Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) offers employers up to $2,400 in federal tax savings for hiring individuals with barriers to employment. Qualified individuals must complete at least 120 hours of work to qualify for the partial WOTC credit of $1,500, and over 400 hours for the full $2,400 credit. To qualify businesses for the credit, individuals must be verified as members of a targeted group.
The groups include:
- People who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Veterans who:
- Receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
- Have a service-related disability
- Have been unemployed for at least four weeks in the previous calendar year
- Ex-felons
- People (age 18-39) who live in a federal empowerment zone or rural county
- Disabled persons receiving rehabilitation services
- Youth (age 16-17) who live in a federal empowerment zone (summer employment only)
- People (age 18-39) who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
- People who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- People who receive Long-Term Family Assistance
- Long Term Unemployment Recipients (LTUR)
Workers (with Disabilities) Employment Tax Credit (WETC)
Businesses that employ people with disabilities who currently receive vocational rehabilitation services (or people who received them up to two years prior to hire) may earn $2,100 more in state tax credits. You get the credit during the second year of employment and can combine it with the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).
Federal Bonding Program
New York State proudly supports the Federal Bonding Program, a US Department of Labor initiative since 1966.
The Federal Bonding Program (FBP) was created as a hiring incentive for job seekers facing multiple barriers to employment. The FBP provides six months of no-cost fidelity bonding coverage to businesses that hire eligible job seekers. A job seeker or employer can initiate services of the FBP by contacting a Local Bonding Coordinator or the NY State Bonding Coordinator ([email protected]). The benefits of the FBP are promoted to businesses and job seekers at all New York State Career Centers by Business Services staff, local bonding coordinators, and the NYS State Bonding Coordinator.
- Individuals Who are Justice Involved
- NYS Federal Bonding Program Fact Sheet
- The Federal Bonding Program and Your Business Brochure
Work for Success
The Work for Success (WFS) Program is a partnership between NYSDOL and the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). It is an initiative aimed at reducing the high unemployment rate among the thousands of New Yorkers returning home from prison by providing pre-employment and job placement assistance. Individuals are evaluated and identified for referral to the WFS program by DOCCS reentry staff.
Under WFS, businesses that hire formerly-incarcerated individuals can:
- Earn up to $2,400 in federal tax credits (WOTC) for each formerly incarcerated person they hire;
- Receive up to $25,000 in fidelity bonding coverage for hiring eligible job-seekers;
- Be certain that their new employees are trained and/or fully qualified for additional training (see next bullet); and
- Work with NYSDOL to create a specific training program (apprenticeship or on-the-job training) for any new hires in need of said training.
Please note that while DOCCS and NYSDOL staff work together to match formerly incarcerated job seekers with open positions anywhere in the state, the NYSDOL Work for Success (WFS) staff are only located in the following locations:
- Albany
- Syracuse
- Buffalo
- Bronx
- Brooklyn
- Massapequa
- Nassau County (Hicksville and Hempstead)
- Orange County (Middletown and Newburgh)
For more information, see the Work for Success Fact Sheet (PDF).
If you are a business that is ready to post a job or be connected with a qualified applicant, you can post your job opening online by calling/emailing the NYSDOL Business Engagement Contact Center at 1-888-708-6712, or 1-800-662-1220 (TTY/TTD) or by emailing: [email protected] or [email protected].
New York Youth Jobs Program
The New York Youth Jobs Program helps young people entering the world of work have a successful start. The program encourages the hire of unemployed, disadvantaged youth. Businesses may earn tax credits of up to $7,500 per youth for full-time employment, and up to $3,750 per youth for part-time employment. To qualify, both businesses and youth must be certified by the New York State Department of Labor. Businesses may be eligible for certification if they are in good legal standing, and have a physical location in New York State. Youth may be eligible who are unemployed, between ages 16-24, live New York State and meet one of the designated risk factors.
- New York Youth Jobs Program Fact Sheet for Businesses
- New York Youth Jobs Program Fact Sheet for Youth