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AB-976 • 2026

Personal Income Tax Law: Corporation Tax Law: California Retail Security Tax Credit.

Personal Income Tax Law: Corporation Tax Law: California Retail Security Tax Credit.

Labor Taxes
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Ávila Farías
Last action
Official status
Assembly - Died - Revenue and Taxation
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text states businesses must operate in a disadvantaged community 'as described,' but does not provide the specific definition of that term within this document.

California Retail Security Tax Credit

This law creates a tax credit for small businesses in disadvantaged communities that spend money on retail theft prevention measures.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates a new tax credit against personal and corporation taxes for qualified expenses related to preventing retail theft at state locations.
  • Limits the credit amount to $4,000 per business each taxable year.
  • Sets a total cap of $10 million in credits available statewide per taxable year.
  • Requires businesses to reserve their share through the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee and Franchise Tax Board.
  • Includes reporting requirements and findings about goals and performance indicators.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Businesses operating in disadvantaged communities as described by law.
  • Businesses with total gross annual receipts of $5 million or less.
  • Businesses with 25 or fewer employees.
  • The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee and Franchise Tax Board.

Terms To Know

Tax credit
An amount that reduces the total tax a business must pay to the state dollar for dollar.
Disadvantaged community
A specific area identified by law as facing economic or social challenges, though this bill does not define the exact criteria here.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The credit is only available for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and before January 1, 2028.
  • Businesses must apply to reserve their share of the $10 million total limit before receiving the credit.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Assembly - Died - Revenue and Taxation

Official Summary Text

Personal Income Tax Law: Corporation Tax Law: California Retail Security Tax Credit.