As appearing in IR-2024-198 Businesses urged to proactively resolve erroneous claims to avoid penalties, interest, audits As the Internal Revenue Service intensifies work on the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), the agency today shared five new warning signs being seen on incorrect claims by businesses.   The new list comes from common issues the IRS compliance teams have seen while analyzing and processing ERTC claims. The new items are in addition to seven problem areas the IRS previously highlighted.  The IRS urged businesses with pending claims to carefully review their filings to confirm their eligibility and ensure credits claimed don’t include any of these 12 warning signs or other mistakes. Businesses with these indicators should talk to a trusted tax professional and consider using special ERTC Withdrawal Program that remains available. Business considering...

The IRS just put up a new webpage and released FAQs having to do with the recently announced Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) Voluntary Disclosure Program. ERTC Voluntary Disclosure Program On December 21, 2023, the IRS announced a new Voluntary Disclosure Program for businesses who claimed the ERC erroneously. The program is part of the IRS' continuing efforts to combat questionable ERTC claims. This special disclosure program affords taxpayers the ability to repay only 80% of the claim received. The program runs through March 22, 2024. New webpage: The new webpage provides information on the advantages of participating in the program, who can apply, how to apply, as well as next steps.  FAQs: The FAQs provide detailed information on eligibility, the program process, calculating and paying the amount...

As reported via IR-2023-230 on 12/6/2023 As part of continuing efforts to combat dubious Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) claims, the Internal Revenue Service is sending an initial round of more than 20,000 letters to taxpayers notifying them of disallowed ERTC claims. IRS is disallowing claims to entities that: did not exist, or did not have paid employees during the period of eligibility to prevent improper ERTC payments from being made to ineligible entities. The letters are being sent as the IRS continues increased scrutiny of ERTC claims in response to misleading marketing campaigns that have targeted small businesses and other organizations. The IRS mailing is the latest in an expanded compliance effort that includes a special withdrawal program for those with pending claims who realize they...

As reported via IR-2023-193 on 10/19/2023 Special initiative aimed at helping businesses concerned about an ineligible claim amid aggressive marketing, scams As part of a larger effort to protect small businesses and organizations from scams, the Internal Revenue Service announced the details of a special withdrawal process to help those who filed an Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) claim and are concerned about its accuracy. This new withdrawal option allows certain employers that filed an ERTC claim but have not yet received a refund to withdraw their submission and avoid future repayment, interest and penalties. Employers that submitted an ERTC claim that's still being processed can withdraw their claim and avoid the possibility of getting a refund for which they're ineligible. The IRS created the withdrawal option to help...

As appearing in IRS IR-2023-169 To protect taxpayers from scams, IRS orders immediate stop to new Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) processing amid surge of questionable claims Concerns from tax pros, aggressive marketing to ineligible applicants highlights unacceptable risk to businesses and the tax system Moratorium on processing of new claims through year’s end will allow IRS to add more safeguards to prevent future abuse, protect businesses from predatory tactics; IRS working with Justice Department to pursue fraud fueled by aggressive marketing WASHINGTON – Amid rising concerns about a flood of improper Employee Retention Credit claims, the Internal Revenue Service today announced an immediate moratorium through at least the end of the year on processing new claims for the pandemic-era relief program to protect honest small business owners from...