To qualify for ERC in 2020, businesses must have paid qualified wages to employees from March 13, 2020, through December 31, 2020. To qualify for ERC in 2021, businesses must have paid qualified wages to employees during the period of January 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021. Businesses classified as recovery startup businesses may also be able to claim a credit for wages paid from October 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021.