A range of state and local tax exemptions and credits area available to qualifying businesses in Fulton County, with a goal of providing support for new, expanding, or relocating businesses to the Fulton County area.  For additional information and a complete list of the available Georgia Tax Credit Programs, please visit the Georgia Department of Economic Development website.

Local Incentives

Community Improvement District (CID)

The CID is a self-imposed tax by a majority (51%) of like-minded commercial property owners that earmark the proceeds for infrastructure improvements that are normally provided by a government entity.  The funds can be used for projects such as streets, parks, storm water and sewage systems, public transportation, and docking or parking facilities.  There are currently six CIDs in Fulton County: Downtown, Buckhead and Perimeter in Atlanta; North Fulton 400 Corridor; Oakley Industrial in South Fulton; and the Boulevard Improvement District on Fulton Industrial Boulevard.

Opportunity Zone (OZ)

Businesses that locate in a local redevelopment area designated as an Opportunity Zone can take advantage of the State’s highest Job Tax Credit.  By locating in an Opportunity Zone and creating 2 new jobs, a business can maximize Job Tax Credits to the State’s highest credit amount of $3,500.  The tax credit may be claimed up to five years as long as the jobs are maintained.

Tax Allocation District (TAD)

There have been thirteen TADs created in Fulton County; ten in the City of Atlanta, two in the City of East Point and one in the City of Alpharetta.  Businesses that locate within these designated areas can benefit from enhanced infrastructure improvements (e.g., water, sewer, streetscapes and signage) funded by a property tax increment that is allocated for, or placed into, a special fund.  For additional information, contact the Fulton County Economic Development Division at 404-612-4121.

Atlanta Tradeport

Located directly east of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Atlanta Tradeport is a 260-acre mixed-use property that offers office/warehouse facilities for the air cargo industry.  The Atlanta Tradeport is already designated a Foreign Trade Zone.  The zone offers businesses a government sanctioned site where foreign and domestic goods are classified by U.S. Customs as international commerce.  While in the zone, materials may be stored, exhibited, distributed, assembled or used in manufacturing operations free of duty until they enter the U.S. marketplace.

Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ)

A federally approved area (industrial park or individual manufacturing or distribution facility) in which goods can be imported without the payment of U.S.  Customs duties as long as the goods stay in the FTZ, duties are not paid.  Once the goods enter for U.S. consumption, payment is made often at a lower rate.

Freeport Exemption

Georgia’s Freeport law offers manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and warehouse operations an attractive inventory tax exemption.  Fulton County offers 100% inventory tax exemptions for three classes of property:

• Manufacturer’s raw materials and goods-in-process
• Finished goods produced in Georgia within the last 12 months
• Finished goods stored in Georgia within the last 12 months and destined for out-of-state shipment

The deadline for filing an application for Freeport Exemption with the Board of Tax Assessors is April 1 to receive the full exemption.