Tax credit to Qualified High Technology Companies for wages to qualified employees; exceptions.

# (a)

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000, and ending on December 31, 2019, a Qualified High Technology Company shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed by § 47-1807.02 equal to 10% of the wages paid during the first 24 calendar months of employment to a qualified employee hired after December 31, 2000.
(a-1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019, a Qualified High Technology Company shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed by § 47-1807.02 equal to 5% of the wages paid during the first 24 calendar months of employment to a qualified employee hired after December 31, 2017.

# (b)

The credit under subsections (a) and (a-1) of this section shall not be allowed:

# (1)

To exceed, for each qualified employee:

(A) $5,000 in a taxable year for the credit under subsection (a) of this section.

(B) $3,000 in a taxable year for the credit under subsection (a-1) of this section.

# (2)

If the Qualified High Technology Company accords the qualified employee lesser benefits or rights than it accords other employees in similar jobs;

# (3)

If the qualified employee was employed as the result of:

(A) The displacement, other than for cause, of another employee;

(B) A strike or lockout;

(C) A layoff in which other employees are awaiting recall; or

(D) A reduction of the regular wages, benefits, or rights of other employees in similar jobs; or

# (4)

If the qualified employee is a member of the board of directors of the Qualified High Technology Company or, directly or indirectly, owns a majority of its stock.

# (c)

A credit allowable under this section may be carried forward for 10 years if:

# (1)

The amount of the credit allowable under this section exceeds the tax otherwise due from a Qualified High Technology Company; and

# (2)

The amount of the credit allowable under this section was obtained for wages of a qualified employee hired before October 1, 2019.