The New York State Empire Zone (EZ) Program offers a wide array of incentives including tax credits and utility discounts in 11 New York City business districts. 

Click on each Zone to look at a map of the eligible area. 

• Be located in an Empire Zone and be EZ-certified prior to June 30, 2011.
• Increase or maintain employment in the Zone and in the State in the year they are qualifying, based on a previously determined four year average employment number.

EZ INCENTIVES

Wage Tax Credit:
A $1,500 credit per employee for up to five consecutive years for hiring full-time employees in newly created jobs.  For employees in 'targeted groups', this credit equals $3,000 per year.  Credit increases $500 for wages over $40,000.

Investment Tax Credit:
A credit for the purchase of property and equipment related to production, R&D, and industrial waste treatment.  The credit is 10% under the corporate franchise tax and 8% for personal income tax.

Employment Incentive Credit:
A credit for creating new employment in a commercial/ industrial company to operate new property of equipment.  This credit equals 3% of the investment cost, and used consecutively with Investment Tax Credit (ITC), it is taken in each of the 3 years following the initial claiming of the ITC.

Tax Reduction Credit:
Based on number of jobs created, the company's assets in the Zone and income taxes owed by the company, Qualified Empire Zones Enterprises (QEZE) can receive a credit against business corporate taxes, personal income taxes, bank corporate taxes or insurance corporate taxes 10 years.