Qualifying For An Employee Retention Credit

If you were forced to work throughout the pandemic, you may qualify for a substantial tax credit. Find out if you're eligible and how to claim it!



It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on businesses across the globe. In the United States alone, tens of thousands of businesses have closed their doors for good since the onset of the pandemic. For many businesses, the loss of income has been too much to overcome. With people staying home and limiting their spending, there has been a significant decrease in demand for goods and services. This has caused businesses to lay off workers and cut costs in an effort to stay afloat. Unfortunately, for many businesses, these efforts have not been enough. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on businesses of all sizes, and its effects will be felt for years to come.

The novel coronavirus pandemic has resulted in widespread economic disruption, and many businesses have been forced to lay off employees or reduce their hours. To help businesses retain their workers, the government has authorized a tax credit known as the Employee Retention Credit. The Employee Retention Credit is just one of several measures that have been put in place to help businesses cope with the economic fallout from the pandemic.


What Is Employee Retention Credit?

The tax code provides a number of tax credits that businesses can take advantage of to help offset the costs of retaining employees. The Employee Retention Credit is one such credit, and it can be a valuable tool for businesses struggling to keep their workers during the pandemic. The tax credit is available to employers who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a very long time since the start of the pandemic and businesses have been hit hard. The credit is equal to 50% of the wages that an employer pays to their employees, up to a maximum of $5,000 per employee. With the help of this credit, many workers who were employed throughout the pandemic are able to receive compensation for any potential dips in their business's income. It has helped some people feel more financial comfort after their wages were lowered for an extended period, making their lives so much more difficult.


How You Can Qualify For An Employee Retention Credit

To qualify for the Employee Retention Credit, businesses must have experienced a significant decline in gross receipts. For most businesses, this means a decrease of 50% or more when compared to the same quarter in the previous year. If your business has been affected by the pandemic and you think you might qualify for the credit, it's important to speak with your tax advisor to see if you meet the requirements. Make sure you contact your tax advisor as soon as possible to get the best opportunity to receive the Employee Retention Credit.

What To Do With Your ERC Once You Qualify

Once you've determined that you do indeed qualify for the credit, you can claim it on your tax return. The credit is generally equal to 50% of the qualifying wages that you've paid to your employees, up to a maximum of $10,000 per employee. This means that the maximum credit that a business can claim is $5,000 per employee.

If your business has been impacted by the pandemic, the Employee Retention Credit can be a valuable way to offset the costs of retaining your employees. Be sure to speak with your tax advisor today to see if you qualify.