PART III—ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES FOR EMPOWERMENT ZONES
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2000—
Subpart A—Empowerment Zone Employment Credit
§1396. Empowerment zone employment credit
(a) Amount of credit
For purposes of section 38, the amount of the empowerment zone employment credit determined under this section with respect to any employer for any taxable year is the applicable percentage of the qualified zone wages paid or incurred during the calendar year which ends with or within such taxable year.
(b) Applicable percentage
For purposes of this section, the applicable percentage is 20 percent.
(c) Qualified zone wages
(1) In general
For purposes of this section, the term "qualified zone wages" means any wages paid or incurred by an employer for services performed by an employee while such employee is a qualified zone employee.
(2) Only first $15,000 of wages per year taken into account
With respect to each qualified zone employee, the amount of qualified zone wages which may be taken into account for a calendar year shall not exceed $15,000.
(3) Coordination with work opportunity credit
(A) In general
The term "qualified zone wages" shall not include wages taken into account in determining the credit under section 51.
(B) Coordination with paragraph (2)
The $15,000 amount in paragraph (2) shall be reduced for any calendar year by the amount of wages paid or incurred during such year which are taken into account in determining the credit under section 51.
(d) Qualified zone employee
For purposes of this section—
(1) In general
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the term "qualified zone employee" means, with respect to any period, any employee of an employer if—
(A) substantially all of the services performed during such period by such employee for such employer are performed within an empowerment zone in a trade or business of the employer, and
(B) the principal place of abode of such employee while performing such services is within such empowerment zone.
(2) Certain individuals not eligible
The term "qualified zone employee" shall not include—
(A) any individual described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 51(i)(1),
(B) any 5-percent owner (as defined in section 416(i)(1)(B)),
(C) any individual employed by the employer for less than 90 days,
(D) any individual employed by the employer at any facility described in section 144(c)(6)(B), and
(E) any individual employed by the employer in a trade or business the principal activity of which is farming (within the meaning of subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 2032A(e)(5)), but only if, as of the close of the taxable year, the sum of—
(i) the aggregate unadjusted bases (or, if greater, the fair market value) of the assets owned by the employer which are used in such a trade or business, and
(ii) the aggregate value of assets leased by the employer which are used in such a trade or business (as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary),
exceeds $500,000.
(3) Special rules related to termination of employment
(A) In general
Paragraph (2)(C) shall not apply to—
(i) a termination of employment of an individual who before the close of the period referred to in paragraph (2)(C) becomes disabled to perform the services of such employment unless such disability is removed before the close of such period and the taxpayer fails to offer reemployment to such individual, or
(ii) a termination of employment of an individual if it is determined under the applicable State unemployment compensation law that the termination was due to the misconduct of such individual.
(B) Changes in form of business
For purposes of paragraph (2)(C), the employment relationship between the taxpayer and an employee shall not be treated as terminated—
(i) by a transaction to which section 381(a) applies if the employee continues to be employed by the acquiring corporation, or
(ii) by reason of a mere change in the form of conducting the trade or business of the taxpayer if the employee continues to be employed in such trade or business and the taxpayer retains a substantial interest in such trade or business.
(Added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1396, added
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (e).
1997—Subsec. (b).
"(1)
for "For purposes of this section, the term 'applicable percentage' means the percentage determined in accordance with the following table:" and added par. (2).
Subsec. (e).
1996—Subsec. (c)(3).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Amendment by section 951(b) of
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
§1397. Other definitions and special rules
(a) Wages
For purposes of this subpart—
(1) In general
The term "wages" has the same meaning as when used in section 51.
(2) Certain training and educational benefits
(A) In general
The following amounts shall be treated as wages paid to an employee:
(i) Any amount paid or incurred by an employer which is excludable from the gross income of an employee under section 127, but only to the extent paid or incurred to a person not related to the employer.
(ii) In the case of an employee who has not attained the age of 19, any amount paid or incurred by an employer for any youth training program operated by such employer in conjunction with local education officials.
(B) Related person
A person is related to any other person if the person bears a relationship to such other person specified in section 267(b) or 707(b)(1), or such person and such other person are engaged in trades or businesses under common control (within the meaning of subsections (a) and (b) of section 52). For purposes of the preceding sentence, in applying section 267(b) or 707(b)(1), "10 percent" shall be substituted for "50 percent".
(b) Controlled groups
For purposes of this subpart—
(1) all employers treated as a single employer under subsection (a) or (b) of section 52 shall be treated as a single employer for purposes of this subpart, and
(2) the credit (if any) determined under section 1396 with respect to each such employer shall be its proportionate share of the wages giving rise to such credit.
(c) Certain other rules made applicable
For purposes of this subpart, rules similar to the rules of section 51(k) and subsections (c), (d), and (e) of section 52 shall apply.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1397, added
Subpart B—Additional Expensing
§1397A. Increase in expensing under section 179
(a) General rule
In the case of an enterprise zone business, for purposes of section 179—
(1) the limitation under section 179(b)(1) shall be increased by the lesser of—
(A) $35,000, or
(B) the cost of section 179 property which is qualified zone property placed in service during the taxable year, and
(2) the amount taken into account under section 179(b)(2) with respect to any section 179 property which is qualified zone property shall be 50 percent of the cost thereof.
(b) Recapture
Rules similar to the rules under section 179(d)(10) shall apply with respect to any qualified zone property which ceases to be used in an empowerment zone by an enterprise zone business.
(c) Termination
This section shall not apply to any property placed in service in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2020—Subsec. (c).
2000—Subsec. (a)(1)(A).
Subsec. (c).
1997—Subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date 2020 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Subpart C—Nonrecognition of Gain on Rollover of Empowerment Zone Investments
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2000—
§1397B. Nonrecognition of gain on rollover of empowerment zone investments
(a) Nonrecognition of gain
In the case of any sale of a qualified empowerment zone asset held by the taxpayer for more than 1 year and with respect to which such taxpayer elects the application of this section, gain from such sale shall be recognized only to the extent that the amount realized on such sale exceeds—
(1) the cost of any qualified empowerment zone asset (with respect to the same zone as the asset sold) purchased by the taxpayer during the 60-day period beginning on the date of such sale, reduced by
(2) any portion of such cost previously taken into account under this section.
(b) Definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section—
(1) Qualified empowerment zone asset
(A) In general
The term "qualified empowerment zone asset" means any property which would be a qualified community asset (as defined in section 1400F) 1 if in section 1400F 1—
(i) references to empowerment zones were substituted for references to renewal communities,
(ii) references to enterprise zone businesses (as defined in section 1397C) were substituted for references to renewal community businesses,
(iii) the date of the enactment of this paragraph were substituted for "December 31, 2001" each place it appears, and
(iv) the day after the date set forth in section 1391(d)(1)(A)(i) were substituted for "January 1, 2010" each place it appears.
(B) References
Any reference in this paragraph to section 1400F shall be treated as reference to such section before its repeal.
(2) Certain gain not eligible for rollover
This section shall not apply to—
(A) any gain which is treated as ordinary income for purposes of this subtitle, and
(B) any gain which is attributable to real property, or an intangible asset, which is not an integral part of an enterprise zone business.
(3) Purchase
A taxpayer shall be treated as having purchased any property if, but for paragraph (4), the unadjusted basis of such property in the hands of the taxpayer would be its cost (within the meaning of section 1012).
(4) Basis adjustments
If gain from any sale is not recognized by reason of subsection (a), such gain shall be applied to reduce (in the order acquired) the basis for determining gain or loss of any qualified empowerment zone asset which is purchased by the taxpayer during the 60-day period described in subsection (a). This paragraph shall not apply for purposes of section 1202.
(5) Holding period
For purposes of determining whether the nonrecognition of gain under subsection (a) applies to any qualified empowerment zone asset which is sold, the taxpayer's holding period for such asset and the asset referred to in subsection (a)(1) shall be determined without regard to section 1223.
(c) Termination
This section shall not apply to sales in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020.
(Added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The date of the enactment of this paragraph, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(A)(iii), is the date of enactment of
Section 1400F, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), was repealed by
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1397B was renumbered
Amendments
2020—Subsec. (c).
2018—Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(5).
"(A) the taxpayer's holding period for such asset and the asset referred to in subsection (a)(1) shall be determined without regard to section 1223, and
"(B) only the first year of the taxpayer's holding period for the asset referred to in subsection (a)(1) shall be taken into account for purposes of paragraphs (2)(A)(iii), (3)(C), and (4)(A)(iii) of section 1400F(b)."
2014—Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(iv).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2020 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section applicable to qualified empowerment zone assets acquired after Dec. 21, 2000, see section 1(a)(7) [title I, §116(c)] of
Savings Provision
Amendment by section 401(d)(4)(B)(vii) of
Amendment by section 401(d)(5)(B)(iv), (v) of
For provisions that nothing in amendment by
1 See References in Text note below.
Subpart D—General Provisions
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2000—
§1397C. Enterprise zone business defined
(a) In general
For purposes of this part, the term "enterprise zone business" means—
(1) any qualified business entity, and
(2) any qualified proprietorship.
(b) Qualified business entity
For purposes of this section, the term "qualified business entity" means, with respect to any taxable year, any corporation or partnership if for such year—
(1) every trade or business of such entity is the active conduct of a qualified business within an empowerment zone,
(2) at least 50 percent of the total gross income of such entity is derived from the active conduct of such business,
(3) a substantial portion of the use of the tangible property of such entity (whether owned or leased) is within an empowerment zone,
(4) a substantial portion of the intangible property of such entity is used in the active conduct of any such business,
(5) a substantial portion of the services performed for such entity by its employees are performed in an empowerment zone,
(6) at least 35 percent of its employees are residents of an empowerment zone,
(7) less than 5 percent of the average of the aggregate unadjusted bases of the property of such entity is attributable to collectibles (as defined in section 408(m)(2)) other than collectibles that are held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of such business, and
(8) less than 5 percent of the average of the aggregate unadjusted bases of the property of such entity is attributable to nonqualified financial property.
(c) Qualified proprietorship
For purposes of this section, the term "qualified proprietorship" means, with respect to any taxable year, any qualified business carried on by an individual as a proprietorship if for such year—
(1) at least 50 percent of the total gross income of such individual from such business is derived from the active conduct of such business in an empowerment zone,
(2) a substantial portion of the use of the tangible property of such individual in such business (whether owned or leased) is within an empowerment zone,
(3) a substantial portion of the intangible property of such business is used in the active conduct of such business,
(4) a substantial portion of the services performed for such individual in such business by employees of such business are performed in an empowerment zone,
(5) at least 35 percent of such employees are residents of an empowerment zone,
(6) less than 5 percent of the average of the aggregate unadjusted bases of the property of such individual which is used in such business is attributable to collectibles (as defined in section 408(m)(2)) other than collectibles that are held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of such business, and
(7) less than 5 percent of the average of the aggregate unadjusted bases of the property of such individual which is used in such business is attributable to nonqualified financial property.
For purposes of this subsection, the term "employee" includes the proprietor.
(d) Qualified business
For purposes of this section—
(1) In general
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the term "qualified business" means any trade or business.
(2) Rental of real property
The rental to others of real property located in an empowerment zone shall be treated as a qualified business if and only if—
(A) the property is not residential rental property (as defined in section 168(e)(2)), and
(B) at least 50 percent of the gross rental income from the real property is from enterprise zone businesses.
For purposes of subparagraph (B), the lessor of the property may rely on a lessee's certification that such lessee is an enterprise zone business.
(3) Rental of tangible personal property
The rental to others of tangible personal property shall be treated as a qualified business if and only if at least 50 percent of the rental of such property is by enterprise zone businesses or by residents of an empowerment zone.
(4) Treatment of business holding intangibles
The term "qualified business" shall not include any trade or business consisting predominantly of the development or holding of intangibles for sale or license.
(5) Certain businesses excluded
The term "qualified business" shall not include—
(A) any trade or business consisting of the operation of any facility described in section 144(c)(6)(B), and
(B) any trade or business the principal activity of which is farming (within the meaning of subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 2032A(e)(5)), but only if, as of the close of the taxable year, the sum of—
(i) the aggregate unadjusted bases (or, if greater, the fair market value) of the assets owned by the taxpayer which are used in such a trade or business, and
(ii) the aggregate value of assets leased by the taxpayer which are used in such a trade or business,
exceeds $500,000.
For purposes of subparagraph (B), rules similar to the rules of section 1397(b) shall apply.
(e) Nonqualified financial property
For purposes of this section, the term "nonqualified financial property" means debt, stock, partnership interests, options, futures contracts, forward contracts, warrants, notional principal contracts, annuities, and other similar property specified in regulations; except that such term shall not include—
(1) reasonable amounts of working capital held in cash, cash equivalents, or debt instruments with a term of 18 months or less, or
(2) debt instruments described in section 1221(a)(4).
(f) Treatment of businesses straddling census tract lines
For purposes of this section, if—
(1) a business entity or proprietorship uses real property located within an empowerment zone,
(2) the business entity or proprietorship also uses real property located outside the empowerment zone,
(3) the amount of real property described in paragraph (1) is substantial compared to the amount of real property described in paragraph (2), and
(4) the real property described in paragraph (2) is contiguous to part or all of the real property described in paragraph (1),
then all the services performed by employees, all business activities, all tangible property, and all intangible property of the business entity or proprietorship that occur in or is located on the real property described in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be treated as occurring or situated in an empowerment zone.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1397C was renumbered
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (d)(5)(B).
2000—
1999—Subsec. (e)(2).
1997—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (c)(4).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (f).
1996—Subsec. (d)(5)(B).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
"(1)
"(2)
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by
§1397D. Qualified zone property defined
(a) General rule
For purposes of this part—
(1) In general
The term "qualified zone property" means any property to which section 168 applies (or would apply but for section 179) if—
(A) such property was acquired by the taxpayer by purchase (as defined in section 179(d)(2)) after the date on which the designation of the empowerment zone took effect,
(B) the original use of which in an empowerment zone commences with the taxpayer, and
(C) substantially all of the use of which is in an empowerment zone and is in the active conduct of a qualified business by the taxpayer in such zone.
(2) Special rule for substantial renovations
In the case of any property which is substantially renovated by the taxpayer, the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) shall be treated as satisfied. For purposes of the preceding sentence, property shall be treated as substantially renovated by the taxpayer if, during any 24-month period beginning after the date on which the designation of the empowerment zone took effect, additions to basis with respect to such property in the hands of the taxpayer exceed the greater of (i) an amount equal to the adjusted basis at the beginning of such 24-month period in the hands of the taxpayer, or (ii) $5,000.
(b) Special rules for sale-leasebacks
For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(B), if property is sold and leased back by the taxpayer within 3 months after the date such property was originally placed in service, such property shall be treated as originally placed in service not earlier than the date on which such property is used under the leaseback.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1397D was renumbered
Amendments
2000—