The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a Federal tax credit available to employers until December 31, 2025 for hiring and employing individuals from certain targeted groups who have faced significant barriers to employment.
Targeted groups under section 51 of the Code:
- the formerly incarcerated or those previously convicted of a felony;
- recipients of state assistance under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA);
- veterans;
- residents in areas designated as empowerment zones or rural renewal counties;
- individuals referred to an employer following completion of a rehabilitation plan or program;
- individuals whose families are recipients of supplemental nutrition assistance under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008;
- recipients of supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the SSA;
- individuals whose families are recipients of state assistance under part A of title IV of the SSA; and
- individuals experiencing long-term unemployment.
In general, the WOTC is equal to 40% of up to $6,000 of wages paid to, or incurred on behalf of, an individual who:
- is in their first year of employment;
- is certified as being a member of a targeted group; and
- performs at least 400 hours of services for that employer.
On or before the day that an offer of employment is made, the employer and the job applicant must complete Form 8850 (Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request for the Work Opportunity Credit). The employer has 28 calendar days from the new employee’s start date to submit Form 8850 to the designated local agency located in the state in which the business is located (where the employee works).
For more information go to the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/work-opportunity-tax-credit
