Opportunity Zone

Defining an Opportunity Zone

Opportunity Zones were designed to help spur the development of identified communities. In exchange for investing in Opportunity Zones, investors can access capital gains tax incentives available exclusively through Opportunity Zones as established through the 2017's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Designation of Opportunity Zones

The designation of Opportunity Zones is designed to help spur the development of identified communities such as the City of Hardeeville. In exchange for investing in Opportunity Zones, investors can access capital gains tax incentives available exclusively through Opportunity Zones.

Opportunity Funds

Investors must invest in Opportunity Zones specifically through Opportunity Funds. A qualified Opportunity Fund is a U.S. partnership or corporation that intends to invest at least 90% of its holdings in one or more qualified Opportunity Zones.

Investments can be made in relation to the following:

• Partnership interests in businesses that operate in a qualified Opportunity Zone.
• Stock ownership in businesses that conduct most or all of their operations within a qualified Opportunity Zone.
• Property such as real estate located within a qualified Opportunity Zone.

Private Market

Opportunity Funds can self-certify without the need for approval from the U.S. Treasury Department. This means that Opportunity Funds are managed entirely in the private market with the administration of the funds falling solely on the shoulders of fund managers rather than government agencies or investors.

Most importantly, there is no cap on the amount of capital that can be invested into qualified Opportunity Zones, and hence no arbitrary limit on the extent to which Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds may help reshape communities.

Benefits

Investors can reinvest a qualifying capital gain into an Opportunity Fund, resulting in a defer and reduced tax liability on that capital gain and potentially receive tax-free treatment for all future appreciation earned through the fund. Together, these tax incentives can boost after-tax returns for Opportunity Fund investors.

Defer Paying Capital Gains Tax

Investors can defer paying capital gains tax for those earnings until April 2027 for investments held through December 31, 2026. Gains must be invested in a Qualified Opportunity Fund within 180 days in order to qualify for any tax treatment available under Opportunity Funds.

Reducing Liability

Those who hold their Opportunity Fund investments for at least five years prior to December 31, 2026, can reduce their liability on the deferred capital gain principal invested in the Opportunity Fund by 10%. If the investment is held for a minimum of seven years prior to December 31, 2026, the tax liability can be reduced by 15% total.