You may have heard about the new law that provides direct payments to eligible individuals. But what does it do for businesses?
President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) on March 11. While it’s best known for the provisions that provide relief to individuals, ARPA also offers several tax breaks and financial benefits for businesses.
Here are some tax-related highlights:
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC). This valuable tax credit is extended from June 30 through December 31, 2021. The ARPA continues the ERC rate of credit at 70 percent for this extended period of time. It also continues to allow for up to $10,000 in qualified wages for any calendar quarter. Taking into account the Consolidated Appropriations Act extension and the ARPA extension, an employer can potentially have up to $40,000 in qualified wages per employee through 2021.
Employer-Provided Dependent Care Assistance. An eligible employee’s gross income doesn’t generally include amounts paid or incurred by an employer for dependent care assistance provided to the employee under a qualified dependent care assistance program (DCAP).
Previously, the amount that could be excluded from an employee’s gross income under a DCAP during a tax year wasn’t more than $5,000—or $2,500 for married individuals filing separately—subject to certain limitations. However, any contribution made by an employer to a DCAP can’t exceed the employee’s earned income or, if married, the lesser of employee’s or spouse’s earned income.
Under the ARPA, for 2021 only, the exclusion for employer-provided dependent care assistance is increased from $5,000 to $10,500—and from $2,500 to $5,250 for married individuals filing separately.
This provision is effective for tax years that begin after December 31, 2020.
Paid Sick and Family Leave Credits. ARPA changes apply to amounts paid with respect to calendar quarters beginning after March 31, 2021. Among other changes, the law extends the paid sick time and paid family leave credits under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act from March 31, 2021, through September 30, 2021. It also provides that paid sick and paid family leave credits may each be increased by the employer’s share of Social Security tax (6.2 percent) and employer’s share of Medicare tax (1.45 percent) on qualified leave wages.
Grants to restaurants. Under the ARPA, eligible restaurants, food trucks, and similar businesses that provide food and drinks may receive restaurant revitalization grants from the Small Business Administration. For tax purposes, amounts received as restaurant revitalization grants aren’t included in the gross income of the person who receives the money.
Much more
These are only some of the ARPA provisions. There are many others that may benefit your business. Contact TrueBlaze Advisors to learn more.