Work Opportunity Tax Credit – WOTC


WOTC is a widely utlized federal tax credit program available to employers for hiring individuals from a variety of targeted groups who face significant barriers to employment.  



Why Does WOTC Matter?


This tax credit targets increasing the workforce participation rate in underserved communities and provides an incentive to the employer.

WOTC Targeted Groups

Designated Community Resident

TANF Recipient

Vocational Rehabilitation Referral

Qualified Veteran

Summer Youth Employee

Ex-Felon

SNAP or Food Stamp Recipient

SSI Recipient

Long-term Unemployment

Long-term TANF

WOTC BENEFITS...

..An Individual

● Immediate benefit of income in the form of wages.
● Getting a job improves the individual’s long- term employability.
● Better quality of life and increased economic circumstances

..Employers

● Financial credit that supports businesses struggling to recruit retain and train staff.
● Decreased vacancies. WOTC participants are significantly less likely to leave the company that hired them.

..State Economy

Reduction in expenditures that the state otherwise would have made to unemployment insurance, welfare and public assistance payments, alternative job training or job finding programs and other forms of subsidies and support.

..Communities

A 1% decline in unemployment is associated with as much as a 2% decline in property crime.

..Everyone.

 

With a focus on supporting employers, targeting underserved communities and reducing reliance on social safety net programs – WOTC has a history of bipartisan support across employers, labor groups and advocates.