How does the Employer Retention Credit Work?
The Employer Retention Credit (ERC) is a tax credit provided by the U.S. government to encourage businesses to retain their employees during challenging economic times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The ERC was initially introduced as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020 and has since been expanded and extended by subsequent legislation.
Here’s an overview of how the Employer Retention Credit works:
Eligibility: To be eligible for the ERC, businesses must meet one of two criteria:
1. Experiencing a Full or Partial Suspension of Operations
Businesses that experienced a full or partial suspension of operations due to a government order related to COVID-19 are eligible for the ERC. This includes businesses that had to shut down or had significant revenue reductions during a specified period.
2. Significant Decline in Gross Receipts
Businesses that experienced a significant decline in gross receipts are also eligible. For 2020, a business qualifies if its gross receipts for any calendar quarter were less than 50% of the gross receipts for the same quarter in the previous year. For 2021 and 2022, the threshold increased to 80%.
Credit Calculation
The ERC is calculated based on the qualified wages paid to eligible employees. The credit is equal to a percentage of qualified wages, up to a certain limit per employee per calendar quarter. For 2020, the credit was 50% of qualified wages, up to $10,000 per employee per year. In 2021 and 2022, the credit increased to 70% of qualified wages, up to $10,000 per employee per quarter.
Qualified Wages
Qualified wages include certain wages and health plan expenses paid to eligible employees during the eligible period. The definition of qualified wages varies depending on the size of the business.
For businesses with an average of 500 or fewer full-time employees in 2019, all wages and health plan expenses paid to eligible employees during the eligible period are considered qualified wages.
For businesses with an average of more than 500 full-time employees in 2019, qualified wages are limited to wages paid to employees who are not providing services due to a full or partial suspension of operations or a significant decline in gross receipts.
Claiming the Credit
To claim the ERC, eligible businesses can report it on their quarterly employment tax returns, such as Form 941 for most employers. Alternatively, businesses can request an advance payment of the credit by filing Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19.
It’s important to note that the ERC cannot be claimed for the same wages used to claim other COVID-19-related tax credits, such as the Paid Sick and Family Leave Credits or the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
Conclusion
The Employer Retention Credit is designed to provide financial assistance to businesses that have faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By offering a tax credit for retaining employees, the government aims to support businesses and maintain workforce stability during difficult economic conditions. Eligible businesses should consult with tax professionals or refer to IRS guidelines for detailed information on claiming the credit and specific requirements.
For more information on the ERC Credit program, contact us: