Don’t let screening rates sink your WOTC ship
We often hear stories from our clients about their experiences with other WOTC providers—stories that highlight the high costs of unreliable or ineffective screening tools. One client shared how their previous WOTC provider had a low screening rate. They’d miss eligible candidates simply because the tool was difficult for applicants to use, and would go through long outages. As a result, they were leaving money on the table—tax credits they were rightfully entitled to—because they weren’t able to properly identify and screen all of their eligible employees in time.
This isn’t an isolated case. Time and time again, businesses find themselves in the same situation: frustrated, overwhelmed, and unsure why they’re not getting the benefits they expect. It’s not that they’re hiring the wrong people; it’s that they’re not properly screening the right people at the right time. If you’ve been relying on outdated or ineffective tools, you might be facing the same issue—and missing out on valuable savings.
In this post, we’ll walk you through why employee screening matters and how to avoid the common mistake of using unreliable tools, so you can maximize your WOTC benefits.
Why employee screening is so important for WOTC
To qualify for WOTC, your business needs to hire individuals from specific groups. The catch is that you have to identify these candidates before they’re hired, not after. If you wait until they’ve already started working, you might miss out on the tax credit. Many businesses make the mistake of not screening at all or doing it too late, which means eligible employees don’t get counted.
What to look for in a WOTC screening tool
If you want to make sure you’re screening applicants at high rates, a reliable WOTC screening tool is essential. Here’s what to look for when choosing the right one for your business:
1. Ease of use
Your screening tool should be easy for your applicants to use. Look for a tool with a simple, responsive design that makes the process as easy as possible. A good tool should seamlessly integrate into your existing hiring or onboarding process.
2. Automation
The best WOTC screening tools will help automate the process as much as possible. This means the tool should automatically send out the necessary forms to applicants and track responses for you. Automation reduces the chances of human error, helps you stay on top of deadlines, and ensures that no one slips through the cracks.
3. Compliance
WOTC comes with specific rules and regulations, and it’s crucial that your screening tool complies with these. Make sure the tool you choose is up-to-date with the latest guidelines from the IRS. It should also help you stay compliant with all documentation and reporting requirements, reducing your risk of audits or penalties.
4. Integration
Your screening tool should integrate easily with your existing HR software or applicant tracking system (ATS). This makes it easier to manage the screening process without switching between platforms. Look for a tool that can seamlessly sync with your other systems to track candidates’ WOTC eligibility and keep everything in one place.
5. Support
Finally, reliable customer support is crucial. If you have questions or run into issues with the tool, you’ll want to be able to reach someone who can help. Look for a tool that offers robust customer support.
Arvo Tech’s WOTC survey is the right choice for high screening rates
The biggest mistake businesses make when applying for WOTC is failing to properly screen their employees before they’re hired. To avoid this mistake and ensure your business is maximizing its WOTC benefits, investing in a reliable WOTC screening tool is a smart move. Look for one that’s easy to use, helps automate the process, keeps you compliant, and integrates with your existing systems.
Arvo Tech’s WOTC Survey is the right choice for achieving high screening rates, ensuring you don’t miss any eligible candidates and that the process runs smoothly. With its user-friendly design, automation features, and strong support, it makes screening easier and more accurate.
By using the right tool, you can make the screening process faster, more accurate, and more efficient—ultimately saving your business money through tax credits.