IRS Unveils Voluntary Withdrawal Program for Pending ERC Claims

IRS says erroneous ERC claims—many spurred by aggressive third parties—prompted voluntary withdrawal program.

Last Reviewed: January 22, 2024

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) launched its promised voluntary withdrawal program for pending Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims.

The agency unveiled the process just weeks after suspending new applications for the pandemic-related relief.

In late December, the agency announced additional details, including a March 22, 2024, deadline to participate, and a provision allowing parties who voluntarily participate to only have to repay 80 percent of the credit they received.

Meanwhile, the agency continues warning small businesses, nonprofits, and churches of unscrupulous third parties who aggressively push filings without fully vetting the employer’s eligibility.


Have you considered a Church Law & Tax membership for your church or ministry? Give us a try today!


ERC claims can be withdrawn, amended

Under the voluntary process, employers that filed for the ERC—but have not yet received a refund and believe the claim is likely ineligible—can “withdraw their submission and avoid future repayment, interest, and penalties,” the IRS announced.

Employers who received a refund check, “but haven’t yet cashed or deposited it, can still withdraw their claim,” the agency added.

Employers who received and deposited refund checks, and now believe all or part of their claim may not be eligible, can file an amended return.

The agency posted a Q&A series further explaining ERC eligibility, the withdrawal process, and amending a return to correct a previously processed refund.


Keep up with the latest Church, Law & Tax developments through our weekly newsletter service


Mistaken claims and rampant fraud

The ERC was created in 2020 as part of the congressional response to the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic. The credit aimed to help employers retain employees while government-mandated shutdowns hampered operations.

Many small employers, including churches, are potentially eligible. However, the process for determining eligibility and properly claiming the credit is complex. Depending on the employer’s size, and the demonstrated impact, refunds can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars—or even larger in very limited situations.

Numerous third parties—many formed specifically for ERC claims—have aggressively marketed their consulting services. They’ve promised large refunds in exchange for sizable contingency fees.

These organizations push employers to submit claims without fully determining  their eligibility.

As a result, fears of mistaken claims and rampant fraud have followed. The agency said it has already denied more than 20,000 claims and sent letters to more than 20,000 recipients indicating likely problems with credits received. The IRS also said it has already received withdrawals totaling more than $100 million.

Matthew Branaugh is an attorney, and the business owner for Church Law & Tax.

This content is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. "From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations." Due to the nature of the U.S. legal system, laws and regulations constantly change. The editors encourage readers to carefully search the site for all content related to the topic of interest and consult qualified local counsel to verify the status of specific statutes, laws, regulations, and precedential court holdings.

ajax-loader-largecaret-downcloseHamburger Menuicon_amazonApple PodcastsBio Iconicon_cards_grid_caretChild Abuse Reporting Laws by State IconChurchSalary Iconicon_facebookGoogle Podcastsicon_instagramLegal Library IconLegal Library Iconicon_linkedinLock IconMegaphone IconOnline Learning IconPodcast IconRecent Legal Developments IconRecommended Reading IconRSS IconSubmiticon_select-arrowSpotify IconAlaska State MapAlabama State MapArkansas State MapArizona State MapCalifornia State MapColorado State MapConnecticut State MapWashington DC State MapDelaware State MapFederal MapFlorida State MapGeorgia State MapHawaii State MapIowa State MapIdaho State MapIllinois State MapIndiana State MapKansas State MapKentucky State MapLouisiana State MapMassachusetts State MapMaryland State MapMaine State MapMichigan State MapMinnesota State MapMissouri State MapMississippi State MapMontana State MapMulti State MapNorth Carolina State MapNorth Dakota State MapNebraska State MapNew Hampshire State MapNew Jersey State MapNew Mexico IconNevada State MapNew York State MapOhio State MapOklahoma State MapOregon State MapPennsylvania State MapRhode Island State MapSouth Carolina State MapSouth Dakota State MapTennessee State MapTexas State MapUtah State MapVirginia State MapVermont State MapWashington State MapWisconsin State MapWest Virginia State MapWyoming State IconShopping Cart IconTax Calendar Iconicon_twitteryoutubepauseplay
caret-downclosefacebook-squarehamburgerinstagram-squarelinkedin-squarepauseplaytwitter-square