Gwinnett County is taking part in an initiative created by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to redevelop and revitalize older commercial and industrial areas. 

New or existing businesses that create two or more jobs qualify for a $3,500 tax credit per job through the State Opportunity Zone Tax Credit. The credit is available within State Opportunity Zones, or areas that are located in or near a census block group with at least 15% poverty where an enterprise zone or urban redevelopment plan also exists.  

The tax credit can also be taken against the business’s Georgia income tax liability and payroll withholding tax.  

Businesses must meet a minimum of two eligible net new jobs within a single tax year. If only two jobs are created, the employees cannot be married to each other. 

The jobs must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Job Tax Credit: 

The credit can be claimed for five years if the jobs are maintained.  

For example, a small business that creates two eligible net new jobs and keeps them for five full years should be able to claim a $7,000 tax credit each year for five years, for a total tax credit of $35,000. 

To determine if a business is located within a State Opportunity Zone, visit the Job Tax Credit Incentives Map. 

For more information, contact Gwinnett’s Opportunity Zone Coordinator Shantell R. Wilson at Shantell.Wilson@GwinnettCounty.com or PNDBusinessOutreach@GwinnettCounty.com.