Details of Public Law 116-127, section 7004 , Credit for Family Leave for Certain Self-Employed Individuals

This section provides a refundable income tax credit for an eligible self-employed individual for any taxable year an amount equal to 100% of the qualified family leave equivalent amounts, as defined. An eligible self-employed individual is one who carries on any trade or business and would be entitled to receive paid leave during the taxable year pursuant to the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA) if the individual were an employee of an employer (other than the individual themselves).

The term “qualified family leave equivalent amount” means an amount equal to the product of the number of days (not to exceed 50) during the taxable year that the individual is unable to perform services in any trade or business for a reason to which such individual would be entitled to receive paid leave under the EFMLEA if the individual were an employee of an employer (other than the individual themselves), multiplied by the lesser of: (i) 67% of the average daily self-employment income of the individual for the taxable year, or (ii) $200. The term “average daily self-employment income” means an amount equal to the net earnings from self-employment income of the individual for the taxable year, divided by 260.

An eligible self-employed individual must maintain such documentation as prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate) to qualify for the credit. In addition, this section denies a double benefit in the case of an individual who receives wages or compensation paid by an employer, which are required to be paid by reason of the EFMLEA. In this case, the qualified family leave equivalent amount would be reduced (but not below $0) to the extent that the sum of the qualified family leave equivalent amount and the wages described in PL 116-127, section 7003(b)(1) for the Payroll Credit for Required Paid Family Leave, exceeds $10,000.