PDF document

- 1 -

Userid: CPM Schema: Leadpct: 100% Pt. size: 10 Draft Ok to Print
instrx
AH XSL/XML Fileid: … ns/I8994/202101/A/XML/Cycle08/source (Init. & Date) _______

Page 1 of 10 14:46 - 22-Jan-2021

The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing.

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Instructions for Form 8994

(Rev. January 2021)
Employer Credit for Paid Family and Medical Leave

Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code Eligible Employer
unless otherwise noted.
An eligible employer is an employer with a written policy in
Future Developments place that provides paid family and medical leave and
satisfies minimum paid leave requirements (see Minimum
For the latest information about developments related to
Paid Leave Requirements, later). In addition, if the
Form 8994 and its instructions, such as legislation
employer employs any qualifying employees who aren’t
enacted after they were published, go to IRS.gov/
covered by title I of the Family and Medical Leave Act
Form8994.
(FMLA), the employer’s written policy must include
What’s New “non-interference” language.
Periodic updating. Form 8994 and its instructions will no Non-interference language. If an employer employs at
longer be updated annually. Instead, they’ll only be least one qualifying employee who isn’t covered by title I
updated when necessary. See Which Revision To Use. of the FMLA (including any employee who isn’t covered
by title I of the FMLA because he or she works less than
New employment tax credits. You may have claimed 1,250 hours per year), the employer must include
coronavirus (COVID-19)-related employment credits on “non-interference” language in its written policy and
an employment tax return such as Form 941, Employer’s comply with this language to be an eligible employer. This
QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return. Wages used to figure requirement applies to:
these employment credits can’t also be used to figure a • An employer subject to title I of the FMLA that has at
credit on Form 8994. For more information, see Wages least one qualifying employee who isn’t covered by title I
defined under How To Figure the Credit. of the FMLA, and
Credit extension. The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster • An employer not subject to title I of the FMLA (that has
Tax Relief Act of 2019 extended the credit for paid family no employees covered by title I of the FMLA).
and medical leave to cover tax years beginning in 2020. The “non-interference” language must ensure that the
The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of employer will not interfere with, restrain, or deny the
2020 extended the credit to cover tax years beginning in exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, any right provided
2021 through 2025. under the policy, and will not discharge, or in any other
manner discriminate against any individual for opposing
any practice prohibited by the policy. The following
General Instructions “non-interference” language is an example of a written
Purpose of Form provision that would satisfy this requirement: [Employer]
will not interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of, or
An eligible employer (defined below) uses Form 8994 to the attempt to exercise, any right provided under this
figure the employer credit for paid family and medical policy. [Employer] will not discharge, or in any other
leave. The credit ranges from 12.5% to 25% of certain manner discriminate against, any individual for opposing
wages paid to a qualifying employee while the employee any practice prohibited by this policy.
is on family and medical leave.
Written policy documentary requirements. An eligible
You can claim or elect not to claim the employer credit employer’s written policy may be set forth in a single
for paid family and medical leave any time within 3 years document or in multiple documents. For example, an
from the due date of your return on either your original employer may maintain different documents to cover
return or an amended return. different classifications of employees or different types of
Partnerships and S corporations must file this leave, and those documents will collectively constitute the
TIP form to claim the credit. All other taxpayers must employer’s written policy. An eligible employer’s written
not complete or file this form if their only source for policy may also be included in the same document that
this credit is a partnership or S corporation. Instead, they governs the employer’s other leave policies.
must report this credit directly on line 4j in Part III of Form Written policy in place. The employer’s written policy
3800, General Business Credit. must be in place before the paid family and medical leave
for which the employer claims the credit is taken. The
Which Revision To Use written policy is considered to be in place on the later of
Use the January 2021 revision of Form 8994 for tax years the following dates.
beginning in 2020 or later, until a later revision is issued. • The policy’s adoption date.
Use prior revisions of the form and instructions for earlier • The policy’s effective date.
tax years. All revisions are available at IRS.gov/ Example. You adopt a written policy that satisfies all of
Form8994. the requirements discussed in these instructions on June
15, 2020, with an effective date of July 1, 2020. Assuming

Jan 22, 2021 Cat. No. 69663D

- 2 -

Enlarge image

Page 2 of 10 Fileid: … ns/I8994/202101/A/XML/Cycle08/source 14:46 - 22-Jan-2021

The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing.

all other requirements for the credit are met, you can claim employee would not be viewed as a reasonable method
the credit with respect to family and medical leave paid in for determining whether an employee has been employed
accordance with that policy to qualifying employees for for 1 year. The rules under section 101(2)(A)(ii) of title I of
leave taken on or after July 1, 2020. the FMLA, which require an employee to work a minimum
of 1,250 hours of service to be an eligible employee under
Providing notice of written policy to employees.
the FMLA, don’t apply.
Employers aren’t required to provide notice of the written
policy to qualifying employees to claim the credit. Written policy may not exclude any classification of
However, if an employer chooses to provide notice of the employees. An employer’s written policy may not
written policy to qualifying employees, the policy will not exclude any classification of employees (for example,
be considered to provide for paid leave to all qualifying collectively bargained employees) if they are qualifying
employees (see Minimum Paid Leave Requirements, employees.
later), unless the availability of paid leave is Example 1. You have an insured short-term disability
communicated to employees in a manner reasonably plan that provides disability benefits to any employee who
designed to reach each qualifying employee. This may becomes disabled after having completed 6 months of
include, for example, email communications, use of continuous service. Under the plan, a disability caused by
Internet websites, employee handbooks, or posted or resulting from a pre-existing condition isn’t covered if
displays in employee work areas. the disability begins in the first 12 months after the
effective date of coverage. For purposes of the plan, a
Qualifying Employee pre-existing condition is one for which an employee
A qualifying employee is an employee (as defined in consulted a physician, received medical treatment, or took
section 3(e) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 prescribed drugs in the 3 months immediately prior to the
(FLSA), as amended) who has been employed by the effective date of coverage. The exclusion from coverage
employer for 1 year or more, and whose compensation for for pre-existing conditions applies to all your employees
the preceding year doesn’t exceed an amount equal to during the applicable 12-month period. Employees
60% of the amount applicable for that year under section subject to the pre-existing condition exclusion are
414(q)(1)(B)(i). effectively not covered under the plan when they first
become qualifying employees. In addition, in some cases,
For 2019, the applicable amount of compensation
the requirement that the employee complete 6 months of
under section 414(q)(1)(B)(i) is $125,000. Accordingly, to
continuous service might exclude some qualifying
be a qualifying employee in 2020, an employee must have
employees. Therefore, the plan will not in all cases cover
earned no more than $75,000 (60% of $125,000) in
all qualifying employees. You can’t claim the credit for
compensation in the preceding year.
paid family and medical leave provided under the written
For 2020 and 2021, the applicable amount of policy with respect to any of your employees.
compensation under section 414(q)(1)(B)(i) is $130,000. Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1,
Accordingly, to be a qualifying employee in 2021 or 2022, except that you adopt a written policy that provides for
an employee must have earned no more than $78,000 paid leave to any qualifying employee who isn’t covered
(60% of $130,000) in compensation in the preceding year. under the short-term disability plan as a result of the 6
months of service requirement or the pre-existing
For this purpose, an employer whose tax year isn’t the condition exclusion. This leave is paid from your general
calendar year can choose to use as the preceding year assets and the length of the paid leave is the same as the
either: leave that would have been available under the short-term
• The employer’s immediately preceding fiscal year, or disability plan if neither the 6 months of service
• The calendar year ending in the employer’s requirement nor the pre-existing condition exclusion
immediately preceding fiscal year. applied to a qualifying employee. Taking into account the
An employee’s compensation is determined under leave available under your insured short-term disability
section 415(c)(3). plan and your supplemental self-insured paid leave
arrangement, your written policy doesn’t exclude any
Employed for 1 year or more. Until further guidance is classification of qualifying employees and, assuming all
issued, an employer may use any reasonable method to other requirements for the credit are met, you can claim
determine whether an employee has been employed for 1 the credit for paid family and medical leave provided
year or more. Treating employees as employed for 1 year under the written policy.
or more if they have been employed for 12 months, as set
forth in section 825.110(b) of the FMLA regulations, 29 Family and Medical Leave
CFR 825.110(b), is an example of a reasonable method. Family and medical leave generally means leave for any
However, any requirement that an employee work 12 one or more FMLA purposes (as defined below).
consecutive months to be a qualifying employee would However, if an employer provides paid leave as vacation
not be viewed as a reasonable method for determining leave, personal leave, or medical or sick leave (other than
whether an employee has been employed for 1 year. leave specifically for one or more of the FMLA purposes),
Minimum number of hours per year not required. An that paid leave isn’t considered family and medical leave.
employee isn’t required to work a minimum number of FMLA purposes. The following are FMLA purposes for
hours per year to be a qualifying employee. Until further which paid family and medical leave may be provided to a
guidance is issued, any requirement that an employee qualifying employee.
work a minimum number of hours to be a qualifying

-2- Instructions for Form 8994 (January 2021)

- 3 -

Enlarge image

Page 3 of 10 Fileid: … ns/I8994/202101/A/XML/Cycle08/source 14:46 - 22-Jan-2021

The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing.

• The birth of a son or daughter of the employee and in condition). In this limited circumstance, the fact that the
order to care for the son or daughter. leave could also be used to care for additional individuals
• The placement of a son or daughter with the employee for whom care under the FMLA purpose isn’t required
for adoption or foster care. doesn’t prevent the leave from being considered
• Caring for the spouse, or a son, daughter, or parent of specifically designated for an FMLA purpose. However,
the employee, if the spouse, son, daughter, or parent has the employer can’t claim the credit for any leave taken to
a serious health condition. care for an individual other than a qualifying employee’s
• A serious health condition that makes the employee spouse, parent, or child.
unable to perform the functions of the employee’s Example. Your written policy provides 4 weeks of
position. annual paid leave to care for family members with a
• Any qualifying exigency (as the Secretary of Labor serious health condition. The policy’s definition of “family
shall, by regulation, determine) arising out of the fact that members” includes the individuals specified in the FMLA
the spouse, or a son, daughter, or parent of the employee (spouse, children, and parents), and also includes
is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (including the grandparents, grandchildren, and domestic partners. Your
National Guard and Reserves) who is on covered active employee uses 1 week of annual paid leave to care for her
duty (or has been notified of an impending call or order to grandmother, and at a later time, uses 1 week of annual
covered active duty). paid leave to care for her son. Your policy provides paid
• Caring for a service member with a serious injury or leave specifically designated for an FMLA purpose.
illness if the employee is the spouse, son, daughter, Although the paid leave taken by the employee to care for
parent, or next of kin of the service member. her grandmother isn’t family and medical leave, the paid
leave taken by the employee to care for her son is family
The FMLA purposes are the purposes for which an and medical leave for which you can claim the credit
employee may take leave under the FMLA. These terms assuming all other requirements for the credit are met.
have the same meaning as defined in section 825.102 of
the FMLA regulations, 29 CFR 825.102. Leave provided by employer’s short-term disability
program. Paid leave provided under an employer’s
Leave specifically designated for FMLA purposes. short-term disability program, whether self-insured by an
Other than paid leave to care for additional individuals, employer or provided through a short-term disability
paid leave made available to an employee is considered insurance policy, may be characterized as family and
family and medical leave only if the leave is specifically medical leave if it otherwise meets the requirements to be
designated for one or more FMLA purposes, may not be family and medical leave.
used for any other reason, and is not paid by a state or
local government or required by state or local law. Minimum Paid Leave Requirements
Example 1. Your written policy provides 6 weeks of For an employer to be eligible to claim the credit, the
annual paid leave for the birth of an employee’s child, and employer’s written policy must meet certain minimum
to care for that child (an FMLA purpose). The leave may requirements with respect to paid family and medical
not be used for any other reason. No paid leave is leave. These requirements are:
provided by a state or local government or required by • The policy must provide at least 2 weeks of annual paid
state or local law. Your policy provides 6 weeks of family family and medical leave to all qualifying employees who
and medical leave. aren’t part-time employees, and at least a proportionate
Example 2. Your written policy provides 3 weeks of amount of paid family and medical leave to qualifying
annual paid leave that is specifically designated for any employees who are part-time employees;
FMLA purpose and may not be used for any other reason. • The policy must require a rate of payment that isn’t less
No paid leave is provided by a state or local government than 50% of the wages normally paid to the qualifying
or required by state or local law. Your policy provides 3 employee for services performed for the employer; and
weeks of family and medical leave. • If the employer employs one or more qualifying
Example 3. Your written policy provides 3 weeks of employees who aren’t covered by title I of the FMLA, the
annual paid leave for any of the following reasons: FMLA employer’s written policy must also include the “non-
purposes, minor illness, vacation, or specified personal interference” language discussed earlier.
reasons. No paid leave is provided by a state or local Any leave that is paid by a state or local government or
government or required by state or local law. Your policy required by state or local law isn’t taken into account for
doesn’t provide family and medical leave because the any purpose in determining the amount of paid family and
leave isn’t specifically designated for one or more FMLA medical leave provided by the employer.
purposes and can be used for reasons other than FMLA
purposes. This is true even if an employee uses the leave Minimum Period of Leave Requirement
for an FMLA purpose. An employer’s written policy must provide qualifying
Leave to care for additional individuals. An employees who aren’t part-time employees with at least 2
employer’s written policy may provide paid leave that weeks of annual paid family and medical leave and must
otherwise would be specifically designated for an FMLA provide at least a proportionate amount of annual paid
purpose (for example, to care for a spouse, child, or family and medical leave to qualifying employees who are
parent who has a serious medical condition), except for part-time employees. For part-time employees, the paid
the fact that the leave is available to care for additional leave ratio must be at least equal to the ratio of the
individuals not specified in the FMLA (for example, a expected weekly hours worked by a qualifying employee
grandchild or grandparent who has a serious medical who is a part-time employee to the expected weekly hours

Instructions for Form 8994 (January 2021) -3-

- 4 -

Enlarge image

Page 4 of 10  Fileid: … ns/I8994/202101/A/XML/Cycle08/source                   14:46 - 22-Jan-2021

The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing.

worked by an equivalent qualifying employee who isn’t a      written policy provides a rate of payment of at least 50% of 
part-time employee. In determining the amount of paid        the wages normally paid to an employee for services 
family and medical leave provided by the employer, any       performed for the employer. To be eligible to claim the 
leave paid by a state or local government or required by     credit, an employer must independently satisfy the 
state or local law isn’t taken into account.                 minimum paid leave requirements, including providing a 
Example. Your written policy provides 4 weeks of             rate of payment of at least 50% of wages normally paid to 
annual paid family and medical leave to a qualifying         an employee.
employee expected to work 40 hours per week, and 2               Example 1. Under state law, an employee on family 
weeks of paid family and medical leave to an equivalent      and medical leave is eligible to receive 6 weeks of 
qualifying employee who is a part-time employee and is       benefits paid by a state insurance fund at a rate of 50% of 
expected to work 20 hours per week. All of your              the employee’s normal wages. Additionally, your written 
employees work either 20 or 40 hours per week. Your          policy concurrently provides each qualifying employee 
policy meets the minimum paid leave requirements             with 6 weeks of annual paid family and medical leave at a 
because each employee who isn’t a part-time employee         rate of payment of 30% of the wages normally paid to the 
may take at least the minimum 2 weeks of annual paid         employee for services performed for the employer. 
leave and each part-time employee may take at least a        Consequently, in the aggregate, a qualifying employee 
proportionate number of weeks of leave. Specifically, with   can receive 6 weeks of annual paid family and medical 
respect to the proportionate amount, the ratio of expected   leave at a rate of payment of 80% of the wages normally 
weekly hours worked by a qualifying employee who is a        paid to the employee. Your policy doesn’t independently 
part-time employee (20 hours) to the expected weekly         satisfy the requirement that the rate of payment be at least 
hours worked by an equivalent qualifying employee who        50% of the wages normally paid to an employee.
isn’t a part-time employee (40 hours) is 1:2, and the policy     Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, 
provides 2 weeks of paid leave to qualifying employees       except that your written policy provides each qualifying 
who are part-time employees and 4 weeks of paid leave to     employee with 6 weeks of annual paid family and medical 
equivalent qualifying employees who aren’t part-time         leave at a rate of payment of 50% of the wages normally 
employees, satisfying the 1:2 ratio.                         paid to the employee that runs concurrently with the state 
Part-time employees. A part-time employee is an              leave. Consequently, in the aggregate, a qualifying 
employee who is customarily employed for fewer than 30       employee can receive 6 weeks of annual paid family and 
hours per week. Until further guidance is issued, an         medical leave at a rate of payment of 100% of the wages 
employer may use any reasonable method to determine          normally paid to the employee. Your policy independently 
how many hours an employee customarily works per             satisfies the requirement that the rate of payment be at 
week for the employer. Reasonable methods include the        least 50% of the wages normally paid to an employee. 
methods set forth in 29 CFR section 2530.200b-2 for          Only wages paid under your written policy (50% of wages 
calculating hours of service in connection with certain      normally paid to the employee) can be used to figure the 
plans, such as qualified pension plans, subject to the       credit. Wages paid pursuant to state law aren’t used to 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as          figure the credit.
amended.                                                         Example 3. Under state law, employers are required to 
                                                             provide employees 6 weeks of family and medical leave, 
Minimum Rate of Payment Requirement                          and the state law permits this leave to be either paid or 
The employer’s written policy must provide that each         unpaid. Your written policy provides each qualifying 
qualifying employee who is on paid family and medical        employee with 6 weeks of annual paid family and medical 
leave will be paid at least 50% of the wages normally paid   leave at a rate of payment of 50% of the wages normally 
to the employee for services performed for the employer.     paid to the employee. Your policy independently satisfies 
In determining the rate of payment under the policy, leave   the requirement that the rate of payment be at least 50% 
paid by a state or local government or required under        of the wages normally paid to an employee.
state or local law isn’t taken into account.
                                                             Rate of Payment or Period Not Required To Be 
Wages normally paid to an employee.          Wages           Uniform
normally paid to an employee means the wages normally 
                                                             An employer’s rate of payment or period of paid family 
paid to the employee for services performed for the 
                                                             and medical leave isn’t required to be uniform with respect 
employer. Overtime (other than regularly scheduled 
                                                             to all qualifying employees and for all FMLA purposes. 
overtime) and discretionary bonuses are excluded from 
                                                             However, to the extent an employer’s policy provides 
wages normally paid. Until further guidance is issued, for 
                                                             different rates of payment or periods of paid family and 
employees who are paid (in whole or in part) on a basis 
                                                             medical leave for different FMLA purposes, the minimum 
other than a salaried or hourly rate, an employer must 
                                                             paid leave requirements must be satisfied with respect to 
determine wages normally paid to the employee using the 
                                                             each FMLA purpose for which the employer intends to 
rules for determining regular rate of pay set forth in 
                                                             claim the credit. Conversely, if an employer’s policy 
regulations issued under the FLSA. See 29 CFR section 
                                                             provides a uniform rate of payment and period of paid 
778.109.
                                                             family and medical leave for all qualifying employees and 
Leave paid by a state or local government or re-             for all FMLA purposes (or a uniform rate of payment and 
quired by state or local law. Leave paid by a state or       period for several specified FMLA purposes), the policy as 
local government or required by state or local law isn’t     a whole must satisfy the minimum paid leave 
taken into account in determining whether an employer’s      requirements, and it isn’t necessary for the minimum paid 

                                                             -4-               Instructions for Form 8994 (January 2021)

- 5 -

Enlarge image

Page 5 of 10 Fileid: … ns/I8994/202101/A/XML/Cycle08/source 14:46 - 22-Jan-2021

The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing.

leave requirements to be satisfied separately with respect employee who has at least 10 years of service a rate of
to each FMLA purpose. payment of 100% of the wages normally paid to the
Example 1. Your written policy provides each employee for services performed by the employee, rather
qualifying employee with 6 weeks of annual paid leave for than 75%. Because the rate of payment for a qualifying
the birth or adoption of the employer’s child, or to care for employee who has at least 10 years of service is 100%
that child (an FMLA purpose) at a rate of payment of (which is 50 percentage points greater than 50%), the
100% of wages normally paid to the employee for base applicable percentage for these employees is
services performed for you. For all other FMLA purposes, increased by 12.5% (0.25% × 50), for an applicable
the policy provides each qualifying employee with 2 percentage of 25% (12.5% + 12.5%). For a qualifying
weeks of annual paid leave at a rate of payment of 75% of employee who has less than 10 years of service, the
wages normally paid to the employee. Your written policy applicable percentage is the same as determined in
satisfies the minimum paid leave requirements. Example 1.
Example 2. Your written policy provides each
qualifying employee with 2 weeks of annual paid leave for How To Figure the Credit
the birth or adoption of the employee’s child, or to care for In the case of an eligible employer, the credit is an amount
that child (an FMLA purpose) at a rate of payment of equal to the applicable percentage of the amount of
100% of wages normally paid to the employee, and also wages paid to qualifying employees during any period in
provides each qualifying employee who isn’t covered by a which such employees are on family and medical leave.
collective bargaining agreement with 2 weeks of annual The term “applicable percentage” means 12.5%
paid leave for a serious health condition that makes the increased (but not above 25%) by 0.25 percentage points
employee unable to perform the duties of his or her for each percentage point by which the rate of payment
position (also an FMLA purpose) at a rate of payment of exceeds 50%. See Applicable Percentage, earlier.
100% of wages normally paid to the employee. The The amount of family and medical leave that may be
portion of your policy that provides paid leave to each taken into account with respect to any qualifying
qualifying employee for the birth or adoption of the employee for any tax year may not exceed 12 weeks. The
employee’s child, or to care for that child, satisfies the credit with respect to any qualifying employee for any tax
minimum paid leave requirements. However, the portion year can’t exceed an amount equal to the product of the
of the policy providing only certain qualifying employees employee’s normal hourly wage rate for each hour (or
(those who aren’t covered by a collective bargaining fraction thereof) of actual services performed for the
agreement) with paid leave for a serious health condition employer and the number of hours (or fraction thereof) for
that makes the employee unable to perform the duties of which family and medical leave is taken.
his or her position doesn’t satisfy the minimum paid leave
requirements, and you can’t claim the credit for any leave Figuring the credit. The credit is equal to the applicable
taken under that portion of the policy. percentage of the amount of wages paid to a qualifying
Example 3. Your written policy provides each employee during any period (up to 12 weeks) that the
qualifying employee with 2 weeks of annual paid leave for employee is on family and medical leave.
any FMLA purpose at a rate of payment of 100% of the Example 1. Your written policy provides each
wages normally paid to the employee, and each qualifying qualifying employee with 4 weeks of annual paid family
employee who has 10 years of service with an additional 2 and medical leave at a rate of payment of 75% of wages
weeks of annual paid leave for any FMLA purpose at a normally paid to the employee. During 2020, your
rate of payment of 100% of wages normally paid to the employee takes 4 weeks of leave under the policy. The
employee. Your policy satisfies the minimum paid leave employee is normally paid $1,000 per week. You pay the
requirements. employee a total of $3,000 ($750 per week for 4 weeks)
for family and medical leave. Assuming all other
Applicable Percentage requirements for the credit are met, you can claim a credit
The applicable percentage is based on the rate of of $562.50 with respect to the employee (18.75% of
payment for the leave under the employer’s policy. The $3,000).
base applicable percentage of 12.5% applies if the rate of Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1,
payment is 50%. If the rate of payment under the policy is except that your written policy provides each qualifying
greater than 50%, the applicable percentage is increased employee who has at least 10 years of service with a rate
by 0.25 percentage points for each percentage point by of payment of 100% of the wages normally paid to the
which the rate of payment exceeds 50%, up to a employee. During 2020, Employee A, who has been
maximum applicable percentage of 25%. employed for 12 years, takes leave under the policy for 4
Example 1. Your written policy provides each weeks, and Employee B, who has been employed for 5
qualifying employee with 4 weeks of annual paid family years, takes leave under the policy for 2 weeks. Both
and medical leave at a rate of payment of 75% of the Employee A and Employee B are normally paid $1,000
wages normally paid to the employee. Because the rate of per week. You pay Employee A a total of $4,000 and
payment under the policy exceeds 50% by 25 percentage Employee B a total of $1,500 for family and medical leave.
points, the base applicable percentage of 12.5% is Assuming all other requirements for the credit are met,
increased by 6.25% (0.25% × 25), for an applicable you can claim a total credit of $1,281.25 with respect to
percentage of 18.75% (12.5% + 6.25%). Employee A and Employee B. The credit for Employee A
Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, is $1,000 (25% of $4,000), and the credit for Employee B
except that your written policy provides each qualifying is $281.25 (18.75% of $1,500).

Instructions for Form 8994 (January 2021) -5-

- 6 -

Enlarge image

Page 6 of 10 Fileid: … ns/I8994/202101/A/XML/Cycle08/source 14:46 - 22-Jan-2021

The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing.

Wages defined. The term “wages” has the same Professional Employer Organization) to qualifying
meaning given to that term by section 3306(b) (regarding employees for services performed for an eligible employer
FUTA wages), determined without regard to the $7,000 are considered wages for purposes of the credit.
FUTA wage limitation. Section 3306(b) generally defines However, only the eligible employer, and not the
wages as all remuneration for employment, as defined by third-party payer, can take these wages into account
section 3306(c), subject to certain limitations. However, when figuring the credit.
for this purpose, the term “wages” doesn’t include any Leave paid by a state or local government or re-
amount taken into account for purposes of determining: quired by a state or local law. Leave paid by a state or
• Any other general business credit, or local government or required by a state or local law isn’t
• Any sick and family leave or employee retention credit taken into account when figuring the credit.
claimed on an employment tax return.
Wages paid through a short-term disability program.
An employment tax return includes the following. Wages paid through an employer’s short-term disability
• Form 941, Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax program for family and medical leave are taken into
Return, and related Forms 941-PR, 941-SS, and 941-X. account in figuring the credit provided that the program (in
• Form 943, Employer’s Annual Federal Tax Return for combination with any other employer-paid leave
Agricultural Employees, and related Forms 943-PR and arrangement) meets the minimum paid leave
943-X. requirements.
• Form 944, Employer’s ANNUAL Federal Tax Return,
and related Forms 944(SP) and 944-X. Employee becomes a qualifying employee after
• Form CT-1, Employer’s Annual Railroad Retirement leave is taken. An eligible employer may claim the credit
Tax Return, and related Form CT-1X. only with respect to wages paid to an employee who is a
• Schedule H (Form 1040), Household Employment qualifying employee at the time family and medical leave
Taxes, and related Schedule H-PR (Form 1040-PR). is taken. Wages paid to an employee for family and
medical leave before an employee becomes a qualifying
For more information about general business credits,
employee are excluded in determining the employer’s
see the Instructions for Form 3800. For more information
credit. However, if an employer’s written policy provides
about coronavirus-related employment credits, see the
that employees may take paid family and medical leave
instructions for your employment tax return.
before they become qualifying employees and doesn’t
Example 1. You pay wages to your employee that
provide a dedicated amount of leave meeting the
qualify as a research expense for purposes of determining
minimum paid leave requirements that may only be taken
the amount of your research credit under section 41(a).
after an employee becomes a qualifying employee, the
The research credit under section 41(a) is a general
leave will not fail to (a) be specifically designated for an
business credit allowed under section 38. Some of the
FMLA purpose, or (b) meet the minimum paid leave
wages paid to your employee for the performance of
requirements, solely because an employee may take paid
qualified services under section 41(b) were paid while the leave before becoming a qualifying employee.
employee was on family and medical leave. To figure your
Example. Your written policy provides all employees
credit, you must exclude from the wages paid while your
who have completed at least 6 months of employment
employee was on family and medical leave any wages
with 4 weeks of annual paid family and medical leave at a
treated as a qualified research expense for purposes of
rate of payment of 100% of wages normally paid to the
determining the amount of your research credit under
employee for services performed by the employee. Your
section 41(a).
employee completes 6 months of employment with you as
Example 2. The employer is tax-exempt under section
of January 1, 2020, and 1 year of employment (becoming
501(a) as an educational organization described in
a qualifying employee) as of July 1, 2020. On June 15,
section 501(c)(3). Because employment with the
2020, your employee begins a 4-week period of paid
employer isn’t employment for purposes of FUTA tax,
family and medical leave under the policy. Assuming all
wages paid by the employer aren’t FUTA wages. Although
other requirements for the credit are met, you can use
the employer is exempt from federal income tax, it earns
wages paid to the employee for family and medical leave
unrelated business taxable income from a trade or
on or after July 1, 2020, the date that employee becomes
business that isn’t substantially related to the performance
a qualifying employee, to figure the credit. Wages paid for
of the employer’s exempt purpose. The employer
family and medical leave taken before the employee
maintains a written paid leave policy that provides at least
becomes a qualifying employee aren’t eligible for the
2 weeks of paid family and medical leave to all qualifying
credit.
employees, including those performing services for the
unrelated trade or business. The employer would like to Eligible employer for whom qualifying employees
claim the credit against its unrelated business income tax perform services. Only an eligible employer for whom
liability. Because the employer doesn’t pay FUTA wages, qualifying employees perform services can claim the
wages paid by the employer aren’t wages for purposes of credit with respect to wages paid.
the credit. Consequently, amounts paid by the employer Normal hourly wage rate of an employee not paid an
to its employees while on paid family and medical leave hourly wage rate. Until further guidance is issued, an
aren’t eligible for the credit. employer may use any reasonable method to convert the
Wages paid by third-party payer. Wages paid by a normal wages paid to an employee who isn’t paid an
third-party payer (including an insurance company, a hourly wage rate to an hourly rate.
professional employer organization, or a Certified

-6- Instructions for Form 8994 (January 2021)

- 7 -

Enlarge image

Page 7 of 10 Fileid: … ns/I8994/202101/A/XML/Cycle08/source 14:46 - 22-Jan-2021

The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing.

Aggregation Rules you are filing it for a partnership or S corporation that
received from another entity a credit that must be reported
Section 45S(c)(3) provides that all persons who are on line 2. For more information, see the instructions for
treated as a single employer under section 52(a) and (b) line 2.
are treated as a single taxpayer. In accordance with this
aggregation rule, employers are aggregated for purposes Line D
of section 45S(h)(1), which provides that a taxpayer may Answer “Yes” if you either (1) did not employ any
elect to have section 45S not apply for any tax year. employees who weren’t covered by the FMLA, or (2)
Consequently, employers aren’t aggregated for any other employed at least one employee who wasn't covered by
purpose, including figuring the credit. the FMLA and you included in your written policy and
Members of Controlled Groups or otherwise complied with “non-interference” language. See
Non-interference language under Eligible Employer,
Businesses Under Common Control earlier. If you answer “No,” don’t file Form 8994 unless
Each member of a controlled group of corporations and you are filing it for a partnership or S corporation that
each member of a group of businesses under common received from another entity a credit that must be reported
control generally makes a separate election to claim or not on line 2. For more information, see the instructions for
to claim the credit in accordance with rules set forth under line 2.
section 51(j)(2) and (3). However, in the case of a
consolidated group (as defined in Regulations section Line 1
1.1502-1(h)), the election is made by the agent (as Use the Paid Family and Medical Leave Credit Worksheet
defined in Regulations section 1.1502-77) of the group. to figure any credit amount to enter on line 1.
An election to claim or not to claim the credit is made for In general, you must reduce your deduction for salaries
the tax year in which the credit is available by claiming or and wages by the amount on line 1. You must make this
not claiming the credit on either an original return or an reduction even if you can’t take the full credit this year and
amended return filed for that tax year. must carry it back or forward. If you capitalized any costs
More Information on which you figured the credit, reduce the amount
capitalized by the credit attributable to these costs.
For more information about this credit, see the following.
• Section 45S. Line 2
• Notice 2018-71, 2018-41 I.R.B. 548, available at Enter total paid family and medical leave credits from:
IRS.gov/irb/2018-41_IRB#NOT-2018-71. • Schedule K-1 (Form 1065), Partner’s Share of Income,
Deductions, Credits, etc., box 15 (code P); or
• Schedule K-1 (Form 1120-S), Shareholder’s Share of
Specific Instructions Income, Deductions, Credits, etc., box 13 (code P).
Partnerships and S corporations report the above
Line A
credits on line 2. All other filers figuring a separate credit
Answer “Yes” if you have a written policy providing at least on line 1 also report the above credits on line 2. All others
2 weeks of annual paid family and medical leave for all of not using line 1 to figure a separate credit must report the
your qualifying employee(s) to whom wages are paid above credits directly on Form 3800, Part III, line 4j.
(prorated for any part-time employees). See Minimum
Period of Leave Requirement and Qualifying Employee,
earlier. If you answer “No,” don’t file Form 8994 unless
you are filing it for a partnership or S corporation that
received from another entity a credit that must be reported
on line 2. For more information, see the instructions for
line 2.

Line B
Answer “Yes” if the written policy provides paid family and
medical leave of at least 50% of the wages normally paid
to each qualifying employee. See Family and Medical
Leave and Minimum Rate of Payment Requirement,
earlier. If you answer “No,” don’t file Form 8994 unless
you are filing it for a partnership or S corporation that
received from another entity a credit that must be reported
on line 2. For more information, see the instructions for
line 2.

Line C
Answer “Yes” if you paid family and medical leave to at
least one qualifying employee during the tax year. See
Family and Medical Leave and Qualifying Employee,
earlier. If you answer “No,” don’t file Form 8994 unless

Instructions for Form 8994 (January 2021) -7-

- 8 -

Enlarge image

Page 8 of 10  Fileid: … ns/I8994/202101/A/XML/Cycle08/source                            14:46 - 22-Jan-2021

The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing.

Paid Family and Medical Leave Credit Worksheet                                          Keep for Your Records
  You may use this worksheet to figure your credit for certain wages paid during your tax year to any qualifying 
employee(s) while the employee is on family and medical leave. If you need more rows, use a separate sheet and 
include the additional amounts in the totals below.

    (a)       (b)                                            (c)                        (d)
   Qualifying Paid Family and                          Applicable Percentage            Credit Amount
   Employee   Medical Leave                        (shown as a decimal (25% = 0.25))     (multiply column (b) by column (c))
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Total amount shown in column (d) from all sheets                                        

                                                   -8-           Instructions for Form 8994 (January 2021)

- 9 -

Enlarge image

Page 9 of 10 Fileid: … ns/I8994/202101/A/XML/Cycle08/source 14:46 - 22-Jan-2021

The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing.

Instructions for Paid Family and which the rate of payment exceeds 50%, up to a
maximum applicable percentage of 25%. See Applicable
Medical Leave Credit Worksheet Percentage, earlier, for examples. You can use the
following Applicable Percentage Worksheet to figure the
Although you only need to provide summary
applicable percentage(s) to enter in column (c).
TIP information to claim the credit, keep separate
records that include the necessary information to
support the amount of credit you are claiming. The Paid Applicable Percentage Worksheet
Family and Medical Leave Credit Worksheet is one
method of reflecting the necessary information and is 1. Enter the percentage required
provided to assist you in this process. You should retain under your written policy for the
this Worksheet (or any other document you use for payment of family and medical
capturing this information) in your records. The leave* 1. %
information needed to support the amount of credit you 2. Minimum percentage required
are claiming includes the: to claim the credit 2. 50 %
• Name and social security number of each qualifying 3. Subtract line 2 from line 1. If the
employee, result is less than zero, stop
• Wages paid to each qualifying employee, here, skip lines 4 and 5, and
• Name and employer identification number of each enter -0- on line 6 3. %
qualifying employer, 4. Multiply the number (percentage
• Applicable percentage, and points) on line 3 by 0.25
• Family and medical leave policy. percentage points. For example,
if line 3 is 25%, then 25 × 0.25 =
Column (a), Qualifying Employees 6.25 percentage points or
6.25% 4. %
Enter the name or other identifying information for each
qualifying employee to whom wages were paid while on 5. Base applicable
family and medical leave. See Qualifying Employee and percentage 5. 12.5 %
Family and Medical Leave, earlier. 6. Add lines 4 and 5. Enter this
applicable percentage shown as
Column (b), Paid Family and Medical Leave a decimal (for example, 18.75%
Enter the total family and medical leave wages paid during would be shown as 0.1875) in
the tax year for each employee listed in column (a). See column (c) of the Paid Family
Family and Medical Leave and Minimum Rate of Payment and Medical Leave Credit
Requirement, earlier. Worksheet for all qualified
employees to whom the rate of
Column (c), Applicable Percentage payment shown on line 1
The applicable percentage is based on the rate of applies 6. %
payment for the leave under the employer’s policy. The
base applicable percentage of 12.5% applies if the rate of *Complete a separate worksheet for each separate
payment is 50%. If the rate of payment under the policy is percentage required and used under your written policy for
greater than 50%, the applicable percentage is increased the payment of family and medical leave.
by 0.25 percentage points for each percentage point by

Instructions for Form 8994 (January 2021) -9-

- 10 -

Enlarge image

Page 10 of 10  Fileid: … ns/I8994/202101/A/XML/Cycle08/source                    14:46 - 22-Jan-2021

The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing.

Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We ask for the information on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue laws of the 
United States. You are required to give us the information. We need it to ensure that you are complying with these laws 
and to allow us to figure and collect the right amount of tax.
You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act 
unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a form or its instructions must be 
retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any Internal Revenue law. Generally, tax 
returns and return information are confidential, as required by section 6103.
The time needed to complete and file this form will vary depending on individual circumstances. The estimated burden 
for individual and business taxpayers filing this form is approved under OMB control numbers 1545-0074 and 1545-0123 
and is included in the estimates shown in the instructions for their individual and business income tax returns. The 
estimated burden for all other taxpayers who file this form is shown below.
Recordkeeping                                                                                             1 hr., 54 min.
Preparing and sending the form to the IRS                                                                                1 min.

If you have comments concerning the accuracy of these time estimates or suggestions for making this form simpler, 
we would be happy to hear from you. See the instructions for the tax return with which this form is filed.

                                          -10-                               Instructions for Form 8994 (January 2021)

PDF file checksum: 291987272

(Plugin #1/8.13/12.0)