Employee Retention Credit a Valuable Tool for Tampa and Miami Businesses

Employee Retention Credit

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a tax credit that has been a valuable tool for businesses in Tampa and Miami during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ERC was introduced in the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) in March 2020. It was designed to help businesses keep their employees on payroll during the pandemic. The credit has since been extended and expanded under subsequent legislation, making it a valuable tool for businesses seeking to retain their employees and navigate the challenges of the pandemic.

The ERC is available to eligible employers that experienced a significant decline in gross receipts or were fully or partially suspended due to government orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible employers can claim a tax credit of up to 70% of the qualified wages paid to their employees, up to a maximum of $10,000 per employee per quarter.

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For businesses in Tampa and Miami, the ERC can be especially valuable. The pandemic has hit these two cities hard, with many businesses struggling to stay afloat. The ERC can help businesses in these cities to retain their employees and keep their doors open. The credit can provide much-needed relief to businesses that are facing financial challenges due to the pandemic.

To claim the ERC, eligible employers must file Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, with the IRS. The credit is claimed on Line 11c of the form. Employers can also claim the credit in advance by reducing federal employment tax deposits.

Form 941

It’s important to note that there are some restrictions and limitations on the ERC. For example, employers that receive a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan may not be eligible for the ERC for the same wages. However, businesses that have already received a PPP loan can still claim the ERC for wages that are not covered by the loan.

In Conclusion

The Employee Retention Credit is a valuable tool for businesses in Tampa and Miami that are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit can help businesses to retain their employees and keep their doors open during this challenging time. If you are a business owner in Tampa or Miami, it’s worth exploring whether you are eligible for the ERC and how you can claim the credit. By taking advantage of this tax credit, you can help your business to weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side.

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401(k) Plans: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

401(k) Plans

What is a 401(k) Plan?

A 401(k) plan is a type of retirement savings account that is primarily offered by employers to their workers. The 401(k) plan is tax-advantaged, meaning it is tax-free. The 401(k) plan gets its name from a section of the Internal Revenue Code in the United States. Automatic payroll withholding to their 401(k) account could be used to make contributions to the plan. The contributions might then be matched by the employers for their employees. Withdrawals and the IRA plan are chosen for the 401(k) plans both affect taxes. Investment earnings will not be taxed until the employee withdraws the money if a traditional 410(k) was used. Employees will be taxed when contributions are made to a Roth 401(k).

How Do 401(k) Plans Work?

Traditional 401(k)s and Roth 401(k)s, also known as “designated Roth accounts,” are the two most common types of 401(k) accounts. Traditional and Roth 401(k)s are similar in many ways, but there are some differences in terms of withdrawals and taxes. Let’s take a closer look at it now.

Contributing to a 401(k) Plan:

A defined contribution plan is a tax-deferred retirement savings account that accumulates tax-free until the investor takes withdrawals. 401(k) and 403(b) plans are examples of defined contribution plans. Contributions to the account are subject to dollar limits set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Both the employee and the employer can contribute until the dollar cap is reached. A traditional pension plan, on the other hand, is not the same as a traditional 401(k). Traditional pensions are a defined benefit plan, which means the business is responsible for paying the employee a set amount of money when they retire. Many firms choose to offer their employees a 401(k) plan because it is more efficient and eliminates the stress of having to save for retirement for their employees.

Employees are given a variety of specific investments to choose from in their 401(k) plans, and they are responsible for picking from the options provided by their employer. Typically, the employer’s choices include mutual funds for stocks and bonds, as well as funds that are a mix of stocks and bonds. A Guaranteed Investment Contract (GIC) is an insurance company policy that promises a rate of return in exchange for retaining a deposit for a specified amount of time.

What are my Contribution Limits?

The contribution limit, or the maximum amount that an employer or employee can contribute, is changed to account for inflation on a regular basis. The following are the basic contribution limitations for 2020 and 2021. The annual contribution maximum for employees under the age of 50 is $19,500. The annual contribution maximum for workers over the age of 50 is $26,500.

If the company wishes to contribute as well, or if the employee wants to make additional non-deductible after-tax payments to their traditional 401(k), the numbers above will vary. This is only possible if the employer’s plan permits it. As of 2021, the ceiling for workers under the age of 50 would be $58,000, or 100 percent of employee compensation. As of 2021, the maximum for workers over the age of 50 will be $64,500.

Employer Matching:

Employee contributions to their 401(k) accounts are sometimes matched by their employers. Employers calculate the match using various formulas. Employers frequently use the $1 for every dollar an employee contributes up to a particular proportion of their salary formula. Employees should contribute enough to their 401(k) plans to receive the full employer match, according to most financial consultants.

Contributing to Both a Traditional and Roth 401(k):

If the employer wishes, some firms allow employees to contribute to both traditional and Roth 401(k)s at the same time. Contributions could be divided into two categories: regular 401(k) and Roth 401(k). Keep in mind, however, that the total contributions to both accounts, depending on the employee’s age, cannot exceed the maximum.

Making Withdrawals from a 401(k) Plan:

401(k) Plans

Employees who deposit money into a 401(k) account are unable to withdraw it without incurring a penalty. Employees should set aside a specific amount of money outside of their 401(k) plan for emergencies. This money is inaccessible, and it would be pointless to deposit all your savings into a 401(k) account if you couldn’t access it.

Earnings in a traditional 401(k) account are tax-deferred. Earnings in a Roth 401(k) account are tax-free. When you take money out of a traditional 401(k) account, you will have to pay taxes on it. It would be subject to regular income taxation. Withdrawals from a Roth 401(k) plan, on the other hand, are tax-free and will not be taxed because the money was taxed when you originally contributed it.

How Can SDG Accountants Help?

It may be difficult to comprehend all these retirement and contribution options. Particularly when these plans are incorporated into your federal, state, and local income taxes. We operate to help you include your 401(k) plan in your federal income tax. Contact your Miami Tax Accountant today to find out which plan is ideal for you and to discuss all your other tax requirements.

How to Know If I am Exempt from Federal Tax Withholding?

Exempt from Federal Tax Withholding

Many Americans worry about whether they are eligible for a federal income tax exemption or if they must pay. Don’t worry, your Miami Tax Accountants, SDG Accountants, can assist you with a team of highly skilled tax advisors! Read this article to learn how to be exempt from federal tax withholding and if you qualify for an exemption.

What is Exempt from Federal Tax Withholding?

When you receive a paycheck from your employer, the business is required by law to deduct taxes and other deductions as directed by the government. One of these deductions is withholding, which is the amount that your employer is required to deduct from your paycheck for federal income tax purposes. You’ll usually notice this on your paystubs as well; there’s a section on your paystub that shows you how much federal income tax was deducted. Always go over your paystubs thoroughly and analyze every deduction you’ve made. Keep in mind that exemption excludes the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), as well as Medicare and Social Security. You will have to pay those taxes on every paycheck.

Let’s have a look at how refunds work. When tax season arrives, you review your paystubs and financial records to determine how much tax, or “income tax liability,” you owe for the year. Once you’ve determined your amount, compare it to the amount withheld by the government from your pay for the year. You obtain a refund if the amount on your paystubs is larger than the amount you calculated; otherwise, you must pay the remaining debt owed. You will see withheld taxes for state tax purposes on your pay stubs, and your refund will be calculated in the same way.

Both the government and the taxpayer benefit from withholding. For the government, withholding taxes ensures that the taxpayer does not avoid paying taxes and that the tax bill is paid on time each year. For the taxpayer, it decreases the amount of worry they will experience while filing their taxes because withholding lowers their annual tax payment by a certain amount. Individuals may find it difficult to manage and pay all of the money at once.

How does Exempt from Federal Tax Withholding Work?

You must verify a few things in order to be exempt from withholding. When you declare yourself exempt from federal withholding taxes, the government will not deduct any taxes from your paychecks. This isn’t something you can just claim; the IRS requires a few verifications before you may be exempt from federal income taxes. If you owe no federal income taxes the previous year and plan to owe no federal income taxes this year, you can qualify for an exemption.

How to Claim Exempt Status?

The IRS has provided taxpayers with a W-4 form that they can use anytime they change jobs or need to adjust their withholding amount. This form is completed by the employer and instructs them on how much to deduct from each paycheck. You can claim up to three allowances on the W-4 form. Your company will deduct less from your salary if you claim fewer allowances. To file a complete exemption, write exempt in the space below Step 4(c) on the W-4 form. To learn more about the W-4 form and how to file one, contact your Tax Preparer Miami.

Federal Tax Withholding Exemption

Some taxpayers desire to claim exempt status for a limited time and then return to it later. It is possible to do so, and many taxpayers do so throughout the year. When you want to claim exemption, you must once again file a Form W-4. Your tax bill will not be postponed as a result of this; the amount owed will be paid during tax season. Fill out a new Form W-4 to resume withholding federal tax. It’s important to understand whether you’re eligible for withholding so you don’t end up paying fines if something goes wrong.

Filing as Exempt When I am Not Eligible:

Remember that filing an exemption does not reduce your taxes; rather, it causes you to pay your entire tax amount when filing your federal income tax. The IRS can levy fines for failing to withhold federal taxes in particular situations. Contact an experienced tax professional to ensure you fully understand the exemption and whether or not you are eligible.