Every dollar counts when you’re running a business. Yet many employers are unknowingly leaving substantial federal tax credits on the table that could significantly impact their bottom line while supporting meaningful workforce diversity initiatives.
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) represents one of the most underutilized business incentives available. This federal program rewards companies that hire individuals from targeted groups, including veterans, long-term unemployed workers, and individuals receiving public assistance. With credits worth up to $9,600 per eligible hire, the financial impact can be transformative for businesses of all sizes.
The challenge? Most organizations lack the systematic approach needed to identify qualifying candidates and navigate the program’s compliance requirements effectively.
Understanding Your Current Hiring Landscape
Smart tax strategy begins with understanding your existing workforce composition. If your organization has recently hired (or plans to hire) individuals from these targeted groups, substantial tax credits may already be within reach:
- U.S. military veterans transitioning to civilian careers
- Individuals receiving public assistance including SNAP, TANF, or SSI benefits
- Workers from empowerment zones and designated community development areas
- Long-term unemployed individuals seeking opportunities after 27+ weeks
- Justice-involved individuals participating in rehabilitation and reentry programs
- Summer youth employees gaining valuable work experience
Many business leaders discover they’ve made multiple qualifying hires without realizing the tax credit potential. Without proper screening protocols in place, these opportunities and the substantial savings they represent are lost permanently.
The Strategic Challenge: Complexity vs. Opportunity
The WOTC program’s robust financial benefits come with equally robust compliance demands. Success requires precise timing: employers must complete candidate screening on or before the start date and submit IRS Form 8850 within 28 days of hire. Miss this narrow window, and valuable credits disappear entirely.
Universal Background Screening (UBS) has strategically partnered with VerifyToday to deliver a comprehensive, fully managed WOTC solution. Rather than attempting to navigate complex regulations independently, UBS clients benefit from:
- Demonstrated ROI: Typical credits range from $1,200–$2,400 per employee, with maximum credits reaching $9,600
- Risk-free engagement: Contingency-based fee structure ensures costs align with captured credits
- Regulatory expertise: VerifyToday manages certifications, deadlines, and audit defense protocols
- Transparent reporting: Real-time analytics provide complete visibility into credit opportunities and capture rates
As Aaron Charbonnet, Chief Revenue Officer at UBS, notes in a recent press release: “By integrating WOTC services into our comprehensive screening solutions, we’re enabling clients to transform routine hiring decisions into strategic tax advantages while supporting workforce diversity goals.”
Your Next Strategic Move
If your hiring practices regularly engage candidates from WOTC-eligible groups, significant tax benefits likely await. The critical question is whether your current processes are structured to capture every available credit—or if valuable opportunities are slipping away unnoticed.
Take action today:
- Access our comprehensive WOTC Eligibility Assessment to evaluate your current hiring patterns and identify immediate opportunities
- Schedule a complimentary consultation with UBS tax credit specialists to quantify your organization’s potential savings
The intersection of smart hiring practices and strategic tax planning creates measurable value for forward-thinking organizations. Don’t let complexity prevent you from capturing credits your business has already earned.
