The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit available to employers for hiring and employing individuals from certain targeted groups who have faced significant barriers to employment1. The WOTC aims to promote workplace diversity and facilitate access to good jobs for American workers1. The WOTC is available for wages paid to certain individuals who begin work on or before December 31, 20252.
Under the WOTC program, participating employers may do all the following:
Hire as many new individuals who qualify for these tax savings as they need3. There is no limit on the number of individuals an employer can hire to qualify for the WOTC.
Make the hiring decisions3. The employer has the sole discretion to decide whom to hire and whether to claim the WOTC for eligible employees.
Complete minimal paperwork to claim the tax credit3. The employer and the job applicant must complete Form 8850, Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request for the Work Opportunity Credit, and submit it to the State Workforce Agency within 28 days of the new employee’s start date1. The employer must also file Form 5884, Work Opportunity Credit, or Form 5884-C, Work Opportunity Credit for Qualified Tax-Exempt Organizations Hiring Qualified Veterans, to claim the credit1.
However, participating employers may not do the following:
Hire members of their family who are disabled. The WOTC is not available for hiring relatives or dependents of the employer or the employer’s shareholders, partners, or members. This rule applies regardless of whether the relative or dependent belongs to a targeted group or not.
Therefore, the correct answer is A. Hiring members of their family who are disabled is the only option that is not allowed under the WOTC program. References: 1: Work Opportunity Tax Credit 2: Small businesses can benefit from the work opportunity tax credit 3: What is Work Opportunity Tax Credit? Tax Credit : CESP Examination Content Outline, Domain 3, 3J
