The Empowerment Zone Employment Credit (EZEC) is a federal initiative that incentivizes business owners to operate in and hire residents of neighborhoods that the government hopes to stimulate. Businesses within an empowerment zone are eligible for tax credits when they employ residents as full-time or part-time employees.
The EZEC’s benefits can be substantial. Each qualifying employee can earn the business up to $3,000 annually or 20% of the first $15,000 any qualifying employee receives. However, the EZEC is only available until December 31, 2025 — barring the possibility of receiving an extension during the year.
An empowerment zone is an area that the federal government has determined would benefit from an initiative that incentivizes businesses to hire local employees. Empowerment zones can be urban or rural neighborhoods. Empowerment zones exist in many regions, states, counties and cities, including some near the Polston Tax Oklahoma City branch.
Your business could be eligible for the EZEC if it meets these criteria:
At Polston Tax, we offer legal and accounting services that support EZEC implementation. We can provide evaluations and consultations that help you initiate EZEC claims and receive full empowerment credit. Our personalized approach aligns your accounting strategy with company goals and legal requirements when managing EZEC matters. We also offer various other services that can help you maximize the EZEC’s advantages and protect your business. Our accounting, tax preparation and tax resolution offerings coincide with our EZEC capabilities for a dependable, holistic service suite.
Polston Tax is a trusted business accounting and tax law services provider for companies interested in claiming the EZEC. Our firm features numerous experienced tax attorneys, accountants and certified public accountants (CPAs). These professionals are highly knowledgeable in their fields, allowing them to accurately apply the EZEC to your business’s unique circumstances.
In addition to our EZEC knowledge and experience, you can trust us because this type of credit corresponds naturally with our service model. Polston Tax is committed to positively impacting the communities we serve. Our Oklahoma branch overlaps with empowerment zones — together, we can contribute to helping the community thrive.
Our attorneys, CPAs, case managers and other professionals can help your businesses capitalize on the federal empowerment zone credit. Please contact us online to schedule an appointment with your local Polston Tax branch while the EZEC remains available, as it is set to end on December 31, 2025.
