Angel Investment Program
Application Process for Qualified Small Businesses

To become a qualified small business an eligible applicant must follow the process below. To view a chart of the application process, please click here.

1. Apply for certification by completing a Request for Certification as a Qualified Small Business and submitting it to Commerce. NOTE: the request form is also available in word format by clicking here.
2. Upon receipt of a Request for Certification, Commerce will date and time stamp each request. Generally, Request for Certification will be processed in the order received. However, Commerce may expedite the review of a Request for Certification to facilitate the review of an investor’s application for tax credits.
3. It’s important to note, an investor’s application is not complete unless the small business has submitted a request for certification to Commerce or has a valid letter of certification.
4. Within 90 days of receipt of a complete Request for Certification, Commerce will notify the small business of certification or denial of certification.
5. If a small business is certified, Commerce will issue a Letter of Certification (effective for twelve-months) to the small business and notify the Arizona Department of Revenue (Revenue).

Re-Certification Process

A small business may apply for additional twelve-month certifications by submitting a new request for certification to Commerce.

1. A small business may apply for an additional 12-month certification, by submitting a new Request for Certification to Commerce.
2. Upon receipt of a Request for Certification, Commerce will date and time stamp each request. Generally, Requests for Certification will be processed in the order received. However, the review of a Request for Certification may be expedited to facilitate the review of an investor’s application for tax credits.
3. Within 90 days of receipt of a complete Request for Certification, Commerce will notify the small business of certification or denial of certification.
4. If a small business is certified, Commerce will issue a Letter of Certification (effective for twelve-months) to the small business and notify the Arizona Department of Revenue (Revenue).

Supplemental Documents

▪ Program Guidelines
▪ Residency Affidavit
▪ Revenue’s Disclosure Form 285SBI

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