Tax credits for employers
You may be able to save money on your federal taxes by hiring someone from one of the following groups who has traditionally faced significant barriers to employment.NOTE: There have been several changes in this program over the last year. Please read the categories below carefully to make sure your new worker qualifies for federal tax credits.
Two-years of tax savings for long-term welfare recipients
You can save up to $9,000 over two years if you hire someone who is a member of a family that:- Received Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits for at least the previous 18 consecutive months.*
- Received 18 months of TANF since August 1997 and the 18th month is within the last two years.*
- Stopped being eligible for TANF payments within the last two years because he or she exceeded the maximum time allowed for benefits.
How much you can save
First year
1-119 hours worked = No credit
120-399 hours worked = 25 percent of the first $10,000 in wages (up to $2,500)
400+ hours worked = 40 percent of the first $10,000 in wages (up to $4,000)
Second year
50 percent of the first $10,000 in wages (up to $5,000)
Other tax savings
You also can qualify for tax credits if you hire someone from one of the following groups.
A short-term welfare recipient who is a member of a family that has received Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits for at least nine of the last 18 months.*
A veteran who is:
- A member of a family that has received food stamps for at least three consecutive months in the last 15 months.*
OR - Receiving disability-benefit payments for a service-connected disability and is hired within one year of being discharged from active service.
OR - Receiving disability-benefit payments for a service-connected disability and has been unemployed for at least six of the previous 12-months.
An ex-felon who: - Was released within the last year.
OR - Is participating in a work-release program.
An 18-39 year-old who: - Lives in a federally designated Enterprise Community or Renewal Community (Tacoma, Yakima, Okanogan and Ferry County).
OR - Is a member of a family that has received food stamps for the last six months prior to the hire date.*
A person with a disability who: - Is participating in a vocational rehabilitation program through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Services for the Blind, the U.S. Veteran’s Administration or the Social Security Ticket-To-Work program.
OR - Received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for any month in the previous 60-days.
A 16-17 year-old (summer youth) who lives in a federally designated Enterprise Community or Renewal Community (Tacoma, Yakima, Okanogan and Ferry County) AND is hired between May 1 and September 15.
* The person you hire must have personally received TANF or food stamps for one of the required months.
How much you can save
Tier 1 – Employee worked 120-399 hours within the first year
For each employee = 25 percent of first $6,000 in wages (up to $1,500).
For disabled veterans = 25 percent up first $12,000 in wages (up to $3,000).
For summer youth = 25 percent of first $3,000 in wages (up to $750).
Tier 2 – Employee worked 400+ hours within the first year
For each employee = 40 percent of first $6,000 in wages (up to $2,400).
For disabled veterans = 40 percent up first $12,000 in wages (up to $4,800).
For summer youth = 40 percent of first $3,000 in wages (up to $1,200).
Apply right away
Forms must be post-marked within 28 days of the date you hire your new employee. We must have original signatures, so we cannot accept photocopies or faxes.
Follow these steps to apply. - Have the applicant complete and sign the pre-screening form (IRS 8850).
- If the applicant has checked one of the boxes and you think he or she qualifies, complete and sign page two of the form.
- Complete the Individual Characteristic form (ETA 9061).
- Mail all completed forms to:
Employment Security Department
WOTC Administrative Unit
P.O. Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
All late and incomplete applications will be denied.
For more information, contact us.
A member of a family that has received food stamps for at least three consecutive months in the last 15 months.*
Receiving disability-benefit payments for a service-connected disability and is hired within one year of being discharged from active service.
Receiving disability-benefit payments for a service-connected disability and has been unemployed for at least six of the previous 12-months.
Was released within the last year.
Is participating in a work-release program.
Lives in a federally designated Enterprise Community or Renewal Community (Tacoma, Yakima, Okanogan and Ferry County).
Is a member of a family that has received food stamps for the last six months prior to the hire date.*
Is participating in a vocational rehabilitation program through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Services for the Blind, the U.S. Veteran’s Administration or the Social Security Ticket-To-Work program.
Received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for any month in the previous 60-days.
For each employee = 25 percent of first $6,000 in wages (up to $1,500).
For disabled veterans = 25 percent up first $12,000 in wages (up to $3,000).
For summer youth = 25 percent of first $3,000 in wages (up to $750).
Tier 2 – Employee worked 400+ hours within the first year
For each employee = 40 percent of first $6,000 in wages (up to $2,400).
For disabled veterans = 40 percent up first $12,000 in wages (up to $4,800).
For summer youth = 40 percent of first $3,000 in wages (up to $1,200).
Apply right away
Forms must be post-marked within 28 days of the date you hire your new employee. We must have original signatures, so we cannot accept photocopies or faxes.Follow these steps to apply.
- Have the applicant complete and sign the pre-screening form (IRS 8850).
- If the applicant has checked one of the boxes and you think he or she qualifies, complete and sign page two of the form.
- Complete the Individual Characteristic form (ETA 9061).
- Mail all completed forms to:
Employment Security Department
WOTC Administrative Unit
P.O. Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
For more information, contact us.