The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) announced in IR News Release 2023-247 (December 21, 2023) its new Voluntary Disclosure Program (“ERC VDP”) that allows employers who may have received questionable Employee Retention Credits (“ERCs”) to pay them back at a discount. The ERC VDP is a part of the government’s ongoing fight against questionable ERC claims.
IRS Warning
As you may recall, on November 7, 2022, the IRS issued COVID Tax Tip 2022-170. It warned employers to be wary of third-party vendors offering assistance in applying for ERCs. In fact, the IRS stated in that notice:
“Employers should be wary of third parties advising them to claim the employee retention credit when they may not qualify. Some third parties are taking improper positions related to taxpayer eligibility for and computation of the credit.
These third parties often charge large upfront fees or a fee that is contingent on the amount of the refund. They may also fail to inform taxpayers that wage deductions claimed on the business’ federal income tax return must be reduced by the amount of the credit.
If the business filed an income tax return deducting qualified wages before it filed an employment tax return claiming the credit, the business should file an amended income tax return to correct any overstated wage deduction.
Businesses should be cautious of schemes and direct solicitations promising tax savings that are too good to true. Taxpayers are always responsible for the information reported on their tax returns. Improperly claiming the ERC could result in taxpayers being required to repay the credit along with penalties and interest.”
ERC VDP
The government’s stated goal of the ERC VDP is twofold: