WOTC
IRS and DOL Forms Explained
WOTC documentation starts with IRS Form 8850, the pre-screening notice employers submit to the state workforce agency. DOL Forms 9061 and 9062 add employee-background detail. Those forms must be retained to substantiate the credit if the IRS or a state agency asks.
Abhay Patel · Co-Founder · WOTC Practice · Dallas, Texas·October 29, 2026
IRS Form 8850
Form 8850 is the pre-screening notice and certification request. Employers use it to show that a new hire was screened for WOTC and to request a determination from the state workforce agency. It has to be submitted within the required timeframe after the employee starts.
DOL Forms 9061 and 9062
These Department of Labor forms collect additional information about the employee's background and target-group eligibility. They support the state agency's certification decision and the employer's credit file.
State submissions
Each of the 50 states has its own processing methods, verification steps, and documentation rules. Missing a state-specific step can affect your ability to claim the credit even when the federal forms are complete.
Why retention matters
Certification is not the end of the file. Employers should keep the screening notice, supporting forms, and payroll that supports the wages claimed. OnTrack stores those records with the employee so they are ready if a reviewer asks.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. For how FCA applies this to a claim, see WOTC.