Employer tax credits and incentive programs

Maximus helps employers identify, secure, and manage tax credits and incentive programs across federal, state, and local levels.

Talk to an expert

Navigate available credits at every level

  • Federal

  • State

  • Local

Unlock established and discretionary programs

  • StatutoryStatutory programs are established tax credits and deductions written into federal, state, and local tax codes, like WOTC, R&D credits, and opportunity zone benefits.

  • NegotiatedNegotiated programs are discretionary programs offered by governments to encourage specific business activities, such as job creation grants, relocation packages, and workforce training reimbursements.

Access savings for various incentives

  • Hiring and employment

  • Location-based and economic development

  • Investment and capital improvement

  • Workforce training and retention

Maximize every available tax credit

Federal, state, and local programs can deliver substantial savings, but complexity often limits how much value businesses realize.

At Maximus, we look across all levels of government and both statutory and negotiated programs to develop strategies that stack applicable incentives. We manage documentation, filing, and ongoing compliance so your business captures the full value available, not just individual credits.

money-fine-icon

From identification to certification, Maximus helps clients consistently realize a 6–12% increase in total tax credit value.

We've generated over $3.2 billion in tax credits for our clients

Tax Credit Spotlight

Work Opportunity Tax Credit

Available to employers who hire individuals from eligible targeted groups

Learn more about WOTC

Receive up to $9,600 for each eligible hire

man-woman-hard-hats-construction

A partner who looks at the complete picture

Every employer’s situation is different.

A single business decision can trigger tax credits across multiple government levels. Hiring, expansion, or investment decisions often unlock opportunities that are easy to miss when programs are evaluated in isolation.

Our specialists review your entire operations, identifying how each decision connects to federal, state, and local incentives, and managing the coordination, documentation, and compliance required to keep those benefits in place.

See how tax credits could work for you
usa

Identify eligible programs nationwide across federal, state, and local levels

tax-certification

Manage filing, certification and documentation

coordination

Coordinate directly with government agencies

compliance-tracking

Monitor performance and report compliance year-round for the full lifecycle of the credit

Types of employer incentives we manage

Incentives can be realized in different ways depending on the program. These may include payroll tax offsets, income tax credits, property or sales tax relief, cash-based incentives, or cost avoidance mechanisms.

Hiring and employment incentives

Programs that reward employers for expanding their workforce and creating job opportunities.

man-woman-hard-hats-construction

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

A federal tax credit available to employers who hire individuals from targeted groups, including veterans and people facing barriers to employment.

Learn more about WOTC
woman-working-distribution-center

Empowerment Zone Employment Credit

A federal tax credit available to employers that hire and retain employees who live and work in designated empowerment zones.

Download PDF guide

man-working-technology-production

Georgia Jobs Tax Credit

A state tax credit for Georgia employers that create new jobs and meet defined wage and location thresholds.

Additional hiring and employment programs examples include:

  •  

    New York Youth Hiring Program

  •  

    California Competes

  •  

    Arizona Quality Jobs Credit

  •  

    Maryland Enterprise Zone

  •  

    Texas Enterprise Zone

  •  

    New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone

Location-based and economic development incentives

Programs designed to promote business investment and job creation in specific regions.

Learn more about location benefits
man-woman-working-plant-nursery-outside

Texas Enterprise Zone

A state program that provides tax benefits to businesses that create jobs and make qualifying investments in designated areas of Texas.

man-working-manufacturing

New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone

A state program that offers tax incentives to businesses operating in designated urban zones to encourage local investment and economic activity.

mature-woman-call-center

Virginia Jobs Investment Program

A state-supported program that helps offset the cost of recruiting and training employees as part of business expansion or relocation efforts in Virginia.

Additional location-based and economic development program examples include:

  •  

    Empowerment Zone Employment Credit

  •  

    California Competes

  •  

    Illinois Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit

  •  

    Advantage Arkansas

  •  

    North Carolina Job Development Investment Grant

  •  

    Maryland Work Opportunity Tax Credit

Investment and capital improvement credits

Programs that help employers reinvest in their business infrastructure.

two-women-researchers-microscope

Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit

A federal tax credit that rewards businesses for investing in innovation, product development, and process improvements.

man-installing-energy-efficient-insulation

Section 179D

A federal deduction availabile to building owners or designers who make energy-efficient improvements to commercial properties.

two-men-inspecting-office-building

Cost Segregation

A tax strategy that accelerates depreciation on certain building components, allowing businesses to improve cash flow and reduce tax liability.

Additional investment and capital improvement program examples include:

  •  

    California Competes

  •  

    New York 485B

  •  

    Texas Enterprise Zone

Workforce training and retention programs

Incentives that support employee development and long-term job stability.

dentist-apprentice-training

Apprenticeship Grants

Public funding programs that offset the cost of creating or expanding registered apprenticeship programs.

View PDF Overview

man-training-employees-whiteboard

Georgia Retraining Tax Credit

A credit for employers that cover eligible costs to retrain employees on new equipment or technology.

man-woman-receiving-training-construction

Texas On-the-Job Training (OJT) Reimbursement

Partial wage reimbursement for employers during a new hire’s training period.

Additional workforce training and retention program examples include:

  •  

    ETP (Eligible Training Providers) Programs

  •  

    Florida Experiential Learning Tax Credit

  •  

    Louisiana On-the-Job Training Reimbursement 

Why employers choose Maximus Tax Credit and Employer Services

Our longstanding relationships with both government agencies and private employers form the foundation of our tax credit services. From federal WOTC programs to state and local incentives, we handle the details and paperwork so your organization can focus on running the business. With our expertise in tax credit incentives, employers can be confident they’re capturing every opportunity for savings.

Our guiding principles:

  • Client satisfaction is always the priority.

  • Tax credit maximization is the ultimate goal.

  • State-of-the-art technology and flexible management methods.

  • Confidentiality is always protected.

See what your business could qualify for

Every incentive represents more than savings. It’s an opportunity to invest in people, strengthen your business, and support long-term growth. We help you capture them all.

See how tax credits could work for you