STEP 1: What is the Self – Employed Tax Credit/REFUND (SETC)

We have all heard the advertisements on the radio & tv for the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC).  But unfortunately, the ERC program can’t help all companies or business owners. Those who are self-employed, 1099 subcontractors or small family operated businesses most likely did not qualify for the ERC and were turned away.

Thankfully, The Self-Employed Tax Credit / REFUND (SETC) also known as the Sick & Family Leave Act Tax Credit may offer self-employed business owners’ great financial relief.  Up to $36,220!

If you filed a “Schedule C or Schedule SE” in your Federal Tax Returns for the years 2020 & 2021; you may qualify for the self-employed tax credit.

Typically, 1099 subcontractors, sole proprietorships, & single member LLC’s may qualify.  Take a look at your federal tax returns (not state) for 2020 & 2021 and see if you filed a “Schedule C or Schedule SE”.

If you did, continue to the next step; if you don’t have a “Schedule C or Schedule SE” filed then unfortunately you would not qualify.

We have automated this ENTIRE process to keep the process streamlined and our fee as low as possible.  Follow the next steps and be sure to read the frequently asked questions.

STEP 2:  I confirmed I did file a “Schedule C and/or Schedule SE” in my federal tax returns for 2020 & 2021.   Now let’s learn about THE PROCESS. 

During the pandemic millions of people got sick from COVID.  For many self-employed business owners, they were sick with COVID, had COVID like symptoms, had a COVID related illness or were told to quarantine because they were exposed or affected by COVID and were unable to work. Maybe you also had to care for a loved one affected by COVID; like a spouse, elderly parent, son/daughter or other person which prevented you from working.  If your child’s school or daycare was closed or shutdown which prevented you from working then this program may be for you.

Here’s the process:

#1.   Go to the “START MY APPLICATION” button.  It will take you to a list of questions that will help us determine if you qualify for this program.  There are 6 Sections/Questions on the application form. Obviously, the more questions that apply to you the larger your SETC refund could be.

#2.   After the questions, it will ask you to submit copies of your Federal Tax Return for 2019, 2020 & 2021 to our system.  The reason why we ask you for your Federal Tax Returns is because we must review the numbers on your filed Schedule C’s, Schedule SE’s and other pertinent data on your tax returns which works towards the calculations on determining how much of this $36,220 tax credit you may qualify for.   If you feel more comfortable with sending your filed tax returns with your social security or EIN number(s) crossed out in black marker that is completely okay.   We don’t need your social security # or EIN in order to run the initial qualifying calculations.  Please keep in mind, if you do qualify for the SETC refund, and want to move forward with claiming your refund accounting will draft the tax documents to file and we will need your social security numbers on the documents; as they are required (you amend your federal tax returns to claim the refund and your federal tax returns have your social security numbers on them); so we will be asking for that information later on. Some people choose to cross out the numbers and others simply upload their returns; either way works for us.   Remember to upload the complete federal return for 2019, 2020 & 2021; do not just submit your Schedule C or Schedule SE.  Your Complete federal tax return must be uploaded.

#3.  Once you submit your complete application & your 2019, 2020 & 2021 federal tax returns our team will complete the calculations to determine how much of the $36,220 SETC refund you qualify for.  It typically takes us less than 10 days to complete.  Most client files are calculated in 2 days; it just depends on how complicated your file is. We will email you the results once the calculations are completed.

The beautiful part of this process is you pay NOTHING upfront.   We do all the calculations and see if you qualify all free of charge.  Once the calculations are completed, we will email you what SETC refund amount you may qualify for.   Here’s the 3 possible outcomes:

Outcome A: 

We inform you after looking at the results you do not qualify for the SETC. 

Outcome B:

If your file comes back with a Tax Credit Refund LESS than $2,500; we will email you that you qualify for the credit, however, we can’t process the tax credit for you.  An amount to file this small we cannot sustain on a continguency model.

Outcome C: WHAT WE HOPE!

If your file comes back with a Tax Credit Refund of $2,500 or MORE and you want to proceed with filing for the Self Employed Tax Credit. We will asigned you a customer service representative & they we will email you our service agreement to complete; which gives us permission to process your file.     

STEP 3: You Qualify = Finals Steps

Congrats! You received an email stating your refund is $2,500 or MORE!  Now you want to proceed with filing.

#4.  A customer service representative will be assigned to your file to answer any questions you have.  They will send you our service agreement to e-sign.

#5.  Sign our service agreement.  Our service agreement gives us permission to prepare the documents to file.   Also, it clearly outlines our FEE for our services.  We get paid nothing upfront, we simply collect a percentage of what you receive once you receive your SETC refund in hand.  Our fee is 25% of the total SETC received, paid to us AFTER you receive your refund in your hands.   The Treasury will issue your refund to your home address and send you the entire full amount; nothing is sent to us.   Once you receive your SETC refund, you will notify us that you received the refund; then we will invoice you for 25%.   For example, John is qualified for a $10,000 SETC refund.  We file his paperwork based on his documents submitted.  He received his $10,000 SETC refund check in the mail, then he notifies us via email and then we will invoice him for 25% of that amount ($2,500). 

After your service agreement is e-signed by you; then your customer service representative will then send you the documents to sign for your SETC filing.  They will email you the documents you will need to print out and sign; and then mail back to our office.  The documents require you to sign them with “Wet Signatures”; you unfortunately can’t e-sign them.   You will have to print them out, sign them with a blue pen and mail them back to our office.   Once we receive them back from you, we will then mail your documents to the Treasury, typically within 48 hours and provide you with a tracking number confirming they have been mailed. 

#6.  Now we wait.  Once we have sent your filing to the Treasury it typically takes the government 3 – 5 months to review your file and mail you your refund.  Unfortunately, they move slow and we cannot control how fast they process files. 


Start My Application

PLEASE READ the Frequently Asked Questions below, they will answer 99.9% of your questions.

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ANSWER THIS QUESTION FIRST, so you understand how to complete the form correctly below.....thank you!

YOUR INFORMATION:

Legal Full Name (same name used on your tax returns):
Enter Address: YOUR SETC refund will be mailed to this address below if you qualify.
SPECIAL NOTE: The address you enter above is the address where your SETC refund check will be mailed to. If you qualify, it typically takes the government 3 - 5 months to process your file. Make sure you use an address where you will be residing for the next 6 months; to ensure the check is delivered to the right address.

Please take your time answering the questions correctly below.

Make sure the DATES you enter are correct and correspond to the yes or no choices you select.  For example, if you select:  Yes - I was out of work 10 or more days.   The date range you input should show 10 or more days.  Ex: 4/1/20 - 4/11/20.   Errors on your part will delay your file and application.

Please Complete ALL 6 Section Below:

SECTION 1.  

Regarding the year 2020, between the dates of 4/1/20 to 3/31/21 were YOU out of work for 10 day or more because you had COVID 19, had COVID 19 symptoms, a COVID 19 related illness or were told to quarantine because you were exposed or affected by COVID 19?

Please NOTE:  The IRS does not require us to submit proof of a positive test or PROOF that you had COVID 19 when we submit your filing.   You are simply AFFIRMING in this statement (IN GOOD FAITH) that you had COVID 19, had COVID 19 symptoms, had a COVID 19 related disease and/or were quarantined due to the virus and lost the ability to work & earn income.   Examples of PROOF which you may want to keep for your record include:  a positive COVID test, a letter from a doctor, hospital or healthcare provider showing a Positive Test for COVID, COVID like symptoms and/or a recommended quarantining period.   An example of proof also includes the workdays in which you can show no income was generated for your business due to your COVID exposure, symptoms or quarantining. Your business software system, bank statements, etc. may be able to show this non-working period because no sales were deposited or placed. 

SECTION 2.

Regarding the year 2021, between the dates of 4/1/21 to 9/30/21 were YOU out of work for 10 day or more because you had COVID 19, had COVID 19 symptoms, a COVID 19 related illness or were told to quarantine because you were exposed or affected by COVID 19?

Please NOTE:  The IRS does not require us to submit proof of a positive test or PROOF that you had COVID 19 when we submit your filing.   You are simply AFFIRMING in this statement (IN GOOD FAITH) that you had COVID 19, had COVID 19 symptoms, had a COVID 19 related disease and/or were quarantined due to the virus and lost the ability to work & earn income.   Examples of PROOF which you may want to keep for your record include:  a positive COVID test, a letter from a doctor, hospital or healthcare provider showing a Positive Test for COVID, COVID like symptoms and/or a recommended quarantining period.   An example of proof also includes the workdays in which you can show no income was generated for your business due to your COVID exposure, symptoms or quarantining. Your business software system, bank statements, etc. may be able to show this non-working period because no sales were deposited or placed.

SECTION 3.

Regarding the year 2020, between the dates of 4/1/20 to 3/31/21 were YOU out of work for 10 day or more because YOU CARED FOR SOMEONE ELSE (ex: son, daughter, spouse, elder, other person) whom had COVID 19, had COVID 19 symptoms, a COVID 19 related illness or were told to quarantine because they were exposed or affected by COVID 19?

Please NOTE:  The IRS does not require us to submit PROOF at the time of filing that you cared for someone with COVID 19.  You simply need to AFFIRM and IN GOOD FAITH did in fact lose time from work or business because you cared for someone with COVID 19.   Proof for taking care of another person who had COVID may include the positive COVID test for that person, a letter from their doctor, hospital or healthcare provider showing a Positive Test for COVID, COVID like symptoms and/or a recommended quarantining period for that person you cared for.  Another example of proof includes the workdays in which you can show no income was generated for your business.  Your business software system, bank statements, etc. may be able to show this non-working period because no sales were deposited or placed while you were caring for that person. 

SECTION 4.

Regarding the year 2021, between the dates of 4/1/21 to 9/30/21 were YOU out of work for 10 day or more because YOU CARED FOR SOMEONE ELSE (ex: son, daughter, spouse, elder, other person) whom had COVID 19, had COVID 19 symptoms, a COVID 19 related illness or were told to quarantine because they were exposed or affected by COVID 19?

Please NOTE:  The IRS does not require us to submit PROOF at the time of filing that you cared for someone with COVID 19.  You simply need to AFFIRM and IN GOOD FAITH did in fact lose time from work or business because you cared for someone with COVID 19.   Proof for taking care of another person who had COVID may include the positive COVID test for that person, a letter from their doctor, hospital or healthcare provider showing a Positive Test for COVID, COVID like symptoms and/or a recommended quarantining period for that person you cared for.  Another example of proof includes the workdays in which you can show no income was generated for your business.  Your business software system, bank statements, etc. may be able to show this non-working period because no sales were deposited or placed while you were caring for that person. 

SECTION 5.

Regarding the year 2020, between the dates of 4/1/20 to 3/31/21 was your minor (under the age of 18 or a child with severe disabilities) child’s school or daycare closed, your child out sick, or told to quarantine for a combined total of 50 days or more due to COVID 19 resulting in your inability to work for your business.
MAXIMUM CREDIT AMOUNT CLIENT CAN QUALIFY FOR IN THIS SECTION 5: Net Earnings reported on Client's Schedule C divided by 260 X 67%. The maximum claim amount allowed is capped at $200 per day X 50 days = $10,000

Please NOTE:  The IRS does not require us to submit PROOF at the time of filing that you cared for a minor child under the age of 18 or for a child with severe disabilities who’s school or daycare was closed due to COVID 19.  You simply need to AFFIRM and IN GOOD FAITH did in fact lose time from work or business.   Proof for your minor child’s daycare or school being closed may include an email, letter or shut down order from your local state, city, township or private day care/school indicating closure due to COVID.   Another example of proof includes the work days in which you can show no income was generated for your business.  Your business software system, bank statements, etc. may be able to show this non-working period because no sales were deposited or placed while you were caring for your minor child. 

SECTION 6.

Regarding the year 2021, between the dates of 4/1/21 to 9/30/21 was your minor (under the age of 18 or a child with severe disabilities) child’s school or daycare closed, your child out sick, or told to quarantine for a combined total of 60 days or more due to COVID 19 resulting in your inability to work for your business.
MAXIMUM CREDIT AMOUNT CLIENT CAN QUALIFY FOR IN THIS SECTION 6: Net Earnings reported on Client's Schedule C divided by 260 X 67%. The maximum claim amount allowed is capped at $200 per day X 60 days = $12,000

Please NOTE:  The IRS does not require us to submit PROOF at the time of filing that you cared for a minor child under the age of 18 or for a child with severe disabilities who’s school or daycare was closed due to COVID 19.  You simply need to AFFIRM and IN GOOD FAITH did in fact lose time from work or business.   Proof for your minor child’s daycare or school being closed may include an email, letter or shut down order from your local state, city, township or private day care/school indicating closure due to COVID.   Another example of proof includes the work days in which you can show no income was generated for your business.  Your business software system, bank statements, etc. may be able to show this non-working period because no sales were deposited or placed while you were caring for your minor child. 

I ACKNOWLEDGE that QualifyMyBusiness is filing IN GOOD FAITH & from the AFFIRMATION of the CLIENT

CLIENT understands that any information provided to QualifyMyBusiness is presumed to be TRUE & ACCURATE, and that the CLIENT is solely responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of such information.

2019 Federal Tax Return
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
If your business was NOT operating in 2019 then you would NOT have to upload a 2019 Federal Tax Return. YOU MUST UPLOAD THE FULL FEDERAL RETURN (not just the Schedule C)
2020 Federal Tax Return
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
If your business was NOT operating in 2020 then you would NOT have to upload a 2020 Federeal Tax Return. YOU MUST UPLOAD THE FULL FEDERAL RETURN (not just the Schedule C)
2021 Federal Tax Return
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
YOU MUST UPLOAD THE FULL FEDERAL RETURN (not just the Schedule C)
Do you currently owe back taxes to the IRS or have a payment plan?
By submitting this application, I understand QualifyMyBusiness charges 25% of the refund you qualify for AFTER you have received the refund in your hands. We charge NO upfront fees whatsoever. We run the calculations all for free and do all the upfront work on your file. If you qualify we will send you the esign service agreement to sign, the documents to sign and mail back to our office for the Self Employed Tax Credit Refund. Our 25% fee is the same fee charged to everyone & will not be negotiated. We do all the work upfront without getting paid anything and wait the 3 - 5 months for your file to be processed by the government until you get your refund in hand.
I am uploading my COMPLETE Federal Personal TAX RETURNS (all pages). I am NOT uploading just the Schedule C, NOT a picture of a single page, NOT tax transcripts. I understand that if I do NOT upload my complete tax returns, my file will NOT be reviewed.
I understand that I can cross out my social security numbers & corporation/employer (EIN) identification number for QMB to do the SETC refund calculations. HOWEVER, after the SETC calculations are determined, if I qualify for the refund and wish to move forward with the filing; I understand I will have to provide the social security numbers and company information. They are required to be on the forms we need to file with the Treasury in order to claim the tax credit refund.
I give QualifyMyBusiness permission to send me TEXT messages when my SETC refund calculations have been completed, when my tax documents are ready to print, sign and return back to QMB and other parts of the SETC refund process.
I understand I have to check my spam/junk email folder in my inbox. QualifyMyBusiness will be sending me SETC calculations, esign agreements & documents to print & mail back to their office VIA EMAIL. I will be sure to not only check my inbox but my spam/junk folders as well.
I understand the SETC refund is filed with the Treasury by amending my tax return for 2020 &/or 2021. This process is required in order to receive the SETC refund.
Name the station you heard about QualifyMyBusiness.com

If you are concerned about your privacy, please take a black marker and cross out your EIN and/or social security numbers.  We do not need that information in order to do the prequalification calculations.    Submitting this application does NOT automatically file this tax credit with the government.   We are simply gathering the documents needed to work the calculations to see if you do qualify for the tax credit.   There is absolutely no fee or cost to do this.   Before submitting, take the time to read the frequently asked questions on our website; it provides you with 99.9% of the information regarding this tax credit.  I understand, after QualifyMyBusiness.com has evaluated my information they will let me know the amount of SETC I qualify for.   (ex: John qualifies for a $10,000 SETC tax refund).   Should I decide to move forward and have QualifyMyBusiness.com file the tax documents to claim the credit, QualifyMyBusiness.com charges 25% of the total SETC refund received AFTER I have received my SETC refund in hand.

My submitting my application I agree to allow QualifyMyBusiness.com to text me once the SETC refund calculations are done and when documents are ready pertaining to my file.

Please Note:  If you select "NOT APPLICABLE" to ALL sections/questions 1 - 6 then you would NOT qualify for this program.  As by selecting "NOT APPLICABLE" for all 6 sections means your self employed business was not impacted by covid in any way whatsoever.



Frequently Asked Questions

How is the SETC refund calculated?

The SETC refund is calculated based on your income reported on your Schedule C &/or Schedule SE and the number of Sections (sections 1 – 6) on the application that apply to you. For example, if John & Sue make the same income, but John sees Sections/Questions 1 – 4 on the application form apply to him and Sue sees only Section/Question 1 only applies to her; then John’s SETC refund would be much larger than Sue’s because he had 4 sections/questions of the application that applied to him while Sue only had 1 section/question apply to her.

Is this a loan?

No. This tax credit is not a loan. There is no interest rate.  There is nothing to pay back.  You can use the money any way you like.

Is the Self Employed Tax Credit / Refund taxable?

No.  The refund you receive is NOT taxed.   

Both my spouse & I each file a Schdule C in our Federal Tax Returns – can we both apply?

Yes, when you go to the application form on our website click the option “I have 2 Schedule C’s” and both you and your spouse complete the form and answer the questions together.

What if I took PPP, ERC or an EIDL, can I still qualify?

Yes, if you got PPP, ERC or EIDL you can still qualify for this tax credit.

How is the SETC refund received?

You may get 1 refund check or 2 refund checks. The SETC is broken into 2 years: 1 check for 2020 & 1 check for 2021. Based on your filed tax returns for 2020 & 2021 and the questionaire in your application it will determine if you are getting a refund for both years, just 1 year or none at all. Also, if you are entitled to a refund for the SETC the government will add a little interest money to the check or checks. For example, John submits his application and it is determined he qualifies for a $10,000 SETC refund. $4,000 for 2020 & $6,000 for 2021. We file his tax documents and 3 – 5 months later he receives 2 checks: $4,150 for 2020 & $6,250 for 2021; that extra money is the interest the Treasury adds to the refund. So John received a total SETC refund of $10,400; after he receives the money John will pay us our 25% which is $2,600 in this example.

How long does the process take?

Once we file your documents with the Treasury it typically takes 3 – 5 months for the government to process your file and mail you your refund check.  Remember we don’t get paid until you get paid.   

What if I am a Sub S Corp or C Corp and file a K1 (not a Schedule C)?

Then unfortunately you would not qualify for this tax credit.  This tax credit is only available to business owners that file a “Schedule C” in their federal tax returns for 2020 and/or 2021.

Does every self-employed business owner qualify?

No.  But millions of self-employed business owners were impacted by COVID and qualify for this tax credit.  Once you submit your application online and your 2019, 2020 & 2021 federal tax returns, within 10 business days we can give you an answer on if you qualify and how much you would receive: at no upfront cost to you.    We NEVER ask you for a credit card or any banking information.

What FEE do you charge?

We charge no fees to do your calculations and verify if you qualify for the program.  If you indeed do qualify for the program and wish to use us to file your documents with the Treasury then we get paid a portion of what you receive.  We get 25% of total refund you receive once you get paid and the check is in your hands.   For example, John receives a $10,000 SETC refund.    John agrees to pay us 25% ($2,500) of the $10,000 refund ONLY AFTER he receives his refund in hands.  Never before.   We only get paid if you get paid.

Is there a MINIMUM size file you work with?

Anyone can submit their information so we can run the numbers.  If your file comes back with a Tax Credit Refund LESS than $2,500; we will email you that you qualify for the credit however we can’t process the tax credit for you.  An amount to file this small we cannot sustain on a continguency model.

What is the AVERAGE someone receives?

Every individual file is completely unique because it relies on the questions you answer on how Covid impacted you and your filed federal tax returns for 2020 & 2021.   There is no average we can give.   Remember, finding out if you qualify is free, simply answer the questions and upload your returns.

What specific period is this tax credit for?

It is for the year 2020 & 2021.

What if my business started in 2021?

Then you would only submit a federal tax return for the year 2021 and you would not qualify for the maximum amount of $36,220.

What if my business started in 2022 or after?

Then you would not qualify for this program; it is only available to self employed business owners that filed a Schedule C on their federal taxes for the year of 2020 and/or 2021.

I collect a W2 wage from an employer and I am 1099 or self employed through my own business; can I apply for the SETC?

Yes, as long you have a “Schedule C” filed in your 2020 and/or 2021 federal tax return then you can apply. If there is no “Schedule C” in your tax returns for 2020 and/or 2021 then you couldn’t apply and/or qualify.

I want to speak to someone over the phone?

Once you submit your COMPLETE application online, within 10 business days we should have an answer back if you qualify and what that amount will be.   You will be emailed the information and if you qualify for this tax credit/refund you then be assigned a customer service representative. Your customer service representative will go over the amounts, what forms you need to sign  and answer any questions you may have.  Nothing is automatically filed.  But the initial process of running the numbers is all done online.  It has to be automated, remember there are millions of 1099, single member LLCs, sole proprietors (anyone who files a Schedule C in their tax returns for 2020 &/or 2021), all of which are looking to qualify. 

I haven’t filed my tax returns for 2020 & 2021?

Then unfortunately we couldn’t help you at this time.

What if I have a tax lien, have a tax judgment or owe back taxes?

If you owe back taxes we will take on cases on a CASE by CASE basis. Typically we do NOT take a lot of back taxes owed or payment plan clients. Even if you a have a payment arrangement with the IRS/Treasury for back taxes; we unfortunately typically do not accept those applicants at this time. If you owe more in back taxes than the total SETC refund we would be, most likely we will not take the case. We get paid on contingency (after you receive your refund in hand) and since in most back tax cases your refund gets applied to the taxes you owe; you would have to pay us out of pocket once you get that refund letter notice 3 – 5 months. Simply put there is a significant risk you won’t pay us since you would have to pay us our 25% out of pocket.

When does this program expire?

This tax credit is broken up into 2 years:  2020 & 2021.   The credit for the 2020 year will expire in April 2024 & the credit for the 2021 year will expire April 2025.  

I want to protect my privacy on my tax returns?

Absolutely, then use a black marker to cross out your EIN or social security numbers on your tax returns.  We do not need that information to run the initial calculations to see if you qualify for the refund.   Once the calculations are completed and if you do qualify for a refund and want us to proceed with filing; then you are required to supply us that information once your customer service representative is assigned to your file.  The amended tax returns to claim the refund require the social security numbers & any business EIN’s be on the documents.

Will I sign a service agreement?

Yes, but only AFTER we run your calculations to see if you qualify for this tax credit.   Once we run the numbers and if you qualify for an amount and decide to move forward; then we will send you our service agreement to e-sign.    It will clearly outline that we only get paid our 25% AFTER you have received your refund in hand.  Never before.   It also includes a personal guarantee you will be signing.  Why a personal guarantee?  Because we are trusting that you will do the right thing and pay us once you receive your funds.   We are doing all the work on your file and trusting you will have integrity to pay the fees we are owed.  You are required to notify us via email your customer service representative & [email protected] within 5 days of receiving your refund in the mail.

What forms are being filed to claim this tax credit?

You are amending your personal federal tax returns for 2020 and/or 2021 to claim the tax credit.

What address does the tax credit refund check go to?

100% of the refund gets mailed to you. When you fill out the application on our website it will ask you for your address.   Once your tax refund is filed with the Treasury it typically takes them 3 –  5 months to issue your refund in the mail.  Make sure to put your address on our online form where you are going to be living in the next 6 months; you do not want your check lost in the mail. 

When you say “tax credit”, is it actual money we get?

Yes, if you qualify you will receive a physical check from the Treasury you can deposit and use any way you wish.

Do you sell my data?

Absolutely NOT, we do NOT sell your data or information to anyone.