Amount of credit
Determination of amount
Qualified wages defined
For purposes of this subpart—
In general
Qualified first-year wages
Limitation on wages per year taken into account
Wages defined
For purposes of this subpart—
In general
On-the-job training and work supplementation payments
Exclusion for employers receiving on-the-job training payments
Reduction for work supplementation payments to employers
Payments for services during labor disputes
If—
the principal place of employment of an individual with the employer is at a plant or facility, and
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.
Termination
The term “wages” shall not include any amount paid or incurred to an individual who begins work for the employer—
after
after
Coordination with payroll tax forgiveness
Members of targeted groups
For purposes of this subpart—
In general
An individual is a member of a targeted group if such individual is—
a qualified IV–A recipient,
a qualified veteran,
a qualified ex-felon,
a designated community resident,
a vocational rehabilitation referral,
a qualified summer youth employee,
a qualified supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits recipient,
a qualified SSI recipient, or
a long-term family assistance recipient.
Qualified IV–A recipient
In general
IV–A program
Qualified veteran
In general
The term “qualified veteran” means any veteran who is certified by the designated local agency as—
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,
entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability, and—
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
having aggregate periods of unemployment during the 1-year period ending on the hiring date which equal or exceed 6 months 3
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
having aggregate periods of unemployment during the 1-year period ending on the hiring date which equal or exceed 6 months.
Veteran
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “veteran” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency as—
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
having been discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States for a service-connected disability, and
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).
Other definitions
Qualified ex-felon
The term “qualified ex-felon” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency—
as having been convicted of a felony under any statute of the United States or any State, and
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.
Designated community residents
In general
The term “designated community resident” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency—
as having attained age 18 but not age 40 on the hiring date, and
as having his principal place of abode within an empowerment zone, enterprise community, renewal community, or rural renewal county.
Individual must continue to reside in zone, community, or county
Rural renewal county
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “rural renewal county” means any county which—
is outside a metropolitan statistical area (defined as such by the Office of Management and Budget), and
during the 5-year periods 1990 through 1994 and 1995 through 1999 had a net population loss.
Vocational rehabilitation referral
The term “vocational rehabilitation referral” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency as—
having a physical or mental disability which, for such individual, constitutes or results in a substantial handicap to employment, and
having been referred to the employer upon completion of (or while receiving) rehabilitative services pursuant to—
an individualized written plan for employment under a State plan for vocational rehabilitation services approved under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
a program of vocational rehabilitation carried out under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, or
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.
Qualified summer youth employee
In general
The term “qualified summer youth employee” means any individual—
who performs services for the employer between May 1 and September 15,
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),
who has not been an employee of the employer during any period prior to the 90-day period described in subparagraph (B)(i), and
who is certified by the designated local agency as having his principal place of abode within an empowerment zone, enterprise community, or renewal community.
Special rules for determining amount of credit
For purposes of applying this subpart to wages paid or incurred to any qualified summer youth employee—
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
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.
Youth must continue to reside in zone or community
Qualified food stamp recipient 44 So in original. Probably should be “Qualified supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits recipient”.
In general
The term “qualified supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits recipient” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency—
as having attained age 18 but not age 40 on the hiring date, and
as being a member of a family—
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
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.
Participation information
Qualified SSI recipient
Long-term family assistance recipient
The term “long-term family assistance recipient” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency—
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,
as being a member of a family receiving such assistance for 18 months beginning after
as having a hiring date which is not more than 2 years after the end of the earliest such 18-month period, or
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
as having a hiring date which is not more than 2 years after the date of such cessation.
Hiring date
Designated local agency
Special rules for certifications
In general
An individual shall not be treated as a member of a targeted group unless—
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
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
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.
Incorrect certifications
If—
an individual has been certified by a designated local agency as a member of a targeted group, and
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.
Explanation of denial of request
Credit for unemployed veterans
In general
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for purposes of paragraph (3)(A)—
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
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.
Regulatory authority
Credit allowed for unemployed veterans and disconnected youth hired in 2009 or 2010
In general
Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph—
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—
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
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.
Disconnected youth
The term “disconnected youth” means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency—
as having attained age 16 but not age 25 on the hiring date,
as not regularly attending any secondary, technical, or post-secondary school during the 6-month period preceding the hiring date,
as not regularly employed during such 6-month period, and
as not readily employable by reason of lacking a sufficient number of basic skills.
Credit for second-year wages for employment of long-term family assistance recipients
In general
With respect to the employment of a long-term family assistance recipient—
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
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.
Qualified second-year wages
For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified second-year wages” means qualified wages—
which are paid to a long-term family assistance recipient, and
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).
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—
such subparagraph (A) shall be applied by substituting “$10,000” for “$6,000”, and
such subparagraph (B) shall be applied by substituting “$833.33” for “$500”.
Remuneration must be for trade or business employment
In general
Special rule for certain determination
United States Employment Service to notify employers of availability of credit
Special rules for agricultural labor and railway labor
For purposes of this subpart—
Unemployment insurance wages
Agricultural labor
Railway labor
Wages
Certain individuals ineligible
Related individuals
No wages shall be taken into account under subsection (a) with respect to an individual who—
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,5
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
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.
Nonqualifying rehires
Individuals not meeting minimum employment periods
Reduction of credit for individuals performing fewer than 400 hours of service
Denial of credit for individuals performing fewer than 120 hours of service
Election to have work opportunity credit not apply
In general
Time for making election
Manner of making election
Treatment of successor employers; treatment of employees performing services for other persons
Treatment of successor employers
Treatment of employees performing services for other persons
Source
(Added Pub. L. 95–30, title II, § 202(b),Notes
References in Text
Codification
Prior Provisions
Amendments
Effective Date of 2013 Amendment
Effective Date of 2011 Amendment
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this subsection [probably should be “section”, amending this section and sections 3111 and 3221 of this title] shall apply to wages paid after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Railroad retirement taxes.—
The amendments made by subsection (d) [amending section 3221 of this title] shall apply to compensation paid after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 51A of this title and repealing section 51A of this title] shall apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after
Consolidation.—
The amendments made by subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) [amending this section and repealing section 51A of this title] shall apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Effective Date of 1991 Amendment
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Credit.—
The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after
Authorization.—
The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending provisions set out below] shall apply to fiscal years beginning after 1990.”
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Special rule for employees performing services for other persons.—
Paragraph (2) of section 51(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as added by this subsection) and the amendment made by paragraph (3) of this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after
Effective Date of 1983 Amendment
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Subsection (b).—
The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after
Subsection (d).—
The amendments made by subsection (d) [amending this section] shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Amendments relating to members of targeted groups.—
In general.—
Except as provided in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), the amendments made by subsections (b), (c)(2), and (d) [amending this section and section 50B of this title] shall apply to wages paid or incurred with respect to individuals first beginning work for an employer after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Eligible work incentive employees.—
The amendments made by subsection (b)(2) [amending this section] to the extent relating to the designation of eligible work incentive employees (within the meaning of section 51(d)(9) [now 51(d)(10)] of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954]) as members of a targeted group and subsection (b)(2)(B)(ii) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Cooperative education program participants.—
The amendments made by subsection (b)(4) [amending this section] shall apply to wages paid or incurred after
Designated local agency.—
The amendments made by subsection (f)(1) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date 60 days after the date of the enactment of this act [
Certifications.—
In general.—
The amendment made by subsection (c)(1) [amending this section] shall apply to all individuals whether such individuals began work for their employer before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Special rule for individuals who began work for the employer before 45th day before date of enactment.—
In the case of any individual (other than an individual described in section 51(d)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) who began work for the employer before the date 45 days before the date of the enactment of this Act [
Individuals who begin work for employer within 45 days before or after date of enactment.—
In the case of any individual (other than an individual described in section 51(d)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) who begins work for the employer during the 90-day period beginning with the date 45 days before the date of the enactment of this Act [
Limitation on qualified first-year wages.—
The amendment made by subsection (e) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Effective Date
Returning Heroes and Wounded Warriors Work Opportunity Tax Credits; Treatment of Possessions of United States
Payments to possessions.—
Mirror code possessions.—
The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to each possession of the United States with a mirror code tax system amounts equal to the loss to that possession by reason of the amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 52 and 3111 of this title]. Such amounts shall be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury based on information provided by the government of the respective possession of the United States.
Other possessions.—
The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to each possession of the United States which does not have a mirror code tax system the amount estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury as being equal to the loss to that possession that would have occurred by reason of the amendments made by this section if a mirror code tax system had been in effect in such possession. The preceding sentence shall not apply with respect to any possession of the United States unless such possession establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the possession has implemented (or, at the discretion of the Secretary, will implement) an income tax benefit which is substantially equivalent to the income tax credit in effect after the amendments made by this section.
Coordination with credit allowed against united states income taxes.—
The credit allowed against United States income taxes for any taxable year under the amendments made by this section to section 51 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 51] to any person with respect to any qualified veteran shall be reduced by the amount of any credit (or other tax benefit described in paragraph (1)(B)) allowed to such person against income taxes imposed by the possession of the United States by reason of this subsection with respect to such qualified veteran for such taxable year.
Definitions and special rules.—
Possession of the united states.—
For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘possession of the United States’ includes American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.
Mirror code tax system.—
For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘mirror code tax system’ means, with respect to any possession of the United States, the income tax system of such possession if the income tax liability of the residents of such possession under such system is determined by reference to the income tax laws of the United States as if such possession were the United States.
Treatment of payments.—
For purposes of section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, the payments under this subsection shall be treated in the same manner as a refund due from credit provisions described in such section.”
Reference to Plan for Employment
Authorization of Appropriations
“There is authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary, to carry out the functions described by the amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section], except that, of the amounts appropriated pursuant to this paragraph—
$5,000,000 shall be used to test whether individuals certified as members of targeted groups under section 51 of such Code are eligible for such certification (including the use of statistical sampling techniques), and
the remainder shall be distributed under performance standards prescribed by the Secretary of Labor.
The Secretary of Labor shall each calendar year beginning with calendar year 1983 report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Finance of the Senate with respect to the results of the testing conducted under subparagraph (A) during the preceding calendar year.”
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
Special Rules for Newly Targeted Groups
Individual must be hired after september 26, 1978.—
In the case of a member of a newly targeted group, for purposes of applying the amendments made by this section—
such individual shall be taken into account for purposes of the credit allowable by section 44B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] only if such individual is first hired by the employer after
such individual shall be treated for purposes of such credit as having first begun work for the employer not earlier than
Member of newly targeted group defined.—
For purposes of subparagraph (A), an individual is a member of a newly targeted group if—
such individual meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of section 51(d) of such Code, and
in the case of an individual meeting the requirements of subparagraph (A) of such paragraph (1), a credit was not claimed for such individual by the taxpayer for a taxable year beginning before
Credit Allowable by Section 44B in Case of Taxable Year Beginning in 1978 and Ending After December 31, 1978
the amount of the credit which would be so determined without regard to the amendments made by this section, plus
the amount of the credit which would be so determined by reason of the amendments made by this section.”