Notice: As of the first quarter of the calendar year 2024, Raistone will be phasing out its Employee Retention Credit payment advance solution, as the Internal Revenue Service also winds down the program. If you have any questions, reach out to a Raistone representative.
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is one of the most important recent tax credits available to businesses as they continue to recover from the effects of COVID-19. With up to $26,000 in credits per employee, it can provide a significant bottom line boost for many companies.
While nearly 70% of companies may qualify for the ERC refund, there are certain guidelines and restrictions that must be met in order to qualify for this credit. In this blog post, we will discuss the top 10 things tax professionals need to know about the ERC refund for their clients. We’ll cover eligibility criteria, available funds, payment processing times, potential third-party partner program details, and more – all designed to help you provide your clients with the best possible service. Let’s get started.
1. The Employee Retention Credit (ERC)
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a refundable tax credit of up to $26,000 per employee against certain employment taxes equal to 50% of the qualified wages paid to employees in 2020, and 70% per calendar quarter in 2021. It was created as part of the CARES Act in 2020 to provide businesses with financial relief from the severe economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ERC applies to companies that remained in business and retained employees during Q1-Q4 of 2020, and Q1-Q3 of 2021.
2. Criteria for companies qualify for an ERC refund
The ERC refund is intended for businesses that experienced disruption due to the spread of Covid-19. Whether it was a decrease in revenue, retaining employees, or staying in business, the refund has been designed to help businesses offset those challenges. Businesses that experienced disruptions to commerce, travel, or group meetings due to government orders limiting the spread of Covid-19 may be eligible for an ERC refund. These can include reduced hours, price increases, reduction in goods or services offered, inability to travel, meeting employee count limits (averaging less than 500 full-time employees), and having paid qualified wages after March 12th, 2020. According to research conducted by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, less than approximately 36% of small business owners said they had some level of familiarity with ERC refund. For more information about whether your clients are eligible for the ERC refund, it’s recommended to review the IRS website.
3. How much money can your clients receive for their ERC refunds?
The amount of funds available for ERC refunds depends on several factors, such as the number of employees, how long they worked during 2020 and 2021, and how much they were paid. Given its complexity, determining the exact refund amount often requires tax professionals like you. However, in general, companies can receive up to $26,000 per employee in credits against their employment taxes. Smaller businesses with 100 or fewer employees can claim credits up to $5,000 per employee for wages paid between March 12th, 2020 and December 31st, 2020 and up to $7,000 per employee per quarter in 2021.
4. Helping your clients apply for an ERC refund
Tax professionals help clients apply for the ERC refund on the appropriate tax form for your client, including Adjusted Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return. Additionally, companies may use an online ERC calculator to help determine their eligibility and estimate the amount of credit they are due.
5. How long your clients can expect to wait to receive their ERC refund
Processing times vary, but the current wait time for Raistone clients is averaging six months.
6. Your clients can still apply for their ERC refund
Businesses may still apply for an ERC refund. The time to apply for the 2020 ERC closes on April 15, 2024, and the statute of limitations for the 2021 ERC closes on April 15, 2025. However, it is recommended to apply now instead of waiting, particularly given the number of companies that are likely eligible, and keeping in mind that there is currently a wait time of approximately six months for a refund.
7. Will my clients qualify for an ERC refund if they also received a PPP loan?
According to the IRS, “The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, enacted December 27, 2020, made a number of changes to the employee retention tax credits previously made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).” With these changes, the law “now allows employers who received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to claim the ERC for qualified wages that are not treated as payroll costs in obtaining forgiveness of the PPP loan.”
8. Help your clients receive their refund sooner with a third-party partner
Many companies are using third-party partners to assist in filing their ERC refunds. As tax preparation professionals, you can offer them this service as well. Once the claim is filed, partnering with a third-party service provider, like Raistone, benefits both tax preparers and their clients. It allows your client to receive their ERC refund in as little as two weeks, compared to the six-month wait time it would take with the IRS. Raistone offers tax preparers a benefit as well — tax preparers can make additional income through referral fees.
9. The IRS temporarily paused Employee Retention Credit processing
The IRS recently ordered a stop to new Employee Retention Credit processing through the end of 2023 — or longer — due to a surge of questionable claims. We rely on referrals from tax professionals who determine their clients legitimately meet the criteria for the credit, guide clients through the complex tax reporting, and help determine their clients will benefit from accelerating their refund.
Raistone relies on a tax professional’s first obligation which remains accuracy and advocacy for the client. The tax preparer’s referral fee is a portion of what is deducted from the advanced proceeds from our client and they are required to disclose that to their client.
10. What if my client already has an ERC refund pending approval?
If your client has already applied for an ERC refund and is awaiting approval, they can take advantage of third-party services to access their pending funds sooner.
Get Started Helping Your Clients Advance Their ERC Refund
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a great way for employers to get financial relief from the effects of COVID-19. However, it’s important to understand the details of how it works, including eligibility requirements and processing times. Partnering with a third-party service provider can make the process easier and faster, so your clients can get their ERC refund sooner. With the right partner, businesses can receive their ERC refund in as little as two weeks rather than waiting months for approval. If you have clients considering applying for an ERC, contact Raistone to learn more about our services. We’ll help you maximize your client’s benefit from this valuable program. Many of our tax preparation partners have found this to be a significant service offering for their clients, one that can help improve client satisfaction and increase loyalty.
Please note: As of the first quarter of calendar year 2024, Raistone phased out its Employee Retention Credit payment advance solution, as the Internal Revenue Service also wound down the program. Small- and medium-sized businesses looking for other non-debt funding solutions are encouraged to explore how Raistone’s suite of working capital products can help their company get paid faster.
