Columbia Country, Georgia

Small Business Growth Tax Credit

The Small Business Growth Tax Credit is available to businesses engaged in manufacturing, warehousing & distribution, information processing, telecommunications, tourism, and research & development industries.  A company’s state net taxable income must grow by at least 20% for 3 consecutive years.  The tax credit amount is equal to the difference between the company’s net taxable income in Years 3 and 2.

Example:  A company’s net taxable income increases by 20% for 3 consecutive years. Year 3 net taxable income is $750,000, and Year 2 net taxable income was $500,000. The company would be eligible for a $250,000 Small Business Growth Tax Credit: $750,000 - $500,000 = $250,000.

The credits can be used to offset 50% of a business’s remaining income tax liability after all other tax credits have been applied in a given year.  In other words, Small Business Growth Tax Credits can be used in addition to other State tax credits.  Unused credits cannot be carried forward.  When a business’s income tax liability grows above $1.5 million, it is no longer considered a small business by the State, and it is thus no longer eligible for the credit.

Georgia’s Small Business Growth Tax Credit

Requirement to Qualify

Forward Time

Credit can Off-Set…

$ Amount of Credit

3 Consecutive Years of 20% Growth in Net Taxable Income (NTI)

0 Years

Up to 50% of State tax liability

(Year 2 NTI) – (Year 1 NTI)

** When a company’s Net Taxable Income reaches $1.5 million, they are no longer considered a “small business” and are thus no longer eligible for this tax credit.