Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

Earn valuable hiring credits while helping people re-enter the workforce.

Calculate your potential savings

Empowering employers and creating opportunity

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) rewards employers for hiring individuals who face barriers to employment. Maximus Tax Credit and Employer Services makes it easy to identify eligible hires, manage certifications, and maximize every available credit.

$2,400–$9,600

Maximum tax credit for each individual hired from a specific targeted group

1,577,683

Total WOTC certifications issued in the United States in 2024

$115 million

Average annual WOTC savings realized by our clients

How WOTC works
with Maximus

Managing WOTC certification can be complex. We simplify every stage of the WOTC process by combining technology, verification, and compliance expertise to help employers capture credits with confidence.

Connect with our WOTC team
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Screening and verification
New applicants are initially screened through a combination of digital tools or a brief automated phone call. We then validate the information against proprietary databases to confirm eligibility, eliminating the need to capture additional information from the applicant.

Certification management
Once eligibility is verified, we submit IRS Form 8850 to the correct state agency and manage all follow-up and communication. 

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Ongoing monitoring and reporting
After certification, we track payroll data and provide comprehensive year-end reporting so employers can utilize tax credits earned and enhance overall company profitability.

Who qualifies for WOTC

The WOTC program applies to individuals from several targeted groups, including:

 

SNAP recipient veterans

Short and long term unemployed veterans

Disabled veterans

Justice impacted individuals

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients

Vocational rehabilitation referrals

Long term unemployment recipients

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients

Designated community residents

Summer youth employees

Short term TANF recipients

Long term family assistance (LTFA) recipients

The human impact of WOTC

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit was created to help people rebuild their lives through work, and to help employers invest in potential that might otherwise go unseen.

For many, it’s more than a tax credit. It’s a turning point.

A parent finding stability

For parents navigating the challenges of low-income work, steady employment can feel out of reach. WOTC gives employers a way to open doors: creating predictable hours, reliable income, and the dignity of providing for a family.

We’ve seen those first steps toward stability become the foundation for savings, advancement, and confidence.

A veteran’s next chapter

After years of military service, many veterans face a difficult transition back into civilian life. Through WOTC, employers have a reason to take that chance, and often discover leaders who bring discipline, teamwork, and purpose to every role.

We’ve seen veterans turn first jobs into lifelong careers, then mentor others making the same transition. That ripple effect is what WOTC was meant to create.

A second chance realized

Justice-impacted individuals often return to communities eager to start over but unsure who will give them a chance. Employers participating in WOTC make that chance possible.

When that opportunity leads to steady work, the effect reaches beyond one person. It strengthens families, reduces recidivism, and restores pride in communities.


Why it matters

These are the outcomes that define WOTC, not the forms or filings, but the people behind them.

For employers, WOTC represents a chance to invest in people, strengthen workplaces, and help move communities forward.

That’s what we stand for.

Explore the Maximus TCES mission
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Policy expertise that strengthens every WOTC program

At Maximus, we bring an additional layer of value to WOTC that goes beyond certification and processing. Our team stays connected to the policy environment that shapes the program, giving employers clarity and stability in an evolving legislative landscape.

Active involvement with NEON

We work closely with the National Employment Opportunity Network, the leading nonprofit for WOTC advocacy and education. This partnership gives clients early insight into discussions that shape the program’s future.

Real-time legislative monitoring

We track congressional activity, budget proposals, and renewal cycles, along with updates from trusted sources. Employers receive early awareness of potential changes so they can forecast and plan with confidence.

Support for employer advocacy

We partner with national and grassroots efforts that highlight the value of WOTC and it's impact to policymakers. This helps strengthen long-term program stability for the organizations that rely on these credits.

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MAXOutreach: expanding opportunity through connection

For employers with high-volume or ongoing hiring needs, MAXOutreach enhances WOTC services by helping connect businesses with people who are ready to work.

By partnering with community organizations, workforce boards, and veterans’ groups, MAXOutreach builds bridges between employers and job seekers eager to begin meaningful careers.

Together, WOTC and MAXOutreach create a more connected, inclusive approach to hiring, one that helps employers meet workforce goals while supporting local communities.

Learn more about MAXOutreach

Technology and integrations that work with your existing HR systems

Our WOTC services are built to fit within existing hiring systems. We support integration with many leading Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) platforms, with the level of connectivity based on each system’s technical capabilities.

Our tools are simple to use and built for security. HR teams can easily track certifications and results through streamlined dashboards, while data is protected through encryption, access controls, and compliance with federal and state privacy standards.

These capabilities give employers a secure, dependable way to manage WOTC within their existing workflows.

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Featured WOTC resources

Explore additional resources that help you understand, manage, and maximize your WOTC program.

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Infographic

WOTC 101

Your guide to understanding which groups qualify for WOTC and how the credit works.

View the infographic
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Insight

Is your WOTC vendor ready for what’s next?

See why upcoming program changes may be the right time to re-evaluate your WOTC provider.

See why it's time to switch
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Insight

The value of a veteran

Discover how hiring veterans strengthens your workforce and how WOTC supports that effort.

Learn how you can save

Tool

WOTC savings calculator

Estimate your potential tax credits and see how much your business could save.

Calculate your potential savings
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Why employers choose Maximus Tax Credit and Employer Services

Our tax credit services have always been about more than just finding savings. Since 1978, we’ve helped employers participate in programs like WOTC with the structure and support needed to make them work, giving us a firsthand view of how these programs affect people and their communities.

That impact puts valuable funds back into businesses in ways that matter. It supports better pay and expanded benefits, creates room for workforce development, and strengthens teams.

Common questions

Yes. Employers can claim WOTC for each eligible new hire every year as long as certifications are submitted on time.

Yes. Certification identifies which category provides the highest credit value.

Once forms are submitted, processing is typically completed within a few weeks. Our system expedites reviews so you can secure tax credit incentives faster.

Employers must submit IRS Form 8850 and any required state forms, along with proper documentation of the hire. Our team helps manage the paperwork so your credits are secure.

A service provider simplifies the process, ensures compliance, and helps employers maximize their credits. With us, you also save time for HR staff through automation and expert support.

Start earning credits

Every WOTC-eligible hire is an opportunity to strengthen your workforce and your community. At Maximus, we help you capture more credits and turn hiring decisions into measurable results.

Connect with our WOTC team