There is a federal tax credit worth $2,500 or more per eligible new hire—just sitting there, waiting to be claimed? And all it takes is 30 seconds during onboarding?
That’s the power of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).
But here’s the catch: most companies miss it.
The Hidden Money in Your Workforce
WOTC is designed to reward businesses for hiring individuals from certain target groups—veterans, SNAP recipients, long-term unemployed, and more. For each eligible new hire, companies can receive up to $9,600, but the average is about $2,500 per person.
Now think about your turnover rate. How many people do you hire each year? Multiply that by $2,500.
It adds up. Fast.
Why Most Companies Leave Money on the Table
We work with companies across industries—from trucking and logistics to healthcare and hospitality—and here’s what we see:
- The WOTC form gets buried in a stack of HR paperwork
- Screening happens after a candidate starts (or doesn’t happen at all)
- Teams don’t know which hires qualify
- There’s no system to track certifications and credit delivery
The truth? If WOTC isn’t integrated directly into your hiring workflow—ideally before day one—you’re probably missing out on a six or even seven-figure opportunity.
Case in Point: A Trucking Company That Found $1.2M
One of our clients, a trucking firm, was skeptical at first.
After integrating Rockerbox’s WOTC screening into their applicant and onboarding process, they discovered:
✅ 31% of new hires were eligible
✅ They averaged $2,491 per qualifying hire
✅ In 12 months, they unlocked $1.2 million in federal tax credits
All from a screening that takes less than 30 seconds per applicant.
3 Steps to Start Mining WOTC Today
- Embed screening into onboarding It must happen before or on the employee’s first day to qualify.
- Automate the paperwork Don’t rely on busy hiring managers to remember. Integration is key.
- Track your credits Make sure you’re receiving certifications and applying the credits properly.
Bottom Line
WOTC isn’t a tax loophole. It’s a legitimate incentive to help companies grow and create jobs. But if you’re not proactively screening, tracking, and claiming these credits, you’re leaving serious money on the table.
At Rockerbox, we help companies turn tax credits into cash flow—without adding any extra burden to your team.
Want to know how much you’re missing? Rockerbox will conduct a free, no obligation, “WOTC Optimization Audit” on your behalf. Please click here to learn how you can improve your WOTC program through the WOTC Optimization Audit!