What Is Employee Retention Tax Credit Eligibility and How Do I Qualify?

The Employee Retention Tax Credit (also known as ERTC/ERC) is a credit from the government to small businesses that have between 5 and 500 employees.

This money is a reimbursement for lost revenue/employee expenses during COVID restrictions. You are still qualified for the ERTC funds even if you got the PPP loan.

To qualify for this tax credit, you have to had either:

1. Lost 20% of gross receipts in a quarter of 2020 or 2021 

OR

2. Had to partially or fully shutdown during 2020 or 2021

If you had to endure either 1 or 2 above, then you are eligible for the ERTC refund. 

Fill out the form below to find out how much you qualify for and how to get the funds.

Employee Retention Tax Credit

Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) provides businesses with a tax credit for wages paid to employees. It is a federal tax relief program created as part of the CARES Act. Unlike the Paycheck Protection Program loan, which is available only to businesses that take out loans from the government, ERTC can be claimed by any business of any size.

The maximum employee retention credit for 2021 is $21,000. This amount applies only to the first two calendar quarters of the year. Nevertheless, there is a safe harbor that lets companies calculate their eligibility based on the gross receipts of a previous quarter.

To qualify for the credit, an employer must have a significant drop in gross receipts during a calendar quarter. Employers can compare the gross receipts from the last quarter of 2019 to the gross receipts of the same quarter in 2020. They must also prove that their operations have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 mandate.

Employers can claim employee retention tax credit on their Form 941-X. If their gross receipts are reduced by more than ten percent during a calendar quarter, they can apply. An eligible employer must have fewer than 500 average full-time employees. In addition, the hours of service must be at least ten percent of the total hours of service.

ERC Today has provided guidance for qualifying for the ERTC program. Their services are a full-service, end-to-end process that is a simple and efficient way to understand the nuances of claiming. Whether you need help with an ERC audit, claim, or aggregation rules, ERC Today has you covered.

ERC Today provides an easy to use online tool for determining eligibility. Simply fill out a brief quiz. Once your information has been verified, ERC Today will perform a comprehensive analysis of your claim. You can expect to receive your credit in approximately six to 10 months.

ERTC is a great incentive for businesses to retain their employees during tough times. However, it is important to check your eligibility before filing a claim. There are numerous changes that have occurred in the program since its inception. These changes are aimed at making the credit more accessible.

COVID-19 law changes

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed in 2011. This legislation was designed to provide short-term incentives to help employers affected by the coronavirus pandemic. A section of the act, the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), gives eligible employers a credit to offset some of their federal employment taxes.

The ERTC may be claimed by employers in two ways. One, for periods of significant decline in gross receipts. Two, for periods of suspension or reduced hours of operation. It was originally only available to nonprofit organizations. However, this was changed under the CARES Act.

ERTC is computed using a worksheet provided by the IRS. Employers must report on Form 941 the total qualified wages attributable to ERTC. Qualified wages are those that exclude wages paid for time not worked. Qualified wages do not include wages for less productive work or for wages derived from a Paycheck Protection Program loan.

As of October 21, 2017, employers who are in business and have been able to prove that they had less than 80% gross receipts in a quarter were eligible to claim ERTC. In addition, employers with over 500 employees could claim ERTC for the first time. If an employer had qualified for ERTC, the refundable portion of the credit would be reported on Line 13d of Form 941 and the non-refundable portion would be reported on Line 11c of Form 941.

The CARES Act also introduced a new grant, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). The RRF will give a safe harbor to employers with PEO/CPEO customers that have had their employment tax deposits reduced. For employers that receive this grant, funds must be used for eligible uses by June 30, 2022.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) passed in December of that year made some important changes to ERTC. These changes are still being implemented. However, employers who have been awaiting ERC since the original law was passed are now eligible to claim it, although the amount may be smaller than previously expected.

The IRS has a number of helpful FAQs to assist businesses with this complicated new law. Some of these questions relate to the ERTC itself, while others provide an overview of the new law and its impacts.

Choosing an accounting group for the ERTC

When it comes to choosing an accounting group for the ERTC, you will want to be sure that you find a firm with the right mix of knowledge and experience to help you navigate through the tax world. Using an ERTC service can simplify the process and make it easier for you to keep track of your payroll taxes and employee retention strategies.

A reputable ERTC service can offer you advice on the best practices for claiming your credit and helping you calculate your potential refund. They can also help you make the most of your ERC by providing customized analyses and reports. These services will also assist you with developing your retention and HR strategies.

There are three ways to determine which is the best ERTC accounting method for your organization. Each has its own merits. However, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. For example, you will need to weigh the benefits of using IAS 20 as opposed to another method. This can vary depending on your type of business, the number of employees you have, and your specific needs.

The ERTC is a refundable credit for your qualified wages. However, the credit is not eligible if you have applied for a PPP loan. If you do qualify, you may use it as a credit against your payroll costs.

The CARES Act offers a maximum credit of $5,000 per employee for the year 2020. In 2021, this credit will be expanded to include a full grant of up to 70% of your qualified wages. While the credit is small, it is still worth considering.

ERTC is a useful government program to help you offset the costs of employee retention. Not all businesses have the resources to properly retain their current employees. By using a reputable ERTC service, you can free up time and effort to focus on other aspects of your business. Moreover, a quality service can help you develop your employee retention and HR strategies so that you can focus on running your business.

With an ERTC service, you can rest assured that your company is getting the most out of its payroll taxes. You can also expect to get personalized analyses and reports that will help you determine the most effective strategy for your company.

Claiming the ERTC

If your business was impacted by a disaster or government order, you might qualify for the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). This tax credit is designed to help businesses recover after a difficult period.

To qualify for ERTC, your company must have experienced a significant decline in gross receipts during a single quarter. ERTC may also be claimed retroactively, which can provide significant tax relief. However, improperly claiming the credit could result in repayment with penalties.

The ERTC is administered by the IRS. Employers who qualify for ERTC are required to complete Form 7200 and file it with the IRS. They can claim the credit on wages paid from March 13, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

Businesses that are eligible for ERTC are encouraged to keep their employees on payroll. There are a number of incentives for employers who choose to do so. ERTC allows businesses to receive up to $10,000 in a refundable tax credit per quarter, but only when qualified wages are paid.

ERTC is a valuable incentive for employers. Although it is not the only tax credit you can take advantage of, it is often overlooked. ERTC is part of the CARES Act, which was signed into law in March of 2020.

If your business is not sure whether it qualifies, you can hire an expert to perform an analysis. These professionals will guide you through the process and reduce your tax burden.

In addition to a tax refund, you may be eligible to receive advance payments from the IRS. However, you are required to repay the advance funds by the due date of the fourth quarter of 2021.

ERTC was made available for businesses with up to five employees in 2020. Later, it was expanded to seven employees in 2021. For the first two quarters of 2021, an additional amount of per-employee qualified wages is allowed, up to $20,000.

Despite changes in the program, ERTC remains a worthwhile incentive for businesses. Especially during times of pandemic, ERTC helps to encourage companies to keep their staff on board. Whether you have just begun your business or are already an established business, consulting with an expert can ensure you get the most out of your ERTC claim.