Opportunity zones

Opportunity Zones are an economic development tool that allows people to invest in distressed areas in the United States.

Their purpose is to spur economic growth and job creation in low-income communities while providing tax benefits to investors.

Opportunity Zones were created under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (Public Law No. 115-97). Thousands of low-income communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories are designated as Qualified Opportunity Zones.

Taxpayers can invest in these zones through Qualified Opportunity Funds.

Invest in a Qualified Opportunity Fund

You can support economic development in Qualified Opportunity Zones and temporarily defer tax on eligible gains when you invest in a Qualified Opportunity Fund.

Certify and maintain a Qualified Opportunity Fund

Find eligibility and filing requirements to certify and maintain a Qualified Opportunity Fund.

Find qualified Opportunity Zones

Low-income communities and certain neighboring areas, defined by population census tracts, could qualify as Opportunity Zones. States nominated communities for the designation, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury certified those nominations.

Find Qualified Opportunity Zone locations by census tract.

• Qualified Opportunity Zone Boundaries Unaffected by 2020 Decennial Census Changes – Announcement 2021-10
• Designated Qualified Opportunity Zones under Internal Revenue Code § 1400Z-2 - Notice 2018-48
• Amplification of Notice 2018-48 to Include Additional Puerto Rico Designated Qualified Opportunity Zones - Notice 2019-42
• Map of Designated Qualified Opportunity Zones

Regulations and guidance

• Extension of Relief for Qualified Opportunity Funds and Investors Affected by Ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic to the Opportunity Zone (Notice 2021-10)
• Investing in Qualified Opportunity Funds - Final Regulations (TD 9889) PDF
• Investing in Qualified Opportunity Funds - Proposed Regulations (REG-115420-18) PDF
• Investing in Qualified Opportunity Funds - Proposed Regulations (REG-120186-18) PDF
• Qualified Opportunity Zone Designation - Revenue Procedure 2018-16
• Qualified Opportunity Zone Original Use - Revenue Ruling 2018-29
• Notice 2020-39, Relief for Qualified Opportunity Funds and Investors Affected by Ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Resources

• Facts About Opportunity Zones
• Opportunity zones frequently asked questions
• Opportunity Zones – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)