WOTC:
What is it and why care?
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax incentive program that encourages employers to hire individuals from certain groups who face significant barriers to employment — such as veterans, ex-felons, long-term unemployment recipients, and people receiving certain government assistance. Employers who hire eligible workers can claim a tax credit of up to several thousand dollars per employee, reducing their federal tax liability.
Keep it simple.
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Screen & Hire
When a candidate is brought on, the staffing agency has them complete IRS Form 8850 (the pre-screening notice) on or before their first day of work. This form identifies whether the candidate belongs to one of the eligible target groups (veteran, SNAP recipient, ex-felon, etc.).
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Submit & Certify
Within 28 days of the employee's start date, the agency submits Form 8850 along with ETA Form 9061 to the State Workforce Agency (SWA). The SWA reviews the application and issues a certification confirming the employee qualifies for the credit.
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Claim the Credit
Once certified, the agency tracks the employee's hours worked and wages earned (thresholds matter — typically 120 hrs for a partial credit, 400+ hrs for the full credit). At tax time, they file IRS Form 5884 to claim the credit, which is generally worth 25–40% of the employee's first-year wages, up to a set cap.
From Hire to Tax Credit—Here's How It Works
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During your normal onboarding, candidates answer a short WOTC eligibility questionnaire. It takes under 5 minutes and can be embedded in your existing workflow or sent as a standalone link. No login required for candidates.
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Our system automatically evaluates screening answers against IRS target group criteria. Within seconds, you'll see which categories the candidate qualifies for — SNAP recipient, veteran, ex-felon, long-term unemployed, and more — along with the estimated credit amount.
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For eligible hires, Marble generates IRS Form 8850 (Pre-Screening Notice) and ETA Form 9061 (Individual Characteristics Form) with all data pre-filled. No manual entry, no missed fields, no formatting headaches.
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Download the completed forms and submit to your State Workforce Agency (SWA). You control the submission—mail, fax, or state portal depending on your state's requirements. Marble tracks the 28-day deadline and alerts you if any applications are at risk.
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As certifications and denials come back from the SWA, update the status in Marble. Upload certification letters, track approved credit amounts, and maintain a complete audit trail.
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At tax time, your CPA uses IRS Form 5884 to claim certified credits against your federal tax liability. Marble provides the documentation and reporting you need. Dollar-for-dollar tax savings.
Marble handles the complexity so you can focus on hiring. Here's the complete process from candidate screening to credits in your pocket.
What to Expect—Realistic Timelines
| Stage | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Screening to Form Generation | Same day |
| Form Submission to SWA | Within 28 days of start date (we track this) |
| SWA Review & Certification | 30-90+ days (varies by state) |
| Credit Claimed | Your next tax filing |
We control everything up to submission. SWA processing times vary by state—some certify in 30 days, others take 90+.
Marble gives you visibility into the pipeline so you always know where things stand.
What You Do vs. What Marble Does
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You Handle:
• Ensure candidates complete screening at hire
• Submit forms to your State Workforce Agency
• Retain employment records (4 years)
• Claim credits on your tax return
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Marble Handles:
• Eligibility determination & Screening Solutions
• Form generation (8850, 9061)
• Deadline tracking and alerts
• Certification status management
• Reporting and documentation
Questions About the Process?
Every agency's workflow is a little different. Let's talk through how Marble fits into yours.