UPDATED FAQs from CA FTB Regarding Repeal of State’s Enterprise Zone Program
California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation in July that repealed the state’s Enterprise Zone program (and all of the state’s other Economic Development Areas (EDA) programs). Additional “clarifying” legislation was signed in September, outlining an orderly demise for the programs. (more…)
- Published in CA Enterprise Zone
Legislation Clarifying Wind-down of CA EZ Program Heads to Governor Brown for Signature
Max Shenker, writing for EZPolicyBlog.com, has for the past week been following new enterprise-zone legislation, CA AB 106. This bill attempts to clarify uncertainties stemming from the July legislation that killed California’s enterprise zone program. (more…)
- Published in CA Enterprise Zone
Farewell to an Era – California Assembly ENDS Enterprise Zone Program
It has happened! The enterprise-zone elimination bill has passed the California Assembly and now goes to Governor Jerry Brown, who will most assuredly sign it into law. As I explained in my most recent post, this bill ends the enterprise zone program as of December 31, 2013.
If you are an enterprise zone business owner, however, you need to understand that this legislation allows you to continue generating tax credit on the wages paid to qualifying employees hired before January 1, 2014. These employees may continue to generate tax credit for up to 5 years if they remain employed in the (now former) enterprise zone. Also, you will have up to 10 year to utilize all the credit that already has been (or yet will be) generated under this process.
Now is the time for all enterprise zone businesses to take their last deep breath of enterprise-zone benefits. Maximize your 2013 employee qualifications. Generate as much tax-credit carryover as possible. And prepare to pay much higher taxes when all of your carryover tax credits are finally used up – possibly as long as 5 to 10 years from now.
Sadly, this is now also the time for all the tax credit consultants out there, who have specialized in CA enterprise zone services, to hone their resumes and begin putting their contingency plans into operation.
My clients can be assured that we’re working to maximize their benefits into the foreseeable future. We will be here to support them in the way they have grown accustomed to expect.
Read more in the Merded-Sun Star (more…)
- Published in CA Enterprise Zone
Death Looming but Not Yet Certain for California’s Enterprise Zone Program
The California Senate voted last night to approve Democrat Governor Jerry Brown’s legislation that will eliminate the state’s 29-year old enterprise zone program. While only 27 votes were required, Assembly Bill 93 passed 30 to 9 in favor, with 3 of 11 Republicans joining with Democrats. (There are 40 seats in the California Senate, one of which is currently vacant.) (more…)
- Published in CA Enterprise Zone, CA Legislation
Governor’s Proposal to Eliminate California’s Enterprise Zones Missing from Budget Bill
California Governor Jerry Brown’s proposals to eliminate and replace the state’s enterprise zone program did not make it into the budget bill, which is scheduled for a vote on Friday, June 14th. Legislative leaders made it clear earlier this week that they did not have the number of votes required to pass the enterprise zone legislation. (more…)
- Published in CA Enterprise Zone
Governor’s CA Enterprise Zone Proposal Calls for Elimination Not Revision
On May 22, 2013, the California State Assembly’s Budget Subcommittee #4 held a hearing that explored Governor Jerry Brown’s latest economic tax incentive proposals as they relate to the State’s current enterprise zone program. In my previous post on this subject, based solely on the language published in the Governor’s May 2013 budget revision, I concluded that significant “revisions” were the target. The recent hearing makes it abundantly clear, however, that the words “elimination” and “replacement” better describe Governor Brown’s proposal. (more…)
- Published in CA Enterprise Zone, California, EZ Hiring Credit, Uncategorized
Governor’s May Budget Revise Proposes Substantial Changes to California Enterprise Zone Program
California Governor Jerry Brown released his May budget revise today, revealing additional intentions for the State’s enterprise-zone program.
From page 68:
“The [enterprise zone] hiring credit will be refocused to specific areas with high unemployment and poverty rates. This credit will be available for the hiring of long-term unemployed workers, unemployed veterans, and people receiving public assistance. The Enterprise Zone sales tax program will be expanded to a statewide, upfront sales tax exemption for manufacturing or biotech research and development equipment purchases.”
- Published in CA Enterprise Zone, California
State Democratic Whip Concerned about Changes to CA Enterprise Zones
California State Assemblyman V. Manuel Perez published an editorial this week, in which he praises many aspects of the Governor Jerry Brown’s budget. He expresses concern, however, about the proposed regulatory changes to the state’s Enterprise Zone program. (more…)
- Published in CA Enterprise Zone
Governor Brown’s Budget Includes Significant Regulatory Changes to Enterprise Zone Program
California Governor Jerry Brown released his administration’s 2013-14 state-budget proposal today. Like the 2011-12 proposal of two years ago, this budget includes changes to the state’s Enterprise Zone hiring credit program. Unlike that previous attempt, however, the Governor intends to make these changes without the help of the CA legislature. The changes are based in regulatory power through the Department of Housing and Community Development, which oversees the program statewide. (more…)
- Published in CA Enterprise Zone
Here We Go Again? . . . CA Enterprise Zones to Come Under Fire from Democrat Supermajority
We’ve grown accustomed to California’s Governor and Democrat-controlled legislature’s attempts to curtail the state’s enterprise zone program. Governor Brown’s 2010 budget proposal included provisions to completely eliminate the program. Such attempts have consistently failed in the past, while supporters of the program have furthered their own efforts to make the program more effective and accountable. (more…)
- Published in CA Enterprise Zone, California