman Bob Dutton of Rancho Cucamonga is proposing a new bill for personal income and corporate tax credits (SB 508) for hiring CalWORKS recipients, parolees, veterans or persons receiving unemployment benefits.  The provisions of this bill track the Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and would supplement the current California Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Program.

Here’s a letter from CAEZ President Craig Johnson regarding how Enterprise Zones can help the soaring unemployment rates.

Dear CAEZ Board and Members,

I found the article linked below to be fascinating and frightening at the same time.  With such high unemployment rates among some of our Enterprise Zones, advocating and marketing the benefits of the Enterprise Zone program are more important than ever.  Our program may be the answer to some of the problems our businesses are facing during such difficult economic times.  Click for more information.

CRAIG JOHNSON
President
California Association of Enterprise Zones

Delano is a culturally diverse community and has long been regarded as an international community. Though the population is drawn from multiple origins, the citizens still have many things in common, including a strong sense of community and work ethic. Delano is strategically located along Highway 99, one of California’s primary north/south arteries.

Delano has been a California Enterprise Zone and has become a great destination for business owners looking to take advantage of the California EZ program.  If you have a company operating in this city, please contact us today to see what tax credits you are eligible for.

During the economic downturn, cities are beginning to utilize the tax credits available to them in order to attract new businesses to their region.  The latest was Santa Clarita, which has announced a 21 point plan for economic development.  Topping off the list was the promotion of the city’s Enterprise Zone.  Details are below:

The Enterprise Zone is a critical state-initiated tax savings program designed to stimulate the economy and return valuable dollars to local Santa Clarita business. As of March 23, 2009, this program has generated a potential $14,689,000 in savings to local business. This campaign will include increased marketing and direct outreach to local businesses as a way to help thousands of companies understand the potential tax savings available just by doing business in the City of Santa Clarita. To date less than 5% of eligible businesses have taken advantage of the hiring credits available through the Enterprise Zone, but with increased funding for outreach and marketing to generate awareness of the program and its benefits, this number should increase substantially. $50,000 (General Fund)

The California Court of Appeals ruled that the FTB has legal authority to audit vouchers issued by local Enterprise Zone agencies that handle the voucher process.  The Court held that the FTB bears the burden of proof in rebutting the voucher’s prima facie value as evidence that an employee is a “qualified worker,” and may not rely on an employer’s failure to produce during the audit documents establishing a worker’s eligibility to the extent regulations governing the tax credit charge the enterprise zone, not the employer, with the obligation to maintain documents of workers’ eligibility.

For more information, see the full case file here:

Dicon Fiberoptics, Inc. v. Franchise Tax Board – filed May 7, 2009, Second District, Div. Eight