A Rural Job Tax Credit is an incentive for eligible businesses located in one of Florida's 33 rural counties to create new jobs. The tax credit provides for $1,000 per qualified job and can only be taken against either the Florida Corporate Income Tax or the Florida Sales and Use Tax. Five million dollars of tax credits may be approved in a calendar year.

These tax credits are provided to encourage meaningful employment opportunities that will improve the quality of life of those employed and to encourage economic expansion of new and existing businesses in rural areas of Florida.

Eligibility

The following criteria must be met in order to qualify for the program.

  • New full-time positions (averaging at least 36 hours per week) if the business has created the required minimum number of new jobs.
  • An employee must be employed for at least 3 months and must be employed on the date of application.
  • An owner or partner of the eligible business is not a qualified employee.
  • Leased employees are eligible as qualified employees.
  • New Business – Must create at least 10 new jobs.
  • Existing Business – An existing business with 50 or more employees must create at least 10 new jobs.
  • Existing Business – An existing business with fewer than 50 employees must increase employment by 20%.