Claim Your Recovery Startup Business ERC

Businesses, regardless of their size, are searching for strategies to keep their employees and encourage their loyalty. One solution for this goal is utilizing the Recovery Startup Business ERC (RSB ERC).

This tax credit allows businesses to claim a portion of the wages they paid during the pandemic as an employee retention credit. The credits can be used towards other business-related expenses, such as purchasing new equipment or hiring more staff.

In this article, we’ll look closer at how the RSB ERC operates and how it can benefit businesses in retaining their valuable employees.

Recovery Startup Business and Employee Retention Credit

The RSB ERC is a component of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was approved in December 2020 to provide financial support to small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

The Act includes $15 billion worth of emergency funds designated explicitly for employers who have been financially impacted and specific initiatives like providing grants and loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and expanding unemployment insurance benefits.

However, one lesser-known provision within this legislation is the ability for businesses to take advantage of the RSB ERC – a nonrefundable federal income tax credit available to eligible employers who pay qualified wages between March 13th, 2020 through December 31st, 2021.

By claiming this credit, businesses may reduce payroll taxes up to 50% on wages paid after March 12th, 2020, but before January 1st, 2022, with some restrictions applying for large corporations with 500 or more full-time employees before February 15th, 2020.

Special rules apply if a business has experienced a partial suspension due to government orders related to COVID-19 from beginning after December 31st, 2019 until ending before June 30th, 2021. We will explore these various requirements further in subsequent sections below.

Overview of the Employee Retention Credit

It’s well-known that employee retention is crucial to the success of any business. However, not all businesses have the necessary resources to achieve this goal. So, what options are available?

One possible solution is to claim your recovery startup business employee retention credit. This article will provide a brief overview of what this credit is and outline the eligibility requirements.

The employee retention credit incentivizes businesses to invest in their employees by offering tax credits. These credits can be applied towards federal income taxes or refunded if they exceed the amount owed on taxes.

But it’s important to note that not all employers qualify for this credit; only those whose gross receipts have declined significantly compared to prior years, supply chain issues, and business slowdown or shutdown orders.

To determine whether you meet the criteria for claiming this credit, compare your current year’s total revenue with 2019 or 2020 quarterly average totals (whichever produces a higher figure). If your current year’s revenues represent at least 20% less than either comparison period’s figures, you’re likely eligible for the employee retention credit – which could save you thousands of dollars in taxes!

Recovery Startup Business ERC Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for claiming the employee retention credit are pretty straightforward, but it is essential to be aware of them to determine whether your business qualifies.

The following criteria must be met to successfully claim and receive the recovery startup business employee retention credit:

1. Employers must have experienced a full or partial suspension of operations due to government orders related to COVID-19 during 2020 or 2021.
2. Employers must also demonstrate that they experienced a significant decline in gross receipts (defined as more than 50%) compared with the same quarter from 2019; OR if their average number of employees in 2020 was less than two-thirds of what it had been in 2019.
3. Eligible employers may use one of several methods when calculating wages covered by this tax credit – including considering all wages paid regardless of salary level and the actual cost associated with providing healthcare benefits for those employees; whichever produces the higher amount will often be used.
4. Lastly, employers must make sure that any claimed expenses are not otherwise deductible under other provisions such as section 162(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or taken into account for computing net earnings from self-employment income according to section 1402(a).

With these criteria established, businesses can confidently assess their situation and begin pursuing appropriate steps toward claiming the Recovery Startup Business Employee Retention Credit where applicable.

It is critical that businesses review these rules carefully before making any decisions regarding eligibility so they can ensure compliance and maximize the savings potential afforded through this opportunity.

How To Claim the Employee Retention Credit

To claim the recovery startup business employee retention credit, various steps must be taken. To begin with, employers must determine eligibility for the credit, which includes determining if their employees meet specific criteria outlined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Secondly, employers need to calculate their eligible wages and retention credits in accordance with IRS guidelines. Finally, after gathering all the necessary information and filing for the credit on Form 941-X, employers may apply for payment from the IRS at no cost.

To be eligible for the tax credit, the employer must confirm if their employees meet the IRS criteria for “qualified employees.” Generally, any employee in 2019 or 2020 will be considered qualified, but specific requirements may apply to some individuals.

Furthermore, to be qualified, employees must have worked more than 50% of their working hours during a three-month period before June 30th, 2021. Additional qualifications, such as age restrictions and total compensation limits, may also influence whether an employee meets the definition of “qualifying” under IRS rules.

After confirming that an employer has qualifying employees, the next step is determining their eligible wages. The employer will also need to calculate how much retention credit they are entitled to receive for each qualifying employee.

Employers should note that special provisions exist when calculating eligible wages regarding voluntary pay reductions made due to COVID-19-related issues, along with exemptions based on payroll size or type of business entity involved, among other variables.

It is essential that employers review all applicable guidance given by the IRS before continuing so they do not miss any opportunities or potentially misapply regulations leading them into trouble down the road.

Finally, once all calculations have been completed, employers can take advantage of Form 941-X – Adjusted Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund – where they enter in their retained taxes from prior quarters in addition to applying for current quarter refunds associated with employee retention credits earned through fulfilling certain conditions stated within CARES Act legislation.

After submitting this form, preferably through an ERC expert, taxpayers should wait approximately two weeks before receiving notice confirming application approval. A few months later, the business should receive its tax refund check.

Additional Resources

Moving on from calculating the amount of credit, there are a variety of additional resources to consider when claiming your recovery startup business employee retention credit.

One such resource is the Internal Revenue Service website which contains detailed information about how businesses can qualify for this tax relief and provides guidance on filing the form associated with claiming the credit. Additionally, many states have their own websites dedicated to providing information on state-specific requirements for applying for an employee retention credit. Businesses may also benefit from consulting with a qualified professional tax preparer or accountant who can provide personalized advice based on specific needs.

Additionally, local Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) offer free counseling services and assistance in navigating government programs like this one aimed at helping small businesses recover from economic losses due to COVID-19.

SBDCs typically have counselors available by phone and online appointments and offer training sessions and webinars related to different types of financial aid programs that could be applicable for qualifying employers looking to claim the employee retention credit.

Finally, it’s important to remember that other forms of financial assistance may be available depending upon certain criteria such as industry type, geographical location, size of workforce, etc., so researching all potential sources thoroughly is essential when determining which options are best suited for your situation in order to maximize any potential savings through these credits.

Conclusion

The Recovery Startup Business Employee Retention Credit presents an excellent opportunity for businesses to enhance their employee retention. To qualify, the business must have no more than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees in any calendar quarter of 2020 or 2021 and must have experienced a minimum of 20% reduction in revenue from the same quarter in 2019.

The company will need to determine how long each employee has been retained, with the period running from March 12th, 2020 to January 1st, 2021. The credit amount can then be calculated by multiplying the FTEs retained during that time by $5,000.

Plenty of resources are available for those looking to take advantage of this beneficial credit. The IRS website offers detailed instructions on claiming the credit and numerous examples with calculations already done for you.

Finally, enlisting an experienced Employee Retention Credit specialist could prove invaluable in navigating this process and ensuring one takes full advantage of all possible savings opportunities.

In short, while claiming the Recovery Startup Business Employee Retention Credit may seem daunting at first glance, it’s not rocket science once someone familiarizes themselves with what needs to be done – like putting together pieces of a puzzle – and understands how to use available resources.

With some savvy research and planning, entrepreneurs can undoubtedly reap the rewards of taking advantage of this generous government incentive program to support them through these trying times.

Employee Retention Credit Assistance with Federal Tax Credits ERC

Have you had difficulties determining if your business qualifies for the Employee Retention Credit or Employee Retention Tax Credit?

Federal Tax Credits ERC is here to answer any of your questions, offer assistance, and even provide a complimentary ERC Qualification Check.

Our team of ERC Experts offers white glove service for tax filing, amending returns, determining eligibility, and how to file for the ERC program.

The time is now to get your Employee Retention Credit while the tax credits are still in place. The program is still available but won’t be around for too much longer.

Get the tax credit your business is entitled to and receive game-changing money back to be used for whatever you choose. Remember, this is not a loan and does not need to be paid back.

Contact Federal Tax Credits ERC now, and let us help you receive your business tax credits.