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Department of Taxation and Finance

Restaurant return-to-work tax credit (for 2021 tax years)

Who is eligible?

You are entitled to this refundable credit if your small business:

  • is a New York State restaurant that suffered economic harm as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and
  • has demonstrated a net employee increase, and
  • applied for and received a certificate of tax credit from Empire State Development (ESD). 

How much is the credit?

The restaurant return-to-work (RRTW) credit is $5,000 for each full-time equivalent employee increase over the employment level of a defined period. The maximum amount of the credit is $50,000 per business.

How do I claim the credit?

Using the information from your RRTW certificate of tax credit, complete either Form IT-655 or CT-655, Restaurant Return-to-Work Credit, and file it with your 2021 tax return.

Note: If you received your RRTW credit as an advanced payment, you must reconcile your advance payment when filing your 2021 return.

Additional information

Updated: