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Opportunity Zones 2.0: What You Need to Know

Opportunity Zones 2.0 makes the Opportunity Zone program permanent while introducing several important changes designed to better target investment in underserved communities.

Key updates include:

  • New OZ designations: Opportunity Zones will be redesignated every 10 years, with the next round taking effect January 1, 2027.
  • South Carolina update: Gov. McMaster submitted the state's nominated census tracts to the U.S. Treasury on September 23, 2026. Pending Treasury approval, the new zones will take effect January 1, 2027.
  • Stricter eligibility: New requirements focus Opportunity Zone designations on communities with greater economic need, eliminating the previous “contiguous tract” exception.
  • New tax benefits: Investors can receive a five-year rolling deferral, a 10% basis step-up after five years, and continued appreciation benefits for investments held 10+ years.
  • Enhanced rural incentives: Rural Opportunity Zone investments receive a 30% basis step-up after five years, and the substantial improvement requirement is reduced from 100% to 50%.

Bottom line: OZ 2.0 creates a permanent, more targeted Opportunity Zone program while opening new opportunities for investors and communities—particularly in rural areas.