Are you a dental or medical office struggling to keep your employees on staff? You may be eligible for the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC).
This credit was created to help employers maintain their workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a great way to reduce expenses and keep your team employed.
In this article, we’ll discuss ERTC eligibility requirements, benefits, drawbacks, how to calculate it, steps for claiming it, and alternative solutions.
Read on to learn more about how ERTC can help your business!
Overview of Employee Retention Tax Credit
You may be familiar with the concept of incentivizing corporations to retain their staff; this overview delves into the specifics of how it applies to those in dental and medical fields.
The employee retention tax credit (ERTC) is a federal government program that encourages businesses, including those in the healthcare sector, to keep employees on their payrolls during periods when operations are affected by economic or public health crises. This credit provides employers with up to $5,000 per employee in tax credits against Social Security taxes for wages paid between March 13, 2020 and December 31, 2021 due to COVID-19 related business closures or other effects.
Eligible employers must experience either a 20% decline in gross receipts quarter over quarter compared to the same quarter in 2019 or have been fully or partially shut down due to orders from an appropriate governmental authority due to COVID-19. Businesses who qualify for ERTC must also incur eligible wages and health plan expenses between March 13th, 2020 and December 31st, 2021.
Eligible wages include salaries, bonuses and certain group health plan payments made during that period. Health plan expenses are amounts paid for services provided before January 1st, 2022 under any group health plan sponsored by the employer that cover at least 50% of its employees’ total cost of coverage.
The ERTC can be claimed quarterly on IRS Form 941 beginning with the first quarter after March 13th, 2020 when eligible wages were incurred for each qualifying employee. Employers may also claim a portion of these credits as refundable credits if they can’t use all of them as nonrefundable credits against employment taxes due during that year.
Although employers should make sure they’re aware of all applicable rules before applying this credit because not every detail has been ironed out yet by policymakers and the IRS.
It’s important for dental and medical offices affected by COVID-19 restrictions understand their options regarding retaining staff while minimizing costs associated with having workers on payrolls over extended periods of time during an uncertain economy – like what’s being offered through ERTC programs now available nationwide.
Knowing about these incentives helps employers remain competitive while protecting both their bottom line and workforce stability as our country navigates through this crisis together.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, one must meet certain criteria; no exceptions. Dental and medical offices must have fewer than 500 employees to qualify for the employee retention tax credit. This means that any business with more than 500 full-time or part-time employees is not eligible.
The business must also have experienced a decrease in gross receipts of at least 20 percent when compared to the same quarter in 2019 or 2020. If the dental or medical office meets these criteria, they may be able to receive a refundable tax credit for 50 percent of qualified wages up to $5,000 per employee for each quarter.
In order for wages to qualify for the credit, they must be paid from March 13th, 2020 through December 31st, 2021 and cannot exceed $10,000 per employee quarterly. Wages are considered qualified if they are paid by an employer operating during either a partial suspension due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by governmental authorities or through significant decline in gross receipts as previously mentioned.
The IRS has put forth guidelines allowing employers who received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans access to this tax credit as well. For example, if an employer received PPP funds but is still experiencing economic hardship because their revenue is lower than it was prior to the pandemic, then they can still apply for the employee retention tax credit provided they meet all other eligibility requirements outlined above.
Employers should keep track of their payroll data from March 13th onwards so that when filing taxes it can easily be determined whether or not their employees’ wages qualify for this credit.
The amount of money received depends on two factors: how many full-time and part-time employees were employed during the crisis and how much money was spent on wages during that time period. As long as businesses check all boxes listed above and provide accurate records of their payroll data then there’s a good chance that they’ll receive some form of assistance through this program designed to help soften financial blows brought upon them due to COVID-19 related closures and restrictions.
Benefits of Employee Retention Tax Credit
By taking advantage of this program, you can help ensure the stability of your business and secure the future of its employees.
The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) provides eligible employers with a credit against payroll taxes equal to 50% of qualified wages paid during 2020 or 2021 to retain their employees. This tax credit is available for businesses that have seen a decline in gross receipts due to the pandemic. Employers can also use the ERTC in conjunction with other relief programs such as Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, allowing them to maximize the benefits from both programs.
The ERTC helps businesses retain their workforce by providing an incentive for employers who keep their employees on staff even if they are unable to pay them at full salary. This allows dental and medical offices to maintain their workforce while still saving money through reduced payroll taxes.
Additionally, it gives employers peace of mind knowing that they will be able to continue operating despite any losses resulting from the pandemic. The ERTC also helps businesses keep up with current trends and technology, enabling them to stay competitive in an ever-changing market landscape. By utilizing new tools and technologies, these offices can improve operations efficiency while reducing costs associated with employee training and development.
Furthermore, it encourages investment into new systems and processes which may result in increased revenue over time. This tax credit helps reduce financial strain on businesses at a time when many are struggling due to COVID-19 related losses, allowing them more resources for other essential needs like purchasing supplies or expanding services.
It also provides a way for employers to show appreciation for their staff’s contributions during uncertain times without breaking the bank. With all these benefits combined, it’s no wonder why so many dental and medical offices are taking advantage of this program today!
Drawbacks of Employee Retention Tax Credit
Despite its numerous advantages, the ERTC also comes with some drawbacks. One of the most significant is that businesses must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for the tax credit. Depending on the business’s size and industry, it may not qualify for this incentive even if it has experienced a revenue decline due to COVID-19 related shutdowns or layoffs.
Additionally, employers may only claim the ERTC if they received a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This can be difficult for small businesses that have been denied a PPP loan or have already exhausted their loan funds.
Another potential downside to claiming an ERTC is its complexity. Employers must navigate IRS forms and regulations in order to properly apply for and receive the tax credit. Many small businesses lack sufficient resources and personnel needed to undertake such a task, making them unable to take advantage of this incentive program even if they are eligible.
Furthermore, employers may face additional administrative costs associated with applying for an ERTC which could offset any benefit they receive from receiving this tax credit.
In addition, while employees would receive wages funded by the tax credit, these wages would not be included as part of their taxable income when filing taxes each year; however, employees would still need to report those wages on their W-2 form when filing taxes annually. This means that employees could potentially face higher taxes than expected due to earning more money through receiving an ERTC wage subsidy than anticipated when filing their taxes each year.
The Employee Retention Tax Credit also does not cover employer-provided benefits such as health insurance premiums or retirement contributions which are often used as methods of employee retention by many businesses today. As such, employers cannot use this particular option as a way to provide additional incentives beyond wages for their workers when attempting to retain them during difficult times caused by economic downturns like those brought about by COVID-19 pandemics or other financial crises in general.
Calculating the Credit
Calculating the ERTC can be a complex undertaking, but it’s worth it to take advantage of this incentive and ensure you’re getting the maximum benefit.
To calculate the credit, you’ll need to know your average number of full-time employees and your total wages paid during 2019. The credit is equal to 50% of the eligible wages paid up to $10,000 per employee over the course of 2020. This means that if an employee earns more than $20,000 in 2020, only half of that wage will count towards calculating your credit. You’ll also need to consider any credits or deductions related to COVID-19 relief legislation when calculating your ERTC amount.
In addition, dental and medical offices should also factor in any applicable state or local tax incentives for retaining employees on their payrolls. Depending on where you live and operate your business, you may be able to get additional credits for hiring and retaining employees through 2021. If so, these additional credits should be included when calculating your overall ERTC amount.
It’s important to note that if an employer reduces its workforce after claiming the ERTC they could be required to pay back a portion or all of the credit based on how many employees were laid off during 2020 compared with 2019 employment levels. It is best practice for employers who are considering layoffs or furloughing staff members due to economic hardship related to COVID-19 not claim this credit until after those decisions have been made.
To ensure accuracy when calculating the ERTC for dental and medical offices, it is recommended that employers work with a qualified accountant or financial advisor familiar with both IRS regulations as well as local incentives available from state governments and municipalities. Doing so will provide peace of mind, knowing that all applicable calculations have been completed correctly while maximizing opportunities for savings from this incentive program designed specifically for small businesses affected by pandemic-related hardships.
Steps for Claiming the Credit
Claiming the ERTC is easy and convenient, so don’t miss out on this great opportunity to save your business money!
The first step in claiming the credit is to complete Form 941-X. This form serves as an amended version of Form 941, which you would have already completed if you claimed the credit in 2020. Once filled out and submitted, it will help you claim the ERTC for wages paid from January 1 through March 31 of 2021.
The next step is to file IRS Form 5884-C with your tax return for 2021. This form will allow you to make a claim for any eligible employees who were rehired after December 31, 2019 and before April 1, 2021.
All information regarding employee wages, hours worked, etc., must be included on this form when filing your taxes. You may also need to attach additional documents such as proof of health insurance coverage or a copy of the employee’s W-2 forms for 2020 and 2021 when submitting your tax forms.
You should also include documentation that proves an employee was laid off due to economic hardship related to COVID-19 (such as a letter from their former employer). Finally, make sure all paperwork is filed by April 15th or before the deadline if extended by the IRS; otherwise you may not receive all applicable credits or deductions that could be beneficial to your business!
Don’t delay – take advantage of these great savings opportunities today!
Alternatives to Employee Retention Tax Credit
If you’re looking for other ways to save your business money, there are alternatives to the Employee Retention Tax Credit that could be just as beneficial!
One such alternative is offering a health savings account (HSA) to employees. An HSA allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars from their paycheck towards medical expenses. This helps them pay for out-of-pocket medical costs and can also reduce taxable income. Employers can contribute up to $3,550 annually into an employee’s HSA account, and contributions are tax-deductible for the employer.
Another way businesses can save money is by offering flexible work schedules or telecommuting options. This eliminates the need for expensive office space and overhead costs associated with having staff in the office on a daily basis. It also gives employees more control over when and how they work, potentially increasing productivity and job satisfaction.
Additionally, employers may be able to take advantage of state tax incentives if they implement telecommuting options or offer flexible hours.
Businesses may also consider switching their insurance provider if they can get better rates elsewhere without sacrificing coverage quality or benefits offered. Shop around and compare different providers before making a decision; this will help ensure you get the best deal possible while still providing adequate coverage for your dental and medical offices.
Tax credits aren’t your only option when it comes to saving money – consider these alternatives before making any final decisions!
With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to improving efficiency and reducing costs without compromising quality of care or employee benefits provided by your dental or medical offices.
Conclusion
You’ve learned the ins and outs of employee retention tax credits for dental and medical offices.
You know what the eligibility requirements are, what benefits it offers, how to calculate it, and how to claim it.
Now that you have all this information, you can decide if employee retention tax credit is right for your business.
Keep in mind that there may be other options available to help retain employees as well.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you!
With the right plan in place, you can ensure that your business has a bright future ahead.