Key Takeaways
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- Thomas & Company is proactively investing in technology and strategies to support both current and future clients during the WOTC hiatus and ensure readiness for future opportunities.
- SHIELD Analytics for WOTC provides real-time dashboards, custom reports, and transparent tracking to maximize WOTC credit capture.
- Screening insights pinpoint areas for improvement, helping reduce missed opportunities and boost performance at all locations.
- Thomas & Company clients benefit from a tailored blend of expert guidance and technology to optimize WOTC results.
- Integrated screening and document collection increases participation rates, simplifies paperwork, and reduces missed deadlines.
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With WOTC certifications currently paused, employers have a rare opportunity to strengthen their program without interrupting active filings. Instead of waiting for legislation, now is the time to evaluate your current approach, tighten processes, and ensure your program is built to capture every available credit the moment WOTC returns.
Investing in Innovation
When the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program began its hiatus on January 1, 2026, many organizations were left wondering what the future would hold. But uncertainty can be a competitive advantage if you use it to strengthen execution. While others paused, Thomas & Company doubled down on what drives results:
- higher participation
- cleaner documentation
- clearer visibility into what’s working (and what isn’t)
We invested heavily in our platform so that when WOTC returns, our clients won’t just be ready—they’ll be positioned to capture more credits with less administrative burden.
You Can’t Optimize What You Can’t See
Thomas & Company’s powerful SHIELD Analytics for WOTC is designed to empower your organization with the visibility and insights to make strategic decisions with confidence.
What SHIELD Delivers
- Real‑time dashboards showing progress and potential credits
- Custom reporting aligned to your organization’s priorities
- Clear, transparent certification tracking across every location
Candidate Screening Insight
Screening candidates for WOTC eligibility manually can be tedious, making it easy to overlook opportunities and difficult to ensure optimal performance at every location. With the transparency of SHIELD Analytics plus a proactive partner who monitors your compliance with you, you’ll know when compliance at any location dips—and exactly how to support your location(s) to fix it.
Transparent Credit Tracking and Compliance Support
One of the biggest burdens is knowing which credits have been applied for and which are still outstanding. Our platform provides real-time visibility into your WOTC progress, so you can see exactly which credits have been submitted, approved, or need follow-up across every location.
Tailored WOTC Solutions for the Way You Work
Unlike generic, one size fits all solutions, Thomas & Company’s WOTC program adapts to each organization’s workflow, increasing participation rates and maximizing credit capture.
Screening Process
Our screening process integrates candidate screening, ensuring every applicant is considered and every location follows consistent, optimized processes.
Document Collection
Our team proactively gathers, verifies, and files applicant paperwork directly from the individual, freeing your team from chasing forms and reducing the risk of missing critical documentation deadlines.
Human-Driven, Tech-Enabled
As the WOTC landscape evolves, Thomas & Company’s commitment to client service remains at the center. We use technology to enhance, not replace, the personalized support you rely on.
With smart automation and analytics backed by real experts, you’ll get the data you need paired with the responsive support and proactive guidance you want, ensuring your experience is smooth, credits are optimized, and employees are empowered.
Our dedicated analysts stay ahead of regulations and help you manage compliance with ongoing training opportunities that ensure you never have to worry about falling behind or missing out on valuable credits.
Looking Ahead: Increased Credits, New Target Category, and More
Proposed legislative changes through the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act (IEWOTC) will extend and expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program, opening new doors for employers, amplifying financial rewards, and fostering an environment where diverse talent thrives. These updates represent more than just bigger credits. They’re an invitation to innovate and to build teams that reflect the resilience and versatility of today’s workforce.Increased Credits
These beneficial tax credits have largely remained stagnant since the program’s inception, providing a decline in realized value. But the IEWOTC changes that, providing several proposed updates to increase the value of the credits, including:
- Credit percentage increases from 40% to 50% of qualified first-year wages
- First year wage base is doubled, to $12,000
- Future indexing ties credit value to inflation
Access to credit opportunities larger than ever before turns hiring decisions into strategic investments and allows your organization to channel these increased tax benefits directly into growth and people initiatives. Furthermore, indexing WOTC for inflation keeps your incentives relevant year after year. As costs rise, so will the value of your credit, ensuring your business remains agile and competitive in an ever-changing market.
What This Could Mean in Practice
For many target groups, proposed changes could increase the maximum potential credit from $2,400 to $6,000 per eligible hire—turning WOTC from a “nice-to-have” benefit into a materially larger budget lever.New Target Category
Military spouses, facing unique employment challenges, now represent a powerful new focus for WOTC. Their unemployment rate towers above the national average, and by tapping into this category, you can drive real social change while earning up to $6,000 per eligible employee. It’s an opportunity to make both a meaningful difference and a measurable financial impact for your business.
Additional Enhancements
The elimination of the age cap for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) expands WOTC credit eligibility to include the hiring of individuals of any age who receive SNAP benefits. This change is expected to open opportunities for a wider segment of the workforce, helping employers support more people while also increasing the pool of potentially eligible hires.
These proposed enhancements reflect a commitment to making WOTC more inclusive and sustainable for both employers and job seekers. Though these proposed changes are not yet law, make sure you are ready when they are—and for any other changes/updates along the way.
Reducing Administrative Burden, Maximizing Results
The expanded WOTC program is a powerful incentive, but only if you can navigate its complexities. With Thomas & Company, you don’t have to worry about the pain points—screening, documentation, and tracking are handled for you. Our platform and support let you turn hiring into strategic investment, secure credits, and drive inclusion, all while minimizing administrative headaches.
Ready to strengthen your WOTC program before activity ramps back up? Don’t let administrative barriers stand between you and the benefits of WOTC. At Thomas & Company, we don’t just help you access credits, we guide you toward transformative growth through a partnership that’s built on understanding your goals and delivering results. Thomas & Company helps you use this moment to:
- reduce administrative burden
- increase participation
- create clearer financial visibility
With Thomas & Company, you’ll be positioned to capture every eligible credit as soon as certifications resume. Put a proactive, repeatable process in place now that your HR and Finance teams can trust. Partner with Thomas & Company for a seamless, supportive experience that puts your goals first.
Schedule your Free SHIELD Analytics for WOTC Demo to see your credit pipeline in real time, identify screening lift opportunities, and understand exactly what it takes to maximize capture—location by location. Prefer to start with a conversation? Contact your Account Manager to request a SHIELD review session tailored to your current process.