43-1074.02. Credit for investment in qualified small businesses

A. For taxable years beginning from and after December 31, 2006 through December 31, 2034, a credit is allowed against the taxes imposed by this title for investment made after June 30, 2006 in qualified small businesses. The amount of the credit is the amount determined and authorized by the Arizona commerce authority as provided by section 41-1518.

B. To claim the credit under this section, the taxpayer shall attach to its tax return a copy of the Arizona commerce authority certification provided pursuant to section 41-1518. A credit is not allowed under this section unless the taxpayer provides the certification.

C. The basis of any investment with respect to which the taxpayer has claimed a credit under this section shall be reduced by the amount of the credit claimed with respect to that investment.

D. If the allowable tax credit exceeds the taxes due under this title on the claimant's income, or if there are no taxes due under this title, the amount of the claim not used to offset the taxes under this title may be carried forward to the next three consecutive taxable years as a credit against subsequent years' income tax liability.

E. Individuals who are co-owners of a business, including partners in a partnership and shareholders of an S corporation as defined in section 1361 of the internal revenue code, may each claim only their individual pro rata shares of the credit allowed under this section based on their ownership interests. The total of the credits allowed all such owners may not exceed the amount that would have been allowed a sole owner.

F. If the department of revenue determines that there has been a misrepresentation on an application submitted to the Arizona commerce authority under section 41-1518, the department of revenue shall deny the credit if the misrepresentation relates to whether the applicant was a qualified investor or made a qualified investment. If the misrepresentation relates to whether the investment was made to:

1. A qualified small business, the department of revenue shall deny the credit only if the applicant knew or should have known at any time before the certification that the representation was false.

2. A bioscience enterprise or a business that maintains its principal place of business in a rural county in this state, the department of revenue shall decrease the amount of the credit that would have been allowed only if the applicant knew or should have known at any time before the certification that the representation was false.