Opportunity Zones Advisors provides real estate expertise and guidance by connecting opportunity zone investors to Qualified Opportunity Zone investment options

WHAT ARE

OPPORTUNITY ZONES?

Opportunity Funds are a new class of investment vehicle authorized to aggregate and deploy private investment into Opportunity Zones.

Originally introduced in the Investing in Opportunity Act (IIOA), the Opportunity Zones Program was enacted as part of the 2017 tax reform package (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act).  The program is designed to drive long-term capital to rural and low-income urban communities throughout the nation, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and uses tax incentives to encourage private investment in businesses and real estate located in opportunity zones. 

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The IRS today provided guidance for QOFs and their investors in response to the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. READ MORE

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT RELEASES OPPORTUNITY ZONE TOOLKIT

What's New

June 04

HUD released an updated toolkit, providing resources and tips for local leaders and developers on best practices for Opportunity Zones.

IRS RELEASES NEW UPDATED QUALIFIED OPPORTUNITY FUND GUIDANCE

Notice 2020-39 (PDF) allows additional time for taxpayers to defer their eligible gains

WHY INVEST IN

OPPORTUNITY ZONES?

WHY LOCATE A BUSINESS INSIDE AN

OPPORTUNITY ZONE?

Growing and emerging companies should consider relocating their business to an Opportunity Zone.

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Why it makes sense to become a Qualified Opportunity Zone Business (QOZBs)
The tax rules encourage Qualified Funds to invest in Qualified Zone Businesses (QOZBs) rather than to operate businesses in Opportunity Zones directly.  The primary reason a growing or emerging company should consider locating to a QOZ is access to capital.  Qualified Funds have 6 months after formation to begin investing in Opportunity Zone projects and many new funds are now seeking Qualified Opportunity Zone Businesses in which to invest.  In addition, qualifying as a Qualified Business could make a company more attractive to investors.

How to become a Qualified Opportunity Zone Business                                                                   
The main qualifier to become a QOZB is the requirement that at least 50% of a company’s gross income be derived from the active conduct of a business in an Opportunity Zone.  But wait, the IRS has now established “safe harbors” that provide that this requirement will be met if either:

• the management, operations and tangible property needed to generate 50% or more of the gross income of the business are in an Opportunity Zone; or

• 50% or more of the services performed for the business by employees and independent contractors (based on either hours worked or compensation paid) are performed in an Opportunity Zone.

Thus, a company that locates its headquarters in an Opportunity Zone could satisfy the 50% gross income test regardless of whether its income is generated inside or outside of the Opportunity Zone. Alternatively, a startup headquartered outside an Opportunity Zone could meet the 50% gross income test if its employees and independent contractors spend most of their time inside the Opportunity Zone. While there are other requirements a company must meet to qualify as a Qualified Business, all companies should evaluate and consider the potential benefits to the company and Opportunity Zones Advisors can assist you along the way.