MS SB2217

Authorizes an annual income tax credit of $2,000 for each honorably discharged veteran employed as a new hire after January 1, 2015, who served on active duty after September 11, 2001, and was unemployed for six consecutive months before employment.

Credit may be claimed for five consecutive years per qualifying employee and cannot exceed the taxpayer's tax liability for the year after accounting for other credits.

Requires the employer to employ the veteran for at least six consecutive months during the tax year and the veteran must work an average of at least 30 hours per week.

Allows unused tax credits to be carried forward for five consecutive years from the close of the tax year in which credits were earned.

Credit authorization expires January 1, 2018, though taxpayers who became eligible before that date may continue carrying forward credits as provided; effective July 1, 2015.