Opportunity Zones offer one of the most powerful tax-advantaged investment strategies in the US tax code. And with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the program has been made permanent.
OZ 2.0 brings big changes: permanent status, tighter eligibility rules, expanded incentives for rural investments, and a simpler deferral timeline.
But the real advantage is what you can do with Opportunity Zones. As an investor, you can turn capital gains into long-term, tax-advantaged wealth. As a developer or sponsor, you can raise capital for new deals. And along the way, you can back the projects that transform communities-and your portfolio.
Unlike a 1031 exchange, Opportunity Zone investments allow you to defer taxes on any type of capital gain-not just real estate.
If you're considering Opportunity Zones, you probably have questions:
- How do I find a good Opportunity Zone investment?
- How do I start a Qualified Opportunity Fund?
- What are the compliance requirements and deadlines?
- What changed with OZ 2.0?
- How much can I really save on taxes?
The Opportunity Zones Playbook is the definitive guide to one of the most powerful-and most misunderstood-strategies in the US tax code. Featuring a foreword by US Senator Tim Scott, the architect of the Opportunity Zones policy, this comprehensive playbook answers all of these questions, and many more.
Jimmy Atkinson-founder of OpportunityZones.com and host of The Opportunity Zones Podcast-draws on nearly a decade of experience to translate the complexities of Opportunity Zone investing into clear, actionable strategy. Built on hundreds of interviews with fund managers, developers, attorneys, and CPAs, it's a clear, practical guide for investors, sponsors, and the advisors who serve them.
Emily Lavery, senior vice president at Fulcrum Public Affairs, calls it "an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand, structure, and invest in Opportunity Zones with confidence and clarity."
Michael Episcope, co-CEO of Origin Investments, says, "Jimmy remains the most trusted voice in the industry."
This book is for:
- Real estate developers
- GPs, fund managers, and capital raisers
- Attorneys, CPAs, and industry consultants
- Investors with capital gains
- Family offices
Whether you've just realized a major capital gain, you're a developer weighing an OZ project, a sponsor preparing to launch a Qualified Opportunity Fund, or an attorney or accountant serving clients in the new OZ 2.0 era, this book gives you the framework, the tools, and the confidence to act.
This is your playbook to build wealth, fund deals, and master Opportunity Zones.
Jimmy Atkinson is the founder and CEO of OpportunityZones.com, the world's leading authority on Opportunity Zone investing since 2018. From the earliest days of the program, Jimmy has been closely involved in its evolution, helping thousands of investors, developers, and professionals understand the policy, mechanics, and real- world execution of Opportunity Zone investments. He founded the platform in 2018 as OpportunityDb to cover the emerging Opportunity Zones industry and its potential to drive economic growth in underserved communities. In 2024, the platform rebranded as OpportunityZones.com and has since become the central hub for trusted news, analysis, education, and industry connection. Jimmy holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and resides in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife and three children. Through OpportunityZones.com, he continues to educate, connect, and empower the global Opportunity Zone community. You can connect with him one-on-one through OZ Insiders. Learn more: https: //ozinsiders.com/
Senator Tim Scott has served the people of South Carolina as their U.S. Senator since 2013. In the U.S. Senate, Tim has been a leader in fighting for opportunity and education for families, defending God-given rights, and advancing safety and security goals at home and abroad. He is the Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Senate Banking Committee. Prior to his time in politics, Tim built successful small businesses. He lives in the Charleston area with his wife, Mindy, and is home every weekend to take his mama to church.
Andy Hagans is a serial entrepreneur and investor whose career spans real estate, finance, and payments. He has spent over a decade in the payments industry, including as a leader at SoarPay and co-author of High Risk Merchant Accounts 101.Outside of payments, Andy is the founder of Mastiff Equity Partners, a private equity real estate firm. He is also the editor of The Opportunity Zones Playbook by Jimmy Atkinson, featuring a foreword by Senator Tim Scott. Andy lives in Holland, Michigan with his wife and five children.