Empire Zones Program

Accessing Zone Benefits

Empire Zone Certification

The majority of Empire Zone benefits are available only to businesses that become certified to participate in the Empire Zone Program. To qualify for Empire Zone Certification, a business must be located within the Zone and planning to expand or create new jobs. Click here to learn more about Zone Certification.

Once a business is certified, it is eligible to claim New York State income tax credits and other benefits that are subject to requirements and performance based formulas set in New York State Tax Law. To learn more about the Empire Zone benefits for Certified businesses, view a description of the Tax Incentives.

Sales Tax Refund (Zone Certification not Required)

Purchases of building materials used in construction or improvement of commercial or industrial real property located in the Zone may be eligible for a refund or credit of New York State sales taxes (4%). Building owners, tenants, and/or contractors may be eligible. To learn more about this refund see NYS Tax & Finance Publication #30 (pdf) or file directly using NYS Tax & Finance form AU-11 (pdf).

Zone Capital Credits Program

The Empire Zone Capital Credits Program offers a 25% tax credit against personal or corporate income taxes for a direct equity investment of $10,000 or more in a Zone Certified business; or for contributions of $1,000 or more to an approved community development project in the Zone. The Zone certified business/non-profit organization must apply for an allocation of credits from the Tompkins County Zone Administrative Board prior to receiving the investment/donation.

Learn more:

-    Direct Equity Investments (pdf)

-    Community Development Project Donations (pdf)
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Tompkins County Area Development
200 East Buffalo Street, Suite 102A
Ithaca, New York 14850
( 607 ) 273 - 0005