What is the Enterprise Zone Program?
The Enterprise Zone is a California tax incentive program implemented to offer businesses special tax benefits in order to promote economic growth in designated areas. However, less than 15% of eligible businesses take advantage of all the financial rewards the program has to offer.

What are the benefits of operating in an Enterprise Zone?
One of the most lucrative benefits of the Enterprise Zone program is the Hiring Credit which awards businesses up to $37,440 in tax credits per each qualifying employee. In addition, any sales tax paid on qualified equipment such as printers, phones, copiers will result in even more tax credits!

How does my business qualify for this program?
Businesses located in Enterprise Zones are automatically eligible for the Hiring Credit by employing anyone that meets at least 1 of the 13 qualifying requirements. Employees can qualify simply by living in or near an Enterprise Zone, getting laid off by a previous employer, serving in the military prior to employment or by meeting any of the other ten qualifying criterion.

Which taxes are eligible for a refund?
Companies structured as S-Corporations, LLC’s, Sole-Proprietorships or Partnerships, may recover any state taxes paid corporately and by the OWNER or SHAREHOLDERS over the last 4 years as allowed by the California statute of limitations. For standard C-Corporations, CORPORATE taxes paid over the past 4 years may be recovered.

How can Golden State Credits help me?
By specializing in Enterprise Zone services, GSC can guarantee its clients are receiving the maximum benefit afforded by the program. Our expert staff will guide you through every step of the process including working with your HR Department to gather and process the appropriate voucher filings to working with your tax department to apply the credits. Best of all, GSC performs this service with no upfront costs.

What if I am already taking the credit?
You are still most likely eligible for even more tax credits. If state taxes are still being paid – whether personally or by your corporation - GSC can still identify additional credits and reduce your taxes even further. Plus, because of the constantly evolving legislation to the program which GSC is always current with, it is highly likely you are eligible for tax credits that were not previously available.

Can My Accountant do this?
Utilizing the Enterprise Zone program is a function of your human resource department, so while most accountants are aware of it, very few actually specialize in the program exclusively. While they are busy managing all of your other tax issues, they simply do not have the time and/or resources to take full advantage of all the benefits. Golden State Credits partners with CPA's and Enrolled Agents providing a valuable resource to ensure all benefits are being utilized for their Enterprise Zone clients.