tax credit - Linkenheimer LLP CPAs & Advisors

Work Opportunity Tax Credit Extended Through 2025

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) that’s 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 credit is generally limited to eligible employees who began work for the employer before January 1, 2026.

Generally, an employer is eligible for the credit only for qualified wages paid to members of a targeted group. These groups are:

Qualified members of families receiving assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program,
Qualified veterans,
Qualified ex-felons,
Designated community residents,
Vocational rehabilitation referrals,
Qualified summer youth employees,
Qualified members of families in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP),
Qualified Supplemental Security Income recipients,
Long-term family assistance recipients, and
Long-term unemployed individuals.

You must meet certain requirements

There are a number of requirements to qualify for the credit. For example, for each employee, there’s also a minimum requirement that the employee must have completed at least 120 hours of service […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2021-03-01T20:20:12+00:00March 1st, 2021|New Tax Laws, tax credit|0 Comments

The Power of the Tax Credit for Buying an Electric Vehicle

Although electric vehicles (or EVs) are a small percentage of the cars on the road today, they’re increasing in popularity all the time. And if you buy one, you may be eligible for a federal tax break.

The tax code provides a credit to purchasers of qualifying plug-in electric drive motor vehicles including passenger vehicles and light trucks. The credit is equal to $2,500 plus an additional amount, based on battery capacity, that can’t exceed $5,000. Therefore, the maximum credit allowed for a qualifying EV is $7,500.

The EV definition

For purposes of the tax credit, a qualifying vehicle is defined as one with four wheels that’s propelled to a significant extent by an electric motor, which draws electricity from a battery. The battery must have a capacity of not less than four kilowatt hours and be capable of being recharged from an external source of electricity.

The credit may not be available because of a per-manufacturer cumulative sales limitation. Specifically, it phases out over six quarters beginning when a manufacturer has sold at least 200,000 qualifying vehicles for use in the United States (determined on a cumulative basis for sales after December 31, 2009). For […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2021-02-03T22:48:29+00:00February 3rd, 2021|credit, tax credit|0 Comments

IRS Highlights Employer Credits For Businesses During Small Business Week

During Small Business Week, the Internal Revenue Service reminds business owners and self-employed individuals of the employer credits available to them during COVID-19.

These credits were specially created to help small business owners during this unprecedented time. During Small Business Week, the IRS wants to ensure all eligible people know about the relief these credits provide.

Employee Retention Credit

The Employee Retention Credit is designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19.

The credit is available to all employers regardless of size, including tax-exempt organizations. There are only two exceptions: State and local governments and their instrumentalities and small businesses who take small business loans.

Qualifying employers must fall into one of two categories

The employer’s business is fully or partially suspended by government order due to COVID-19 during the calendar quarter.
The employer’s gross receipts are below 50% of the comparable quarter in 2019. Once the employer’s gross receipts go above 80% of a comparable quarter in 2019, they no longer qualify after the end of that quarter.

Employers […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-10-02T18:17:30+00:00October 2nd, 2020|business, employer, small business, tax credit, taxpayers california franchise tax board|0 Comments

California Tax Updates for July 8th

Post 1:

Interest rates set on overdue payroll tax in California. For the period beginning July 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020, the rate will be 5% compounded daily, according to the CA Employment Development Department. The rate is adjusted semiannually.

Post 2:

A California apparel designer loses a tax credit fight in court. CA companies that engage in qualified research and development (R&D) activities may be entitled to a credit on their CA tax returns. In one case, a women’s apparel design company filed for tax refunds for 2008 through 2011, based on claims for R&D credits in those years. The credit related to projects, which the CA Franchise Tax Board (FTB) said didn’t satisfy a requirement known as the experimentation process test. The credits were disallowed. The taxpayer sought a rehearing in the CA Office of Tax Appeals. The Appeals Court agreed with the FTB and upheld the decision to disallow the credit. (Swat-Fame, Inc. 5/20/20) If you […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:02:18+00:00July 8th, 2020|ca, CA tax, california, payments, research credit, tax credit|0 Comments

Do You Have Tax Questions Related To COVID-19? Here Are Some Answers

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected many Americans’ finances. Here are some answers to questions you may have right now.

My employer closed the office and I’m working from home. Can I deduct any of the related expenses?

Unfortunately, no. If you’re an employee who telecommutes, there are strict rules that govern whether you can deduct home office expenses. For 2018–2025 employee home office expenses aren’t deductible. (Starting in 2026, an employee may deduct home office expenses, within limits, if the office is for the convenience of his or her employer and certain requirements are met.)

Be aware that these are the rules for employees. Business owners who work from home may qualify for home office deductions.

My son was laid off from his job and is receiving unemployment benefits. Are they taxable?

Yes. Unemployment compensation is taxable for federal tax purposes. This includes your son’s […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:02:59+00:00May 5th, 2020|business, deduction, deductions, disaster, employer, individuals, ira, irs, New Tax Laws, roth ira, small business, tax credit, tax deductions, tax implications, tax planning|0 Comments