employee retention tax credits (ERTCs) have become a key element in the COVID-19 relief packages that the government has released in the past year. They’re designed to help businesses that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic to keep their employees on staff. This tax credit provides employers with up to $5,000 per employee, encouraging them to keep their workforce intact.
Though ERTCs are a great opportunity to help your business, navigating them can be confusing. Here are some tips and tricks for turning your ERTC opportunity into a success.
Understand Eligibility Criteria
The first thing you need to do when starting the ERTC process is to make sure you understand the eligibility criteria. Generally, ERTC is available to taxpayers who:
• Had a full or partial suspension of their operations due to a governmental order that reduced their gross receipts by 50% or more from the same quarter in 2019.
• Have a reduction in gross receipts by 20% or more for 2020 (as compared with 2019)
If you meet these criteria, you could be eligible to qualify for the ERTC.
Assess Your Workforce
Upon understanding the eligibility criteria, you should assess your workforce next. Determine how many of your employees qualify for the ERTC. These are employees who were salaried or hourly and were retained during the designated period. Additionally, they must not have been furloughed or received any other form of aid from the paycheck protection program. Once you figure out the number of qualifying employees you have, you can then determine the exact amount of credit you’re eligible for.
Keep Proper Records
When navigating ERTC, record-keeping is critical. You want to ensure you have proper documentation that supports the calculation of the tax credit, including:
• The date you received any government orders that caused full or partial suspension of operations.
• Quarterly gross receipts from 2019 and 2020.
• The average number of employees.
Keep these records, as the IRS will require documentation when you claim your credit.
Get Professional Help
Navigating ERTC can be technical and confusing, particularly if you’re not adept at tax compliance. Therefore, if you’re unsure about tax rules and regulations, you should seek professional guidance. This is particularly necessary if you are dealing with complex calculations, filings, and documentation.
Final Thoughts
employee retention tax Credits are an essential tool that helps businesses in the current economic climate to keep their people employed. However, ERTC can be complicated to navigate, particularly for small business owners who may be unfamiliar with tax law. By taking heed of the above tips, you can ensure that you navigate ERTC successfully and take full advantage of its tax benefits!