BILL NUMBER: AB 9 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 19, 2013
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Holden
DECEMBER 3, 2012
An act relating to economic development to
amend Sections 17053.74 and 23622.7 of the Revenue and Taxation
Code, relating to taxation, to take effect immediately, tax levy
.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 9, as amended, Holden. State government: economic
development. Income taxes: credits: enterprise zone.
The Personal Income Tax Law and the Corporation Tax Law allow
various credits against the taxes imposed by those laws, including
credits for taxpayers that employ qualified employees, as defined, in
an enterprise zone.
This bill would modify the definition of a qualified employee, as
specified, and require qualified wages to exceed an average monthly
wage of $2,000, as specified.
This bill would also make technical, nonsubstantive changes.
This bill would include a change in state statute that would
result in a taxpayer paying a higher tax within the meaning of
Section 3 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution, and thus
would require for passage the approval of 2/3 of the membership of
each house of the Legislature.
This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.
Existing law provides for the establishment of various job
training and economic development programs, administered by the
Employment Development Department and other state agencies.
This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that promotes job and business growth and encourages
economic development.
Vote: majority 2/3 . Appropriation:
no. Fiscal committee: no yes .
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 17053.74 of the
Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read:
17053.74. (a) There shall be allowed a credit against the "net
tax" (as defined in Section 17039) to a taxpayer who employs a
qualified employee in an enterprise zone during the taxable year. The
credit shall be equal to the sum of each of the following:
(1) Fifty percent of qualified wages in the first year of
employment.
(2) Forty percent of qualified wages in the second year of
employment.
(3) Thirty percent of qualified wages in the third year of
employment.
(4) Twenty percent of qualified wages in the fourth year of
employment.
(5) Ten percent of qualified wages in the fifth year of
employment.
(b) For purposes of this section:
(1) "Qualified wages" means:
(A) (i) Except as provided in clause (ii), that portion of wages
paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year to qualified
employees that does not exceed 150 percent of the minimum wage.
(ii) For up to 1,350 qualified employees who are employed by the
taxpayer in the Long Beach Enterprise Zone in aircraft manufacturing
activities described in Codes 3721 to 3728, inclusive, and Code 3812
of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual published by
the United States Office of Management and Budget, 1987 edition,
"qualified wages" means that portion of hourly wages that does not
exceed 202 percent of the minimum wage.
(B) Wages received during the 60-month period beginning with the
first day the employee commences employment with the taxpayer.
Reemployment in connection with any increase, including a regularly
occurring seasonal increase, in the trade or business operations of
the taxpayer does not constitute commencement of employment for
purposes of this section.
(C) Qualified wages do not include any wages paid or incurred by
the taxpayer on or after the zone expiration date. However, wages
paid or incurred with respect to qualified employees who are employed
by the taxpayer within the enterprise zone within the 60-month
period prior to the zone expiration date shall continue to qualify
for the credit under this section after the zone expiration date, in
accordance with all provisions of this section applied as if the
enterprise zone designation were still in existence and binding.
(D) Qualified wages received by the employee from the taxpayer
during the taxable year shall exceed an average monthly wage of two
thousand dollars ($2,000).
(2) "Minimum wage" means the wage established by the Industrial
Welfare Commission as provided for in Chapter 1 (commencing with
Section 1171) of Part 4 of Division 2 of the Labor Code.
(3) "Zone expiration date" means the date the enterprise zone
designation expires, is no longer binding, or becomes inoperative.
(4) (A) "Qualified employee" means an individual who meets all of
the following requirements:
(i) At least 90 percent of whose services for the taxpayer during
the taxable year are directly related to the conduct of the taxpayer'
s trade or business located in an enterprise zone.
(ii) Performs at least 50 percent of his or her services for the
taxpayer during the taxable year in an enterprise zone.
(iii) Is hired by the taxpayer after the date of original
designation of the area in which services were performed as an
enterprise zone.
(iv) Is any of the following:
(I) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement of
employment with the taxpayer, was a person eligible for services
under the federal Job Training Partnership
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. Sec.
1501 2801 et seq.), or its successor,
who is receiving, or is eligible to receive, subsidized employment,
training, or services funded by the federal Job Training
Partnership Workforce Investment Act of
1998 , or its successor.
(II) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was a person eligible to be a
voluntary or mandatory registrant under the Greater Avenues
for Independence Act of 1985 (GAIN) welfare-to-work
activities under the CalWORKs program provided for
pursuant to in Article 3.2
1 (commencing with Section 11320)
11200) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code, or its successor.
(III) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was an economically disadvantaged
individual 14 years of age or older.
(IV) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was a dislocated worker who meets
any of the following:
(aa) Has been terminated or laid off or who has received a notice
of termination or layoff from employment, is eligible for or has
exhausted entitlement to unemployment insurance benefits, and is
unlikely to return to his or her previous industry or occupation.
(bb) Has been terminated or has received a notice of termination
of employment as a result of any permanent closure or any substantial
layoff at a plant, facility, or enterprise, including an individual
who has not received written notification but whose employer has made
a public announcement of the closure or layoff.
(cc) Is long-term unemployed and has limited opportunities for
employment or reemployment in the same or a similar occupation in the
area in which the individual resides, including an individual 55
years of age or older who may have substantial barriers to employment
by reason of age.
(dd) Was self-employed (including farmers and ranchers) and is
unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the
community in which he or she resides or because of natural disasters.
(ee) Was a civilian employee of the Department of Defense employed
at a military installation being closed or realigned under the
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 or an employee
employed in an industry tha t was significantly impacted by
sequestration in the federal Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985 (BBEDCA, Title II of Public Law 99-177, commonly
known as the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) .
(ff) Was an active member of the armed forces or National Guard as
of September 30, 1990, and was either involuntarily separated or
separated pursuant to a special benefits program.
(gg) Is a seasonal or migrant worker who experiences chronic
seasonal unemployment and underemployment in the agriculture
industry, aggravated by continual advancements in technology and
mechanization.
(hh) Has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of
termination or layoff, as a consequence of compliance with the Clean
Air Act or the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
(Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and
Safety Code) .
(V) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement of
employment with the taxpayer, was a disabled individual who is
eligible for or enrolled in, or has completed a state rehabilitation
plan or is a service-connected disabled veteran, veteran of the
Vietnam era, or veteran who is recently separated from military
service.
(VI) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was an ex-offender. An individual
shall be treated as convicted if he or she was placed on probation by
a state court without a finding of guilt.
(VII) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was a person eligible for or a
recipient of any of the following:
(aa) Federal Supplemental Security Income benefits.
(bb) Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
(bb) Welfare-to-work activities under the CalWORKs program.
(cc) CalFresh benefits.
(dd) State and local general assistance.
(VIII) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was a member of a federally
recognized Indian tribe, band, or other group of Native American
descent.
(IX) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was a resident of a targeted
employment area, as defined in Section 7072 of the Government Code.
(X) An employee who qualified the taxpayer for the enterprise zone
hiring credit under former Section 17053.8 or the program area
hiring credit under former Section 17053.11.
(XI) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was a member of a targeted group, as
defined in Section 51(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, or its
successor.
(B) Priority for employment shall be provided
The taxpayer shall give priority for employment to an
individual who is enrolled in a qualified program under the federal
Job Training Partnership Act or welfare-to-work activities under
the Greater Avenues for Independence Act of 1985
CalWORKs program or who is eligible as a member
of a targeted group under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (Section 51
of the Internal Revenue Code), or its successor.
(5) "Taxpayer" means a person or entity engaged in a trade or
business within an enterprise zone designated pursuant to Chapter
12.8 (commencing with Section 7070) of the Government Code.
(6) "Seasonal employment" means employment by a taxpayer that has
regular and predictable substantial reductions in trade or business
operations.
(c) The taxpayer shall do both of the following:
(1) Obtain from the Employment Development Department, as
permitted by federal law, the local county or city Job Training
Partnership Act administrative entity, the local
county GAIN office department administering
welfare-to-work activities under the CalWORKs program or social
services agency, or the local government administering the
enterprise zone, a certification which provides that a qualified
employee meets the eligibility requirements specified in clause (iv)
of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b). The
Employment Development Department may provide preliminary screening
and referral to a certifying agency. The Employment Development
Department shall develop a form for this purpose. The Department of
Housing and Community Development shall develop regulations governing
the issuance of certificates by local governments pursuant to
subdivision (a) of Section 7086 of the Government Code.
(2) Retain a copy of the certification and provide it upon request
to the Franchise Tax Board.
(d) (1) For purposes of this section:
(A) All employees of trades or businesses, which are not
incorporated, that are under common control shall be treated as
employed by a single taxpayer.
(B) The credit, if any, allowable by this section with respect to
each trade or business shall be determined by reference to its
proportionate share of the expense of the qualified wages giving rise
to the credit, and shall be allocated in that manner.
(C) Principles that apply in the case of controlled groups of
corporations, as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 23622.7,
shall apply with respect to determining employment.
(2) If an employer acquires the major portion of a trade or
business of another employer (hereinafter in this paragraph referred
to as the "predecessor") or the major portion of a separate unit of a
trade or business of a predecessor, then, for purposes of applying
this section (other than subdivision (e)) for any calendar year
ending after that acquisition, the employment relationship between a
qualified employee and an employer shall not be treated as terminated
if the employee continues to be employed in that trade or business.
(e) (1) (A) If the employment, other than seasonal employment, of
any qualified employee, with respect to whom qualified wages are
taken into account under subdivision (a), is terminated by the
taxpayer at any time during the first 270 days of that employment
(whether or not consecutive) or before the close of the 270th
calendar day after the day in which that employee completes 90 days
of employment with the taxpayer, the tax imposed by this part for the
taxable year in which that employment is terminated shall be
increased by an amount equal to the credit allowed under subdivision
(a) for that taxable year and all prior taxable years attributable to
qualified wages paid or incurred with respect to that employee.
(B) If the seasonal employment of any qualified employee, with
respect to whom qualified wages are taken into account under
subdivision (a), is not continued by the taxpayer for a period of 270
days of employment during the 60-month period beginning with the day
the qualified employee commences seasonal employment with the
taxpayer, the tax imposed by this part, for the taxable year that
includes the 60th month following the month in which the qualified
employee commences seasonal employment with the taxpayer, shall be
increased by an amount equal to the credit allowed under subdivision
(a) for that taxable year and all prior taxable years attributable to
qualified wages paid or incurred with respect to that qualified
employee.
(2) (A) Subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any
of the following:
(i) A termination of employment of a qualified employee who
voluntarily leaves the employment of the taxpayer.
(ii) A termination of employment of a qualified employee who,
before the close of the period referred to in paragraph (1), becomes
disabled and unable to perform the services of that employment,
unless that disability is removed before the close of that period and
the taxpayer fails to offer reemployment to that employee.
(iii) A termination of employment of a qualified employee, if it
is determined that the termination was due to the misconduct (as
defined in Sections 1256-30 to 1256-43, inclusive, of Title 22 of the
California Code of Regulations) of that employee.
(iv) A termination of employment of a qualified employee due to a
substantial reduction in the trade or business operations of the
taxpayer.
(v) A termination of employment of a qualified employee, if that
employee is replaced by other qualified employees so as to create a
net increase in both the number of employees and the hours of
employment.
(B) Subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any of
the following:
(i) A failure to continue the seasonal employment of a qualified
employee who voluntarily fails to return to the seasonal employment
of the taxpayer.
(ii) A failure to continue the seasonal employment of a qualified
employee who, before the close of the period referred to in
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), becomes disabled and unable to
perform the services of that seasonal employment, unless that
disability is removed before the close of that period and the
taxpayer fails to offer seasonal employment to that qualified
employee.
(iii) A failure to continue the seasonal employment of a qualified
employee, if it is determined that the failure to continue the
seasonal employment was due to the misconduct (as defined in Sections
1256-30 to 1256-43, inclusive, of Title 22 of the California Code of
Regulations) of that qualified employee.
(iv) A failure to continue seasonal employment of a qualified
employee due to a substantial reduction in the regular seasonal trade
or business operations of the taxpayer.
(v) A failure to continue the seasonal employment of a qualified
employee, if that qualified employee is replaced by other qualified
employees so as to create a net increase in both the number of
seasonal employees and the hours of seasonal employment.
(C) For purposes of paragraph (1), the employment relationship
between the taxpayer and a qualified employee shall not be treated as
terminated by reason of a mere change in the form of conducting the
trade or business of the taxpayer, if the qualified employee
continues to be employed in that trade or business and the taxpayer
retains a substantial interest in that trade or business.
(3) Any increase in tax under paragraph (1) shall not be treated
as tax imposed by this part for purposes of determining the amount of
any credit allowable under this part.
(f) In the case of an estate or trust, both of the following
apply:
(1) The qualified wages for any taxable year shall be apportioned
between the estate or trust and the beneficiaries on the basis of the
income of the estate or trust allocable to each.
(2) Any beneficiary to whom any qualified wages have been
apportioned under paragraph (1) shall be treated, for purposes of
this part, as the employer with respect to those wages.
(g) For purposes of this section, "enterprise zone" means an area
designated as an enterprise zone pursuant to Chapter 12.8 (commencing
with Section 7070) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.
(h) The credit allowable under this section shall be reduced by
the credit allowed under Sections 17053.10, 17053.17, and 17053.46
claimed for the same employee. The credit shall also be reduced by
the federal credit allowed under Section 51 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
In addition, any deduction otherwise allowed under this part for
the wages or salaries paid or incurred by the taxpayer upon which the
credit is based shall be reduced by the amount of the credit, prior
to any reduction required by subdivision (i) or (j).
(i) In the case where the credit otherwise allowed under this
section exceeds the "net tax" for the taxable year, that portion of
the credit that exceeds the "net tax" may be carried over and added
to the credit, if any, in succeeding taxable years, until the credit
is exhausted. The credit shall be applied first to the earliest
taxable years possible.
(j) (1) The amount of the credit otherwise allowed under this
section and Section 17053.70, including any credit carryover from
prior years, that may reduce the "net tax" for the taxable year shall
not exceed the amount of tax which would be imposed on the taxpayer'
s business income attributable to the enterprise zone determined as
if that attributable income represented all of the income of the
taxpayer subject to tax under this part.
(2) Attributable income shall be that portion of the taxpayer's
California source business income that is apportioned to the
enterprise zone. For that purpose, the taxpayer's business income
attributable to sources in this state first shall be determined in
accordance with Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 25101) of Part
11. That business income shall be further apportioned to the
enterprise zone in accordance with Article 2 (commencing with Section
25120) of Chapter 17 of Part 11, modified for purposes of this
section in accordance with paragraph (3).
(3) Business income shall be apportioned to the enterprise zone by
multiplying the total California business income of the taxpayer by
a fraction, the numerator of which is the property factor plus the
payroll factor, and the denominator of which is two. For purposes of
this paragraph:
(A) The property factor is a fraction, the numerator of which is
the average value of the taxpayer's real and tangible personal
property owned or rented and used in the enterprise zone during the
taxable year, and the denominator of which is the average value of
all the taxpayer's real and tangible personal property owned or
rented and used in this state during the taxable year.
(B) The payroll factor is a fraction, the numerator of which is
the total amount paid by the taxpayer in the enterprise zone during
the taxable year for compensation, and the denominator of which is
the total compensation paid by the taxpayer in this state during the
taxable year.
(4) The portion of any credit remaining, if any, after application
of this subdivision, shall be carried over to succeeding taxable
years, as if it were an amount exceeding the "net tax" for the
taxable year, as provided in subdivision (i).
(k) The changes made to this section by the act adding this
subdivision shall apply to taxable years beginning on or after
January 1, 1997.
SEC. 2. Section 23622.7 of the Revenue
and Taxation Code is amended to read:
23622.7. (a) There shall be allowed a credit against the "tax"
(as defined by Section 23036) to a taxpayer who employs a qualified
employee in an enterprise zone during the taxable year. The credit
shall be equal to the sum of each of the following:
(1) Fifty percent of qualified wages in the first year of
employment.
(2) Forty percent of qualified wages in the second year of
employment.
(3) Thirty percent of qualified wages in the third year of
employment.
(4) Twenty percent of qualified wages in the fourth year of
employment.
(5) Ten percent of qualified wages in the fifth year of
employment.
(b) For purposes of this section:
(1) "Qualified wages" means:
(A) (i) Except as provided in clause (ii), that portion of wages
paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year to qualified
employees that does not exceed 150 percent of the minimum wage.
(ii) For up to 1,350 qualified employees who are employed by the
taxpayer in the Long Beach Enterprise Zone in aircraft manufacturing
activities described in Codes 3721 to 3728, inclusive, and Code 3812
of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual published by
the United States Office of Management and Budget, 1987 edition,
"qualified wages" means that portion of hourly wages that does not
exceed 202 percent of the minimum wage.
(B) Wages received during the 60-month period beginning with the
first day the employee commences employment with the taxpayer.
Reemployment in connection with any increase, including a regularly
occurring seasonal increase, in the trade or business operations of
the taxpayer does not constitute commencement of employment for
purposes of this section.
(C) Qualified wages do not include any wages paid or incurred by
the taxpayer on or after the zone expiration date. However, wages
paid or incurred with respect to qualified employees who are employed
by the taxpayer within the enterprise zone within the 60-month
period prior to the zone expiration date shall continue to qualify
for the credit under this section after the zone expiration date, in
accordance with all provisions of this section applied as if the
enterprise zone designation were still in existence and binding.
(D) Qualified wages received by the employee from the taxpayer
during the taxable year shall exceed an average monthly wage of two
thousand dollars ($2,000).
(2) "Minimum wage" means the wage established by the Industrial
Welfare Commission as provided for in Chapter 1 (commencing with
Section 1171) of Part 4 of Division 2 of the Labor Code.
(3) "Zone expiration date" means the date the enterprise zone
designation expires, is no longer binding, or becomes inoperative.
(4) (A) "Qualified employee" means an individual who meets all of
the following requirements:
(i) At least 90 percent of whose services for the taxpayer during
the taxable year are directly related to the conduct of the taxpayer'
s trade or business located in an enterprise zone.
(ii) Performs at least 50 percent of his or her services for the
taxpayer during the taxable year in an enterprise zone.
(iii) Is hired by the taxpayer after the date of original
designation of the area in which services were performed as an
enterprise zone.
(iv) Is any of the following:
(I) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement of
employment with the taxpayer, was a person eligible for services
under the federal Job Training Partnership
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. Sec.
1501 2801 et seq.), or its successor,
who is receiving, or is eligible to receive, subsidized employment,
training, or services funded by the federal Job Training
Partnership Workforce Investment Act of
1998 , or its successor.
(II) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was a person eligible to be a
voluntary or mandatory registrant under the Greater Avenues
for Independence Act of 1985 (GAIN) welfare-to-work
activities under the CalWORKs program provided for
pursuant to in Article 3.2
1 (commencing with Section 11320)
11200) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code, or its successor.
(III) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was an economically disadvantaged
individual 14 years of age or older.
(IV) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was a dislocated worker who meets
any of the following:
(aa) Has been terminated or laid off or who has received a notice
of termination or layoff from employment, is eligible for or has
exhausted entitlement to unemployment insurance benefits, and is
unlikely to return to his or her previous industry or occupation.
(bb) Has been terminated or has received a notice of termination
of employment as a result of any permanent closure or any substantial
layoff at a plant, facility, or enterprise, including an individual
who has not received written notification but whose employer has made
a public announcement of the closure or layoff.
(cc) Is long-term unemployed and has limited opportunities for
employment or reemployment in the same or a similar occupation in the
area in which the individual resides, including an individual 55
years of age or older who may have substantial barriers to employment
by reason of age.
(dd) Was self-employed (including farmers and ranchers) and is
unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the
community in which he or she resides or because of natural disasters.
(ee) Was a civilian employee of the Department of Defense employed
at a military installation being closed or realigned under the
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 or an employee
employed in an industry that was significantly impacted by
sequestration in the federal Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985 (BBEDCA, Title II of Public Law 99-177, commonly
known as the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) .
(ff) Was an active member of the armed forces or National Guard as
of September 30, 1990, and was either involuntarily separated or
separated pursuant to a special benefits program.
(gg) Is a seasonal or migrant worker who experiences chronic seasonal
unemployment and underemployment in the agriculture industry,
aggravated by continual advancements in technology and mechanization.
(hh) Has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of
termination or layoff, as a consequence of compliance with the Clean
Air Act or the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
(Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and
Safety Code) .
(V) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement of
employment with the taxpayer, was a disabled individual who is
eligible for or enrolled in, or has completed a state rehabilitation
plan or is a service-connected disabled veteran, veteran of the
Vietnam era, or veteran who is recently separated from military
service.
(VI) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was an ex-offender. An individual
shall be treated as convicted if he or she was placed on probation by
a state court without a finding of guilt.
(VII) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was a person eligible for or a
recipient of any of the following:
(aa) Federal Supplemental Security Income benefits.
(bb) Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
(bb) Welfare-to-work activities under the CalWORKs program.
(cc) CalFresh benefits.
(dd) State and local general assistance.
(VIII) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was a member of a federally
recognized Indian tribe, band, or other group of Native American
descent.
(IX) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was a resident of a targeted
employment area (as defined in Section 7072 of the Government Code).
(X) An employee who qualified the taxpayer for the enterprise zone
hiring credit under former Section 23622 or the program area hiring
credit under former Section 23623.
(XI) Immediately preceding the qualified employee's commencement
of employment with the taxpayer, was a member of a targeted group, as
defined in Section 51(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, or its
successor.
(B) Priority for employment shall be provided
The taxpayer shall give priority for employment to an
individual who is enrolled in a qualified program under the federal
Job Training Partnership Act or welfare-to-work activities under
the Greater Avenues for Independence Act of 1985
CalWORKs program or who is eligible as a member
of a targeted group under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (Section 51
of the Internal Revenue Code), or its successor.
(5) "Taxpayer" means a corporation engaged in a trade or business
within an enterprise zone designated pursuant to Chapter 12.8
(commencing with Section 7070) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the
Government Code.
(6) "Seasonal employment" means employment by a taxpayer that has
regular and predictable substantial reductions in trade or business
operations.
(c) The taxpayer shall do both of the following:
(1) Obtain from the Employment Development Department, as
permitted by federal law, the local county or city Job Training
Partnership Act administrative entity, the local
county GAIN office department administering
welfare-to-work activities under the CalWORKs program or social
services agency, or the local government administering the
enterprise zone, a certification that provides that a qualified
employee meets the eligibility requirements specified in clause (iv)
of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b). The
Employment Development Department may provide preliminary screening
and referral to a certifying agency. The Employment Development
Department shall develop a form for this purpose. The Department of
Housing and Community Development shall develop regulations governing
the issuance of certificates by local governments pursuant to
subdivision (a) of Section 7086 of the Government Code.
(2) Retain a copy of the certification and provide it upon request
to the Franchise Tax Board.
(d) (1) For purposes of this section:
(A) All employees of all corporations which are members of the
same controlled group of corporations shall be treated as employed by
a single taxpayer.
(B) The credit, if any, allowable by this section to each member
shall be determined by reference to its proportionate share of the
expense of the qualified wages giving rise to the credit, and shall
be allocated in that manner.
(C) For purposes of this subdivision, "controlled group of
corporations" means "controlled group of corporations" as defined in
Section 1563(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, except that:
(i) "More than 50 percent" shall be substituted for "at least 80
percent" each place it appears in Section 1563(a)(1) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
(ii) The determination shall be made without regard to subsections
(a)(4) and (e)(3)(C) of Section 1563 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(2) If an employer acquires the major portion of a trade or
business of another employer (hereinafter in this paragraph referred
to as the "predecessor") or the major portion of a separate unit of a
trade or business of a predecessor, then, for purposes of applying
this section (other than subdivision (e)) for any calendar year
ending after that acquisition, the employment relationship between a
qualified employee and an employer shall not be treated as terminated
if the employee continues to be employed in that trade or business.
(e) (1) (A) If the employment, other than seasonal employment, of
any qualified employee with respect to whom qualified wages are taken
into account under subdivision (a) is terminated by the taxpayer at
any time during the first 270 days of that employment, whether or not
consecutive, or before the close of the 270th calendar day after the
day in which that employee completes 90 days of employment with the
taxpayer, the tax imposed by this part for the taxable year in which
that employment is terminated shall be increased by an amount equal
to the credit allowed under subdivision (a) for that taxable year and
all prior taxable years attributable to qualified wages paid or
incurred with respect to that employee.
(B) If the seasonal employment of any qualified employee, with
respect to whom qualified wages are taken into account under
subdivision (a) is not continued by the taxpayer for a period of 270
days of employment during the 60-month period beginning with the day
the qualified employee commences seasonal employment with the
taxpayer, the tax imposed by this part, for the taxable year that
includes the 60th month following the month in which the qualified
employee commences seasonal employment with the taxpayer, shall be
increased by an amount equal to the credit allowed under subdivision
(a) for that taxable year and all prior taxable years attributable to
qualified wages paid or incurred with respect to that qualified
employee.
(2) (A) Subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any
of the following:
(i) A termination of employment of a qualified employee who
voluntarily leaves the employment of the taxpayer.
(ii) A termination of employment of a qualified employee who,
before the close of the period referred to in subparagraph (A) of
paragraph (1), becomes disabled and unable to perform the services of
that employment, unless that disability is removed before the close
of that period and the taxpayer fails to offer reemployment to that
employee.
(iii) A termination of employment of a qualified employee, if it
is determined that the termination was due to the misconduct (as
defined in Sections 1256-30 to 1256-43, inclusive, of Title 22 of the
California Code of Regulations) of that employee.
(iv) A termination of employment of a qualified employee due to a
substantial reduction in the trade or business operations of the
taxpayer.
(v) A termination of employment of a qualified employee, if that
employee is replaced by other qualified employees so as to create a
net increase in both the number of employees and the hours of
employment.
(B) Subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any of
the following:
(i) A failure to continue the seasonal employment of a qualified
employee who voluntarily fails to return to the seasonal employment
of the taxpayer.
(ii) A failure to continue the seasonal employment of a qualified
employee who, before the close of the period referred to in
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), becomes disabled and unable to
perform the services of that seasonal employment, unless that
disability is removed before the close of that period and the
taxpayer fails to offer seasonal employment to that qualified
employee.
(iii) A failure to continue the seasonal employment of a qualified
employee, if it is determined that the failure to continue the
seasonal employment was due to the misconduct (as defined in Sections
1256-30 to 1256-43, inclusive, of Title 22 of the California Code of
Regulations) of that qualified employee.
(iv) A failure to continue seasonal employment of a qualified
employee due to a substantial reduction in the regular seasonal trade
or business operations of the taxpayer.
(v) A failure to continue the seasonal employment of a qualified
employee, if that qualified employee is replaced by other qualified
employees so as to create a net increase in both the number of
seasonal employees and the hours of seasonal employment.
(C) For purposes of paragraph (1), the employment relationship
between the taxpayer and a qualified employee shall not be treated as
terminated by either of the following:
(i) By a transaction to which Section 381(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code applies, if the qualified employee continues to be
employed by the acquiring corporation.
(ii) By reason of a mere change in the form of conducting the
trade or business of the taxpayer, if the qualified employee
continues to be employed in that trade or business and the taxpayer
retains a substantial interest in that trade or business.
(3) Any increase in tax under paragraph (1) shall not be treated
as tax imposed by this part for purposes of determining the amount of
any credit allowable under this part.
(f) Rules similar to the rules provided in Section 46(e) and (h)
of the Internal Revenue Code shall apply to both of the following:
(1) An organization to which Section 593 of the Internal Revenue
Code applies.
(2) A regulated investment company or a real estate investment
trust subject to taxation under this part.
(g) For purposes of this section, "enterprise zone" means an area
designated as an enterprise zone pursuant to Chapter 12.8 (commencing
with Section 7070) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.
(h) The credit allowable under this section shall be reduced by
the credit allowed under Sections 23623.5, 23625, and 23646 claimed
for the same employee. The credit shall also be reduced by the
federal credit allowed under Section 51 of the Internal Revenue Code.
In addition, any deduction otherwise allowed under this part for
the wages or salaries paid or incurred by the taxpayer upon which the
credit is based shall be reduced by the amount of the credit, prior
to any reduction required by subdivision (i) or (j).
(i) In the case where the credit otherwise allowed under this
section exceeds the "tax" for the taxable year, that portion of the
credit that exceeds the "tax" may be carried over and added to the
credit, if any, in succeeding taxable years, until the credit is
exhausted. The credit shall be applied first to the earliest taxable
years possible.
(j) (1) The amount of the credit otherwise allowed under this
section and Section 23612.2, including any credit carryover from
prior years, that may reduce the "tax" for the taxable year shall not
exceed the amount of tax which would be imposed on the taxpayer's
business income attributable to the enterprise zone determined as if
that attributable income represented all of the income of the
taxpayer subject to tax under this part.
(2) Attributable income shall be that portion of the taxpayer's
California source business income that is apportioned to the
enterprise zone. For that purpose, the taxpayer's business
attributable to sources in this state first shall be determined in
accordance with Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 25101). That
business income shall be further apportioned to the enterprise zone
in accordance with Article 2 (commencing with Section 25120) of
Chapter 17, modified for purposes of this section in accordance with
paragraph (3).
(3) Business income shall be apportioned to the enterprise zone by
multiplying the total California business income of the taxpayer by
a fraction, the numerator of which is the property factor plus the
payroll factor, and the denominator of which is two. For purposes of
this paragraph:
(A) The property factor is a fraction, the numerator of which is
the average value of the taxpayer's real and tangible personal
property owned or rented and used in the enterprise zone during the
income year, and the denominator of which is the average value of all
the taxpayer's real and tangible personal property owned or rented
and used in this state during the income year.
(B) The payroll factor is a fraction, the numerator of which is
the total amount paid by the taxpayer in the enterprise zone during
the income year for compensation, and the denominator of which is the
total compensation paid by the taxpayer in this state during the
income year.
(4) The portion of any credit remaining, if any, after application
of this subdivision, shall be carried over to succeeding taxable
years, as if it were an amount exceeding the "tax" for the taxable
year, as provided in subdivision (i).
(k) The changes made to this section by the act adding this
subdivision shall apply to taxable years on or after January 1, 1997.
SEC. 3. This act provides for a tax levy within
the meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into
immediate effect.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares
all of the following:
(a) California workers and businesses are currently facing some of
the harshest economic conditions since the Great Depression.
(b) Unemployment in California remains in the double digits after
the mortgage crisis and the subsequent economic collapse.
(c) It is estimated that over 2.5 million Californians have lost
jobs during this recession and bankruptcies among small businesses
have been nearly double the national average.
SEC. 2. It is the intent of the Legislature to
enact legislation that promotes job and business growth and
encourages economic development.