2004 Senate Bill 1303 / Public Act 322

Tax breaks for "start-up business"

Introduced in the Senate

June 16, 2004

Introduced by Sen. Jud Gilbert (R-25)

To allow local governments to exempt for five years a "qualified start-up business" that has not made a profit from the "city utility users tax." A "qualified start-up business" is defined as a firm that has fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees, has annual sales of less than $1 million, has research and development expenses that make up at least 15-percent of its annual expenses, and is not publicly traded. This does not necessarily apply only to new firms, and the five year exemption is not necessarily the firm's first five years of operation.

Referred to the Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, and Regulatory Reform

June 24, 2004

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Alan Sanborn (R-11)

To establish that a qualified start-up business may not receive the tax break for more than five tax years, but may receive it in nonconsecutive tax years.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 35 to 0 (details)

To allow local governments to exempt for five years a "qualified start-up business" that has not made a profit from the "city utility users tax." A "qualified start-up business" is defined as a firm that has fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees, has annual sales of less than $1 million, has research and development expenses that make up at least 15-percent of its annual expenses, and is not publicly traded. This does not necessarily apply only to new firms, and the five year exemption is not necessarily the firm's first five years of operation.

Received in the House

June 24, 2004

Referred to the Committee on Tax Policy

June 30, 2004

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

July 6, 2004

Passed in the House 104 to 0 (details)

To allow local governments to exempt for five years a "qualified start-up business" that has not made a profit from the "city utility users tax." A "qualified start-up business" is defined as a firm that has fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees, has annual sales of less than $1 million, has research and development expenses that make up at least 15-percent of its annual expenses, and is not publicly traded. This does not necessarily apply only to new firms, and the five year exemption is not necessarily the firm's first five years of operation.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Aug. 27, 2004