IRS Issues Warning on Employee Retention Credit

Advocacy
Published
Contact: J.P. Delmore
[email protected]
AVP, Government Affairs
(202) 266-8412

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued several warnings citing concerns that third-party promoters are pushing ineligible taxpayers to claim the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). The IRS is urging businesses to carefully review the ERC guidelines before claiming the credit. In the most recent warning, the agency noted “the IRS is actively auditing and conducting criminal investigations related to these false claims. People need to think twice before claiming this."

The ERC was a short-lived tax credit to support businesses that retained their workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. To qualify for the ERC, employers must have had operations fully or partially shut down on order of an appropriate governmental entity or must have experienced a significant decline in gross receipts. The credit existed for part of 2020 and 2021.

The IRS has now issued several warnings to employers to be wary of third parties who are advising them to claim the ERC when they may not qualify. Some third parties are taking improper positions related to taxpayer eligibility for and computation of the credit.

NAHB is providing this information for general information only. This information does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind nor should it be construed as such. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers.

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