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/ Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Puerto Rico Treasury Issues Returnto-Work Incentives Program Rules Report from O’Neill & Borges outlines the details
T
THE WEEKLY JOURNAL Staff
he Puerto Rico Treasury Department has issued Circular Letter 2021-18, establishing the rules to apply for the Returnto-Work Incentive Program announced by Gov. Pedro Pierluisi in June 2021, according to a report by San Juan-based law firm O’Neill & Borges LLC. The program has up to $150 million for eligible individuals on the island who return to work before Sept. 4, 2021 in industries such as hospitality, restaurants, agriculture and construction. “The Return-to-Work Incentive Program aims to help Puerto Rico emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and assist industries in need of economic development, making available up to $150 million for eligible individuals who return to the workforce in specific industries before Sept. 4, 2021. Of the total amount available, $50 million is allocated for eligible individuals returning to work in restaurants and bars; $20 million for the hospitality industry, $30 million for the agriculture industry, and $30 million is available for the construction industry,” as per the report, written by O’Neill & Borges attorneys José F. Benítez and Laura E. Díaz, of the firm’s
Eligible employees must meet all the following Labor and Employment Department. criteria: The program rules adopted in Treasury’s • Be receiving Pandemic Unemployment Circular Letter 2021-18, which was issued on Aug. 30, establishes that eligible employees may receive Assistance (PUA) up until the date in which they started working in an eligible industry; an initial award payment of $500 when hired • Stopped claiming unemployment benefits before Sept. 4, 2021, and award payment of $1,500 upon receiving offer of employment in an eligible if they meet the eligibility requirements provided in the Circular Letter. Both awards are paid directly industry; • Start working with a new employer with an to the employee, according to the two attorneys. eligible NAICS code, as provided in CC-21-18; The program operates as part of the federal • Secure part-time or full-time employment with government’s Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery an eligible employer between July 1, 2021, and Fund. Sept. 4, 2021; As provided in the Circular • Commit to abide by the Letter, the eligibility criteria for program’s terms and conditions; participating in the program are and the following: • Agree to return program Eligible employers must meet funds if it is determined that all the following criteria: The program has he or she did not comply • Be a private sector employer; up to $150 million for with the program’s eligibility • Be an active business at the eligible individuals requirements. moment of applying for the grant; in Puerto Rico who The final award payment • Be engaged in the food and return to work of $1,500 is subject to the beverage (bars and restaurants), before Sept. 4, employee’s continued hospitality, agriculture or 2021 in industries employment for at least 90 construction industries; such as hospitality, days since the initial award • Be duly registered in the restaurants, payment was received by eligible Merchants Registry of the agriculture and employees. Department of the Treasury, and construction. Applications must be have at least one of the NAICS submitted through the Puerto Codes listed in CC-21-18 as their Rico Department of Treasury’s main trade or business activity; SURI system starting on Aug. 30, and 2021. Treasury expects initial award payments to • Have filed a 2020 Puerto Rico Income Tax be disbursed by Sept. 30, 2021, and final payments Return or a Request for Extension of Time to File between Dec. 6, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021, according the Income Tax Return (Form AS 2644) for taxable to O’Neill & Borges. year 2020.
In fact,
