The IRS has updated their frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the paid sick and family leave tax credits under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The new FAQ clarified that eligible employers could claim the credits for providing leave to employees to accompany a family or household member or certain other individuals to obtain immunization relating to COVID-19 or to care for a family or household member or certain other individuals recovering from the immunization.Â
The paid sick and family leave credits reimburse eligible employers for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave for reasons related to COVID-19. These updated FAQs clarify this includes employees’ leave to care for certain individuals to obtain immunization relating to COVID-19 or recover from immunization relating to COVID-19.Â
This new reason for paid sick or family leave also applies to the comparable credits for self-employed individuals. The paid sick and family leave tax credits under the ARPA are similar to the first credits put in place by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), and later amended and extended by the COVID-related Tax Relief Act of 2020 (Tax Relief Act), under which certain employers could receive tax credits for providing paid sick or family leave that met the requirements of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act. The tax credits under FFCRA covered leave that was taken beginning April 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021. ARPA amends and extends these credits to leave taken beginning April 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021.Â
The FAQs include information on how eligible employers may claim the paid sick and family leave credits, including how to file for and compute the applicable credit amounts. Under ARPA, eligible employers, including businesses and tax-exempt organizations with fewer than 500 employees and certain governmental employers, may claim tax credits for qualified leave wages and certain other wage-related expenses such as health plan expenses and certain collectively bargained benefits. Self-employed individuals may claim comparable credits on Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.Â
A copy of the newly released FAQs can be found here.
Cosmo Insurance Agency is a full-service independent insurance agency based in Hackensack (Bergen County) and Lakewood (Ocean County), New Jersey that offers an all-encompassing range of insurance options for both individuals and businesses. Cosmo keeps its promise to assure an efficient and creative approach to the services we offer. Each of our clients experience a personalized and long-term relationship with us. Our New Jersey based team of health brokers guides our clients in helping them choose the most cost-effective options. By incorporating our knowledge of the insurance guidelines for healthcare, employee benefits, life insurance, self-insurance, dental, disability, and long term care insurance, we keep our clients up-to-date with affordable plans that cover all their specific insurance needs.
