HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-13, Tax Incentive Programs in South Dakota TAX INCENTIVES &
WORKFORCE TRAINING .
CASS COUNTY & NORTH DAKOTA
TAX INCENTIVES
*Corporate Income Tax Exemption
*No Personal Property Tax
*Property Tax Exemption
*Sales&Use Tax Exemption
*Agricultural Processing Tax Credits
*Research&Development Expense Credit
*Seed Capital Tax Credit
*Angel Fund Investment Credit
*Workforce Recruitment Credit
*Internship Employment Credit
*CORPORATE INCOME TAX EXEMPTION
Newly established primary sector businesses,or expansions of existing primary sector businesses,are eligible
for a five-year exemption from North Dakota state corporate income taxes. For business expansion, the
exemption applies to the increase in corporate income attributable to the expansion project and related to
North Dakota revenues.
* NO PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX
North Dakota exempts all personal property from property taxation.
* PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
A qualifying project may receive a complete or partial exemption from ad valorem taxation for up to ten years
on new or existing buildings or structures used in the qualifying project.Land is not exempted.Buildings in
a Tax Increment Financing district are not eligible for the property tax exemption.
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* SALES & USE TAX EXEMPTION
COMPUTER AND TELECOM EQUIPMENT
A sales and use tax exemption is allowed on the purchases of computer and telecommunications equipment
that are an integral part of a locating or expanding primary sector business.The exemption does not apply
to replacement equipment.
MANUFACTURING AND AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT
Newand expanding businesses may receive a sales and use tax exemption on the purchases of manufacturing
or agricultural processing equipment.The exemption does not apply to replacement equipment.
AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY PROCESSING PLANT CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
Construction materials used to construct an agricultural commodity processing facility are exempt from
sales and use taxes.
*AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING TAX CREDITS
A corporation is allowed an income tax credit for constructing a new facility, or adapting or adding
equipment to retrofit a facility that either produces or blends biodiesel fuel or crushes soybeans or canola.
The credit is equal to 10%of the direct costs incurred and is allowed in each of five tax years.An unused
credit may be carried forward up to five years.The maximum a corporation can claim under this credit is
$250,000.
* RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE CREDIT
The credit is equal to a percentage of the excess of qualified research expenses in North Dakota over the
base period research expenses in North Dakota."Qualified research expenses"and"base period research
expenses"are the same as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 41,
The credit to be applied to the excess expenses is 25 percent of the first $100,000 of excess expenses,
and eight percent for excess expense above $100,000. Subject to certain conditions, a taxpayer may sell,
transfer, or assign up to $100,000 of its unused tax credit to another taxpayer if the taxpayer selling the
credit is a certified primary sector business with annual gross revenues of less than$750,000 that conducts
research after December 31,2006 and has not previously earned or claimed the credit in North Dakota.
* SEED CAPITAL INVESTMENT CREDIT
An individual,estate,trust,partnership,corporation or limited liability company is allowed an income tax
credit for investing in a qualified primary sector business. The credit is equal to 45%of an investment with
no more than$112,500 allowed in any taxable year.The unused credit may be carried forward up to four
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years.Only the first$500,000 of eligible investments in a certified business is eligible for the tax credit.The ,
total amount of tax credits allowed for investments made in all certified businesses in any calendar year is '
limited to$3.5 million.
Qualified businesses are those that have North Dakota residents as the majority of their employees,performs
the majority of its business activity in the state,and relies on innovation,research or the development of new
products and processes in its plans for growth and profitability.
*ANGEL FUND INVESTMENT CREDIT
An individual,estate,trust or corporation is allowed an income tax credit for investing in an angel fund in
North Dakota. The credit is equal to 45 percent of the investment,up to a maximum credit of$45,000 per
year.An unused credit may be carried forward up to four tax years.
*WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT CREDIT
A business that employs extraordinary recruitment methods to recruit and hire employees for hard-to-fill
positions in North Dakota is eligible for a credit equal to five percent of the compensation paid during the
first 12 consecutive months to an employee hired to fill a hard-to-fill employment position and is allowed in
the first year following the year in which the employee completes the 12 consecutive month employment
period.
To be eligible for the credit the employer must pay an annual salary that is at least 125 percent of North
Dakota's average wage and must have employed all of the following recruitment methods for at least six
months to fill a position for which the credit is claimed:contracted with a professional recruiter for a fee;
advertised in a professional trade journal,magazine or other publication directed at a particular trade
or profession;provided employment information on a website for a fee;paid a signing bonus,moving
expense or atypical fringe benefits.In addition,if an employer claims the credit,an employee hired in a
hard-to-fill position is allowed a deduction for a signing bonus,moving expenses,or atypical fringe benefits
paid by the employer.
* INTERNSHIP EMPLOYMENT CREDIT
Businesses in North Dakota are allowed an income tax credit for employing an intern.The credit is equal
to 10%of the intern's compensation and is allowed for up to five interns employed at the same time.An
employer can claim no more than$3,000 of credits for all tax years.Interns must be enrolled in a college
or vocational technical education program in a field related to the work being performed and must be
supervised and evaluated by the employer,and the internship must qualify for academic credit.
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CASS COUNTY & NORTH DAKOTA
WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS
* North Dakota New Jobs Training Grant
* Workforce 20/20 Program
* NORTH DAKOTA NEW JOBS TRAINING GRANT
The North Dakota New Jobs Training Program offers a cash grant,in the form of a refund of the employer's
portion of an employee's state income tax withholding,to primary sector businesses locating or expanding in
North Dakota.The refund is based on the numberofjobs created and salaries of thesejobs,and is projected over
a period of 10 years. Funds are distributed on a quarterly basis. The contract can be updated to accommodate
new hires above and beyond those in the initial contract.
potential grant — nd new jobs training grant
Average Annual Salary 25 Employees 50 Employees 100 Employees
$40,000 $140,000 $280,000 $560,000
$60,000 $283,500 $567,000 $1,134,000
$80,000 $482,000 $964,000 $1,928,000
*WORKFORCE 20/20 PROGRAM
This program provides matching grants to assist qualified North Dakota employers in training or upgrading
their employees'skilIs. Qualified employers are those that are either:1)new to the state,2)expanding existing
operations in the state,or 3) introducing new industry technologies or production methods. Application to
the state,and its approval,must be completed before the training commences.
potential grant reimbursement — workforce 20/20 program
$450 average per employee:35 full-time employees=$15,750
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CASS COUNTY & NORTH DAKOTA '
FINANCING ,
* North Dakota Development Fund
* Bank of North Dakota
* Small Business Administration
* Private Sources
*NORTH DAKOTA DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAMS
The North Dakota Development Fund,part of the North Dakota Department of Commerce,provides
flexible gap financing for new or expanding primary sector businesses in the state.
NORTH DAKOTA NEW VENTURE CAPITAL ENTREPRENEUR LOAN
DEVELOPMENT FUND/RURAL FUND PROGRAM
REVOLVING LOAN FUND
borrower Primary sector business Primary sector business Any business
funding limit $300,000 and based on job $300,000 $20,000
creation
interest rate lower than market rate- Lower than market rate- Lower than market rate-
subject to risk of project subject to risk of project subject to risk of project
term working capital 1-3 yrs working capital 1-3 yrs working capital 1-3 yrs
equipment 3-5 yrs equipment 3-5 yrs equipment 3-5 yrs
real estate 7-10 yrs real estate 7-10 yrs real estate 7-10 yrs
min.equity 15% 15% 15%
corpJpers. Yes Yes Yes
guarantees
qualifications a North Dakota business a North Dakota business a North Dakota business
using services of a certified
Entrepreneur Center
cost and fees I%of original loan or equity 1%of original loan or negotiable
balance equity balance
miscellaneous Development Fund:for Does not have a job For every$4 of state funds,
businesses located in cities creation requirement $1 of non-state matching
with a pop.of 8,000 or more; Equity financing available funds is required
job creation of one job per Does not have a job
$20,000 creation requirement
Rural Fund:for businesses
located in cities of less
than 8,000,job creation
requirement of one job per
$30,000
Equity financing available
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�k BANK OF NORTH DAKOTA PROGRAMS 1
The Bank of North Dakota(BND)is the only state-run bank in the United States.Its commercial lending
program serves the credit needs of the state and are made on a sound and collectible basis.All business
loans are made in participation with a lead lender.The lead lender completes and submits an application
requesting BND's participation.
BUSINESS BEGINNING PACE MATCH
DEVELOPMENT ENTREPRENEUR
LOAN LOAN GUARANTEE
borrower Any business N.D.resident with a Primary sector Primary sector
high school diploma business business
or GED
funding limit $1,000,000 BND may guarantee up to BND lending up to BND lending
up to 85%of loan limit limit
BND participation Lead lender Maximum loan Lead lender Lead lender
requirements required-averages may not exceed required-BND must required
50-60%of total loan $100,000 participate at 50%-
80%of total loan
use of proceeds working capital, business start-up term working real property and
equipment, or expansion costs, capital,equipment, equipment
real property, including legal, real property
refinancing accounting or
business planning
interest rate Variable rate:prime Lender rate may 5%below yield rate BND's share-equal
less 0.50%,or Fixed not exceed 3%over and not less than terms U.S.T-Note
rate:comparable BND base or NY 5%below Prime rate plus.25%-.75%.
FHLB rate plus prime with a floor of 1% May be adjusted
2.25% periodically
term Averages:working The guarantee may Averages:working Averages:working
capital 1-5 yrs, not exceed 5 yrs capital 1-5 yrs, capital 1-5 yrs,
equipment 5-7 yrs, equipment 5-7 yrs, equipment 5-7 yrs,
real estate 12-15 yrs real estate 12-15 yrs real estate 12-15 yrs
collateral First security Negotiable First security interst First security interst
interest on on acceptable on acceptable
acceptable business business assets business assets and
assets corporate guarantee
equity requirements No minimums, No minimums, Based on project No minimums,
based on project based on project and management based on project
and management and management and management
personal guarantee Yes Yes Yes Corporate
guarantee from
parent if borrower is
a subsidiary
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BUSINESS BEGINNING PACE,cont. MATCH,cont.
DEVELOPMENT ENTREPRENEUR
LOAN,cont. LOAN GUARANTEE,
cont.
credit criteria Based on borrower In compliance with Based on borrower Borrower must
and project the lead lender and project have a long-term
credit rating of
"A"or better,or its
equivalent.
qualifications N.D.business A North Dakota N.D.business that Project must
resident with a net creates at least demonstrate a
worth of less than one job for every significant impact
$200,000 $100,000 of loan on the state's
proceeds economy.
cost and fees Assessed on a loan- Guarantee fee of Minimum of$250, Assessed on a loan-
by-loan basis. .5%per year or assessed on a loan- by-loan basis.
a one-time fee by-loan basis.
of 1.5%of the
guaranteed portion.
miscellaneous Available for May be in Maximum buydown Bank line of credit
refinancing. conjunction is$300,000 per loan may be substituted
with other BND per biennium. for'A"credit rating.
programs.
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CLAY COUNTY & MINNESOTA '
TAX INCENTIVES
* Border Cities Enterprise Zone
* Job Opportunity Building Zone(JOBZ)
* Property Tax Abatement
* No Personal Property Tax
* Research&Development Tax Credit
* Angel Fund Tax Credit
* BORDER CITIES ENTERPRISE ZONE
Under Minnesota law,the Clay County cities of Moorhead and Dilworth are classified as border cities for
purposes of the Border City Enterprise Zone and Development Zone legislation. Qualifying businesses that
locate or expand in Moorhead or Dilworth are eligible for tax reductions under the Border Cities Enterprise
Zone legislation.
Potential tax reductions include the following,which are determined at the city level:
-Sales tax exemption for construction equipment and/or materials used in the zone,and purchased
after applying for zone designation;
-Corporate income tax credit of up to$3,000 per additional,non-construction employee;
-Corporate income tax credit for a percentage of the cost to finance new facilities;
-Property tax credit for a portion of the property taxes paid for new or expanding industrial or
commercial facility;
-Seed capital tax credit of 45 percent of the amount invested in a qualified business,up to$112,500
per year.
In addition,Border Cities may designate specific portions of the city as Development Zones.These
Development Zones have their own potential tax deductions.
*JOB OPPORTUNITY BUILDING ZONE 0OBZ)
The JOBZ program provides a qualified business a variety of tax incentives through the year 2015.A
qualified business is one that is located in a JOB Zone and has entered into a Business Subsidy Agreement
(BSA)with a local government.
Potential benefits include:
-Individual or corporate income tax exemption.The income tax exemption is based on the Zone
Percentage,which is a calculation of the percentage of the company's total business that is performed in
the Zone.
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-Sales and use tax exemption on goods and taxable services and construction materials and supplies.
Goods and qualified services must be purchased by the qualified business and primarily used and
consumed within the Zone.Examples of goods and taxable services that would qualify include office
equipment and software,office supplies and utilities.Construction material and supplies must be used to
construct or improve real property in the Zone,and must be used or consumed by the qualified business
upon completion of the project.Therefore,drywall,cement,etc.that is used to construct a facility would be
exempt,while a bulldozer owned by a contractor and used in a Zone would not be exempt.
-One hundred percent property tax exemption for construction or improvement of real and/or personal
property located within the Zone and classified as Class 3 property-commercial or industrial.Land,and
property not classified as Class 3 property are subject to property tax.
-A jobs credit that is available to qualified businesses paying an average of at least$30,000 per year.
There are JOB Zones located in Barnesville,Glyndon,Hawley and Moorhead.
* PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT
Primary sector businesses locating in Clay County may be eligible for an economic development property
tax abatement.Each individual political subdivision--city or town,county and school district--makes its
own determination of whether or not to abate the tax it imposes,and sets the length of the abatement.If
all three political subdivisions approve the abatement,the maximum abatement term is 15 years;if two of
the three approve the abatement,the maximum abatement term is 20 years.The taxes imposed by special
taxing districts,such as a watershed or regional agency,are not eligible for abatement.
* NO PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX
Minnesota exempts all personal property from property taxation.
* RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENTTAX CREDIT
Minnesota businesses are eligible for a refundable tax credit of 10%on R&D expenditures,up to the first$2
million in eligible expenses.For eligible expenses above$2 million,the credit is 2.5%.If the credit exceeds the
company's income tax liability,a refund will be issued.
*ANGEL TAX CREDIT
Minnesota's angel tax credit provides incentives to investors or investment funds that invest in startup and
emerging companies focused on high technology or new proprietary technology.The income tax credit
is equal to 25% of the investment, up to $125,000 per year per individual (or $250,000 per year for those
married and filing jointly.)The tax credit is refundable,and investors need not live in the state of Minnesota
to claim the credit.
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CLAY COUNTY & MINNESOTA ,
WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS
* Minnesota Job Skills Partnership
* Minnesota Pathways Program
* Low Income Worker Training Program
* MINNESOTA JOBS SKILLS PARTNERSHIP
The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership(MJSP)program was created to join Minnesota businesses and schools
in developing a competitive workforce.The program provides grants to one or more education institutions
to supply newjob training or retraining to existing employees.
Funds awarded by the program may be allocated to training-related costs or educational infrastructure
improvements to assist current businesses or businesses interested in locating operations in Minnesota.
Participating businesses must match grant amounts with equal or greater amounts of in-kind contributions.
Two separate applications are available,one for grants of up to$50,000 and the other for grants of up to
$400,000.
* MINNESOTA PATHWAYS PROGRAM
The Program is designed to act as a catalyst between business and education in developing cooperative
training projects that provide training,new jobs and career paths for individuals making the transition
from public assistance to the workforce.Grants are awarded to educational institutions with businesses as
partners.Public and/or private educational institutions within the state are eligible.Preference will be given
to projects that provide employment with benefits and/or with defined career paths.All projects must have
at least one educational institution and one business working together.
Funds may be used for educational infrastructure improvements necessary to support businesses located
or intending to locate in Minnesota.Requests for wage subsidies and tuition reimbursements are ineligible.
$400,000 of Pathway funds per grant can be awarded for a project.A cash or in-kind contribution from the
contributing business must match Pathway funds on at least a one-to-one ratio.
* LOW INCOME WORKERTRAINING PROGRAM
The Low Income Worker Training Program is intended to be used as a means for covering the cost of
training for training-ready individuals who have incomes at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty
line to acquire additional skills in order to move up the career ladder to higher paying jobs and economic
self-sufficiency.These grants-in-aid may be awarded to Minnesota public,private,or non-profit entities,or
partnerships of two or more of these entities,that provide employment services to low-income individuals.
Eligible organizations may use grant funds to provide eligible eligible trainees with work-skills training
and education.The use of grant funds may also include training-related materials and supplies,and when
deemed appropriate by the Board,up to 10 percent of direct-training costs may be used for project-related
administration costs.
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CLAY COUNTY & MINNESOTA
FINANCING
* Minnesota Investment Fund
* Small Business Development Loan Program
* West Central Initiative Revolving Loan Funds
* West Central Initiative Community-Based Component Funds
* MINNESOTA INVESTMENT FUND
The Minnesota Investment Fund provides grants that create and retain high-quality jobs in Minnesota,with
a focus on industrial,manufacturing and technology-related industries.Grants are awarded to local units of
government who provide loans to assist expanding businesses.
Loans for land,building,infrastructure improvement,equipment,and training to support businesses
located or intending to locate in Minnesota are eligible.Working capital,retail business and industrial park
development projects are ineligible.All projects must meet a minimum criteria for private investment,
number of jobs created or retained,and wages paid.There is a maximum of$500,000 per grant,and only
one grant per state fiscal year can be awarded to any individual governmental unit.At least 50 percent of
the total project costs must be privately financed through owner equity and other lending sources,and
most applications that are actually selected for funding have around 70 percent privately financed.Grant
terms are for a maximum of 20 years for land and buildings and 10 years for machinery and equipment.
Interest rates are negotiable.
* SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM
Manufacturing or industrial companies that meet the federal definition of a small business are eligible
for loans of up to$5 million through this program.Generally,20%of the project costs must be privately
financed through equity or other sources.Terms are generally 20 years for real estate and 10 years for
equipment.Collateral is required in the form of first mortgage on real property or equipment financed with
the program and personal guarantees of owners.
*WEST CENTRAL INITIATIVE REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS
The West Central Initiative Foundation assists businesses and communities in west central Minnesota by
providing gap financing to eligible new and expanding businesses.West Central Initiative's loan programs
typically supplement conventional bank financing,anywhere from 10 percent to 40 percent of the total
financing for eligible applicants.Eligible projects must be able to prove that a financing gap exists and the
bank is not able to fund the entire project.
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The Industrial Loan Fund is West Central Initiative's fund for larger loans of between$20,000 and$300,000.
Loans from this fund are often offered at a rate below the market rate and are typically used to fund new
construction of a building or the purchase of equipment or existing real estate,and in some cases may be
used for working capital or other intangible uses. The loan must always be collateralized and will require a
personal guarantee if the borrower is a coporation.
The Small Enterprise Loan Fund (SELF)is West Central Initiative's fund for small loans of between $1,000 to
$35,000.It is used to fund fixed assets and working capital for small local businesses,startups and some
retail businesses.The retail sector is limited to those businesses that do not compete with others in the
immediate trade area or region.
*WEST CENTRAL INITIATIVE COMMUNITY-BASED COMPONENT FUNDS
A number of Clay County communities offer their own community-based revolving loan funds through the
West Central Initiative.They include Barnesville,Felton,Hawley, and Wen Hitterdal;for more information
on eligibility and funding,please contact our office.
Clay County also operates the Clay County Loan Fund to assists businesses that demonstrate a financing
gap and that most likely would not succeed without the fund's support.Specific use of loan funds could
include machinery or equipment,real estate,working capital,inventory and related expenses and
professional fees.The maximum loan amount is$20,000 or ten percent of the net assets of the fund,
whichever is greater,and can not surpass 50 percent of the total project cost.
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