Contact:
Randi Mason
VP, Economic Development
Incentives
Site selectors and businesses agree – Georgia is the #1 state for business. Georgia’s favorable tax rates, diverse economy, and fiscal discipline create a stable environment that allows your business to not just grow, but truly thrive.
DeKalb County – located in the heart of Georgia – has opportunities neighboring counties just don’t. Within the county limits sits Atlanta, the economic engine of the southeast. Proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the nation’s two largest fiber trunk lines, and quick access to the Port of Savannah give you the best of the connectivity Georgia has to offer.
Click here to see a map of DeKalb County that identifies areas where special incentives may be available through programs like State & Federal Opportunity Zones and Tax Allocation Districts.
Still Not Convinced?
Here are some programs which may help seal the deal:
Qualifying industries that create and maintain new jobs to Georgia, including expansions, may earn the Job Tax Credit. This can offset up to 50% of Georgia’s corporate income tax liability. In DeKalb County, your business may be eligible after hiring 15 net new full-time employees in one year.
Decide DeKalb will work with the Georgia Department of Economic Development to determine your tax credit and exemption eligibility.
This credit can’t be combined with the Quality Jobs Tax Credit.
Any company that locates within a designated Georgia Opportunity Zone (OZ) and creates & maintains at least two net new qualifying full-time jobs in one year may be eligible for Georgia’s maximum job tax credit. This credit awards $3,500 per job for five years and may be used to offset Georgia corporate income tax liability. Once that is exhausted, the credit may be applied to payroll withholding. Decide DeKalb will work with the Georgia Department of Economic Development to help determine if your company is eligible for this incentive.
This credit can’t be combined with the Quality Jobs Tax Credit.
Qualifying industries that locate in a Less Developed Census Tract (LDCT) may receive Georgia’s maximum job tax credit if they create and maintain at least 5 qualifying net new full-time jobs in one year. This credit awards $3,500 per job for five years, which may be used to offset Georgia corporate income tax liability. When that is exhausted, the credit may be applied to payroll withholding. Decide DeKalb will work with the Georgia Department of Economic Development to help determine if your company is eligible for this incentive.
Locate LDCTs in DeKalb County on the GA Department of Community Affairs website.
This credit can’t be combined with the Quality Jobs Tax Credit.
Any company that creates and maintains 50 net new qualifying jobs in Georgia which pay at least 110% of the county average wage may be eligible for the Quality Jobs Tax Credit (QJTC). Your company has 24 months to create these jobs, and the credit is earned for up to 5 years.
After exhausting Georgia corporate income tax liability, the credit may be applied to payroll withholding. Decide DeKalb will work with the Georgia Department of Economic Development to help determine if your company is eligible for this incentive, and if so, the value of the credit.
This credit can’t be combined with the Jobs Tax Credit (including OZ and LDCT credits).
Qualified industries that engage in research and development in Georgia may be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit. This credit may be used to offset 50% of Georgia corporate income tax liability, after other credits such as the Jobs Tax Credit or the QJTC have been exhausted. Decide DeKalb will work with the Georgia Department of Economic Development to help determine if your company is eligible for this incentive.
Please visit the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s website to learn more about additional tax credits, such as:
- Port Activity Tax Credit
- PPP Production Tax Credit
- Investment Tax Credit
- Digital Entertainment Tax Credit
- Premium Tax Credit
- Child Care Tax Credit
- Retraining Tax Credi
Georgia has no state property tax on real or personal property, including inventory. DeKalb County has a 100% Level 1 Freeport exemption on county personal property tax. The exemption form filing dates are January 1-April 1. After that, a reduced exemption amount may be applicable until June 1.
Contact the DeKalb County Tax Assessor’s Office for more information.
Manufacturers and qualifying distribution operations, including data centers and high-tech companies, may receive sales and use tax exemptions on a wide range of activities that are essential to their business. You can find more information at the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s website.
DeKalb, like most counties in Georgia, has a 1% local excise tax on energy used in manufacturing which goes to education.
Georgia State Opportunity Zones
Georgia State Opportunity Zone Job Tax Credit
Georgia’s State Opportunity Zones (OZs) allow new or existing businesses that create two or more full-time jobs in a tax year to take the maximum Job Tax Credit allowed under law – $3,500 per job created. This tax credit can be used against 100% of the company’s Georgia income tax liability, and when that is exhausted, toward a company’s payroll withholding. Even companies that don’t normally qualify for Job Tax Credits, such as retail businesses, can apply. There are additional parameters that apply, such as a minimum wage. If you are creating jobs or bringing in a new tenant to one of DeKalb’s OZs, contact Decide DeKalb to see if your business or tenant meets the eligibility criteria. You can also review Georgia’s OZ Rules & Regs (Chapter 110-24) for more information.
Email Sunny Anderson to verify that the address is located in one of DeKalb’s OZs and to certify the location for the purpose of the Opportunity Zone Certification Form.
Federal Opportunity Zones
The Federal Opportunity Zone (FOZ) program was enacted as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The program was created to assist US investors with their exposure to capital gains taxes by providing an option to redirect unrealized gains into Opportunity Funds for reinvestment into emerging communities throughout the country that have been identified as a FOZ.
In addition to the significant tax incentives offered, this program creates desirable returns for investors, administrative opportunities for fund managers, and private capital to assist in funding eligible redevelopment projects.
We Know It’s a Big Decision.
We know your location decision takes a lot of factors into account. Learn more about our community and our workforce to see why DeKalb the perfect place to scale your business.
