Maximizing the Benefits of the Employee Retention Tax Credit

The employee retention tax credit is a significant financial incentive for businesses to maintain their workforce during economically challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This article will delve into the essential aspects of this tax credit and provide guidance on how to take advantage of it effectively.

Understanding the Employee Retention Tax Credit

The employee retention credit is designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on payroll by providing a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes. This credit can be applied to reduce the burden of employment taxes that employers are required to withhold from their workers' paychecks.

This tax incentive was initiated in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and is aimed at helping businesses with the cost of retaining employees during periods of partial or full suspension of operations due to government-mandated business closures or significant decline in gross receipts. The goal is to alleviate some of the financial pressure on companies during these uncertain times, so they can focus on keeping their employees employed and maintaining their operations.

Eligibility Criteria for the Employee Retention Credit

To qualify for the employee retention credit, an employer must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Have experienced a full or partial suspension of their business operations due to orders from an appropriate governmental authority limiting commerce, travel, or group meetings because of COVID-19;
2. Have experienced a significant decline in gross receipts during any calendar quarter in 2020 compared to the same quarter in 2019. A significant decline occurs when the employer's gross receipts fall below 50% of the comparable quarter in 2019. Once the employer's gross receipts exceed 80% of the comparable quarter in 2019, they no longer qualify for the credit after that quarter.

In addition to meeting one of these criteria, employers must also consider the following:

• The tax credit applies only to qualified wages, which are wages paid to employees who are not working due to COVID-19 related circumstances. Qualified wages can include health plan expenses paid by the employer on behalf of the employee;
• Evidence of business suspension or decline in gross receipts must be documented and retained for future reference;
• The employee retention credit does not apply to wages paid to employees during periods when the employer is receiving a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Calculating the Employee Retention Tax Credit

The employee retention credit is calculated as follows:

1. For eligible employers with 100 or fewer full-time employees in 2019, all employee wages qualify for the credit, whether the employer is open for business or subject to a government-mandated shutdown;
2. For eligible employers with more than 100 full-time employees in 2019, only the wages of employees who are not providing services due to the COVID-19 related circumstances qualify for the credit.

In both cases, the maximum amount of qualified wages per employee is $10,000 for each calendar quarter. The credit rate is 50% of qualified wages, meaning the maximum credit available per employee is $5,000 per quarter. Employers should note that any credits claimed will reduce the deduction otherwise allowable for the employer's wage expense.

Claiming the Employee Retention Tax Credit

Employers can claim the employee retention credit by reporting their total qualified wages and the related health insurance costs for each quarter on their employment tax returns, typically Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return). In anticipation of receiving the credit, employers can reduce their required deposits of payroll taxes withheld from employees' wages by the amount of the credit. Eligible employers may also request an advance of the employee retention credit by submitting Form 7200 (Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19) to the IRS.

Compliance and Recordkeeping

As with any tax incentive, compliance with regulations and proper recordkeeping are crucial to avoid potential penalties or loss of the credit. Employers should ensure they maintain accurate records and documentation to support their eligibility for the employee retention credit, including:

• Evidence of business suspension or decline in gross receipts;
• Details on qualified wages paid to eligible employees, including timesheets or payroll registers;
• Health plan expenses allocated to qualified wages, if applicable;
• Tax filings, such as Forms 941 and 7200, showing the claimed credits.

Maximizing the Benefits of the Employee Retention Tax Credit

To fully benefit from the employee retention tax credit, businesses should:

1. Thoroughly assess their eligibility based on the criteria mentioned above, taking note of the documentation requirements;
2. Calculate the appropriate credit amounts for each qualifying employee using the guidelines provided;
3. Claim the credit on their employment tax returns and adjust payroll tax deposits accordingly;
4. Maintain clear and accurate records to support their claim should it be subject to review or audit by the IRS.

By understanding and effectively utilizing the employee retention tax credit, businesses can better navigate the economic uncertainties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to support their workforce during these challenging times.