Throughout the pandemic, the IRS continued to administer legislative provisions that provided economic relief to businesses. The Employee Retention Credit was designed to encourage businesses with full or partial suspensions due to government orders or certain declines in gross income to keep employees on their payroll. Eligible employers could file Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19, to claim a refundable tax credit equal to a portion of qualified wages (including health plan expenses) that were paid after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2022. This form allowed employers to request an advance payment, which would then be reconciled on the appropriate employment tax return. The last day to file Form 7200 was January 31, 2022. Refundable tax credits were available to small and mid-sized businesses that provided paid sick and family leave to employees who took leave between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, because they were unable to work for reasons such as mandated COVID-19 quarantines, were caring for someone with COVID-19, or were unable to work due to childcare issues, such as school or daycare closures. Credits were also made available for employers providing leave to obtain and recover from receiving COVID-19 vaccines from April 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021. The COBRA premium assistance tax credit allowed employers to be reimbursed for COBRA premiums paid to provide health benefit coverage to qualifying individuals. COBRA provides certain former employees, retirees, spouses, former spouses, and dependent children the right to temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates. Table A: COVID-19 employer credits claimed, by type of credit 2020 XLSX
