The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a massive economic crisis. This has resulted in the closure of numerous businesses and a huge reduction in employment opportunities worldwide.
To help retain employees, the US government has introduced the Employee Retention Credit (ERC).
The ERC is a fully refundable tax credit for employers who have experienced financial hardship during this time.
It is designed to incentivize employers to keep their employees on the payroll despite any difficult circumstances they may be facing.
What Is Employee Retention Credit?
The Employee Retention Credit is a new tax credit introduced as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The purpose of this credit is to incentivize employers to keep their employees on payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This credit can be claimed for any wages paid after March 12th, 2020, and before January 1st, 2021.
It is available to both small business owners with fewer than 500 employees and large businesses with more than 500 employees.
Know The Eligibility Criteria
Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is an important source of relief for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It can provide up to $5,000 per qualifying employee and is especially beneficial for companies with a reduced demand or revenue.
To be eligible for ERC, employers must meet certain criteria set forth by the IRS.
Knowing the eligibility criteria can help ensure that your business is properly taking advantage of this valuable program and maximizing its benefits.
One of the most important eligibility criteria is qualifying wages.
Simply put, qualifying ERC wages are those paid between March 12, 2020, and January 1, 2021, for employees that employers retained but could not work.
This includes wages paid to employees who continued to work during a significant decline in gross receipts or wages paid while not providing services due to certain qualifying reasons related to COVID-19.
It is important to note that only qualifying wages paid after March 12, 2020, can be used for ERC purposes.
Another key eligibility criterion is the qualifying period. Qualifying periods are specific time frames during which qualifying wages must have been paid to employees.
The qualifying period depends on the employer’s average number of full-time employees in 2019.
Those with 100 or fewer employees will generally qualify for an earlier qualifying period than those with more than 100 employees.
Additionally, employers must also meet certain other criteria, such as payroll tax deposits and gross receipts reductions in order to be eligible for Employee Retention Credit benefits.
By understanding the eligibility criteria, businesses can ensure that they are properly taking advantage of the ERC program and maximizing its benefits.
Knowing qualifying wages, qualifying periods, and other criteria can help ensure businesses get the most from this important source of relief.
Whether you’re a small business owner or a large corporation, it’s important to understand the eligibility criteria for Employee Retention Credit in order to maximize your savings.
Understand How ERC Credit Is Calculated
Understanding how ERC Credit is calculated is an effective way to get employee retention credit because it can help employers calculate the number of tax credits they are eligible for.
By understanding how and when credit is available, employers can maximize their savings while still providing meaningful employee benefits.
The federal government introduced the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) which provides financial assistance to businesses affected by COVID-19.
Businesses may be eligible for this credit if they have been financially impacted by the disruption caused due to the pandemic.
This includes businesses that were required to shut down or significantly reduce operations due to health orders and those experiencing significant revenue losses in 2020 compared to 2019.
Under the program, companies may qualify for refunds of up to 70% of their 2020 payroll costs, up to a maximum credit amount of $10,000 per employee.
To calculate the amount of ERC Credit available, employers need to understand how it is calculated and its various associated qualifications.
The calculation depends on the employer’s total taxable wages paid in the last quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Employers also need to consider factors such as whether they are using any other tax credits (e.g., payroll tax credits under PPP), as well as their FICA taxes on tips and group-term life insurance premiums that have been excluded from taxable wages.
Understanding these calculations can help employers maximize their ERC Credit and ensure they get the most out of this opportunity to save money.
Claiming The Credit
To claim the Employee Retention Credit, employers must fill out Form 941 and submit it along with their quarterly payroll tax returns.
Employers can also elect to receive an advance payment on the credit by submitting Form 7200. This form should be submitted after each quarter when payroll taxes were paid or incurred.
Once employers have claimed the Employee Retention Credit, they cannot deduct the same wages on their tax returns.
The Employee Retention Credit is a great way for employers to save money while keeping their employees on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employers should take advantage of this credit and ensure they meet all the eligibility criteria, calculate the correct amount, and properly file their taxes to receive this credit.
By doing so, employers can ensure that their businesses remain afloat during these difficult times.
