Understanding the Employee Retention Credit: What It Means for Employers

The employee retention credit, or ERC, is a tax credit that was established in 2020 as part of the CARES Act. The program incentivizes employers to keep employees on their payrolls during the COVID-19 pandemic and provides financial support if they must reduce staff due to the economic effects of the virus. This guide will explain what the employee retention credit is, how it works, and who is eligible.

What Is the Employee Retention Credit?

The employee retention credit was created to provide support to employers who are struggling financially due to the coronavirus pandemic. The credit allows businesses to claim a refundable tax credit against their employment taxes, up to $5,000 per employee. The maximum credit available for each quarter is $7,000.

The credit covers employers who have experienced reduced gross receipts or an inability to operate at full capacity due to COVID-19. In order to qualify, employers must be eligible for the Small Business Interruption Loan Program, which can also provide relief for businesses affected by the pandemic.

Employers may also be eligible for additional relief under the Paycheck Protection Program, which helps cover payroll costs and some other expenses.

How Does the Employee Retention Credit Work?

To apply for the employee retention credit, employers must fill out Form 941-X, Adjusted Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund. After submitting the form, employers should receive their refunds within four months.

In order to qualify for the employee retention credit, employers must meet certain criteria:

• Have experienced a decrease in gross receipts of more than 50% when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
• Are unable to operate at full capacity due to COVID-19 related health directives.
• Have not laid off any employees.
• Have not received money from the Paycheck Protection Program.

The credit is available for wages paid between March 13th and December 31st of 2020. Wages paid prior to March 13th do not qualify for the credit.

Who Is Eligible for the Employee Retention Credit?

The employee retention credit is available to employers with fewer than 500 employees who are either self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, S-corporations, or C-corporations. Companies that are publicly traded are not eligible for the credit.

Qualifying employers must meet one of two criteria:

• Have experienced a significant decline in gross receipts.
• Be subject to a government shutdown due to COVID-19.

If an employer meets either criteria, they can receive a tax credit equal to 50% of the first $10,000 in qualified wages paid to employees during the taxable year (up to $5,000 per employee). This applies to both full-time and part-time employees.

What Are Qualified Wages?

The employee retention credit covers wages, salaries, and commissions that are paid to qualifying employees. However, it does not cover sick leave, vacation, or holiday pay. It also does not cover wages paid to family members or wages paid to independent contractors.

If you’re an employer who has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, the employee retention credit can help you retain your employees and stay afloat during this difficult time. Be sure to carefully review the eligibility requirements and understand all the details of the program before applying.