Our mission is to drive job growth through tax innovation.
HIRE is dedicated to supporting innovative policies that help employers:
- Hire individuals facing barriers to employment.
- Invest in their workforce through benefits including paid family leave and child care.
- Retain and train employees.
- Expand their footprint in the USA.
We support legislation and/or administrative policies that would enhance programs such as:
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit (IRC § 51)
- Federal Empowerment Zone Credit (IRC § 1396)
- Paid Family and Medical Leave Credit (IRC § 45S)
- Employee Retention Credits (off-Code provisions)
Policy Agenda
WOTC and Federal Empowerment Zone Credit
The HIRE Coalition encourages Congress to pass the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act (S.3265 and H.R. 6231) and reauthorize the Federal Empowerment Zone Credit. A recent study by Ernst & Young LLP forecasts that the expiration of the WOTC will cost the economy 131,000 direct jobs annually due to increased costs on employers. Congress should reauthorize and improve the WOTC to prevent job losses and help individuals facing barriers to employment get off the sidelines and into the workforce.
Employer Credit for Paid Family and Medical Leave
We commend Congress for permanently extending and enhancing the Employer Credit for Paid Family and Medical Leave. However, employers require IRS guidance on the recent legislative changes before making changes to their paid leave policies and/or claiming the credit. To increase employer participation, ensure compliance, and improve nationwide employee access to paid family and medical leave, the HIRE Coalition encourages the IRS to issue updated guidance as soon as possible.
Employee Retention Credit
Although the deadline to file Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims has passed, the IRS still has a backlog of unprocessed claims and many small businesses continue to report administrative issues and delays relating to protests and appeals. The HIRE Coalition encourages the IRS to expeditiously process the backlog of claims, update all taxpayers on the status of their ERC claims, and ensure timely responses to protests and requests for appeals.
The HIRE Coalition will work with our members, tax practitioners, the business community, and other non-profit organizations to develop and present commonsense and cost-effective policies that will increase fairness and tax certainty, improve the administration of the aforementioned credits, and encourage participation amongst small businesses.