Are you a business owner thinking about hiring? Be aware that a recent law extended a credit for hiring individuals from one or more targeted groups. Employers can qualify for a tax credit known as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).  The WOTC is worth as much as $2,400 for each eligible employee ($4,800, $5,600 and $9,600 for certain veterans and $9,000 for “long-term family assistance recipients”). The Work Opportunity Tax Credit expiration is now set at December 31, 2025. For eligibility, an employee must begin working for their employer before January 1, 2026.

Generally, an employer is eligible for the credit only for qualifying wage payments to members of a specific group. These groups are:

1. Qualified members of families receiving assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
2. Qualified veterans.
3. Designated community residents.
4. Qualified ex-felons.
5. Vocational rehabilitation referrals.
6. Qualified summer youth employees.
7. Qualified members of families in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).
8. Long-term family assistance recipients.
9. Qualified Supplemental Security Income recipients.
10. Long-term unemployed individuals.

You Must Meet Certain Requirements

There are a number of requirements to qualify for the WOTC extension. For example, for each employee, there’s also a minimum requirement that the employee must have completed at least 120 hours of service for the employer. Also, the credit isn’t available for certain employees who are related to or who previously worked for the employer.

There are different rules and credit amounts for certain employees. The maximum credit available for the first-year wages is $2,400 for each employee, $4,000 for long-term family assistance recipients, and $4,800, $5,600 or $9,600 for certain veterans. Additionally, for long-term family assistance recipients, there’s a 50% credit for up to $10,000 of second-year wages, resulting in a total maximum credit, over two years, of $9,000.

For summer job opportunities to youth employees, the wages must be paid for services performed during any 90-day period between May 1 and September 15. The WOTC program allows a maximum credit of $1,200 per summer youth employee.

A Valuable Credit

There are additional rules and requirements. In some cases, employers may elect not to claim the Work Opportunity Tax Credit expiration. And in limited circumstances, the rules may prohibit the credit or require an allocation of it. However, for most employers hiring from targeted groups, the credit can be valuable. Contact us with questions or for more information about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit employer benefits.