State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Gct > Article-2-j > 25-dd

§  25-dd.  Definitions. When used in this article, the following terms  shall have the following meanings:    (a) "Eligible business" means any person  subject  to  a  tax  imposed  under  a local law enacted pursuant to part two or three of section one,  or section two, of chapter seven hundred  seventy-two  of  the  laws  of  nineteen hundred sixty-six or a gross receipts tax imposed under a local  law enacted pursuant to subdivision (a) of section twelve hundred one of  the  tax  law,  that:  (1)  has  been  conducting  substantial  business  operations at one or more business locations outside  the  city  of  New  York  for  the  twenty-four consecutive months immediately preceding the  taxable year during which such eligible business relocates as defined in  subdivision (j) of this section but has not maintained employment shares  at premises in the city of New  York  at  any  time  during  the  period  beginning  January  first,  two  thousand  two and ending on the date it  enters into a lease or a contract to purchase  the  premises  that  will  qualify  as  eligible  premises  pursuant to this article; and (2) on or  after July first, two thousand three relocates as defined in subdivision  (j) of this section all or part of such business operations.    (b)  "Person"  includes  any  individual,  partnership,   association,  joint-stock  company,  corporation,  estate  or trust, limited liability  company, and any combination of the foregoing.    (c) "Retail activity" means any activity which consists  predominately  of  the  sale,  other  than  through the mail, or by the telephone or by  means of the internet, of tangible personal property to any person,  for  any  purpose unrelated to the trade or business of such person, or which  consists predominately of the selling of services to  individuals  which  generally  involve  the  physical,  mental and/or spiritual care of such  individuals, or the physical care of the personal property of any person  unrelated to the trade or business of such  person,  or  which  consists  predominately of the provision of retail banking services.    (d) "Hotel services" means any services which consist predominately of  the  lodging  of  guests  at  a  building  or a portion thereof which is  regularly used  and  kept  open  for  such  services.  The  term  "hotel  services"  shall  include the lodging of guests at an apartment hotel, a  motel, boarding house or club, whether or not meals are served.    (e) "Eligible premises" means: (1) nonresidential premises  which  are  wholly  contained  in  real  property  which is certified as eligible to  receive benefits pursuant to a local  law  enacted  in  accordance  with  title two-C or title two-D of article four of the real property tax law,  provided  that  such  premises  have  been  improved  by construction or  renovation, that expenditures have been made after June  thirtieth,  two  thousand  three,  or  in  the case of a relocation by a special eligible  business, after June thirtieth, two thousand five, for  improvements  to  such  real  property  in  excess  of fifty per centum or, in the case of  industrial property, in excess of twenty-five per centum, of  the  value  at  which  such  real property was assessed for tax purposes for the tax  year in which such improvements commenced  and  such  expenditures  have  been  made  within thirty-six months or, in the case of expenditures for  such improvements to such real  property  in  excess  of  fifty  million  dollars  within  seventy-two months from such commencement and, provided  further, that such real  property  is  located  in  the  eligible  Lower  Manhattan  area,  and  provided  further,  that in the case of a special  eligible business, a lease or contract  to  purchase  such  premises  is  first   entered  into  by  the  special  eligible  business  after  June  thirtieth, two thousand five;    (2) nonresidential premises which are:  (i)  wholly  contained  in  or  situated  on  real  property  which  has  been leased from an industrial  development agency established pursuant to  article  eighteen-A  of  thegeneral  municipal  law, provided that such premises were constructed or  renovated subsequent to the approval of such construction or  renovation  by such agency, or (ii) wholly contained in or situated on real property  owned  by a city having a population of one million or more, a lease for  which was approved in accordance with the applicable provisions  of  the  charter  of  such  city, provided that such premises were constructed or  renovated subsequent to such approval, or (iii) wholly contained  in  or  situated  on real property which has been leased from the port authority  of the state of New York and New Jersey or  the  New  York  state  urban  development  corporation,  or  a  subsidiary thereof, provided that such  premises were constructed or renovated subsequent to  the  execution  of  such lease, or (iv) wholly contained in property which would be eligible  to  receive  benefits pursuant to a local law enacted in accordance with  title two-D of article four of the real property  tax  law  except  that  such  property  is  exempt  from  real  property taxation; provided that  expenditures have been made after June thirtieth, two thousand three, or  in the case of a relocation by a special eligible business,  after  June  thirtieth,  two thousand five, for improvements to such real property in  excess of fifty per centum or, in the case of  industrial  property,  in  excess  of  twenty-five  per  centum,  of  the  value at which such real  property was assessed for tax purposes for the tax year  in  which  such  improvements  commenced  and  such  expenditures  have  been made within  thirty-six months or, in the case of expenditures for such  improvements  to  such  real  property  in  excess  of  fifty  million  dollars within  seventy-two months from the date  of  such  commencement,  and  provided  further  that  such  real  property  is  located  in  the eligible Lower  Manhattan area, and provided further, that in  the  case  of  a  special  eligible  business,  a  lease  or  contract to purchase such premises is  first  entered  into  by  the  special  eligible  business  after   June  thirtieth, two thousand five; or    (3) in the case of an eligible business, nonresidential premises which  are located in the eligible Lower Manhattan area, for which a lease or a  contract to purchase is first entered into by an eligible business on or  after July first, two thousand three and for which a minimum expenditure  has  been  made  on  or  after  such date, for improvements in excess of  twenty-five dollars per square  foot,  or  in  the  case  of  a  special  eligible  business,  non-residential  premises  that  are located in the  eligible Lower Manhattan area  for  which  a  lease  or  a  contract  to  purchase  is  first  entered  into  by  the eligible business after June  thirtieth, two thousand five, and for which a  minimum  expenditure  has  been  made  after  such  date  for improvements in excess of twenty-five  dollars per square foot, provided, however, that,  in  either  case,  if  such  premises  are  leased,  such lease shall have a term that does not  expire until at least three  years  after  the  later  of  the  date  of  relocation and the lease commencement date.    Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  paragraphs  one  and two of this  subdivision, if, subsequent to date of certification,  the  property  in  which  such  premises  are  contained ceases to meet the requirements of  paragraph  one  or  two  of  this  subdivision,  such   premises   shall  nonetheless   remain  eligible  premises,  provided  that  the  eligible  business or special eligible business continues to occupy such premises;  provided however that  if,  after  such  property  ceases  to  meet  the  requirements  of  such  paragraph  one  or  two, an eligible business or  special eligible business first leases or purchases additional  premises  contained  in  such  property,  such  additional  premises  shall not be  considered eligible  premises  unless  they  meet  the  requirements  of  paragraph three of this subdivision.(f)  "Eligible Lower Manhattan area" means the area in the city of New  York in the borough of Manhattan lying south of a line running from  the  intersection  of  the  Hudson  River with the Holland Tunnel and running  thence north along West Street to the intersection of  Clarkson  Street,  then  running  east  along  the  centerline  of  Clarkson  Street to the  intersection  of  Washington  Street,  then  running  south  along   the  centerline  of  Washington  Street  to  the intersection of West Houston  Street, then east along the centerline of West Houston Street,  then  at  the intersection of the Avenue of the Americas continuing east along the  centerline  of  East  Houston  Street  to  the easterly bank of the East  River.    (g) "Employment share" means,  for  each  employee,  partner  or  sole  proprietor of an eligible business or special eligible business, the sum  of:  (1)  the  number  of  full-time work weeks worked by such employee,  partner or sole proprietor during  the  eligible  business'  or  special  eligible  business'  taxable  year divided by the number of weeks in the  taxable year, and (2) the number of part-time work weeks worked by  such  employee,  partner  or  sole proprietor during the eligible business' or  special eligible business' taxable year divided by an  amount  equal  to  twice  the  number  of  weeks  in the taxable year. For purposes of this  subdivision, "full-time work week" shall mean a  week  during  which  at  least  thirty-five  hours  of  gainful  work  has been performed by such  employee, partner or sole proprietor and  "part-time  work  week"  shall  mean  a  week  during  which  at least fifteen but less than thirty-five  hours of gainful work has been performed by such  employee,  partner  or  sole  proprietor.  For purposes of this section, employment shares shall  not be based upon work weeks attributable to employees, partners or sole  proprietors  acquired  by  an  eligible  business  or  special  eligible  business as a result of a merger with, acquisition of another person, or  a  transaction  having  a  comparable  effect,  that  occurs  after June  thirtieth, two thousand five, and before the end of the taxable year  in  which  a  credit  is  claimed by such eligible business pursuant to this  section, or to successors, if any, to those employees, partners or  sole  proprietors.    (h)  "Aggregate  employment  shares"  means  the sum of all employment  shares maintained by an eligible business or special  eligible  business  in a taxable year.    (i) "Eligible aggregate employment shares" means (1) in the case of an  eligible  business,  the  amount, if any, of aggregate employment shares  maintained by an eligible business in eligible premises in the  eligible  Lower Manhattan area in the taxable year in which such eligible business  claims  a  credit  pursuant  to  a  local law enacted in accordance with  section twenty-five-ee of this article.  Provided,  however,  that  such  amount  shall  not  exceed  the  lesser  of:  (i)  the highest number of  aggregate employment shares maintained  by  such  eligible  business  in  eligible  premises  in  the  taxable  year  during  which  such eligible  business relocates or in any of the five immediately succeeding  taxable  years;  or  (ii)  the greater of one hundred aggregate employment shares  and twice the number of aggregate employment shares maintained  by  such  eligible  business  outside  the  city  of  New York in the taxable year  immediately preceding  the  taxable  year  during  which  such  eligible  business relocates. In determining eligible aggregate employment shares,  work  weeks at premises prior to the later of the date of relocation and  the date such premises meet the requirements of subdivision (e) of  this  section shall not be taken into account.    (2)  In  the  case of a special eligible business, "eligible aggregate  employment shares" means: the  amount  of  aggregate  employment  shares  determined  in  subparagraph  (i)  of this paragraph, provided, however,such amount shall not exceed the lowest of  the  amounts  determined  in  subparagraphs (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) of this paragraph.    (i)  the  amount  determined  in  this  subparagraph  is the number of  aggregate employment shares maintained by a special eligible business in  eligible premises in the eligible Lower Manhattan area  in  the  taxable  year in which such special eligible business claims a credit pursuant to  a  local  law  enacted in accordance with section twenty-five-ee of this  article less the number of aggregate  employment  shares  maintained  by  such  business in such premises in the taxable year prior to the year of  relocation.    (ii) the amount determined in this subparagraph is the amount, if any,  by which the number of  aggregate  employment  shares  maintained  by  a  special  eligible  business  in the taxable year in the city of New York  exceeds the number of New York city base shares.    (iii) the amount determined in this subparagraph  is  the  amount,  if  any,  by  which  number  of  aggregate employment shares maintained by a  special eligible business in the taxable  year  in  the  eligible  Lower  Manhattan area exceeds the number of Lower Manhattan base shares.    (iv)  the amount determined in this subparagraph is the greater of one  hundred and twice the number of aggregate employment  shares  maintained  by  the  special  eligible  business outside the city of New York in the  year prior to the year of relocation.    (v) the amount determined in this subparagraph is:    (A) for the year of relocation, the number of  full  time  work  weeks  worked  by  relocated  employees  in eligible premises after the date of  relocation divided by the number of weeks in such taxable year, plus the  number of part-time work weeks worked by such employees in such premises  after the date of relocation, divided by twice the number  of  weeks  in  the taxable year of relocation;    (B) for taxable years after the taxable year of relocation, the lesser  of:    (I)  the  number of relocated employee base shares plus the product of  (a) the excess, if any, of the number  of  aggregate  employment  shares  determined  in  subparagraph  (i)  of  this paragraph over the number of  relocated employee base shares and (b)  a  fraction,  the  numerator  of  which   is  the  number  of  relocated  employee  base  shares  and  the  denominator of which is the sum of relocated employee  base  shares  and  New York city base shares; and    (II)  the  highest  number  of  eligible  aggregate  employment shares  maintained by the special eligible business in eligible premises  during  the  year  of  relocation  and  the  five immediately succeeding taxable  years.    (j) In the case of an eligible business, "relocate" means to  transfer  pre-existing  business  operations  to one or more premises which are or  will become eligible premises in accordance with subdivision (e) of this  section, or to establish  new  business  operations  at  such  premises,  provided that an eligible business shall not be deemed to have relocated  unless at least one employee, partner or sole proprietor of the eligible  business  is  transferred  to  such  premises from pre-existing business  operations  conducted  outside  the  city  of  New  York.  The  date  of  relocation  shall  be  the  later  of:  (1)  the  first day on which the  individual so transferred commences work at premises that  are  or  will  become  eligible  premises, and (2) the date of completion of sufficient  improvements to the eligible  premises  at  which  such  individual  has  commenced  work,  to  meet  the  requirements of subdivision (e) of this  section relating to expenditures for improvements. The taxable  year  of  relocation  shall  be  the  taxable year in which the date of relocation  occurs. For purposes of this article, an eligible business may  relocateonly  once  but may add or substitute other eligible premises throughout  the period during which it is authorized pursuant to subdivision (a)  of  section  twenty-five-ee of this article to receive the credit allowed by  such section.    (k)  "Tax year" and "taxable year" mean, for purposes of this article,  in the case of taxpayers authorized to receive  the  credit  allowed  by  section  twenty-five-ee  of this article against the tax imposed under a  local law enacted pursuant to subdivision (a) of section twelve  hundred  one of the tax law, calendar year.    (l)  "Special  eligible  business"  means  any person subject to a tax  imposed under a local law enacted pursuant  to  part  two  or  three  of  section one, or section two, of chapter seven hundred seventy-two of the  laws of nineteen hundred sixty-six or a gross receipts tax imposed under  a  local  law  enacted  pursuant  to  subdivision  (a) of section twelve  hundred one of the tax law, that: (1) has  been  conducting  substantial  business  operations  at one or more business locations outside the city  of New York for the twenty-four consecutive months immediately preceding  the taxable year  during  which  such  eligible  business  relocates  as  defined  in  subdivision  (m) of this section, (2) maintained employment  shares at premises in Manhattan in the city of New  York  at  some  time  during  the period beginning January first, two thousand two, and ending  on the date it enters into  a  lease  or  a  contract  to  purchase  the  premises  that  will  qualify  as  eligible  premises  pursuant  to this  section, and  (3)  on  or  after  June  thirtieth,  two  thousand  five,  relocates  as  defined in subdivision (m) of this section all or part of  such business operations.    (m) In the case of a special eligible business,  "relocate"  means  to  transfer pre-existing business operations and employees from one or more  qualifying  business  locations  outside  the city of New York to one or  more premises which are or will become eligible premises  in  accordance  with  subdivision  (e)  of this section. The date of relocation shall be  the later of: (1) the  first  day  on  which  the  first  individual  so  transferred  commences work at premises that are or will become eligible  premises, and (2) the date of completion of sufficient  improvements  to  the  eligible  premises  at  which such individual has commenced work to  meet the requirements of subdivision (e) of  this  section  relating  to  expenditures  for  improvements. The taxable year of relocation shall be  the taxable year in which the date of relocation occurs. For purposes of  this chapter, a special eligible business may relocate only once but may  add additional eligible premises throughout the period during  which  it  is  authorized  pursuant to subdivision (a) of section twenty-five-ee of  this article to receive the credit allowed by such section.    (n) "Relocated Employee" means  an  employee  of  a  special  eligible  business  who  (1)  has  worked at a qualifying business location of the  eligible  business  outside  of  the  city  of  New  York  continuously,  full-time  or  part-time,  for  the  ten work weeks prior to the date of  relocation and continuously from the date of relocation until  the  date  of  transfer  to  eligible  premises,  (2)  is  transferred  to eligible  premises, and (3) continues to work for the  eligible  business  at  the  eligible  premises  for  at  least ten full work weeks after the date of  transfer.    (o) "Relocated employee base shares" means  the  number  of  full-time  work weeks worked by relocated employees in eligible premises during the  twelve  calendar  months  after  the month of relocation, divided by the  number of weeks in such twelve months, plus the number of part-time work  weeks worked by such employees in such premises  divided  by  twice  the  number of weeks in such months.(p)  "New  York  city  base  shares"  means  the  number  of aggregate  employment shares maintained by the special  eligible  business  in  the  city of New York in the year prior to the year of relocation.    (q)  "Lower  Manhattan  base  shares"  means  the  number of aggregate  employment shares maintained by the special  eligible  business  in  the  eligible  Lower  Manhattan  area  in  the  year  prior  to  the  year of  relocation.    (r) "Qualifying business location" means  a  business  location  of  a  special  eligible business located outside the city of New York at which  such business has been conducting substantial  business  operations  for  the twenty-four months immediately preceding the year of relocation.

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Gct > Article-2-j > 25-dd

§  25-dd.  Definitions. When used in this article, the following terms  shall have the following meanings:    (a) "Eligible business" means any person  subject  to  a  tax  imposed  under  a local law enacted pursuant to part two or three of section one,  or section two, of chapter seven hundred  seventy-two  of  the  laws  of  nineteen hundred sixty-six or a gross receipts tax imposed under a local  law enacted pursuant to subdivision (a) of section twelve hundred one of  the  tax  law,  that:  (1)  has  been  conducting  substantial  business  operations at one or more business locations outside  the  city  of  New  York  for  the  twenty-four consecutive months immediately preceding the  taxable year during which such eligible business relocates as defined in  subdivision (j) of this section but has not maintained employment shares  at premises in the city of New  York  at  any  time  during  the  period  beginning  January  first,  two  thousand  two and ending on the date it  enters into a lease or a contract to purchase  the  premises  that  will  qualify  as  eligible  premises  pursuant to this article; and (2) on or  after July first, two thousand three relocates as defined in subdivision  (j) of this section all or part of such business operations.    (b)  "Person"  includes  any  individual,  partnership,   association,  joint-stock  company,  corporation,  estate  or trust, limited liability  company, and any combination of the foregoing.    (c) "Retail activity" means any activity which consists  predominately  of  the  sale,  other  than  through the mail, or by the telephone or by  means of the internet, of tangible personal property to any person,  for  any  purpose unrelated to the trade or business of such person, or which  consists predominately of the selling of services to  individuals  which  generally  involve  the  physical,  mental and/or spiritual care of such  individuals, or the physical care of the personal property of any person  unrelated to the trade or business of such  person,  or  which  consists  predominately of the provision of retail banking services.    (d) "Hotel services" means any services which consist predominately of  the  lodging  of  guests  at  a  building  or a portion thereof which is  regularly used  and  kept  open  for  such  services.  The  term  "hotel  services"  shall  include the lodging of guests at an apartment hotel, a  motel, boarding house or club, whether or not meals are served.    (e) "Eligible premises" means: (1) nonresidential premises  which  are  wholly  contained  in  real  property  which is certified as eligible to  receive benefits pursuant to a local  law  enacted  in  accordance  with  title two-C or title two-D of article four of the real property tax law,  provided  that  such  premises  have  been  improved  by construction or  renovation, that expenditures have been made after June  thirtieth,  two  thousand  three,  or  in  the case of a relocation by a special eligible  business, after June thirtieth, two thousand five, for  improvements  to  such  real  property  in  excess  of fifty per centum or, in the case of  industrial property, in excess of twenty-five per centum, of  the  value  at  which  such  real property was assessed for tax purposes for the tax  year in which such improvements commenced  and  such  expenditures  have  been  made  within thirty-six months or, in the case of expenditures for  such improvements to such real  property  in  excess  of  fifty  million  dollars  within  seventy-two months from such commencement and, provided  further, that such real  property  is  located  in  the  eligible  Lower  Manhattan  area,  and  provided  further,  that in the case of a special  eligible business, a lease or contract  to  purchase  such  premises  is  first   entered  into  by  the  special  eligible  business  after  June  thirtieth, two thousand five;    (2) nonresidential premises which are:  (i)  wholly  contained  in  or  situated  on  real  property  which  has  been leased from an industrial  development agency established pursuant to  article  eighteen-A  of  thegeneral  municipal  law, provided that such premises were constructed or  renovated subsequent to the approval of such construction or  renovation  by such agency, or (ii) wholly contained in or situated on real property  owned  by a city having a population of one million or more, a lease for  which was approved in accordance with the applicable provisions  of  the  charter  of  such  city, provided that such premises were constructed or  renovated subsequent to such approval, or (iii) wholly contained  in  or  situated  on real property which has been leased from the port authority  of the state of New York and New Jersey or  the  New  York  state  urban  development  corporation,  or  a  subsidiary thereof, provided that such  premises were constructed or renovated subsequent to  the  execution  of  such lease, or (iv) wholly contained in property which would be eligible  to  receive  benefits pursuant to a local law enacted in accordance with  title two-D of article four of the real property  tax  law  except  that  such  property  is  exempt  from  real  property taxation; provided that  expenditures have been made after June thirtieth, two thousand three, or  in the case of a relocation by a special eligible business,  after  June  thirtieth,  two thousand five, for improvements to such real property in  excess of fifty per centum or, in the case of  industrial  property,  in  excess  of  twenty-five  per  centum,  of  the  value at which such real  property was assessed for tax purposes for the tax year  in  which  such  improvements  commenced  and  such  expenditures  have  been made within  thirty-six months or, in the case of expenditures for such  improvements  to  such  real  property  in  excess  of  fifty  million  dollars within  seventy-two months from the date  of  such  commencement,  and  provided  further  that  such  real  property  is  located  in  the eligible Lower  Manhattan area, and provided further, that in  the  case  of  a  special  eligible  business,  a  lease  or  contract to purchase such premises is  first  entered  into  by  the  special  eligible  business  after   June  thirtieth, two thousand five; or    (3) in the case of an eligible business, nonresidential premises which  are located in the eligible Lower Manhattan area, for which a lease or a  contract to purchase is first entered into by an eligible business on or  after July first, two thousand three and for which a minimum expenditure  has  been  made  on  or  after  such date, for improvements in excess of  twenty-five dollars per square  foot,  or  in  the  case  of  a  special  eligible  business,  non-residential  premises  that  are located in the  eligible Lower Manhattan area  for  which  a  lease  or  a  contract  to  purchase  is  first  entered  into  by  the eligible business after June  thirtieth, two thousand five, and for which a  minimum  expenditure  has  been  made  after  such  date  for improvements in excess of twenty-five  dollars per square foot, provided, however, that,  in  either  case,  if  such  premises  are  leased,  such lease shall have a term that does not  expire until at least three  years  after  the  later  of  the  date  of  relocation and the lease commencement date.    Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  paragraphs  one  and two of this  subdivision, if, subsequent to date of certification,  the  property  in  which  such  premises  are  contained ceases to meet the requirements of  paragraph  one  or  two  of  this  subdivision,  such   premises   shall  nonetheless   remain  eligible  premises,  provided  that  the  eligible  business or special eligible business continues to occupy such premises;  provided however that  if,  after  such  property  ceases  to  meet  the  requirements  of  such  paragraph  one  or  two, an eligible business or  special eligible business first leases or purchases additional  premises  contained  in  such  property,  such  additional  premises  shall not be  considered eligible  premises  unless  they  meet  the  requirements  of  paragraph three of this subdivision.(f)  "Eligible Lower Manhattan area" means the area in the city of New  York in the borough of Manhattan lying south of a line running from  the  intersection  of  the  Hudson  River with the Holland Tunnel and running  thence north along West Street to the intersection of  Clarkson  Street,  then  running  east  along  the  centerline  of  Clarkson  Street to the  intersection  of  Washington  Street,  then  running  south  along   the  centerline  of  Washington  Street  to  the intersection of West Houston  Street, then east along the centerline of West Houston Street,  then  at  the intersection of the Avenue of the Americas continuing east along the  centerline  of  East  Houston  Street  to  the easterly bank of the East  River.    (g) "Employment share" means,  for  each  employee,  partner  or  sole  proprietor of an eligible business or special eligible business, the sum  of:  (1)  the  number  of  full-time work weeks worked by such employee,  partner or sole proprietor during  the  eligible  business'  or  special  eligible  business'  taxable  year divided by the number of weeks in the  taxable year, and (2) the number of part-time work weeks worked by  such  employee,  partner  or  sole proprietor during the eligible business' or  special eligible business' taxable year divided by an  amount  equal  to  twice  the  number  of  weeks  in the taxable year. For purposes of this  subdivision, "full-time work week" shall mean a  week  during  which  at  least  thirty-five  hours  of  gainful  work  has been performed by such  employee, partner or sole proprietor and  "part-time  work  week"  shall  mean  a  week  during  which  at least fifteen but less than thirty-five  hours of gainful work has been performed by such  employee,  partner  or  sole  proprietor.  For purposes of this section, employment shares shall  not be based upon work weeks attributable to employees, partners or sole  proprietors  acquired  by  an  eligible  business  or  special  eligible  business as a result of a merger with, acquisition of another person, or  a  transaction  having  a  comparable  effect,  that  occurs  after June  thirtieth, two thousand five, and before the end of the taxable year  in  which  a  credit  is  claimed by such eligible business pursuant to this  section, or to successors, if any, to those employees, partners or  sole  proprietors.    (h)  "Aggregate  employment  shares"  means  the sum of all employment  shares maintained by an eligible business or special  eligible  business  in a taxable year.    (i) "Eligible aggregate employment shares" means (1) in the case of an  eligible  business,  the  amount, if any, of aggregate employment shares  maintained by an eligible business in eligible premises in the  eligible  Lower Manhattan area in the taxable year in which such eligible business  claims  a  credit  pursuant  to  a  local law enacted in accordance with  section twenty-five-ee of this article.  Provided,  however,  that  such  amount  shall  not  exceed  the  lesser  of:  (i)  the highest number of  aggregate employment shares maintained  by  such  eligible  business  in  eligible  premises  in  the  taxable  year  during  which  such eligible  business relocates or in any of the five immediately succeeding  taxable  years;  or  (ii)  the greater of one hundred aggregate employment shares  and twice the number of aggregate employment shares maintained  by  such  eligible  business  outside  the  city  of  New York in the taxable year  immediately preceding  the  taxable  year  during  which  such  eligible  business relocates. In determining eligible aggregate employment shares,  work  weeks at premises prior to the later of the date of relocation and  the date such premises meet the requirements of subdivision (e) of  this  section shall not be taken into account.    (2)  In  the  case of a special eligible business, "eligible aggregate  employment shares" means: the  amount  of  aggregate  employment  shares  determined  in  subparagraph  (i)  of this paragraph, provided, however,such amount shall not exceed the lowest of  the  amounts  determined  in  subparagraphs (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) of this paragraph.    (i)  the  amount  determined  in  this  subparagraph  is the number of  aggregate employment shares maintained by a special eligible business in  eligible premises in the eligible Lower Manhattan area  in  the  taxable  year in which such special eligible business claims a credit pursuant to  a  local  law  enacted in accordance with section twenty-five-ee of this  article less the number of aggregate  employment  shares  maintained  by  such  business in such premises in the taxable year prior to the year of  relocation.    (ii) the amount determined in this subparagraph is the amount, if any,  by which the number of  aggregate  employment  shares  maintained  by  a  special  eligible  business  in the taxable year in the city of New York  exceeds the number of New York city base shares.    (iii) the amount determined in this subparagraph  is  the  amount,  if  any,  by  which  number  of  aggregate employment shares maintained by a  special eligible business in the taxable  year  in  the  eligible  Lower  Manhattan area exceeds the number of Lower Manhattan base shares.    (iv)  the amount determined in this subparagraph is the greater of one  hundred and twice the number of aggregate employment  shares  maintained  by  the  special  eligible  business outside the city of New York in the  year prior to the year of relocation.    (v) the amount determined in this subparagraph is:    (A) for the year of relocation, the number of  full  time  work  weeks  worked  by  relocated  employees  in eligible premises after the date of  relocation divided by the number of weeks in such taxable year, plus the  number of part-time work weeks worked by such employees in such premises  after the date of relocation, divided by twice the number  of  weeks  in  the taxable year of relocation;    (B) for taxable years after the taxable year of relocation, the lesser  of:    (I)  the  number of relocated employee base shares plus the product of  (a) the excess, if any, of the number  of  aggregate  employment  shares  determined  in  subparagraph  (i)  of  this paragraph over the number of  relocated employee base shares and (b)  a  fraction,  the  numerator  of  which   is  the  number  of  relocated  employee  base  shares  and  the  denominator of which is the sum of relocated employee  base  shares  and  New York city base shares; and    (II)  the  highest  number  of  eligible  aggregate  employment shares  maintained by the special eligible business in eligible premises  during  the  year  of  relocation  and  the  five immediately succeeding taxable  years.    (j) In the case of an eligible business, "relocate" means to  transfer  pre-existing  business  operations  to one or more premises which are or  will become eligible premises in accordance with subdivision (e) of this  section, or to establish  new  business  operations  at  such  premises,  provided that an eligible business shall not be deemed to have relocated  unless at least one employee, partner or sole proprietor of the eligible  business  is  transferred  to  such  premises from pre-existing business  operations  conducted  outside  the  city  of  New  York.  The  date  of  relocation  shall  be  the  later  of:  (1)  the  first day on which the  individual so transferred commences work at premises that  are  or  will  become  eligible  premises, and (2) the date of completion of sufficient  improvements to the eligible  premises  at  which  such  individual  has  commenced  work,  to  meet  the  requirements of subdivision (e) of this  section relating to expenditures for improvements. The taxable  year  of  relocation  shall  be  the  taxable year in which the date of relocation  occurs. For purposes of this article, an eligible business may  relocateonly  once  but may add or substitute other eligible premises throughout  the period during which it is authorized pursuant to subdivision (a)  of  section  twenty-five-ee of this article to receive the credit allowed by  such section.    (k)  "Tax year" and "taxable year" mean, for purposes of this article,  in the case of taxpayers authorized to receive  the  credit  allowed  by  section  twenty-five-ee  of this article against the tax imposed under a  local law enacted pursuant to subdivision (a) of section twelve  hundred  one of the tax law, calendar year.    (l)  "Special  eligible  business"  means  any person subject to a tax  imposed under a local law enacted pursuant  to  part  two  or  three  of  section one, or section two, of chapter seven hundred seventy-two of the  laws of nineteen hundred sixty-six or a gross receipts tax imposed under  a  local  law  enacted  pursuant  to  subdivision  (a) of section twelve  hundred one of the tax law, that: (1) has  been  conducting  substantial  business  operations  at one or more business locations outside the city  of New York for the twenty-four consecutive months immediately preceding  the taxable year  during  which  such  eligible  business  relocates  as  defined  in  subdivision  (m) of this section, (2) maintained employment  shares at premises in Manhattan in the city of New  York  at  some  time  during  the period beginning January first, two thousand two, and ending  on the date it enters into  a  lease  or  a  contract  to  purchase  the  premises  that  will  qualify  as  eligible  premises  pursuant  to this  section, and  (3)  on  or  after  June  thirtieth,  two  thousand  five,  relocates  as  defined in subdivision (m) of this section all or part of  such business operations.    (m) In the case of a special eligible business,  "relocate"  means  to  transfer pre-existing business operations and employees from one or more  qualifying  business  locations  outside  the city of New York to one or  more premises which are or will become eligible premises  in  accordance  with  subdivision  (e)  of this section. The date of relocation shall be  the later of: (1) the  first  day  on  which  the  first  individual  so  transferred  commences work at premises that are or will become eligible  premises, and (2) the date of completion of sufficient  improvements  to  the  eligible  premises  at  which such individual has commenced work to  meet the requirements of subdivision (e) of  this  section  relating  to  expenditures  for  improvements. The taxable year of relocation shall be  the taxable year in which the date of relocation occurs. For purposes of  this chapter, a special eligible business may relocate only once but may  add additional eligible premises throughout the period during  which  it  is  authorized  pursuant to subdivision (a) of section twenty-five-ee of  this article to receive the credit allowed by such section.    (n) "Relocated Employee" means  an  employee  of  a  special  eligible  business  who  (1)  has  worked at a qualifying business location of the  eligible  business  outside  of  the  city  of  New  York  continuously,  full-time  or  part-time,  for  the  ten work weeks prior to the date of  relocation and continuously from the date of relocation until  the  date  of  transfer  to  eligible  premises,  (2)  is  transferred  to eligible  premises, and (3) continues to work for the  eligible  business  at  the  eligible  premises  for  at  least ten full work weeks after the date of  transfer.    (o) "Relocated employee base shares" means  the  number  of  full-time  work weeks worked by relocated employees in eligible premises during the  twelve  calendar  months  after  the month of relocation, divided by the  number of weeks in such twelve months, plus the number of part-time work  weeks worked by such employees in such premises  divided  by  twice  the  number of weeks in such months.(p)  "New  York  city  base  shares"  means  the  number  of aggregate  employment shares maintained by the special  eligible  business  in  the  city of New York in the year prior to the year of relocation.    (q)  "Lower  Manhattan  base  shares"  means  the  number of aggregate  employment shares maintained by the special  eligible  business  in  the  eligible  Lower  Manhattan  area  in  the  year  prior  to  the  year of  relocation.    (r) "Qualifying business location" means  a  business  location  of  a  special  eligible business located outside the city of New York at which  such business has been conducting substantial  business  operations  for  the twenty-four months immediately preceding the year of relocation.

State Codes and Statutes

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Gct > Article-2-j > 25-dd

§  25-dd.  Definitions. When used in this article, the following terms  shall have the following meanings:    (a) "Eligible business" means any person  subject  to  a  tax  imposed  under  a local law enacted pursuant to part two or three of section one,  or section two, of chapter seven hundred  seventy-two  of  the  laws  of  nineteen hundred sixty-six or a gross receipts tax imposed under a local  law enacted pursuant to subdivision (a) of section twelve hundred one of  the  tax  law,  that:  (1)  has  been  conducting  substantial  business  operations at one or more business locations outside  the  city  of  New  York  for  the  twenty-four consecutive months immediately preceding the  taxable year during which such eligible business relocates as defined in  subdivision (j) of this section but has not maintained employment shares  at premises in the city of New  York  at  any  time  during  the  period  beginning  January  first,  two  thousand  two and ending on the date it  enters into a lease or a contract to purchase  the  premises  that  will  qualify  as  eligible  premises  pursuant to this article; and (2) on or  after July first, two thousand three relocates as defined in subdivision  (j) of this section all or part of such business operations.    (b)  "Person"  includes  any  individual,  partnership,   association,  joint-stock  company,  corporation,  estate  or trust, limited liability  company, and any combination of the foregoing.    (c) "Retail activity" means any activity which consists  predominately  of  the  sale,  other  than  through the mail, or by the telephone or by  means of the internet, of tangible personal property to any person,  for  any  purpose unrelated to the trade or business of such person, or which  consists predominately of the selling of services to  individuals  which  generally  involve  the  physical,  mental and/or spiritual care of such  individuals, or the physical care of the personal property of any person  unrelated to the trade or business of such  person,  or  which  consists  predominately of the provision of retail banking services.    (d) "Hotel services" means any services which consist predominately of  the  lodging  of  guests  at  a  building  or a portion thereof which is  regularly used  and  kept  open  for  such  services.  The  term  "hotel  services"  shall  include the lodging of guests at an apartment hotel, a  motel, boarding house or club, whether or not meals are served.    (e) "Eligible premises" means: (1) nonresidential premises  which  are  wholly  contained  in  real  property  which is certified as eligible to  receive benefits pursuant to a local  law  enacted  in  accordance  with  title two-C or title two-D of article four of the real property tax law,  provided  that  such  premises  have  been  improved  by construction or  renovation, that expenditures have been made after June  thirtieth,  two  thousand  three,  or  in  the case of a relocation by a special eligible  business, after June thirtieth, two thousand five, for  improvements  to  such  real  property  in  excess  of fifty per centum or, in the case of  industrial property, in excess of twenty-five per centum, of  the  value  at  which  such  real property was assessed for tax purposes for the tax  year in which such improvements commenced  and  such  expenditures  have  been  made  within thirty-six months or, in the case of expenditures for  such improvements to such real  property  in  excess  of  fifty  million  dollars  within  seventy-two months from such commencement and, provided  further, that such real  property  is  located  in  the  eligible  Lower  Manhattan  area,  and  provided  further,  that in the case of a special  eligible business, a lease or contract  to  purchase  such  premises  is  first   entered  into  by  the  special  eligible  business  after  June  thirtieth, two thousand five;    (2) nonresidential premises which are:  (i)  wholly  contained  in  or  situated  on  real  property  which  has  been leased from an industrial  development agency established pursuant to  article  eighteen-A  of  thegeneral  municipal  law, provided that such premises were constructed or  renovated subsequent to the approval of such construction or  renovation  by such agency, or (ii) wholly contained in or situated on real property  owned  by a city having a population of one million or more, a lease for  which was approved in accordance with the applicable provisions  of  the  charter  of  such  city, provided that such premises were constructed or  renovated subsequent to such approval, or (iii) wholly contained  in  or  situated  on real property which has been leased from the port authority  of the state of New York and New Jersey or  the  New  York  state  urban  development  corporation,  or  a  subsidiary thereof, provided that such  premises were constructed or renovated subsequent to  the  execution  of  such lease, or (iv) wholly contained in property which would be eligible  to  receive  benefits pursuant to a local law enacted in accordance with  title two-D of article four of the real property  tax  law  except  that  such  property  is  exempt  from  real  property taxation; provided that  expenditures have been made after June thirtieth, two thousand three, or  in the case of a relocation by a special eligible business,  after  June  thirtieth,  two thousand five, for improvements to such real property in  excess of fifty per centum or, in the case of  industrial  property,  in  excess  of  twenty-five  per  centum,  of  the  value at which such real  property was assessed for tax purposes for the tax year  in  which  such  improvements  commenced  and  such  expenditures  have  been made within  thirty-six months or, in the case of expenditures for such  improvements  to  such  real  property  in  excess  of  fifty  million  dollars within  seventy-two months from the date  of  such  commencement,  and  provided  further  that  such  real  property  is  located  in  the eligible Lower  Manhattan area, and provided further, that in  the  case  of  a  special  eligible  business,  a  lease  or  contract to purchase such premises is  first  entered  into  by  the  special  eligible  business  after   June  thirtieth, two thousand five; or    (3) in the case of an eligible business, nonresidential premises which  are located in the eligible Lower Manhattan area, for which a lease or a  contract to purchase is first entered into by an eligible business on or  after July first, two thousand three and for which a minimum expenditure  has  been  made  on  or  after  such date, for improvements in excess of  twenty-five dollars per square  foot,  or  in  the  case  of  a  special  eligible  business,  non-residential  premises  that  are located in the  eligible Lower Manhattan area  for  which  a  lease  or  a  contract  to  purchase  is  first  entered  into  by  the eligible business after June  thirtieth, two thousand five, and for which a  minimum  expenditure  has  been  made  after  such  date  for improvements in excess of twenty-five  dollars per square foot, provided, however, that,  in  either  case,  if  such  premises  are  leased,  such lease shall have a term that does not  expire until at least three  years  after  the  later  of  the  date  of  relocation and the lease commencement date.    Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  paragraphs  one  and two of this  subdivision, if, subsequent to date of certification,  the  property  in  which  such  premises  are  contained ceases to meet the requirements of  paragraph  one  or  two  of  this  subdivision,  such   premises   shall  nonetheless   remain  eligible  premises,  provided  that  the  eligible  business or special eligible business continues to occupy such premises;  provided however that  if,  after  such  property  ceases  to  meet  the  requirements  of  such  paragraph  one  or  two, an eligible business or  special eligible business first leases or purchases additional  premises  contained  in  such  property,  such  additional  premises  shall not be  considered eligible  premises  unless  they  meet  the  requirements  of  paragraph three of this subdivision.(f)  "Eligible Lower Manhattan area" means the area in the city of New  York in the borough of Manhattan lying south of a line running from  the  intersection  of  the  Hudson  River with the Holland Tunnel and running  thence north along West Street to the intersection of  Clarkson  Street,  then  running  east  along  the  centerline  of  Clarkson  Street to the  intersection  of  Washington  Street,  then  running  south  along   the  centerline  of  Washington  Street  to  the intersection of West Houston  Street, then east along the centerline of West Houston Street,  then  at  the intersection of the Avenue of the Americas continuing east along the  centerline  of  East  Houston  Street  to  the easterly bank of the East  River.    (g) "Employment share" means,  for  each  employee,  partner  or  sole  proprietor of an eligible business or special eligible business, the sum  of:  (1)  the  number  of  full-time work weeks worked by such employee,  partner or sole proprietor during  the  eligible  business'  or  special  eligible  business'  taxable  year divided by the number of weeks in the  taxable year, and (2) the number of part-time work weeks worked by  such  employee,  partner  or  sole proprietor during the eligible business' or  special eligible business' taxable year divided by an  amount  equal  to  twice  the  number  of  weeks  in the taxable year. For purposes of this  subdivision, "full-time work week" shall mean a  week  during  which  at  least  thirty-five  hours  of  gainful  work  has been performed by such  employee, partner or sole proprietor and  "part-time  work  week"  shall  mean  a  week  during  which  at least fifteen but less than thirty-five  hours of gainful work has been performed by such  employee,  partner  or  sole  proprietor.  For purposes of this section, employment shares shall  not be based upon work weeks attributable to employees, partners or sole  proprietors  acquired  by  an  eligible  business  or  special  eligible  business as a result of a merger with, acquisition of another person, or  a  transaction  having  a  comparable  effect,  that  occurs  after June  thirtieth, two thousand five, and before the end of the taxable year  in  which  a  credit  is  claimed by such eligible business pursuant to this  section, or to successors, if any, to those employees, partners or  sole  proprietors.    (h)  "Aggregate  employment  shares"  means  the sum of all employment  shares maintained by an eligible business or special  eligible  business  in a taxable year.    (i) "Eligible aggregate employment shares" means (1) in the case of an  eligible  business,  the  amount, if any, of aggregate employment shares  maintained by an eligible business in eligible premises in the  eligible  Lower Manhattan area in the taxable year in which such eligible business  claims  a  credit  pursuant  to  a  local law enacted in accordance with  section twenty-five-ee of this article.  Provided,  however,  that  such  amount  shall  not  exceed  the  lesser  of:  (i)  the highest number of  aggregate employment shares maintained  by  such  eligible  business  in  eligible  premises  in  the  taxable  year  during  which  such eligible  business relocates or in any of the five immediately succeeding  taxable  years;  or  (ii)  the greater of one hundred aggregate employment shares  and twice the number of aggregate employment shares maintained  by  such  eligible  business  outside  the  city  of  New York in the taxable year  immediately preceding  the  taxable  year  during  which  such  eligible  business relocates. In determining eligible aggregate employment shares,  work  weeks at premises prior to the later of the date of relocation and  the date such premises meet the requirements of subdivision (e) of  this  section shall not be taken into account.    (2)  In  the  case of a special eligible business, "eligible aggregate  employment shares" means: the  amount  of  aggregate  employment  shares  determined  in  subparagraph  (i)  of this paragraph, provided, however,such amount shall not exceed the lowest of  the  amounts  determined  in  subparagraphs (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) of this paragraph.    (i)  the  amount  determined  in  this  subparagraph  is the number of  aggregate employment shares maintained by a special eligible business in  eligible premises in the eligible Lower Manhattan area  in  the  taxable  year in which such special eligible business claims a credit pursuant to  a  local  law  enacted in accordance with section twenty-five-ee of this  article less the number of aggregate  employment  shares  maintained  by  such  business in such premises in the taxable year prior to the year of  relocation.    (ii) the amount determined in this subparagraph is the amount, if any,  by which the number of  aggregate  employment  shares  maintained  by  a  special  eligible  business  in the taxable year in the city of New York  exceeds the number of New York city base shares.    (iii) the amount determined in this subparagraph  is  the  amount,  if  any,  by  which  number  of  aggregate employment shares maintained by a  special eligible business in the taxable  year  in  the  eligible  Lower  Manhattan area exceeds the number of Lower Manhattan base shares.    (iv)  the amount determined in this subparagraph is the greater of one  hundred and twice the number of aggregate employment  shares  maintained  by  the  special  eligible  business outside the city of New York in the  year prior to the year of relocation.    (v) the amount determined in this subparagraph is:    (A) for the year of relocation, the number of  full  time  work  weeks  worked  by  relocated  employees  in eligible premises after the date of  relocation divided by the number of weeks in such taxable year, plus the  number of part-time work weeks worked by such employees in such premises  after the date of relocation, divided by twice the number  of  weeks  in  the taxable year of relocation;    (B) for taxable years after the taxable year of relocation, the lesser  of:    (I)  the  number of relocated employee base shares plus the product of  (a) the excess, if any, of the number  of  aggregate  employment  shares  determined  in  subparagraph  (i)  of  this paragraph over the number of  relocated employee base shares and (b)  a  fraction,  the  numerator  of  which   is  the  number  of  relocated  employee  base  shares  and  the  denominator of which is the sum of relocated employee  base  shares  and  New York city base shares; and    (II)  the  highest  number  of  eligible  aggregate  employment shares  maintained by the special eligible business in eligible premises  during  the  year  of  relocation  and  the  five immediately succeeding taxable  years.    (j) In the case of an eligible business, "relocate" means to  transfer  pre-existing  business  operations  to one or more premises which are or  will become eligible premises in accordance with subdivision (e) of this  section, or to establish  new  business  operations  at  such  premises,  provided that an eligible business shall not be deemed to have relocated  unless at least one employee, partner or sole proprietor of the eligible  business  is  transferred  to  such  premises from pre-existing business  operations  conducted  outside  the  city  of  New  York.  The  date  of  relocation  shall  be  the  later  of:  (1)  the  first day on which the  individual so transferred commences work at premises that  are  or  will  become  eligible  premises, and (2) the date of completion of sufficient  improvements to the eligible  premises  at  which  such  individual  has  commenced  work,  to  meet  the  requirements of subdivision (e) of this  section relating to expenditures for improvements. The taxable  year  of  relocation  shall  be  the  taxable year in which the date of relocation  occurs. For purposes of this article, an eligible business may  relocateonly  once  but may add or substitute other eligible premises throughout  the period during which it is authorized pursuant to subdivision (a)  of  section  twenty-five-ee of this article to receive the credit allowed by  such section.    (k)  "Tax year" and "taxable year" mean, for purposes of this article,  in the case of taxpayers authorized to receive  the  credit  allowed  by  section  twenty-five-ee  of this article against the tax imposed under a  local law enacted pursuant to subdivision (a) of section twelve  hundred  one of the tax law, calendar year.    (l)  "Special  eligible  business"  means  any person subject to a tax  imposed under a local law enacted pursuant  to  part  two  or  three  of  section one, or section two, of chapter seven hundred seventy-two of the  laws of nineteen hundred sixty-six or a gross receipts tax imposed under  a  local  law  enacted  pursuant  to  subdivision  (a) of section twelve  hundred one of the tax law, that: (1) has  been  conducting  substantial  business  operations  at one or more business locations outside the city  of New York for the twenty-four consecutive months immediately preceding  the taxable year  during  which  such  eligible  business  relocates  as  defined  in  subdivision  (m) of this section, (2) maintained employment  shares at premises in Manhattan in the city of New  York  at  some  time  during  the period beginning January first, two thousand two, and ending  on the date it enters into  a  lease  or  a  contract  to  purchase  the  premises  that  will  qualify  as  eligible  premises  pursuant  to this  section, and  (3)  on  or  after  June  thirtieth,  two  thousand  five,  relocates  as  defined in subdivision (m) of this section all or part of  such business operations.    (m) In the case of a special eligible business,  "relocate"  means  to  transfer pre-existing business operations and employees from one or more  qualifying  business  locations  outside  the city of New York to one or  more premises which are or will become eligible premises  in  accordance  with  subdivision  (e)  of this section. The date of relocation shall be  the later of: (1) the  first  day  on  which  the  first  individual  so  transferred  commences work at premises that are or will become eligible  premises, and (2) the date of completion of sufficient  improvements  to  the  eligible  premises  at  which such individual has commenced work to  meet the requirements of subdivision (e) of  this  section  relating  to  expenditures  for  improvements. The taxable year of relocation shall be  the taxable year in which the date of relocation occurs. For purposes of  this chapter, a special eligible business may relocate only once but may  add additional eligible premises throughout the period during  which  it  is  authorized  pursuant to subdivision (a) of section twenty-five-ee of  this article to receive the credit allowed by such section.    (n) "Relocated Employee" means  an  employee  of  a  special  eligible  business  who  (1)  has  worked at a qualifying business location of the  eligible  business  outside  of  the  city  of  New  York  continuously,  full-time  or  part-time,  for  the  ten work weeks prior to the date of  relocation and continuously from the date of relocation until  the  date  of  transfer  to  eligible  premises,  (2)  is  transferred  to eligible  premises, and (3) continues to work for the  eligible  business  at  the  eligible  premises  for  at  least ten full work weeks after the date of  transfer.    (o) "Relocated employee base shares" means  the  number  of  full-time  work weeks worked by relocated employees in eligible premises during the  twelve  calendar  months  after  the month of relocation, divided by the  number of weeks in such twelve months, plus the number of part-time work  weeks worked by such employees in such premises  divided  by  twice  the  number of weeks in such months.(p)  "New  York  city  base  shares"  means  the  number  of aggregate  employment shares maintained by the special  eligible  business  in  the  city of New York in the year prior to the year of relocation.    (q)  "Lower  Manhattan  base  shares"  means  the  number of aggregate  employment shares maintained by the special  eligible  business  in  the  eligible  Lower  Manhattan  area  in  the  year  prior  to  the  year of  relocation.    (r) "Qualifying business location" means  a  business  location  of  a  special  eligible business located outside the city of New York at which  such business has been conducting substantial  business  operations  for  the twenty-four months immediately preceding the year of relocation.