Quality Jobs Tax Credit

County average wage rates are determined by Georgia Employment & Wages, published annually by the Georgia Department of Labor. The table below summarizes pay level thresholds and the amount and duration of the credit per job.

i.            Quality Job Tax Credit Value by Wage Rate Level

*if credit exceeds company’s corporate income tax liability

* Cobb County's Average Annual Wage Rate is $65,468 (Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Georgia Employment & Wages, 2021)

If unused credits remain after 100 percent of a given tax year’s liability has been offset, the excess credits can be applied against payroll withholding. Credits can be earned for qualifying jobs created within seven years of eligibility. Taking the quality jobs tax credit incentive for a particular job precludes the company from claiming the job tax credit for the same job. However, jobs created that do not meet the wage threshold for this credit may still be eligible for the job tax credit.

i.            Administration

The quality job tax credit is administered by the Georgia Department of Revenue. Credit may be applied against 100 percent of state corporate income tax liability. If the amount of credit exceeds the company’s tax liability in a taxable year, the company may take credit against quarterly or monthly withholding tax payments.

ii.          Duration

Qualified jobs the company creates during its first seven years of business in Georgia are eligible to earn credit for five years. Any unused credit may be carried forward for 10 years.

iii.         Coordination with Other Credits

Positions that are not eligible for the quality job creation tax credit may qualify for ordinary job tax credits. The quality jobs tax credit may not be taken with the investment tax credit or optional investment tax credit.

Governing Georgia Code and Rules: Georgia Code 48-7-40.17, Georgia Department of Revenue Rules and Regulations 560-7-8.51.