American Rescue Plan extends paid leave credits for businesses affected by COVID-19

April 27, 2021

The American Rescue Plan extends the paid leave credits for small and midsize businesses offering paid leave to employees for illness, quarantine, vaccination or caregiving due to COVID-19.

Under the new law, paid leave credits are available for periods of leave through September 2021. Businesses can take dollar-for-dollar tax credits equal to qualified sick leave wages of up to $5,110 or qualified family leave wages of up to $12,000 if they offer paid leave to employees who are unable to work or telework due to COVID-19.

These credits are meant to encourage business owners to offer paid sick and family leave related to COVID-19. Paid leave is intended to help keep the virus under control by encouraging employees to stay home if they are sick and to get vaccinated.