710:50-15-32 Small business incubators incentive

(a) General provisions. Certain exemptions for the levy of Oklahoma income tax may be allowed for income earned by qualifying sponsors and tenants pursuant to the provisions of the Small Business Incubators Incentive Act (74 O.S. §5071 et seq.) (b) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this Section, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) "Act" means the Small Business Incubators Incentives Act (74 O.S. §5071 et seq.). (2) "Arm's-length basis" means that standard under which unrelated parties, each acting in his or her own best interest, would carry out a particular transaction. (c) Exemption for sponsors. For tax years ending before January 1, 2020, income earned by a sponsor from rental fees, service fees or any other form of payment for services provided to a tenant as an operator of an incubator, or for providing funding for such a facility, shall be exempt from state income tax for a period not to exceed ten (10) years from the date of the tenant's occupancy in an incubator. Procedures applicable to sponsors under the Act are as follows: (1) An approved copy of the Small Business Incubator Incentives Program application must be submitted with the Oklahoma Income Tax Return when it is filed with the Oklahoma Tax Commission. (2) The amount of exemption will be limited to the net income. If the sponsor is involved in other operations, allocations of overhead applicable to the income must be made on an arm's-length basis. (3) An audit may be made to verify the income received and expenses relating to the business. (4) An allowable Oklahoma NOL carryback or carryover shall not include any income or loss attributable to this Section. (5) Income exempt from income tax is limited to that listed in the Act. (d) Exemption for tenants. Procedures applicable to tenants under the Act are as follows: (1) The amount of exemption will be limited to the net income. If the tenant is involved in other operations, allocations of overhead applicable to the income must be made on an arm's-length basis. (2) An audit may be made to verify the income received and expenses relating to the business. If the tenant is organized as either a Subchapter S Corporation or a partnership, the exemption may flow through to the shareholder or partner, as applicable. (3) An allowable Oklahoma NOL carryback or carryover shall not include any income or loss attributable to this Section which is the result of such operation. [ See: 74 O.S. §§5075(B), 5078(B)] (4) The period of income exemption for income earned as a result of activities conducted as an occupant, for tenants of incubators is ten (10) years from the date of occupancy in the incubator. The tenant is not required to be an occupant of the incubator for the full ten (10) years to receive the exemption, however, the exemption period cannot exceed a total of ten (10) years for any tenant. (5) For tax years ending before January 1, 2020, the exemption is applicable in years six (6) through ten (10) only if the tenant makes at least seventy-five percent (75%) of its gross sales to buyers located outside of Oklahoma, to buyers whose principal business activity is located outside of Oklahoma, to the federal government, or to buyers in this state if the product or service is resold to an out-of-state customer or buyer for ultimate use. In years six (6) through ten (10), failure of a tenant to achieve the qualifying percentage for the exemption in any single year will not result in disqualification for subsequent years. [ See: 74 O.S. § 5078]