26 USC 51 - Amount of credit

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 51.

Amount of credit

(a)

Determination of amount

(b)

Qualified wages defined

For purposes of this subpart—

(1)

In general

(2)

Qualified first-year wages

(3)

Limitation on wages per year taken into account

(c)

Wages defined

For purposes of this subpart—

(1)

In general

(2)

On-the-job training and work supplementation payments

(A)

Exclusion for employers receiving on-the-job training payments

(B)

Reduction for work supplementation payments to employers

(3)

Payments for services during labor disputes

If—

(A)

the principal place of employment of an individual with the employer is at a plant or facility, and

(B)

there is a strike or lockout involving employees at such plant or facility,

the term “wages” shall not include any amount paid or incurred by the employer to such individual for services which are the same as, or substantially similar to, those services performed by employees participating in, or affected by, the strike or lockout during the period of such strike or lockout.

(4)

Termination

(5)

Coordination with payroll tax forgiveness

(d)

Members of targeted groups

For purposes of this subpart—

(1)

In general

An individual is a member of a targeted group if such individual is—

(A)

a qualified IV–A recipient,

(B)

a qualified veteran,

(C)

a qualified ex-felon,

(D)

a designated community resident,

(E)

a vocational rehabilitation referral,

(F)

a qualified summer youth employee,

(G)

a qualified supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits recipient,

(H)

a qualified SSI recipient,

(I)

a long-term family assistance recipient, or

(J)

a qualified long-term unemployment recipient.

(2)

Qualified IV–A recipient

(A)

In general

(B)

IV–A program

(3)

Qualified veteran

(A)

In general

The term “qualified veteran” means any veteran who is certified by the designated local agency as—

(i)

being a member of a family receiving assistance under a supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 for at least a 3-month period ending during the 12-month period ending on the hiring date,

(ii)

entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability, and—

(I)

having a hiring date which is not more that 1 year after having been discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, or

(II)

having aggregate periods of unemployment during the 1-year period ending on the hiring date which equal or exceed 6 months,

(iii)

having aggregate periods of unemployment during the 1-year period ending on the hiring date which equal or exceed 4 weeks (but less than 6 months), or

(iv)

having aggregate periods of unemployment during the 1-year period ending on the hiring date which equal or exceed 6 months.

(B)

Veteran

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “veteran” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency as—

(i)

(I)

having served on active duty (other than active duty for training) in the Armed Forces of the United States for a period of more than 180 days, or

(II)

having been discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States for a service-connected disability, and

(ii)

not having any day during the 60-day period ending on the hiring date which was a day of extended active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States.

For purposes of clause (ii), the term “extended active duty” means a period of more than 90 days during which the individual was on active duty (other than active duty for training).

(C)

Other definitions

(4)

Qualified ex-felon

The term “qualified ex-felon” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency—

(A)

as having been convicted of a felony under any statute of the United States or any State, and

(B)

as having a hiring date which is not more than 1 year after the last date on which such individual was so convicted or was released from prison.

(5)

Designated community residents

(A)

In general

The term “designated community resident” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency—

(i)

as having attained age 18 but not age 40 on the hiring date, and

(ii)

as having his principal place of abode within an empowerment zone, enterprise community, renewal community, or rural renewal county.

(B)

Individual must continue to reside in zone, community, or county

(C)

Rural renewal county

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “rural renewal county” means any county which—

(i)

is outside a metropolitan statistical area (defined as such by the Office of Management and Budget), and

(ii)

during the 5-year periods 1990 through 1994 and 1995 through 1999 had a net population loss.

(6)

Vocational rehabilitation referral

The term “vocational rehabilitation referral” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency as—

(A)

having a physical or mental disability which, for such individual, constitutes or results in a substantial handicap to employment, and

(B)

having been referred to the employer upon completion of (or while receiving) rehabilitative services pursuant to—

(i)

an individualized written plan for employment under a State plan for vocational rehabilitation services approved under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,

(ii)

a program of vocational rehabilitation carried out under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, or

(iii)

an individual work plan developed and implemented by an employment network pursuant to subsection (g) of section 1148 of the Social Security Act with respect to which the requirements of such subsection are met.

(7)

Qualified summer youth employee

(A)

In general

The term “qualified summer youth employee” means any individual—

(i)

who performs services for the employer between May 1 and September 15,

(ii)

who is certified by the designated local agency as having attained age 16 but not 18 on the hiring date (or if later, on May 1 of the calendar year involved),

(iii)

who has not been an employee of the employer during any period prior to the 90-day period described in subparagraph (B)(i), and

(iv)

who is certified by the designated local agency as having his principal place of abode within an empowerment zone, enterprise community, or renewal community.

(B)

Special rules for determining amount of credit

For purposes of applying this subpart to wages paid or incurred to any qualified summer youth employee—

(i)

subsection (b)(2) shall be applied by substituting “any 90-day period between May 1 and September 15” for “the 1-year period beginning with the day the individual begins work for the employer”, and

(ii)

subsection (b)(3) shall be applied by substituting “$3,000” for “$6,000”.

The preceding sentence shall not apply to an individual who, with respect to the same employer, is certified as a member of another targeted group after such individual has been a qualified summer youth employee.

(C)

Youth must continue to reside in zone or community

(8)

Qualified supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits recipient

(A)

In general

The term “qualified supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits recipient” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency—

(i)

as having attained age 18 but not age 40 on the hiring date, and

(ii)

as being a member of a family—

(I)

receiving assistance under a supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 for the 6-month period ending on the hiring date, or

(II)

receiving such assistance for at least 3 months of the 5-month period ending on the hiring date, in the case of a member of a family who ceases to be eligible for such assistance under section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

(B)

Participation information

(9)

Qualified SSI recipient

(10)

Long-term family assistance recipient

The term “long-term family assistance recipient” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency—

(A)

as being a member of a family receiving assistance under a IV–A program (as defined in paragraph (2)(B)) for at least the 18-month period ending on the hiring date,

(B)

(i)

as being a member of a family receiving such assistance for 18 months beginning after August 5, 1997, and

(ii)

as having a hiring date which is not more than 2 years after the end of the earliest such 18-month period, or

(C)

(i)

as being a member of a family which ceased to be eligible for such assistance by reason of any limitation imposed by Federal or State law on the maximum period such assistance is payable to a family, and

(ii)

as having a hiring date which is not more than 2 years after the date of such cessation.

(11)

Hiring date

(12)

Designated local agency

(13)

Special rules for certifications

(A)

In general

An individual shall not be treated as a member of a targeted group unless—

(i)

on or before the day on which such individual begins work for the employer, the employer has received a certification from a designated local agency that such individual is a member of a targeted group, or

(ii)

(I)

on or before the day the individual is offered employment with the employer, a pre-screening notice is completed by the employer with respect to such individual, and

(II)

not later than the 28th day after the individual begins work for the employer, the employer submits such notice, signed by the employer and the individual under penalties of perjury, to the designated local agency as part of a written request for such a certification from such agency.

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “pre-screening notice” means a document (in such form as the Secretary shall prescribe) which contains information provided by the individual on the basis of which the employer believes that the individual is a member of a targeted group.

(B)

Incorrect certifications

If—

(i)

an individual has been certified by a designated local agency as a member of a targeted group, and

(ii)

such certification is incorrect because it was based on false information provided by such individual,

the certification shall be revoked and wages paid by the employer after the date on which notice of revocation is received by the employer shall not be treated as qualified wages.

(C)

Explanation of denial of request

(D)

Credit for unemployed veterans

(i)

In general

Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for purposes of paragraph (3)(A)—

(I)

a veteran will be treated as certified by the designated local agency as having aggregate periods of unemployment meeting the requirements of clause (ii)(II) or (iv) of such paragraph (whichever is applicable) if such veteran is certified by such agency as being in receipt of unemployment compensation under State or Federal law for not less than 6 months during the 1-year period ending on the hiring date, and

(II)

a veteran will be treated as certified by the designated local agency as having aggregate periods of unemployment meeting the requirements of clause (iii) of such paragraph if such veteran is certified by such agency as being in receipt of unemployment compensation under State or Federal law for not less than 4 weeks (but less than 6 months) during the 1-year period ending on the hiring date.

(ii)

Regulatory authority

(14)

Credit allowed for unemployed veterans and disconnected youth hired in 2009 or 2010

(A)

In general

(B)

Definitions

For purposes of this paragraph—

(i)

Unemployed veteran

The term “unemployed veteran” means any veteran (as defined in paragraph (3)(B), determined without regard to clause (ii) thereof) who is certified by the designated local agency as—

(I)

having been discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces at any time during the 5-year period ending on the hiring date, and

(II)

being in receipt of unemployment compensation under State or Federal law for not less than 4 weeks during the 1-year period ending on the hiring date.

(ii)

Disconnected youth

The term “disconnected youth” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency—

(I)

as having attained age 16 but not age 25 on the hiring date,

(II)

as not regularly attending any secondary, technical, or post-secondary school during the 6-month period preceding the hiring date,

(III)

as not regularly employed during such 6-month period, and

(IV)

as not readily employable by reason of lacking a sufficient number of basic skills.

(15)

Qualified long-term unemployment recipient

The term “qualified long-term unemployment recipient” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency as being in a period of unemployment which—

(A)

is not less than 27 consecutive weeks, and

(B)

includes a period in which the individual was receiving unemployment compensation under State or Federal law.

(e)

Credit for second-year wages for employment of long-term family assistance recipients

(1)

In general

With respect to the employment of a long-term family assistance recipient—

(A)

the amount of the work opportunity credit determined under this section for the taxable year shall include 50 percent of the qualified second-year wages for such year, and

(B)

in lieu of applying subsection (b)(3), the amount of the qualified first-year wages, and the amount of qualified second-year wages, which may be taken into account with respect to such a recipient shall not exceed $10,000 per year.

(2)

Qualified second-year wages

For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified second-year wages” means qualified wages—

(A)

which are paid to a long-term family assistance recipient, and

(B)

which are attributable to service rendered during the 1-year period beginning on the day after the last day of the 1-year period with respect to such recipient determined under subsection (b)(2).

(3)

Special rules for agricultural and railway labor

If such recipient is an employee to whom subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (h)(1) applies, rules similar to the rules of such subparagraphs shall apply except that—

(A)

such subparagraph (A) shall be applied by substituting “$10,000” for “$6,000”, and

(B)

such subparagraph (B) shall be applied by substituting “$833.33” for “$500”.

(f)

Remuneration must be for trade or business employment

(1)

In general

(2)

Special rule for certain determination

(g)

United States Employment Service to notify employers of availability of credit

(h)

Special rules for agricultural labor and railway labor

For purposes of this subpart—

(1)

Unemployment insurance wages

(A)

Agricultural labor

(B)

Railway labor

(2)

Wages

(i)

Certain individuals ineligible

(1)

Related individuals

No wages shall be taken into account under subsection (a) with respect to an individual who—

(A)

bears any of the relationships described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of section 152(d)(2) to the taxpayer, or, if the taxpayer is a corporation, to an individual who owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent in value of the outstanding stock of the corporation, or, if the taxpayer is an entity other than a corporation, to any individual who owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the capital and profits interests in the entity (determined with the application of section 267(c)),

(B)

if the taxpayer is an estate or trust, is a grantor, beneficiary, or fiduciary of the estate or trust, or is an individual who bears any of the relationships described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of section 152(d)(2) to a grantor, beneficiary, or fiduciary of the estate or trust, or

(C)

is a dependent (described in section 152(d)(2)(H)) of the taxpayer, or, if the taxpayer is a corporation, of an individual described in subparagraph (A), or, if the taxpayer is an estate or trust, of a grantor, beneficiary, or fiduciary of the estate or trust.

(2)

Nonqualifying rehires

(3)

Individuals not meeting minimum employment periods

(A)

Reduction of credit for individuals performing fewer than 400 hours of service

(B)

Denial of credit for individuals performing fewer than 120 hours of service

(j)

Election to have work opportunity credit not apply

(1)

In general

(2)

Time for making election

(3)

Manner of making election

(k)

Treatment of successor employers; treatment of employees performing services for other persons

(1)

Treatment of successor employers

(2)

Treatment of employees performing services for other persons

(Added Pub. L. 95–30, title II, § 202(b), May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 141; amended Pub. L. 95–600, title III, § 321(a), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2830; Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 103(a)(6)(A), (E), (F), (G)(iii)–(ix), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 209, 210; Pub. L. 97–34, title II, § 261(a)–(b)(2)(A), (B)(ii)–(f)(1), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 260–262; Pub. L. 97–248, title II, § 233(a)–(d), (f), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 501, 502; Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 102(l)(1), (3), (4), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2374; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 474(p)(1)–(3), title VII, § 712(n), title X, § 1041(a), (c)(1)–(4), div. B, title VI, §§ 2638(b), 2663(j)(5)(A), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 837, 955, 1042, 1043, 1144, 1171; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVII, § 1701(a)–(c), title XVIII, § 1878(f)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2772, 2904; Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10601(a), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–451; Pub. L. 100–485, title II, § 202(c)(6), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2378; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1017(a), title IV, § 4010(a), (c)(1), (d)(1), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3575, 3655; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7103(a), (c)(1), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2305; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11405(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–473; Pub. L. 102–227, title I, § 105(a), Dec. 11, 1991, 105 Stat. 1687; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §§ 13102(a), 13302(d), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 420, 556; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1201(a)–(e)(1), (5), (f), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1768–1772; Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 110(l)(1), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2173; Pub. L. 105–33, title V, § 5514(a)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 620; Pub. L. 105–34, title VI, § 603(a)–(d), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 862; Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title I, § 1002(a), title IV, § 4006(c)(1), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–888, 2681–912; Pub. L. 106–170, title V, § 505(a), (b), Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1921; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title I, § 102(a)–(c), title III, § 316(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–600, 2763A–644; Pub. L. 107–147, title VI, § 604(a), Mar. 9, 2002, 116 Stat. 59; Pub. L. 108–311, title II, § 207(5), title III, § 303(a)(1), Oct. 4, 2004, 118 Stat. 1177, 1179; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title I, § 105(a)–(e)(3), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2936, 2937; Pub. L. 110–28, title VIII, § 8211(a)–(d), May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 191; Pub. L. 110–234, title IV, § 4002(b)(1)(A), (B), (D), (2)(O), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1095–1097; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title IV, § 4002(b)(1)(A), (B), (D), (2)(O), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1857, 1858; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1221(a), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 337; Pub. L. 111–147, title I, § 101(b), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 74; Pub. L. 111–312, title VII, § 757(a), Dec. 17, 2010, 124 Stat. 3322; Pub. L. 112–56, title II, § 261(a)–(d), Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 729, 730; Pub. L. 112–240, title III, § 309(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2329; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title I, § 119(a), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4015; Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title I, § 142(a), (b), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3056; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(26)–(29), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1185; Pub. L. 116–94, div. Q, title I, § 143(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3234; Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 113(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3050.)

cite as: 26 USC 51