HARTFORD —Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined Acting Labor Commissioner Dennis C. Murphy, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, and Tom Phillips, President of Capital Workforce Partners, to hold a press conference celebrating a federal workforce tax credit that will encourage businesses to hire long-term unemployed workers and put Connecticut residents back to work. In the end of the year tax bill, Congress extended the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for five years and added additional incentives for businesses that employ long-term unemployed workers—workers who are unemployed for a for six months or longer.

Congress renewed the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which had expired on December 31, 2014. Now, the tax credit is retroactive for businesses for 2015 and is extended through 2019. It provides employers with a tax credit of between $1,200 and $9,600 per employee. The recently-passed tax bill also adds a $2,400 tax credit for first year wages paid to long-term unemployed workers.

“Creating a new job is not always an easy decision for businesses. This tax credit – which passed Congress with bipartisan support – may make the difference for Connecticut businesses that are thinking of hiring new workers,” said Senator Murphy. “As we continue to recover from the recession, those who have been out of work for the six months or more are still those who are struggling the most to get back on their feet and into the workforce. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is about those workers, and it’s a big help for businesses as well. Now that we have certainty that the tax credit is extended long-term, we need to get the word out to Connecticut businesses and residents looking for work that this resource is available to them.”

“This five-year extension of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit is great news for Connecticut’s employers and jobseekers,” said Acting Labor Commissioner Dennis C. Murphy. “With tax credits ranging from $1,200 to $9,600 available to companies hiring a new employee, the program allows us to provide an incentive for employers to grow their workforce, gets more people back to work, and ultimately helps to expand our state’s economy. I thank Senator Murphy for his work in extending this important program for another five years, and for his efforts in expanding the tax credit to include long-term unemployed individuals who can benefit from this incentive.”

“Jobs are key to making our streets safer, our neighborhoods stronger, and creating a sustainable tax base for our city," said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. "The five-year extension of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is great news for Hartford residents who have been trying unsuccessfully to find jobs, and great news for employers looking to help revitalize our city. I am thrilled to join Senator Murphy today to highlight these credits that will put our citizens back to work.”

“Federal support for workforce development contributes to the core of local and regional economies, and we are grateful that the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act will continue to benefit businesses, individuals and families in our region,” said Tom Phillips, President and CEO of Capital Workforce Partners.