MYCPE ONE

The IRS and the Treasury issued a safe harbor to the employers, allowing them to exclude certain items from their gross receipts solely to determine eligibility for the Employee Retention Credit (ERC).

Revenue Procedure 2021-33 PDF permits the employers to exclude the amounts given below solely to claim employee retention tax credit:

  • The forgiveness amount of a PPP Loan
  • Shuttered Venue Operators Grants
  • Restaurant Revitalization Grants under ARP Act.

If they wish to use it, the employers are required to apply the safe harbor consistently. The employer must exclude the amounts from their gross receipts for every corresponding quarter.

However, an employer does not necessarily have to apply this safe harbor. Also, these amounts cannot be excluded from gross receipts for any other tax-related purposes. The safe harbor applies only to the ERC.

Let’s understand with an example:

Jay Turner has gross receipts including PPP loan forgiveness in the second quarter of 2021 was $500,000. His gross receipts for the corresponding quarter in 2019 were $400,000. The normal rules indicate she does not have a 20% reduction in gross receipts. However, if Jay elects the safe-harbor, her gross receipts for this quarter are now $150,000, therefore, she has a 25% reduction in gross receipts and will qualify for the Employee Retention Credit in the second quarter as per the latest guidance issued on the safe harbor to the employers by IRS and the Treasury. It is noteworthy that Jay will also automatically qualify for the third quarter as he qualifies for the second quarter.

ERC PPP Tax Specialists assists CPA and Tax firms with the preparation of ERC (Employee Retention Tax Credit) calculations, audit-ready documentation, and amended Form 941s in compliance with various legislation and IRS guidance.

ERC PPP Tax Specialists (ETS) is essentially an outsource provider engaged by CPAs or Tax Firms. ETS tackles the complicated interplay between ERC and the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) forgiveness applications, along with managing the various nuances related to qualification and wage eligibility.

Employers claim the ERC on their employment tax return in different ways, generally Form 941, Employers Quarterly Federal Tax Return PDF, or adjusted employment tax return, generally Form 941-X, Adjusted Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund PDF.

Revenue Procedure 2021-33, updates:

  • Notice 2021-20 PDF- addressed the ERC as it applies to qualified wages paid between March 12, 2020, and January 1, 2021.
  • Notice 2021-23 PDF- addressed the ERC as it applies to qualified wages paid between December 31, 2020 and July 1, 2021.
  • Notice 2021-49 PDF- addressed the ERC as it applies to qualified wages paid between June 30, 2021 and before January 1, 2022.
Imtiaz Munshi, CPA

Imtiaz Munshi, CPA

CFO, AZSTEC LLC

Imtiaz Munshi, CPA (US), is the CFO at Azstec, LLC and a trusted advisor to high-net-worth entrepreneurs. A seasoned tax planner and a business strategist with his 25 years of experience, he helps businesses grow smarter and stronger. Imtiaz specializes in guiding entrepreneurs and enterprises through complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. His passion lies in simplifying strategy, optimizing tax outcomes, and driving sustainable growth. Through his work and thought leadership, Imtiaz continues to empower CPAs and business owners to stay ahead in an evolving financial landscape shaped by AI, ESG, and data-driven change.

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