Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 122 | Department of Development
Section 122.171 | Tax Credits to Foster Job Retention.

Effective: September 30, 2021
Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly
(A) As used in this section:
(1) "Capital investment project" means a plan of investment at a project site for the acquisition, construction, renovation, or repair of buildings, machinery, or equipment, or for capitalized costs of basic research and new product development determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, but does not include any of the following:
(a) Payments made for the acquisition of personal property through operating leases;
(b) Project costs paid before January 1, 2002;
(c) Payments made to a related member as defined in section 5733.042 of the Revised Code or to a consolidated elected taxpayer or a combined taxpayer as defined in section 5751.01 of the Revised Code.
(2) "Eligible business" means a taxpayer and its related members with Ohio operations that had a capital investment project reviewed and approved by the tax credit authority as provided in divisions (C), (D), and (E) of this section and that satisfies either of the following requirements:
(a) If engaged at the project site primarily in significant corporate administrative functions, as defined by the director of development by rule, the taxpayer meets both of the following criteria:
(i) The taxpayer either is located in a foreign trade zone, employs at least five hundred full-time equivalent employees, or has an annual Ohio employee payroll of at least thirty-five million dollars at the time the tax credit authority grants the tax credit under this section;
(ii) The taxpayer makes or causes to be made payments for the capital investment project of at least twenty million dollars in the aggregate at the project site during a period of three consecutive calendar years including the calendar year that includes a day of the taxpayer's taxable year or tax period with respect to which the credit is granted.
(b) If engaged at the project site primarily as a manufacturer, the taxpayer makes or causes to be made payments for the capital investment project at the project site during a period of three consecutive calendar years, including the calendar year that includes a day of the taxpayer's taxable year or tax period with respect to which the credit is granted, in an amount that in the aggregate equals or exceeds the lesser of the following:
(i) Fifty million dollars;
(ii) Five per cent of the net book value of all tangible personal property used at the project site as of the last day of the three-year period in which the capital investment payments are made.
(3) "Full-time equivalent employees" means the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of hours for which employees were compensated for employment in the project by two thousand eighty. "Full-time equivalent employees" shall exclude hours that are counted for a credit under section 122.17 of the Revised Code.
(4) "Ohio employee payroll" has the same meaning as in section 122.17 of the Revised Code.
(5) "Manufacturer" has the same meaning as in section 5739.011 of the Revised Code.
(6) "Project site" means an integrated complex of facilities in this state, as specified by the tax credit authority under this section, within a fifteen-mile radius where a taxpayer is primarily operating as an eligible business.
(7) "Related member" has the same meaning as in section 5733.042 of the Revised Code as that section existed on the effective date of its amendment by Am. Sub. H.B. 215 of the 122nd general assembly, September 29, 1997.
(8) "Taxable year" includes, in the case of a domestic or foreign insurance company, the calendar year ending on the thirty-first day of December preceding the day the superintendent of insurance is required to certify to the treasurer of state under section 5725.20 or 5729.05 of the Revised Code the amount of taxes due from insurance companies.
(9) "Foreign trade zone" means a general purpose foreign trade zone or a special purpose subzone for which, pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 81a, as amended, a permit for foreign trade zone status has been granted and remains active, including special purpose subzones for which a permit has been granted and remains active.
(B) The tax credit authority created under section 122.17 of the Revised Code may grant a nonrefundable tax credit to an eligible business under this section for the purpose of fostering job retention in this state. Upon application by an eligible business and upon consideration of the determination of the director of budget and management, tax commissioner, and the superintendent of insurance in the case of an insurance company, the recommendation and determination of the director of development under division (C)(1) of this section, and a review of the criteria described in division (C)(2) of this section, the tax credit authority may grant the credit against the tax imposed by section 5725.18, 5726.02, 5729.03, 5733.06, 5736.02, 5747.02, or 5751.02 of the Revised Code.
The credit authorized in this section may be granted for a period up to fifteen taxable years or, in the case of the tax levied by section 5736.02 or 5751.02 of the Revised Code, for a period of up to fifteen calendar years. The credit amount for a taxable year or a calendar year that includes the tax period for which a credit may be claimed equals the Ohio employee payroll for that year multiplied by the percentage specified in the agreement with the tax credit authority. The credit shall be claimed in the order required under section 5725.98, 5726.98, 5729.98, 5733.98, 5747.98, or 5751.98 of the Revised Code. In determining the percentage and term of the credit, the tax credit authority shall consider both the number of full-time equivalent employees and the value of the capital investment project. The credit amount may not be based on the Ohio employee payroll for a calendar year before the calendar year in which the tax credit authority specifies the tax credit is to begin, and the credit shall be claimed only for the taxable years or tax periods specified in the eligible business' agreement with the tax credit authority. In no event shall the credit be claimed for a taxable year or tax period terminating before the date specified in the agreement.
If a credit allowed under this section for a taxable year or tax period exceeds the taxpayer's tax liability for that year or period, the excess may be carried forward for the three succeeding taxable or calendar years, but the amount of any excess credit allowed in any taxable year or tax period shall be deducted from the balance carried forward to the succeeding year or period.
(C)(1) A taxpayer that proposes a capital investment project to retain jobs in this state may apply to the tax credit authority to enter into an agreement for a tax credit under this section. The director of development shall prescribe the form of the application. After receipt of an application, the authority shall forward copies of the application to the director of budget and management, the tax commissioner, and the superintendent of insurance in the case of an insurance company, each of whom shall review the application to determine the economic impact the proposed project would have on the state and the affected political subdivisions and shall submit a summary of their determinations to the authority. The authority shall also forward a copy of the application to the director of development, who shall review the application to determine the economic impact the proposed project would have on the state and the affected political subdivisions and shall submit a summary of the director's determinations and recommendations to the authority.
(2) The director of development, in reviewing applications and making recommendations to the tax credit authority, and the authority, in selecting taxpayers with which to enter into an agreement under division (D) of this section, shall give priority to applications that meet one or more of the following criteria, with greater priority given to applications that meet more of the criteria:
(a) Within the preceding five years, the applicant has not received a credit under this section or section 122.17 of the Revised Code for a project at the same project site as that proposed in the application.
(b) The applicant is not currently receiving a credit under this section or section 122.17 of the Revised Code.
(c) The applicant has operated at the project site for at least the preceding ten years.
(d) The project involves a significant upgrade of the project site, rather than only routine maintenance of existing facilities, such as an increase in capacity of a facility, new product development, or technology upgrades or other facility modernization.
(e) The applicant intends to use machinery, equipment, and materials supplied by Ohio businesses in the project when possible.
(D) Upon review and consideration of the determinations, recommendations, and criteria described in division (C) of this section, the tax credit authority may enter into an agreement with the taxpayer for a credit under this section if the authority determines all of the following:
(1) The taxpayer's capital investment project will result in the retention of employment in this state.
(2) The taxpayer is economically sound and has the ability to complete the proposed capital investment project.
(3) The taxpayer intends to and has the ability to maintain operations at the project site for at least the greater of (a) the term of the credit plus three years, or (b) seven years.
(4) Receiving the credit is a major factor in the taxpayer's decision to begin, continue with, or complete the project.
(E) An agreement under this section shall include all of the following:
(1) A detailed description of the project that is the subject of the agreement, including the amount of the investment, the period over which the investment has been or is being made, the number of full-time equivalent employees at the project site, and the anticipated Ohio employee payroll to be generated.
(2) The term of the credit, the percentage of the tax credit, the maximum annual value of tax credits that may be allowed each year, and the first year for which the credit may be claimed.
(3) A requirement that the taxpayer maintain operations at the project site for at least the greater of (a) the term of the credit plus three years, or (b) seven years.
(4)(a) If the taxpayer is engaged at the project site primarily in significant corporate administrative functions, a requirement that the taxpayer either retain at least five hundred full-time equivalent employees at the project site and within this state for the entire term of the credit, maintain an annual Ohio employee payroll of at least thirty-five million dollars for the entire term of the credit, or remain located in a foreign trade zone for the entire term of the credit;
(b) If the taxpayer is engaged at the project site primarily as a manufacturer, a requirement that the taxpayer maintain at least the number of full-time equivalent employees specified in the agreement pursuant to division (E)(1) of this section at the project site and within this state for the entire term of the credit.
(5) A requirement that the taxpayer annually report to the director of development full-time equivalent employees, Ohio employee payroll, capital investment, and other information the director needs to perform the director's duties under this section.
(6) A requirement that the director of development annually review the annual reports of the taxpayer to verify the information reported under division (E)(5) of this section and compliance with the agreement. Upon verification, the director shall issue a certificate to the taxpayer stating that the information has been verified and identifying the amount of the credit for the taxable year or calendar year that includes the tax period. In determining the number of full-time equivalent employees, no position shall be counted that is filled by an employee who is included in the calculation of a tax credit under section 122.17 of the Revised Code.
(7) A provision providing that the taxpayer may not relocate a substantial number of employment positions from elsewhere in this state to the project site unless the director of development determines that the taxpayer notified the legislative authority of the county, township, or municipal corporation from which the employment positions would be relocated.
For purposes of this section, the movement of an employment position from one political subdivision to another political subdivision shall be considered a relocation of an employment position unless the movement is confined to the project site. The transfer of an employment position from one political subdivision to another political subdivision shall not be considered a relocation of an employment position if the employment position in the first political subdivision is replaced by another employment position.
(8) A waiver by the taxpayer of any limitations periods relating to assessments or adjustments resulting from the taxpayer's failure to comply with the agreement.
(F) If a taxpayer fails to meet or comply with any condition or requirement set forth in a tax credit agreement, the tax credit authority may amend the agreement to reduce the percentage or term of the credit. The reduction of the percentage or term may take effect in the current taxable or calendar year.
(G) Financial statements and other information submitted to the department of development or the tax credit authority by an applicant for or recipient of a tax credit under this section, and any information taken for any purpose from such statements or information, are not public records subject to section 149.43 of the Revised Code. However, the chairperson of the authority may make use of the statements and other information for purposes of issuing public reports or in connection with court proceedings concerning tax credit agreements under this section. Upon the request of the tax commissioner, or the superintendent of insurance in the case of an insurance company, the chairperson of the authority shall provide to the commissioner or superintendent any statement or other information submitted by an applicant for or recipient of a tax credit in connection with the credit. The commissioner or superintendent shall preserve the confidentiality of the statement or other information.
(H) A taxpayer claiming a tax credit under this section shall submit to the tax commissioner or, in the case of an insurance company, to the superintendent of insurance, a copy of the director of development's certificate of verification under division (E)(6) of this section with the taxpayer's tax report or return for the taxable year or for the calendar year that includes the tax period. Failure to submit a copy of the certificate with the report or return does not invalidate a claim for a credit if the taxpayer submits a copy of the certificate to the commissioner or superintendent within the time prescribed by section 5703.0510 of the Revised Code or within thirty days after the commissioner or superintendent requests it.
(I) For the purposes of this section, a taxpayer may include a partnership, a corporation that has made an election under subchapter S of chapter one of subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code, or any other business entity through which income flows as a distributive share to its owners. A partnership, S-corporation, or other such business entity may elect to pass the credit received under this section through to the persons to whom the income or profit of the partnership, S-corporation, or other entity is distributed. The election shall be made on the annual report required under division (E)(5) of this section. The election applies to and is irrevocable for the credit for which the report is submitted. If the election is made, the credit shall be apportioned among those persons in the same proportions as those in which the income or profit is distributed.
(J)(1) If the director of development determines that a taxpayer that received a certificate under division (E)(6) of this section is not complying with the requirements of the agreement, the director shall notify the tax credit authority of the noncompliance. After receiving such a notice, and after giving the taxpayer an opportunity to explain the noncompliance, the authority may terminate the agreement and require the taxpayer, or any related member or members that claimed the tax credit under division (N) of this section, to refund to the state all or a portion of the credit claimed in previous years, as follows:
(a) If the taxpayer fails to comply with the requirement under division (E)(3) of this section, an amount determined in accordance with the following:
(i) If the taxpayer maintained operations at the project site for less than or equal to the term of the credit, an amount not to exceed one hundred per cent of the sum of any tax credits allowed and received under this section.
(ii) If the taxpayer maintained operations at the project site longer than the term of the credit, but less than the greater of seven years or the term of the credit plus three years, the amount required to be refunded shall not exceed seventy-five per cent of the sum of any tax credits allowed and received under this section.
(b) If the taxpayer fails to substantially, satisfy the employment, payroll, or location requirements required under the agreement, as prescribed under division (E)(4)(a) or (b), as applicable to the taxpayer, at any time during the term of the agreement or during the post-term reporting period, an amount determined at the discretion of the authority.
(2) If a taxpayer files for bankruptcy and fails as described in division (J)(1)(a) or (b) of this section, the director may immediately commence an action to recoup an amount not exceeding one hundred per cent of the sum of any credits received by the taxpayer under this section.
(3) In determining the portion of the credit to be refunded to this state, the authority shall consider the effect of market conditions on the taxpayer's project and whether the taxpayer continues to maintain other operations in this state. After making the determination, the authority shall certify the amount to be refunded to the tax commissioner or the superintendent of insurance. If the taxpayer, or any related member or members who claimed the tax credit under division (N) of this section, is not an insurance company, the commissioner shall make an assessment for that amount against the taxpayer under Chapter 5726., 5733., 5736., 5747., or 5751. of the Revised Code. If the taxpayer, or any related member or members that claimed the tax credit under division (N) of this section, is an insurance company, the superintendent of insurance shall make an assessment under section 5725.222 or 5729.102 of the Revised Code. The time limitations on assessments under those chapters and sections do not apply to an assessment under this division, but the commissioner or superintendent shall make the assessment within one year after the date the authority certifies to the commissioner or superintendent the amount to be refunded.
(K) The director of development, after consultation with the tax commissioner and the superintendent of insurance and in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section. The rules may provide for recipients of tax credits under this section to be charged fees to cover administrative costs of the tax credit program. The fees collected shall be credited to the tax incentives operating fund created in section 122.174 of the Revised Code. At the time the director gives public notice under division (A) of section 119.03 of the Revised Code of the adoption of the rules, the director shall submit copies of the proposed rules to the chairpersons of the standing committees on economic development in the senate and the house of representatives.
(L) On or before the first day of August of each year, the director of development shall submit a report to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives on the tax credit program under this section. The report shall include information on the number of agreements that were entered into under this section during the preceding calendar year, a description of the project that is the subject of each such agreement, and an update on the status of projects under agreements entered into before the preceding calendar year.
(M) The aggregate amount of nonrefundable tax credits issued under this section during any calendar year for capital investment projects reviewed and approved by the tax credit authority may not exceed the following amounts:
(1) For 2010, thirteen million dollars;
(2) For 2011 through 2023, the amount of the limit for the preceding calendar year plus thirteen million dollars;
(3) For 2024 and each year thereafter, one hundred ninety-five million dollars.
The limitations in division (M) of this section do not apply to credits for capital investment projects approved by the tax credit authority before July 1, 2009.
(N) This division applies only to an eligible business that is part of an affiliated group that includes a diversified savings and loan holding company or a grandfathered unitary savings and loan holding company, as those terms are defined in section 5726.01 of the Revised Code. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the agreement between such an eligible business and the tax credit authority, any credit granted under this section against the tax imposed by section 5725.18, 5729.03, 5733.06, 5747.02, or 5751.02 of the Revised Code to the eligible business, at the election of the eligible business and without any action by the tax credit authority, may be shared with any member or members of the affiliated group that includes the eligible business, which member or members may claim the credit against the taxes imposed by section 5725.18, 5726.02, 5729.03, 5733.06, 5747.02, or 5751.02 of the Revised Code. Credits shall be claimed by the eligible business in sequential order, as applicable, first claiming the credits to the fullest extent possible against the tax that the certificate holder is subject to, then against the tax imposed by, sequentially, section 5729.03, 5725.18, 5747.02, 5751.02, and lastly 5726.02 of the Revised Code. The credits may be allocated among the members of the affiliated group in such manner as the eligible business elects, but subject to the sequential order required under this division. This division applies to credits granted before, on, or after March 27, 2013, the effective date of H.B. 510 of the 129th general assembly. Credits granted before that effective date that are shared and allocated under this division may be claimed in those calendar years in which the remaining taxable years specified in the agreement end.
As used in this division, "affiliated group" means a group of two or more persons with fifty per cent or greater of the value of each person's ownership interests owned or controlled directly, indirectly, or constructively through related interests by common owners during all or any portion of the taxable year, and the common owners. "Affiliated group" includes, but is not limited to, any person eligible to be included in a consolidated elected taxpayer group under section 5751.011 of the Revised Code or a combined taxpayer group under section 5751.012 of the Revised Code.
(O)(1) As used in division (O) of this section:
(a) "Eligible agreement" means an agreement approved by the tax credit authority under this section on or before December 31, 2013.
(b) "Reporting period" means a period corresponding to the annual report required under division (E)(5) of this section.
(c) "Income tax revenue" has the same meaning as under division (S) of section 122.17 of the Revised Code.
(2) In calendar year 2016 and thereafter, the tax credit authority shall annually determine a withholding adjustment factor to be used in the computation of income tax revenue for eligible agreements. The withholding adjustment factor shall be a numerical percentage that equals the percentage that employer income tax withholding rates have been increased or decreased as a result of changes in the income tax rates prescribed by section 5747.02 of the Revised Code by amendment of that section taking effect on or after June 29, 2013.
(3) Except as provided in division (O)(4) of this section, for reporting periods ending in 2015 and thereafter for taxpayers subject to eligible agreements, the tax credit authority shall adjust the income tax revenue reported on the taxpayer's annual report by multiplying the withholding adjustment factor by the taxpayer's income tax revenue and doing one of the following:
(a) If the income tax rates prescribed by section 5747.02 of the Revised Code have decreased by amendment of this section taking effect on or after June 29, 2013, add the product to the taxpayer's income tax revenue.
(b) If the income tax rates prescribed by section 5747.02 of the Revised Code have increased by amendment of this section taking effect on or after June 29, 2013, subtract the product from the taxpayer's income tax revenue.
(4) Division (O)(3) of this section shall not apply unless all of the following apply with respect to the eligible agreement:
(a) If applicable, the taxpayer has achieved one hundred per cent of the job retention commitment identified in the agreement.
(b) If applicable, the taxpayer has achieved one hundred per cent of the payroll retention commitment identified in the agreement."
(c) If applicable, the taxpayer has achieved one hundred per cent of the investment commitment identified in the agreement.
(5) Failure by a taxpayer to have achieved any of the applicable commitments described in divisions (O)(4)(a) to (c) of this section in a reporting period does not disqualify the taxpayer for the adjustment under division (O) of this section for an ensuing reporting period.
Last updated July 30, 2021 at 10:10 AM

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