Economic Development
Taxes and business incentives for Jones County.
Jones County and the State of Mississippi offer a competitive tax structure and several incentive programs for qualifying new and expanding businesses.
Local Property Taxes
Know the calculation before comparing sites.
Mississippi property taxes are calculated using the property’s assessed value and the millage rate for the applicable taxing district. Commercial and industrial real property and business personal property are generally assessed at 15 percent of true value.
General calculation: True value x 15% assessment ratio x applicable millage rate / 1,000.
For example, commercial property with a true value of $1 million and a total millage rate of 126.57 mills would have an estimated tax before exemptions of $18,985.50.
Planning Factors
What affects eligibility and tax impact.
Location
Millage rates vary by taxing district and may change annually.
Property Type
Real property, personal property, inventory, finished goods, and rolling stock may be treated differently.
Timing
Many incentives require approval before construction, hiring, purchases, or expenditures begin.
Performance
Capital investment, job creation, wages, industry type, and project location can affect incentives.
Local Incentives
Property-based tools for qualifying projects.
Industrial Property Tax Exemption
Up to 10years for certain local ad valorem taxes
- May apply to eligible land, buildings, machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, raw materials, and work in process.
- Does not apply to school district taxes, finished goods, or rolling stock.
- Local approval and final Mississippi Department of Revenue eligibility review are required.
Free Port Warehouse Exemption
Mar. 31annual reporting deadline for licensed facilities
- May apply to qualifying property stored in Mississippi before shipment to a final destination outside the state.
- County and applicable municipal designation may be required.
- The amount and duration are determined by local governing authorities.
Application Timing
June 1common deadline after project completion
- Separate applications may be required for county and municipal taxes.
- Projects should be reviewed before binding commitments are made.
- Review Mississippi’s 2026 incentive guide.
Current Rates
Key tax rates for site planning.
Jones County Millage Rates
The Mississippi Department of Revenue’s 2024-2025 county and city millage schedule lists Soso with 0.00 municipal mills. The local Jones County millage table also includes parcel-level taxing districts that should be confirmed before quoting a final project estimate.
| Taxing district | County | Municipal | School | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County / unincorporated Jones County | 62.87 | 0.00 | 63.70 | 126.57 |
| Soso | 62.87 | 0.00 | 63.70 | 126.57 |
| Ellisville | 126.57 | 37.39 | 0.00 | 163.96 |
| Laurel | 60.87 | 47.55 | 66.12 | 174.54 |
| Laurel annexed property | 124.57 | 47.55 | 0.00 | 172.12 |
| Sandersville | 126.57 | 27.00 | 0.00 | 153.57 |
Before using millage figures in a project estimate, confirm the applicable parcel and taxing district with the Jones County Tax Assessor-Collector.
Mississippi Sales and Use Taxes
Mississippi’s general retail sales tax rate is 7 percent, with different rates for certain business-related transactions.
| Transaction | General rate |
|---|---|
| Most retail tangible personal property | 7% |
| Eligible groceries | 5% |
| Manufacturing machinery | 1.5% |
| Farm tractors and logging equipment | 1.5% |
| Construction contracts exceeding $10,000, other than qualifying residential construction | 3.5% |
| Manufacturing machinery included in a construction contract | 1.5% |
| Electricity and fuel for industrial use | 0% |
| Electricity and fuel for commercial use | 7% |
| Water for commercial or industrial use | 7% |
Income and Franchise Taxes
State tax structure at a glance.
Corporate Income Tax
- Mississippi does not impose a minimum corporate income tax.
- Read DOR corporate tax guidance.
Corporate Franchise Tax
$0.50per $1,000 for tax years beginning in 2026
- Applies above $100,000 of capital employed in Mississippi, or assessed Mississippi property value, whichever applicable measure is greater.
- Minimum franchise tax is $25.
- Scheduled to decrease to $0.25 per $1,000 in 2027 and be repealed effective January 1, 2028.
Individual Income Tax
4%on taxable income over $10,000 for tax year 2026
- 0 percent on the first $10,000.
- The rate is scheduled to decline to 3.75 percent for tax year 2027.
- View DOR individual tax rates.
Start the Incentive Review Process
Review eligibility before making project commitments.
Incentive eligibility should be evaluated before a business purchases land or equipment, begins construction, signs binding construction contracts, hires employees associated with the project, incurs project expenditures, or relocates or expands operations.
Business Programs
State incentives for qualifying companies.
Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive
A universal tax credit for qualifying projects that may be used against certain income, franchise, sales and use, and withholding taxes, subject to program limits.
Jobs Tax Credit
For Jones County, eligible businesses generally must create at least 20 qualifying full-time jobs within one year. The credit equals 2.5 percent of qualifying payroll and may be available for five years.
Advantage Jobs
Provides qualifying businesses with a rebate based on a percentage of Mississippi payroll withholding taxes for up to 10 years.
Manufacturing Investment
A manufacturer operating in Mississippi for at least two years may qualify for an income tax credit equal to 5 percent of eligible building and equipment investments.
Additional Opportunities
Other programs may apply depending on the project.
Additional programs may be available for national or regional headquarters, research and development positions, employee skills training, export and import port charges, aerospace enterprises, data centers, clean energy businesses, health care industry zones, tourism projects, historic rehabilitation, broadband technology, railroad infrastructure, blighted property rehabilitation, Growth and Prosperity areas, workforce training, infrastructure, site development, grants, and loans.
Contacts
Talk with the local team.
The Economic Development Authority of Jones County can coordinate discussions with Jones County, municipalities, MDA, the Mississippi Department of Revenue, utilities, and other project partners.
Tina Gatlin-Byrd
501 North 5th Ave, Laurel, MS 39441
Tax rates and incentive requirements are subject to legislative, regulatory, and local government changes. Information presented here is for general economic development purposes and should not be considered tax or legal advice. Businesses should consult the appropriate government agency and qualified professional advisers before making project decisions.