Application process has been streamlined to save employers time and money

TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) today announced that the automated alternative to the traditional Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) application process is helping businesses and employers throughout Florida.  In 2010, DEO implemented the electronic WOTC  application process that allows employers and consultants to access the online system – expediting the approval process.

“Creating and implementing efficiencies that greatly benefit Florida’s businesses and encourage them to hire more people is a top priority of the Department,” said DEO Executive Director Jesse Panuccio. “It is streamlined systems like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit that make Florida the best state in the nation for business.”

The WOTC is a federal income tax credit available to employers to encourage the hiring of individuals from certain targeted groups of jobseekers who traditionally have difficulty finding employment.  Previously, the process required employers and consultants to mail the original signed copies of the WOTC forms to DEO. Florida’s new automatic WOTC system allows employers to save time and money by no longer requiring paper copies of applications and documentation. DEO’s secure online application process reduced the application processing time, for the majority of applications, from one week to 24 hours. 

The automation saved $26,469,600 in potential tax credit savings in 2012. As of March 15, 2013, WOTC issued 83,869 certifications for a total estimated savings of $201,285,600. This userfriendly process increased customer satisfaction and streamlined the application process. DEO has taken this opportunity to reach out to large companies that had not previously used the automated WOTC program to encourage usage and offer technical assistance. The team that designed and implemented the system was recognized by the Davis Productivity Awards in March 2013.

What WOTC program users are saying:

“The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s WOTC Program has released one of the most complete automated solutions in the country.  The program gives consultants/employers the flexibility to securely upload in bulk to protect our client’s sensitive information, provide confirmation of the delivery of said file; all while delivering results extremely fast.  This is all done without sending a single piece of paper through regular mail.  Further, it’s possible to achieve high level analytics with the site and allows us to audit hundreds of records with relative ease.” – Scott Mitchell, First Advantage

“Throughout the past five years, Florida WOTC has been an innovator in automated services and has really pushed each State Workforce Agency to step up its game.  Florida continues to be one of the top producing states yearly.”- Baker Milligan, ADP Tax Credit Services

“Your electronic system has been very easy to work with and your staff very helpful.  We appreciate how quickly your State responded to the end of the hiatus, we have received a large amount of the 2012 paperwork already.”- Maryanne Gordon, Maximus

About the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program (WOTC)

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal income tax credit available to employers to encourage the hiring of individuals from certain targeted groups of jobseekers who traditionally have difficulty finding employment.  Employers can reduce their federal income tax liability up to $9,600 during the first year of employment of a member of a targeted group.  To learn more detailed information about the Work Opportunity Tax credit Program, please visit www.floridajobs.org/business-growth-and-partnerships/for-employers/find-tax-credit-and-incentive-programs/work-opportunity-tax-credit-program. To create a WOTC account, visit https://wotc.floridajobs.org/.

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce, and community development efforts.  This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities.  For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.

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