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Employee Retention Tax Credit Overview

 

The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is a refundable tax credit designed to keep employees on payroll. Businesses who have seen a significant decrease in their gross sales and have been subject to a government shutdown/slowdown may be eligible for credits of up to $5,000 per employee on 2020 wages and $14,000 per employee on 2021 wages. That is potentially a credit of up to $19,000 per employee! Previously, this credit was not available to businesses who took PPP loans. The law has changed, and employers who took PPP loans can now take advantage of the ERTC in addition to PPP. While this credit can be a lucrative benefit, there have been many changes as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and there are many details to review before applying.