When is the payroll tax credit claimed?

The payroll tax credit offset (elected annually on a timely filed return, including extensions) can be claimed on a quarterly basis beginning with the first calendar quarter that begins after a taxpayer files their Federal tax return.

If the taxpayer can’t use the credit to offset its payroll taxes for the current quarter, it may carry the credit forward to subsequent quarters.  However, the $250,000 annual cap cannot be exceeded.