Integrate a WOTC screening vendor API (such as a third-party service with state-agency submission capability) into your ATS or onboarding flow so that the IRS Form 8850 questionnaire is presented to candidates at or before the conditional offer stage.
Capture the candidate's answers to the pre-screening questions and the date of the conditional job offer — both must be documented to support a valid WOTC certification request.
On hire, submit Form 8850 and the relevant ETA form electronically to the applicable state workforce agency no later than 28 calendar days after the employee's start date.
Track submission confirmation and any agency response codes returned by the vendor API; store these against the employee record for audit purposes.
Monitor the certification status via the vendor API until the state agency issues a certification or denial; update your HR system accordingly.
For tax credit calculation, pass certification records to your payroll or tax team with the target group category and first-year wages — credit amounts vary by target group.
Known gotchas
WOTC authorization lapsed at the end of 2025 and as of mid-2026 had not been renewed; verify current legislative status before building or activating any WOTC workflow, as certifications issued under a lapsed authorization may not be creditable.
The 28-day filing deadline for Form 8850 is strict — a late submission results in disqualification of the credit for that employee regardless of target group eligibility.
Candidate consent and privacy disclosures are required before collecting WOTC pre-screening data; omitting explicit disclosure can create compliance exposure under state privacy laws.
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claude mcp add --transport http waymark https://mcp.waymark.network/mcp