Rural Opportunity Zones

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Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ)

Kansas is filled with the natural beauty, simplicity and communal bonds of rural life. We want you to experience the peace and joy of rural Kansas so much that we’ll even throw in some added bonuses. The state of Kansas has designated 95 counties as “Rural Opportunity Zones,” which means moving there comes with significant added benefits.

Designated counties offer one or both of the following financial incentives for new full-time residents: Student Loan Repayment Assistance and/or 100% State Income Tax Credit.

Offered in conjunction with the Kansas Departments of Commerce and Revenue, the Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ) program provides financial incentives for individuals wishing to relocate to Phillips County!

Opportunity Awaits!

What is ROZ Student Loan Reimbursement Assistance?

ROZ Student Loan Reimbursement Assistance is administered By Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC)
Partners with Counties, Cities, Employers, and Foundations
Provides up to $15,000 in Student Loan Repayment Assistance over 5 years

You May Be Eligible for ROZ Student Loan Reimbursement Assistance

You must have a newly established permanent address in a participating county (see map above), so long as that address was established after the county began participating in the program.
Applicants must have an active student loan balance in their name, as well as an associate’s, bachelor’s or post-graduate degree prior to moving to the participating county.
To apply, you will need to provide proof of domicile in the ROZ County, proof of previous permanent residency (prior to earning your degree), transcripts with degree dates and student loan balance with distribution dates.

Application Period

Applications are OPEN!

Applications close Sept. 30th

ROZ 100% State Income Tax Credit

What is ROZ 100% State Income Tax Credit?

ROZ Income Tax Credit is administered By Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR)
The credit is 100 percent of the taxpayer’s Kansas tax liability.
The credit is limited to the amount of the taxpayer’s Kansas tax liability.

A resident individual may claim this credit for not more than five consecutive years following establishment of their domicile in a rural opportunity zone. This assumes the individual establishes domicile in a rural opportunity zone on or after July 1, 2011 and prior to January 1, 2026 and was domiciled outside this state for five or more years immediately prior to establishing their domicile in a rural opportunity zone in this state. If an individual establishes their domicile in a rural opportunity zone after January 1, 2019, the number of years for which they can claim the credit will be reduced. The last opportunity to claim the credit will be on the individual’s 2026 tax year return, which will be filed in 2027.

More information regarding qualifications

Rural Opportunity Zone frequently asked questions

You May Be Eligible for ROZ 100% State Income Tax Credit

Establish domicile in a rural opportunity zone on or after July 1, 2011 and prior to Jan. 1, 2026.
Must have been domiciled outside Kansas for five or more years immediately prior to establishing their domicile in a Kansas rural opportunity zone.
Must have had no more than $10,000 in Kansas source income in any one year for five or more years immediately prior to establishing their domicile in a Kansas rural opportunity zone;
Must have been domiciled in a Kansas rural opportunity zone during the entire taxable year for which the credit will be claimed;
The tax return on which the credit is claimed must be timely filed (including an extension of time); and
The taxpayer may not be delinquent in filing any tax return with or paying any tax due to the state of Kansas or any political subdivision.