Indiana Has The 9th Most Business-Friendly Tax Climate

The Indiana Corporate Income Tax Reduction is 6 percent. Indiana has no gross receipts tax and no inventory tax. Indiana’s personal income tax is 3.3 percent of federal adjusted gross income (with certain exemptions and deductions).

When a business relocates its corporate headquarters to Indiana, it is entitled to a credit against its state tax liability equal to half the costs incurred in relocating the headquarters. A company must have global annual revenue of at least $100 million to qualify.

Real and personal property tax is assessed at 100 percent of market value. Tax rates and exemptions vary among local jurisdictions. Homeowner property taxes are capped at 1 percent of a home’s assessed value, apartments and agriculture land are capped at 2 percent of assessed value and
business property taxes are capped at 3 percent of assessed value.

Indiana’s Sales and Use Tax is tax is calculated at a rate of 7 percent. In manufacturing, the following are exempt from the sales tax: raw materials, equipment, power, electricity and utilities. Wholesale sales, items used directly in production and sales made in interstate commerce are exempt. In addition, the purchase of research and development equipment is exempt.

Indiana uses a single-sales factor for apportioning corporate income tax. Indiana had determined its share of an interstate or international corporation’s taxable income by weighing the Indiana portion of a company’s property and the proportion of its employees in Indiana. The single-sales factor will calculate the Indiana portion based solely on the portion of a company’s sales in Indiana.

Indiana’s tax structure is competitive and intended to reward investments and business innovation. State and local government levels know the significance in providing the populace equitable services and strong transportation networks while upholding a fair and impartial tax structure.

According to the Tax Foundation‘s 2018 State Business Tax Climate Index, Indiana has the ninth most business friendly tax climate.  

The Tax Foundation stated: Indiana saw consistent rate reductions through a series of responsible tax reform efforts between 2011 and 2016. Subsequent legislation established a further schedule of corporate income tax reductions through fiscal year 2022. For 2018, the corporate income tax rate declined from 6.25 to 6.0 percent. These changes, however, were not enough to improve Indiana’s already enviable ranking on the Index, where the Hoosier State and Utah are functionally tied for the best rankings among states which impose all the major taxes.

Indiana Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE): This Tax Credit provides an incentive to businesses to support jobs creation, capital investment and to improve the standard of living for Indiana residents. The refundable corporate income tax credit is calculated as a percentage (not to exceed 100 percent) of the expected increased tax withholdings generated from new jobs creation. The credit certification is phased in annually for up to 10 years based upon the employment ramp-up outlined by the business.

Hoosier business Investment (HBI) Tax Credits: Provides incentive to businesses to support jobs creation, capital investment and to improve the standard of living for Indiana residents. The non-refundable corporate income tax credits are calculated as a percentage of the eligible capital investment to support the project. The credit may be certified annually, based on the phase-in of eligible capital investment, over a period of two full calendar years from the commencement of the project.

Research and Development Incentives: The state of Indiana offers two tax incentives targeted at encouraging investments in research and development. Taxpayers may receive a credit against their Indiana state income tax liability calculated as a percentage of qualified research expenses. In addition, taxpayers may be refunded sales tax paid on purchases of qualified research and development equipment. The Indiana Department of Revenue oversees these incentive programs. Select from the menu to learn about our Research Expense Credits and our Research and Development Sales Tax Exemption.

The potential value of incentive amount varies based upon the amount of the qualifying transaction. A taxpayer who qualifies for the exemption must claim the exemption in a manner prescribed by the Indiana Department of Revenue.

Hoosier Headquarters Relocation Tax Credit (HRTC): Provides a tax credit to corporations that relocate their headquarters to Indiana. The credit is assessed against the corporation’s state tax liability. The Headquarters Relocation Tax Credit is established by I.C. 6-3.1-30.

Industrial Development Grant Fund (IDGF): Provides assistance to municipalities and other eligible entities as defined under I.C. 5-28-25-1 with off-site infrastructure improvements needed to serve the proposed project site. Upon review and approval of the Local Recipient’s application, project specific Milestones are established for completing the improvements. IDGF will reimburse a portion of the actual total cost of the infrastructure improvements. The assistance will be paid as each Milestone is achieved, with final payment upon completion of the last Milestone of the infrastructure project.

Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF): Provides assistance to businesses to support training and upgrading skills of employees required to support new capital investment. The grant may be provided to reimburse a portion (typically 50%) of eligible training costs over a period of two full calendar years from the commencement of the project.

Industrial Recovery Tax Credit: Also known as the DINO tax credit for older buildings it benefits, provides an incentive for companies to invest in former industrial facilities requiring significant rehabilitation or remodeling expenses. The credit is established by Ind. Code 6-3.1-11.

Office of Regulatory Affairs: The Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s regulatory affairs division assists in the process of obtaining the permits and approvals necessary for a business operation. Members of the regulatory affairs staff serve as liaisons between companies, communities, local economic development organizations, and regulatory agencies.