Work Opportunity Tax Credit Questionnaire

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit available to employers for hiring and employing individuals from certain targeted groups who have historically faced significant barriers to employment.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit certification and screening process

A Work Opportunity Tax Credit questionnaire can be used to identify employees from targeted groups and assist with completing the prescreening. This is done using IRS Form 8850 and one of two forms from the Department of Labor.

Completing the WOTC questionnaire is a simple, secure, and advantageous step in your job application process. It not only helps potential employers but can also significantly improve your employment prospects.

Should I Complete the WOTC Questionnaire?

Absolutely, the answer is a resounding YES! Here are several compelling reasons why job applicants should always complete the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) screening questionnaire:

• It has no impact on employment: Completing the WOTC questionnaire will not disqualify you from employment opportunities
• It offers complete anonymity: The WOTC screening process is often anonymous. Your hiring manager may not know which specific target group you belong to, ensuring your privacy.
• Simple and Quick: The questionnaire is quick and straightforward. Many applicants can complete it in less than 30 seconds, making it a hassle-free step in the application process.
• Document your Eligibility: Completing the questionnaire is the fastest way to document your WOTC eligibility to a potential employer.
• Increased Opportunities: WOTC-eligible applicants are historically more attractive to employers because of the potential tax credits.
• No risk to other benefits: Completing the WOTC questionnaire does not affect your access to government assistance programs like SNAP or TANF.

Completing Work Opportunity Tax Credit questionnaire

Page one of Form 8850 is the WOTC questionnaire. It asks the applicant about any military service, participation in government assistance programs, recent unemployment and other targeted questions. Additionally, ETA Form 9061, or the Individual Characteristics Form (ICF), provides specific information about how an applicant answered the WOTC questionnaire. The second, ETA Form 9062, is the Conditional Certification Form for applicants who have been pre-screened for WOTC by an SWA. Both forms must accompany Form 8850 submissions.

Employers have 28 days from a qualified employee’s start date to send Form 8850, also known as the Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request for the WOTC, to the applicable SWA. The first page, which needs to be completed by the applicant on or before the day of the job offer, outlines the conditions that someone from one of the target groups must meet to qualify for the program. The second page is intended for employers. On it, they will provide their business contact information and the applicant’s key employment-related dates.

Businesses Eligible for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

Any business, regardless of size or industry, may be eligible to claim tax credits under the WOTC program. And because there’s no limit to the number of individuals employers can hire as part of the program, there’s also no cap on the amount of credits that they can claim.