QUALITY JOBS
The Quality Jobs (QJ) Program is a program that provides cash rebates for the creation of well paying jobs.
BENEFITS:
Payroll Rebate. The employer receives a rebate of 5% of payroll for net new jobs which pay at least $14.50 per hour. The employer receives a rebate of 6% of payroll for net new jobs which pay at least $19.10 per hour.
Sales/Use Tax Rebate or Investment Tax Credit. The employer may receive EITHER:
A rebate of Louisiana sales/use taxes paid on materials, furniture, fixtures, machinery and equipment purchased and used exclusively on the EZ site. In some cases some of the local sales taxes may be rebated too.
OR
A 1.5% refundable investment tax credit can be earned. This credit is earned on the amounts classified as capital expenditures for federal income tax purposes minus certain items (e.g. capitalized interest, capitalized cost of land, capitalized costs of manufacturing machinery and equipment excluded from sales tax, etc.).
ELIGIBILITY:
The business must be engaged in one of the targeted industries such as biotechnology and biomedical; micro-manufacturing; software, internet and telecommunications; environmental technology; food technology; advanced materials; manufacturing; oil and gas field service; OR
Be located an area designated as a distressed regions by Louisiana Economic Development.
The employer must provide a basic health plan with a value of at least $1.25 per hour.
The employer must meet minimum annual payroll thresholds for net new jobs:
Companies with less than 50 employees at the start of the contract must increase payroll for net new jobs by at least $250,000.
Companies with 50 or more employees at the start of the contract must increase payroll for net new jobs by at least $500,000.
To receive the sales/use tax rebate or the investment tax credit the employer must also meet the hiring requirements of the Enterprise Zone Program.
ADVANCE NOTIFICATION:
The employer must file an Advance Notification with Louisiana Economic Development PRIOR to hiring, start of construction, or purchasing materials. Activity prior to filing the Advance Notification is not eligible for benefits but late filing of the Advance Notification does not preclude benefits for activity after filing of the Advance Notification.
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