GOV
Missouri Works Program
Missouri Department of Economic Development-administered tax incentive program designed to facilitate the creation of quality jobs. Some business types are excluded.
Eligible Businesses
Businesses both for-profit and non-profit based on the following criteria.
|
Program |
Minimum New Jobs | Minimum New Private Investment | Minimum Average Wage | Automatic Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone Works (Note 1) |
2 | $100,000 | 80% of County Avg. Wage | WH, 5 or 6 years (Note 3) |
| Rural Works (Note 2) |
2 | $100,000 | 90% of County Avg. Wage | WH, 5 or 6 years (Note 3) |
| Statewide Works | 10 | N/A | 90% of County Avg. Wage | WH, 5 or 6 years (Note 3) |
| Mega Works | 100 | N/A | 120% of County Avg. Wage | 6% of new payroll, 5 or 6 years (Note 3) |
| Mega Works | 100 | N/A | 140% | 7% of new payroll, 5 or 6 years (Note 3) |
- "WH" means the retention of the state withholding tax of the new jobs
- "New jobs" are defined as full-time (average 35 or more hours/week each year and for whom the company offers/pays 50% of health insurance) employees of the company located at the project facility, based on the increase from the "base employment."
"Base Employment" is the greater of (a) the number of full-time employees on the date of the Notice of Intent, or (b) the average number of full-time employees for the 12 month period prior to the date of the Notice of Intent. In the event the company (or a related company) reduces jobs at another facility in Missouri with related operations, the new jobs at the project facility would be reduced accordingly.
- Note 1: Project facility must be located in an Enhanced Enterprise Zone.
- Note 2: Project facility must be located in a "rural" county, which would NOT include Boone, Buchanan, Clay, Greene, Jackson, St. Charles, and St. Louis City and County
- Note 3: Benefit period is 5 years, or 6 years for existing Missouri companies (those that have been operational in Missouri for at least 10 years).
- County average wages for the City of St. Louis (effective until 7/1/2015): $43,438
Average county wages based on Census of Employment and Wages, MERIC. Updates to be made annually. Use 2,080 hours per year when converting from annual to hourly wages.
Ineligible Businesses
- Gambling
- Retail trade
- Food and drinking places
- Public utilities
- Educational services
- Religious organizations
- Public administration
- Ethanol distillation or production facilities
- Biodiesel production facilities
- Social Services and Healthcare
- Businesses that are delinquent in payment of any nonprotested taxes or other payments (state, federal, local)
- Any company that has filed for or has publicly announced its intention to file for bankruptcy.
Program Benefits
In addition to the Automatic Benefit indicated above, the Statewide Works or Mega Works projects may be considered for discretionary benefits, limited to the net state fiscal benefit. The criteria for the discretionary benefits include
- The least amount necessary to obtain the company's commitment;
- The overall size (number of jobs, payroll, new capital investment) and quality (average wages, growth potential of the company, multiplier effect of the industry) of the project;
- The financial stability and creditworthiness of the company;
- The level of economic distress of the project area;
- The competitiveness of alternative locations;and
- The percent of local incentives committed to the project.
- State tax credits, which are refundable and/or sellable.
Funding Limits
There is no annual limit on the retained withholding taxes. Tax credits issued for the entire program shall not exceed $106 million for FY2014, $111 million for FY2015, and $116 million for 2016 forward.
Attributes of the Tax Credits
The tax credits may be applied to Chapter 143 (state income tax, excluding withholding tax) and Chapter 148 (financial institution tax). Tax credits must be claimed within one year of the close of the taxable year for which they were issued. Tax credits can only be applied to tax liability for the year in which they were earned. Any annual unused balance is fully refundable. The credits may also be transferred, sold or assigned.
Application Procedure
Prior to the receipt of a DED proposal or approval of a notice of intent ("NOI"), none of the following can have occurred:
- Significant, project-specific site work at the project facility.
- Purchased machinery or equipment related to the project.
- Publicly announced its intention to make new capital investment at the project facility.
Upon receipt of the proposal/NOI, DED will:
- Confirm the business is eligible;
- Establish the date at which "base employment" is calculated;
Reserve the estimated tax credits for the project;and
- the 2-year "deadline" date by which the minimum thresholds for the creation of the new jobs, investment, etc must be met.
Special Requirements
A business cannot simultaneously receive benefits for the same capital investment or the same jobs for the following programs:
- Rebuilding Communities
- Development Tax Credit
- Enhanced Enterprise Zone
- Quality Jobs
- Manufacturing Jobs
Special conditions apply when Missouri Works is used at the same time as other programs that affect state withholding taxes (Missouri Training, State TIF, MODESA). Contact DED with any questions on these requirements.
