Understanding the Taxability of Employee Retention Tax Credit

The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) has been a significant source of financial relief for businesses struggling to retain employees during these trying times. As an employer, it is important to understand whether this tax credit is taxable or not. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the taxability of the ERTC and its implications on your business, allowing you to make informed decisions.

Overview of the Employee Retention Tax Credit

The Employee Retention Tax Credit is a government incentive aimed at helping businesses keep their employees on payroll amidst challenging economic conditions. The ERTC provides a refundable tax credit to eligible employers whose operations have been affected by certain circumstances, such as a decline in gross receipts or a full or partial suspension of operations due to government orders.

Eligibility Criteria for ERTC

1. An employer must have experienced a reduction in gross receipts of more than 50% in a calendar quarter when compared to the same quarter in the previous year.
2. An employer must have been fully or partially suspended due to a governmental order related to COVID-19.
3. Only wages paid to employees who are not working due to the aforementioned circumstances qualify for the tax credit.
4. Newly-established businesses may also be eligible if they meet other requirements set forth by the IRS.

Calculation of the Employee Retention Tax Credit

The amount of ERTC available to an employer is based on the qualifying wages paid to their employees. For 2020, the maximum credit was 50% of qualified wages paid per employee, with a limit of $10,000 in total qualifying wages, resulting in a maximum credit of $5,000 per employee. In 2021, the maximum credit increased to 70% of qualified wages paid per employee, with a limit of $10,000 in total qualifying wages per quarter, resulting in a maximum credit of $7,000 per employee per quarter.

Taxability of Employee Retention Tax Credit

In general, the ERTC is a refundable tax credit, which means that if your business's tax liability is less than the credit amount, the excess will be refunded to you. However, it is essential to understand how this tax credit interacts with other aspects of your business's finances, such as deductions and government loans.

Interaction with Deductions

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has clarified that employers must reduce their wage expenses deduction by the amount of the ERTC received. This means that the wages used to calculate the ERTC are not deductible for income tax purposes. Thus, while the ERTC itself is not considered taxable income, it effectively reduces the available deduction for wage expenses, which could result in an increase in taxable income.

Interaction with Government Loans

One crucial point to note is that employers who have received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan are generally not eligible for the ERTC. However, recent changes in legislation allow employers to claim the ERTC for wages not covered by the PPP loan. Employers receiving other forms of government financial assistance should consult with their tax advisor to determine if they are still eligible for the ERTC and if the credit would affect their loan forgiveness or grant eligibility.

Benefits of the Employee Retention Tax Credit

Despite the limitations on deductions and interactions with government loans, the ERTC can still provide significant financial benefits to eligible employers. These include:

• Immediate cash flow support: Since the credit is refundable, businesses can receive cash refunds if their tax liabilities are less than the credit amount.
• Reduced payroll tax liability: The ERTC reduces the employer's share of Social Security taxes, thereby lowering their payroll tax burden.
• Incentive to retain employees: By providing financial assistance based on wages paid to employees, the ERTC encourages businesses to keep their workforce intact during difficult times.

Claiming the Employee Retention Tax Credit

To claim the ERTC, employers must report the total qualified wages and related health insurance costs for each quarter on their quarterly employment tax return (Form 941). Additionally, employers can request an advance payment of the credit by submitting Form 7200 (Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19) to the IRS. Employers should consult with their tax advisor to ensure they are accurately calculating and claiming the credit, as well as considering the potential impact on deductions and government loan eligibility.

In summary, while the Employee Retention Tax Credit itself is not considered taxable income, it does affect the deductibility of wage expenses and may interact with other government financial assistance programs. Employers must carefully evaluate these factors when determining the overall tax implications of claiming the ERTC. By understanding the details and requirements surrounding the taxability of the ERTC, you will be better equipped to make informed decisions that benefit your business and employees.