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Let’s now turn to 2021 for even more ERC refundable credits. Again, there are two tests for eligibility:
The business/church was subject to fully or partially suspended business operations during the first or second calendar quarters of 2021. This is not applicable for Alabama churches.
And/OrThe business/church experienced a reduction in gross receipts of more than 20% for either the first or second quarters of 2021 comparted to the same quarters in 2019.Yes, we still use 2019 as the comparison or base year.
STEP 1:
Determine the reduction in gross receipts
PART A: Compare the gross receipts of quarter 1 2021 to quarter 1 2019
Is quarter 1 2021 gross receipts less than 80% of quarter 1 2019 gross receipts?
If yes, quarter 1 2021 is qualified.
If no, quarter 1 2021 is not qualified.
PART B: Compare the gross receipts of quarter 2 2021 to quarter 2 2019.
Is quarter 2 2021 gross receipts less than 80% of quarter 2 2019 gross receipts?
If yes, quarter 2 2021 is qualified.
If no, compare the gross receipts of quarter 2 2021 to quarter 1 2021.
Is quarter 2 2021 gross receipts less than 80% of quarter 1 2021 gross receipts?
If yes, quarter 2 2021 qualified (special election).
If no, quarter 2 2021 is not qualified.
STEP 2:
Determine FICA wages for the 2021 qualified quarters (as determined in STEP 1)
Read carefully. These instructions are nearly identical to the first installment of this topic.
Rather than the annual wages, only consider wages paid January through March 2021 and/or April through June 2021. Use only the qualified quarters.
Do not include a pastor’s wages as they are not FICA wages.
Do not include any wages paid using Payroll Protection Plan proceeds.
Do not include an employee’s wages if paid less than $10,000 during the qualified quarter(s).
Wages include employer payments for qualified health plan benefits during the qualified quarter(s).
Wages include employee before tax payments for qualified health plan benefits during the qualified quarter(s).
STEP 3:
Determine credit amount
Number of people as determined in STEP 2
X multiplied by
$7,000 = amount of credit
Yes, the credit per employee is higher than for 2020!
STEP 4:
File for the refund
If quarter 1 2021 is qualified, file Form 941-X, complete as already submitted for the 1st quarter of 2021, except for line 26 “Refundable portion of employee retention credit”.
If quarter 2 2021 is qualified, file form 941 in July 2021 using line 13d “Refundable portion of employee retention credit”.
Use the worksheet in the instructions. Do not lose out on non-refundable credits available for being in a qualified disaster zone.
REPEAT REPEAT
That’s right! We can do this again for July – December 2021. The IRS is expected to release more guidance for ERC’s for the 2nd half of 2021. However, it is very likely to be much of the same. Stay tuned!
The North Alabama United Methodist Foundation does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
Photo by Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash