Treasury Designates 6,576 New Qualified Opportunity Zones

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service designated 6,576 census tracts as Qualified Opportunity Zones across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. Effective January 1, 2027, these designations will remain in place for ten years to encourage private investment and economic growth in distressed areas. Of the new zones, 2,594 are located in rural areas eligible for enhanced tax incentives.

The program originated from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and was made permanent under the Working Families Tax Cuts. Treasury officials reported that the initiative has generated more than $110 billion in private-sector investment since its start. The final list of zones followed a nomination process involving state governors and the Mayor of the District of Columbia that began in July.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the designations provide the long-term certainty needed to commit capital to communities that have been overlooked. Internal Revenue Service CEO Frank J. Bisignano added that the move enables targeted investment and growth where it is needed most.