Clear I-9, a leader in electronic I-9 compliance software, and Hirezon, an HR technology company offering a full suite of human resources management solutions, have formed a strategic partnership to make hiring faster, more accurate, and fully compliant.
On August 14, 2025, HRlogics and Tri-Merit hosted a webinar to help employers, HR leaders, and accounting professionals prepare for the uncertain future of federal hiring credits, including the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and Federal Empowerment Zone (FEZ). With both programs set to expire on December 31, 2025, the conversation centered on what’s at stake, what’s likely to happen next, and how businesses can protect themselves in the meantime.
During the session, presenters shared the legislative history of WOTC, showing that while expirations have occurred before, Congress has consistently authorized retroactive renewals. Attendees learned why it’s risky to pause screening now, and how platforms like Ryze can flag and hold candidates to ensure credits are preserved regardless of renewal timing.
The webinar also covered actionable next steps, including how to:
Contact federal legislators using ready-to-send templates to advocate for credit continuation.
• Identify state and local tax credits that are often overlooked, such as FICA Tip Credits, youth hiring programs, and state-level incentives.
• Engage CPAs in conversations about missed opportunities using data-driven insights rather than assumptions.
By the end of the session, attendees walked away with a clear understanding of:
• The legislative status and renewal history of WOTC and FEZ.
• Why businesses should continue screening new hires despite the looming expiration.
• How to leverage Ryze to map federal, state, and local opportunities in seconds and uncover hidden credits.
Next Steps:
For businesses, the priority is to continue screening employees, prepare advocacy outreach, and evaluate additional credits already available at the state level. Using Ryze, employers can quantify their potential savings and enter discussions with CPAs better equipped to capture every opportunity.
Results:
The message was clear—employers who act now can protect thousands of dollars per hire, reduce tax burdens through state credits, and safeguard their position ahead of any legislative decision on WOTC and FEZ.
About Clear I-9 by HRlogics
Clear I-9 is an electronic I-9 platform developed by HRlogics and built by immigration law professionals. It helps employers manage Form I-9 compliance with ease - supporting remote verification, audit readiness, and real-time error prevention. It’s part of HRlogics’ suite of workforce compliance solutions, which includes tax credit recovery, income verification, and unemployment cost management.
About Hirezon
Hirezon is a leading provider of HR technology solutions that help institutions and employers streamline
recruiting, onboarding, and workforce management. Our platform includes applicant tracking,
performance evaluation and management, HR forms automation, and MyReferred™—a community-
driven talent acquisition platform—with seamless I-9 and E-Verify compliance powered by our Clear I-9
partnership. With Hirezon, organizations gain efficiency, compliance, and a more engaged workforce.
Ready to connect recruiting and compliance in one step? Let's talk.
