A bill that would make the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) permanent was introduced in the U.S. Senate this week. The bill, called the Work Opportunity Tax Credit & Jobs Act of 2019, was introduced by Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Rob Portman (R-OH), and has strong bipartisan sponsorship.

The WOTC program provides an employer tax credit of $1,200 – $9,600 for each eligible hire from certain target groups that have faced significant barriers to employment. The bill would extend this program, described by Senator Cardin as “one of our best tools to promote the employment of those who find it hardest to get a job,” indefinitely as opposed to its current 12/31/19 expiration date.

As Senator Portman put it, “[e]ncouraging employers to hire those who have the most trouble finding work is good policy, and that’s why we should make the Work Opportunity Tax Credit permanent.”

We at First Advantage will continue to monitor the progression of this bill and any companion bills that follow in the House of Representatives. If you have any questions, please contact your First Advantage Tax Account Manager or your legal counsel.