Innovation Refunds' CEO Howard Makler Discusses How Businesses Can Protect Themselves From Bad Players in the Employee Retention Credit Industry

Dec 13, 2022
Many businesses are entitled to the Employee Retention Credit created under the CARES Act, and Innovation Refunds is encouraging them to learn more about the process to get the most out of their refund and avoid engaging with any bad actors in the space.

DES MOINES, Iowa - December 13, 2022 - (Newswire.com)

While Innovation Refunds and other turnkey tax solution providers have been helping thousands of businesses secure life-changing ERCs (Employee Retention Credits) over the past two years, other players within the space have emerged with less than honorable intentions. According to Innovation Refunds CEO Howard Makler, several ERC mills have been taking advantage of small, vulnerable companies by charging exorbitant fees for ERC verifications and by taking huge percentages of the credit funding upon its approval and issuing. 

Congress launched the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) program under the CARES Act in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. The program encourages businesses to keep employees on their payroll by providing refundable tax credits that cover 50% of wages paid by an eligible employer, up to $10,000. Certain companies have qualified for payroll tax refunds of up to $26,000 per employee, even if they have received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds.

The rules and regulations tied to ERC tax credits have been revised multiple times under the CARES Act. This has led to constant confusion among business owners regarding the program's eligibility requirements. As a result, a litany of ERC companies have surfaced to meet the demand for specialized assistance with the verification and application processes. Often, these firms only manage ERC tax refunds and are always up to date with the latest regulations. 

However, per Makler, there are a few key indicators that business owners can use to differentiate real ERC companies from the bad players. By arming themselves with this knowledge, business owners and executives can avoid engaging with corrupt organizations altogether. 

Makler noted how the first red flag small businesses should be wary of is any mention of an ERC verification or qualification fee. The verification process itself should have no associated costs whatsoever. 

"The Innovation Refunds team has conducted hundreds of verification checks since the launch of the ERC program, never once having charged a small business for said service. Innovation Refunds and other legitimate ERC companies only request payment from small businesses after they have received their tax credit returns," said Makler. 

Makler went on to advise small businesses to do their research when it comes to evaluating ERC-focused firms. Evaluating whether an ERC business has any partnerships in place is critical to determining its level of credibility.  

"Testimonials and a proven track record are essential," said Makler." "We have helped over 60 community banks educate their clients on ERC, most of which could speak to the value we have brought them through our services and support." 

Ultimately, Makler and the Innovation Refunds team want small businesses to acknowledge the existence of the malicious actors within the space while still making the effort to seek the tax return credits they need and deserve. 

"Navigating the ever-changing and confusing world of ERC can be challenging, but conducting quality research into the firms that are supposed to be helping you secure your tax return credit can be the difference between receiving critical support from the government and losing out big time," said Makler.  

As quarterly rollbacks begin to limit ERC claims in the coming months, the Innovation Refunds team aims to serve as a voice of education. Please visit https://www.innovationrefunds.com/ for more information. 

About Innovation Refunds

Our mission is to assist small and medium-sized businesses to attain cash incentives from federal and state governments.

Innovation Refunds began providing its services in 2020. Since then, it has been able to provide financial solutions to thousands of companies, with billions in cash refunds available for small and medium-sized businesses.

To learn more, visit www.innovationrefunds.com. 


Contact Information:
Maria Penaloza
[email protected]


Press Release Service by Newswire.com

Original Source: Innovation Refunds' CEO Howard Makler Discusses How Businesses Can Protect Themselves From Bad Players in the Employee Retention Credit Industry
More News
China cinemas tap into Zheng tennis fever gripping country ahead of women’s final
Oct 11, 2026
China cinemas tap into Zheng tennis fever gripping country ahead of women’s final

Cinemas across China will throw open their doors for a special showing on Sunday, but it isn’t the latest blockbuster fans are flocking to see – it’s tennis star Zheng Qinwen. The Olympic champion has finally broken her country’s China Open curse, and will be the first home player to compete in a singles final, men’s or women’s, since Chen Li lost to Chinese Taipei’s Wang Shi-ting in 1996. With the National Tennis Centre in Beijing selling out, cinemas across the mainland have opted to show the...

Erling Haaland confirms huge purchase as dad Alfie meets with Pep Guardiola
Oct 11, 2026
Erling Haaland confirms huge purchase as dad Alfie meets with Pep Guardiola

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has confirmed that he has bought a new property in Abu Dhabi, just a week after the club were found guilty of 114 Premier League charges.

IND vs WI 3rd T20I in Indore today: What should be India's ploy to stop West Indies' Shai Hope? Strategies explained
Oct 11, 2026
IND vs WI 3rd T20I in Indore today: What should be India's ploy to stop West Indies' Shai Hope? Strategies explained

Shai Hope's last five international games against India saw scores of 12, 104, 162 not out (all ODIs), 52 and 102 not out (all T20Is). Notably, Hope's dismissals have come against spinners. 

Liverpool's clash with Man City is a ghost game that may as well be played in a circus tent: Grudge match starts slow period of torture for the top flight after guilty verdict - and Anfield's anger is real, writes OLIVER HOLT
Oct 11, 2026
Liverpool's clash with Man City is a ghost game that may as well be played in a circus tent: Grudge match starts slow period of torture for the top flight after guilty verdict - and Anfield's anger is real, writes OLIVER HOLT

OLIVER HOLT: There was a time when any Premier League clash between these two sides would have been regarded as the best advertisement for the English game that there could be. Not anymore.

"We Don't Have Enough Quality": India Great's Brutal Verdict After 2nd T20I Loss To West Indies
Oct 11, 2026
"We Don't Have Enough Quality": India Great's Brutal Verdict After 2nd T20I Loss To West Indies

Batting first, India posted 249/5 in the second T20I against West Indies. The Shreyas Iyer-led side failed to defend it as Windies replied with 252/4 in 18.3 overs.

Roos get past Dockers as Blues and Hawks taste victory
Oct 11, 2026
Roos get past Dockers as Blues and Hawks taste victory

North Melbourne recovers from an early scare to beat Fremantle, while Carlton and Hawthorn triumph over Sydney and Brisbane respectively.

Revealed: England WAGs' VERY boozy night out on eve of Golden Generation's disastrous 2006 World Cup campaign as waitress unearths receipt 20 YEARS later
Oct 11, 2026
Revealed: England WAGs' VERY boozy night out on eve of Golden Generation's disastrous 2006 World Cup campaign as waitress unearths receipt 20 YEARS later

Coleen Rooney (formerly McLoughlin) and Alex Gerrard, the now wives of two of England's top talents in that team, were at Garibaldi's in the German spa town of Baden-Baden.

Australia's Matt Renshaw Surpasses Virat Kohli's Unique Test Record After Slamming 190 vs South Africa
Oct 11, 2026
Australia's Matt Renshaw Surpasses Virat Kohli's Unique Test Record After Slamming 190 vs South Africa

Australian batter Matt Renshaw surpassed Virat Kohli's record for the most runs scored while batting with the tail in a Test innings since 2002.

IND vs WI 3rd T20I: From Axar Patel to Arshdeep Singh—3 Indians who have most to prove in Indore after Ranchi loss
Oct 11, 2026
IND vs WI 3rd T20I: From Axar Patel to Arshdeep Singh—3 Indians who have most to prove in Indore after Ranchi loss

India will hope to take a 2-1 lead when they take on West Indies in the third T20I in Indore on Sunday. 

Bangladesh Pacer Hasan Mahmud Scripts History With Test Hat-Trick Against Afghanistan
Oct 11, 2026
Bangladesh Pacer Hasan Mahmud Scripts History With Test Hat-Trick Against Afghanistan

Hasan Mahmud became the first Bangladeshi fast bowler to take a Test hat-trick during a match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.

NFL Hands 10 Players Major Fines After Dangerous Week 4 Fouls
Oct 11, 2026
NFL Hands 10 Players Major Fines After Dangerous Week 4 Fouls

Five hip-drop tackles feature among 10 major Week 4 safety fines, with Jack Campbell, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Nick Emmanwori punished under the NFL’s tougher disciplinary policy.

Live: Steve Smith takes back-to-back blinders to decimate South Africa
Oct 11, 2026
Live: Steve Smith takes back-to-back blinders to decimate South Africa

Two glorious pieces of slips fielding by Steve Smith sees him become the greatest catcher in Tests as South Africa struggles in its pursuit of Australia's first-innings 390 at Kingsmead. Follow live.

YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.

Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?

Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.

About Us

Everybody can’t get enough of sports be it football, rugby, cricket even athletics. From local cup to super cup to world cup, there’s enough sports to be enjoyed every minute of every day

Copyright © 2015 - 2026 Daily Sports Club. All Rights Reserved.