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The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted small and medium-sized businesses. To provide relief, the government introduced the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) to help eligible companies access vital funds. Could your business be missing out on these much-needed resources? Dive into this guide to learn how the ERC works and discover the best ERC companies to help you secure your refund.
>> Get ERC Benefits With ERC Specialists >>
What Is Employee Retention Credit?
Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a tax credit available to businesses choosing to retain their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a refundable grant made possible by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act established in 2020.
In effect, companies affected by shutdowns or significant declines in gross receipts in 2020 and 2021 may be eligible for financial help from the government. Only small to medium-sized businesses can benefit from the package.
Employers can receive up to $26,000 per employee retained as part of a greater pandemic relief fund. Collecting up to $5,000 for each employee in 2020 and $7,000 per employee for the first three quarters of 2021 is possible. The amount your company is eligible for depends on qualified wages and any healthcare paid to your team.
The 7 Best ERC Companies for 2025
- ERC Specialists – Best Overall
- Bottom Line Concepts – Maximizing Savings & Profitability
- Omega Accounting Solutions – Best for Bridge Loans
- Lendio – Best for Business Financing
- ERC Today – Best for Quick Processing
- Innovation Refunds – Best for Protecting Your Money
- ERC Assistant – Best for Business Knowledge
When searching for the best ERC companies, we evaluated several factors: service costs, availability of bridge loans, the overall qualification process, processing time to file a claim, and other unique features.
| ERC Company | Pricing | Bridge Loan Availability | Qualifying Process | Processing Time | Other Features |
| ERC Specialists | A portion based on the refund received | No | Detailed qualification questionnaire | Lightning-fast results | Team of payroll specialists |
| Bottom Line Concepts | Based on your grant | No | Short form followed by a phone call or email | Not Listed | Quiz to see if you qualify |
| Omega Accounting Solutions | Not listed | Yes, financing in as little as three days | Free 10 minute consultation | Not Listed | Employee Retention Credit calculator |
| Lendio | 15% of your refund | Yes, funds in as little as 24 hours | Simple eligibility questionnaire | Takes on average 25 days to file | Payroll system integrations, mobile app |
| ERC Today | A portion based on the refund received | No | 12-question initial application | 1-2 weeks to file | Secure portal |
| Innovation Refunds | 25% of your refund | No | 8-minute online application | Not Listed | Audit protection, dedicated ERC refund agent |
| ERC Assistant | Not listed | No | 45-second qualification quiz | Not Listed | Business owner knowledge |
ERC Specialists: Best ERC Company for Maximizing Your Refund
| Pricing | Based on a portion of the refund received |
| Star Rating | 4.4 |
ERC Specialists enter the picture with decades of payroll experience already under their belt. Because Employee Retention Credits come through payroll returns and not income taxes, this gives the team a leg up. As a result, the average business earns 10% to 20% more than someone less familiar with the program. Processing speed with ERC Specialists is through the roof, allowing you to get paid that much faster.
Why we chose it: ERC Specialists lives up to its name, averaging higher refunds than other companies in the industry.
- Typically able to recover 10-20% more than other companies
- Decades of payroll experience
- Lightning-fast results
- Unclear pricing fees
- Lengthy qualification process
- No loan options
Pricing: There’s no set rate for working with ERC Specialists. The amount you pay depends on your refund. You can pay after you receive your money or earn a discount for paying upfront.
Bridge Loans Available
While ERC Specialists has a lot to offer, it doesn’t have bridge loans to take advantage of. If your company is hurting financially from the pandemic, consult a bank or lending institution for funding options.
Qualifying Process
A detailed questionnaire guides you through the qualification process. After you complete the form, someone from ERC Specialists will contact you to determine whether you’re entitled to a refund.
Processing Time
ERC Specialists boast a faster turnaround time due to a streamlined process. Reviewing your paperwork and sending documents to sign usually takes a few weeks.
Other Features
Most ventures offering assistance with Employee Retention Credits lack the payroll knowledge necessary to maximize your grant. ERC Specialists has decades of experience in the space, allowing its team to understand the process fully.
>> Trust ERC Specialists for ERC Success! >>
Bottom Line Concepts: Best Overall ERC Company
| Pricing | Based on your grant |
| Star Rating | 4.7 |
Bottom Line Concepts has a proven track record with ERC grants. They’ve worked with well-known organizations like Rolex, GNC, and even the Boston Red Sox to reclaim funds from the COVID pandemic.
Its team has a solid understanding of the grant process, earning back over $1.2 billion to date. Best of all, Bottom Line Concepts only gets paid based on the amount it brings in for your company. There’s no risk of losing funds if you don’t qualify.
Why we chose it: Bottom Line Concepts goes to work for you, maximizing your grant amount with its proven process.
- Worked with several well-known companies
- Over $1.2 billion in credits recovered
- No risk for your business
- Undisclosed pricing
- It can take a bit of time to get a call back
- Only contactable through the online form
Pricing: Bottom Line Concepts doesn’t reveal any pricing information on its website. You only have to pay if the company earns some grant money for you.
Bridge Loans Available
There are no bridge loans available through Bottom Line Concepts. If you need some funds to cover a gap in operations, you’ll have to turn to a bank or lending company.
Qualifying Process
On its website, you’ll find a short form you can use to see if you qualify. The series of questions are specifically formulated to determine eligibility, even if it’s for a shorter window than the program allows. Once finished, an employee from Bottomline Solutions will call you to continue the process.
Processing Time
Bottom Line Concepts has a division dedicated to Employee Retention Credits that serves a large audience of clients. The easy-to-follow process helps expedite your refund, although Bottom Line Concepts has no control over how quickly the IRS processes your money.
Other Features
The team at Bottom Line Concepts has an intricate knowledge of the ERC filing process. An easy-to-follow questionnaire ensures you qualify for a refund and defines precisely what you’re entitled to.
>> Maximize ERC Refunds With Bottom Line Concepts! >>
Omega Accounting Solutions: Best ERC Company for Bridge Loans
| Pricing | Not listed |
| Star Rating | 4.6 |
Omega Accounting Solutions may not have control over the IRS, but the company processes everything quickly on its end. It starts with a free ten-minute consultation and a walkthrough for uploading your documents. The ERC calculator gives you a good idea of how much you’ll receive when the time comes. If you can’t wait that long, Omega Accounting Solutions has bridge loans to keep you afloat.
Why we chose it: Omega Accounting Solutions has a fast application process, and within minutes, you’ll have a rough idea of your owed amount.
- Offers bridge loans
- Quick application process
- Features an ERC calculator
- Doesn’t offer pricing information
- Somewhat confusing setup
- Smaller client base
Pricing: Omega’s website doesn’t provide pricing details. During your free consultation, inquire about the costs for your specific case.
Bridge Loans Available
Omega Funding Solutions is an offshoot of the parent company and offers bridge loans. Your eligible amount depends on your expected ERC refund amount when filing. You won’t have to pay anything upfront and can see funds in as little as three days.
Qualifying Process
The qualifying process starts with a simple form on Omega Accounting Solutions’ website. If you qualify based on the initial questions, an agent will call you for a free ten-minute consultation.
Processing Time
Omega walks you through only three simple steps, assuming you meet the criteria. First, you’ll need to upload pertinent documents to the website. Afterward, company experts will calculate your refund and prepare the filing for you.
Other Features
Even before submitting your paperwork, Omega Accounting Solutions tempers your expectations with an ERC calculator for your team. There’s no need to pay a dime until you know what’s coming your way.
>> Trust Omega Accounting Solutions for ERC Success >>
Lendio: Best ERC Company for Business Financing
| Pricing | 15% of your refund |
| Star Rating | 4.4 |
Lendio stands out for the many ways it can finance your company so you can stay in top form. Whether you need money for equipment, accounts receivable, or something else, Lendio has something for you. In most cases, you’ll have cash within 24 hours. Rates for ERC processing are among the best out there, and a handy mobile app makes it possible to apply no matter where you may be.
Why we chose it: Lendio has a long list of financing opportunities for acquisitions, equipment, and general use to keep you in business while you wait for a refund.
- Several financing options available
- Competitive fees for ERC processing
- Handy mobile app
- Lengthy application times
- Doesn’t focus solely on ERC
- Limited information on lenders
Pricing: There’s no fee for checking eligibility or applying for a refund with Lendio. However, when the funds are received, the company takes a competitive 15% for its part of the process.
Bridge Loans Available
Lendio does bridge loans and then some. You can get general loans within 24 hours of applying with reasonable payback rates. The company also offers specialized loans with generous terms to help get your business to the next level.
Qualifying Process
Everything starts out simple enough with Lendio’s quick questionnaire. If you pass the test, an agent will reach out to help you complete the process.
Processing Time
There’s some lag when walking through the application process with Lendio. It takes, on average, 25 days to file your claim with the IRS. From there, you’re at the mercy of the government to get what’s owed you.
Other Features
Filling out paperwork can be a drag, so Lendio integrates with over 150 payroll applications to speed up the process. You can submit claims from your PC or use the excellent mobile app to apply from anywhere with an internet connection.
>> Trust Lendio for ERC Success! >>
ERC Today: Best ERC Company for Quick Processing
| Pricing | A portion based on the refund received |
| Star Rating | 4.2 |
ERC Today may be your best bet if you want a fast refund. Its system gets you through filing in as little as seven days so the IRS can process your claim. This is all ERC Today does, and they’ve become experts at working through the red tape without cutting corners. A secure client portal is in place to protect your sensitive information from the internet at large.
Why we chose it: ERC Today’s simple and flexible system allows you to file claims in as little as seven days.
- Faster processing times
- Dedicated to Employee Retention Credits
- Secure application process
- No bridge loans for businesses
- Nontransparent fees
- Doesn’t link up with your payroll system
Pricing: ERC Today doesn’t clearly show how much it takes from your refund as a cost of doing business. The filing process is free, and you’ll find out how much the company plans to keep along the way.
Bridge Loans Available
As a specialist in getting you a refund, ERC Today doesn’t dabble in bridge loans or other extra perks. Its goal is to get you money as quickly as possible by expediting your filing.
Qualifying Process
A 12-question initial application stands between you and knowing whether or not you qualify for a grant. Once given the okay, you’ll get access to a secure portal to upload your documents.
Processing Time
From start to finish, ERC Today takes approximately one to two weeks to submit your claim to the IRS. It has one of the fastest processing times and is also one of the most accurate.
Other Features
ERC Today has program experts ready to help you with your claim without dealing with slowdowns from your payroll company. Everything you need to submit passes through a secure portal, so you know your information is safe.
>> Trust ERC Today for ERC Success! >>
Innovation Refunds: Best ERC Company for Protecting Your Money
| Pricing | 25% of your refund |
| Star Rating | 4.3 |
File confidently through Innovation Refunds, where a team of tax attorneys scrutinizes your Employee Retention Credit paperwork. They don’t get paid until you do, and the network will defend their work should the IRS come knocking. Innovation Refunds assigns a dedicated ERC refund specialist to your claim, so you’re not using a computer algorithm. Fees may be higher, but you’re left with no surprises.
Why we chose it: A power-packed team of tax attorneys and free audit protection ensure you get the most out of your refund while keeping those funds safe.
- Team of tax attorneys to defend work
- Dedicated ERC refund specialist
- Audit protection at no extra cost
- Takes 25% of your refund
- The qualification process is longer than some
- No options for loans
Pricing: Innovation Refunds will take 25% off the top of your Employee Retention Credit for the work it puts in to earn you money. Since the company’s profit is tied to yours, you can rest knowing you’ll get the most possible. There are no hidden costs, so you know what you’ll pay from start to finish.
Bridge Loans Available
To focus all its energy on getting you money, Innovation Refunds doesn’t provide bridge loans to cover gaps in your income. If you can’t hold on until your check arrives, look to your bank for financing options.
Qualifying Process
The claim process begins by seeing if you’re eligible for a grant and then sets out to get you the most money possible. Because of this, the form can take upwards of eight minutes to complete.
Processing Time
You’re dealing with a real person at Innovation Refunds, which means actual business hours. Agents respond and work through claims quickly and efficiently, but they’ll take the time to ensure you get what you deserve.
Other Features
When you sign on to use Innovation Refunds, you’re put in touch with an actual agent who sees your claim through to the end. There’s no jumping from person to person or dealing with algorithms that make assumptions about your company. Once you receive your cash, Innovation Refunds protects you from audits at its own expense.
>> Trust Innovation Refunds for ERC Success! >>
ERC Assistant: Best ERC Company for Business Knowledge
| Pricing | Not listed |
| Star Rating | 4.5 |
The ERC Assistant is a crew of business owners who know the system well. After receiving over $1.5 million more than estimated, the team set out to get other companies similar success. If you prequalify, ERC Assistant will set you up with the right firm to get what you deserve. Qualifying for your grant is a breeze, thanks to the ERC Assistant’s 45-second questionnaire.
Why we chose it: ERC Assistant has the backing of business owners who have been through the process to get you the maximum refund for your company.
- Formed by a team of fellow business owners
- Accounting firm recommendations
- Quick qualification process
- No pricing information listed
- Doesn’t offer bridge loans
- Results aren’t guaranteed
Pricing: Setting up your approval through ERC Assistant is free. The company doesn’t share pricing information, but the cut depends on what you get back.
Bridge Loans Available
ERC Assistant doesn’t offer bridge loans. Its team will connect you with the best firm to get your refund quickly. If you need immediate help, you’ll need to look for a reputable lender.
Qualifying Process
Thanks to ERC Assistant’s quick qualifying process, you’ll know if you have a shot at a refund within 45 seconds. If you meet the requirements, someone from the team will contact you to discuss the next steps.
Processing Time
Since ERC Assistant isn’t an accounting firm, it takes a little time to choose the right one for you. Filing goes more smoothly with the best firm in your pocket.
Other Features
In a stuffy office, ERC Assistant is run by other business owners, not employees. They’ve been through the process and know exactly what it takes to get the biggest grant for your small to medium business.
>> Trust ERC Assistant for ERC Success >>
Methodology for the Best ERC Companies
ERC companies are popping up left and right, but that doesn’t mean each one works the same way. We used the following criteria when picking out the best ERC companies you can use to file a claim and earn that refund:
- Pricing: An Employee Retention Credit check does little good if the processing company takes every last penny. We identified these costs to the best of our ability so you can plan ahead.
- Bridge Loan Availability: If you’re hurting from lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a bridge loan can hold you over until the government hands you an ERC check. We looked for companies offering such loans so you can keep everything in-house.
- Qualifying Process: Much to our dismay, not everyone is eligible for Employee Retention Credits. A simple qualification process can tell you upfront whether you can submit a claim and the approximate amount you can collect. We studied the time it takes to reach this determination so you can get back to your business.
- Processing Time: No company can change how long the IRS processes your claim. Quicker processing times can get your documentation in front of the government faster, leading to money in your pocket in less time. We strove to find companies with quick turnarounds.
- Other Features: All ERC companies can get you a refund, but some offer additional perks to really stand out. We made sure to cover these features and how you can use them.
>> Get ERC Benefits With ERC Specialists >>
Best ERC Companies – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Noah is an American copywriter on a mission to help clarify the nuances of the business world through unique insights stemming from backgrounds in both engineering and the medical field. When not working, you’ll likely find him running or traveling.
