If you’re a business owner, you may have heard about the employee retention credit (ERC) as part of the CARES Act, which was passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This credit is aimed at helping businesses keep their employees on payroll during these challenging times, and it’s proving to be a valuable lifeline for many companies. However, if you haven’t yet taken advantage of this credit, now is the time to act. The ERC is a limited time offer, and you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to benefit from it.
The ERC was initially introduced in 2020 to provide financial relief to businesses that were impacted by the pandemic. It offers a refundable tax credit for eligible employers who retain employees and continue to pay them during the pandemic. The credit is worth up to 50% of qualified wages paid to employees and can be claimed for wages paid from March 13, 2020, through December 31, 2021.
What makes the ERC particularly attractive is that it’s a refundable tax credit, which means that even if your business doesn’t owe any federal payroll taxes, you can still receive the credit as a refund. This can provide much-needed cash flow for businesses that are struggling to stay afloat during this challenging time.
To qualify for the ERC, your business must meet certain criteria, including experiencing a significant decline in gross receipts or being subject to a full or partial shutdown due to government orders related to COVID-19. If your business meets these criteria and you haven’t yet taken advantage of the ERC, it’s important to act quickly. The credit is only available for a limited time, and the deadline for claiming it is fast approaching.
The IRS recently announced that the deadline for claiming the ERC for 2020 is extended to October 29, 2021. This extension gives eligible employers more time to take advantage of the credit and maximize its benefits. However, the clock is ticking, and it’s essential to act promptly to ensure that you don’t miss out on the opportunity to claim the credit for 2020.
Additionally, for the 2021 tax year, the ERC has been extended and expanded under the American Rescue Plan Act. The credit is now available for the first two quarters of 2021, and the maximum credit amount has been increased. This means that even if you’ve already claimed the ERC for 2020, you may still be eligible to claim it for 2021 and receive additional financial relief for your business.
In conclusion, the employee retention credit is a valuable tax credit that can provide much-needed financial relief for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the deadline for claiming the credit fast approaching, it’s essential to act quickly to ensure that you don’t miss out on this opportunity. If you haven’t yet taken advantage of the ERC, now is the time to do so. Contact your tax advisor or financial professional to determine if your business is eligible for the credit and to start the process of claiming it before it’s too late. Don’t miss out on the ERC – it could make a significant difference for your business during these challenging times.