Hiring Veterans

Employers recognize the value military service brings to the workplace. Veterans bring experience, skills and leadership abilities that strengthen the Texas workforce.

Why Hire a Veteran?

• Leadership — veterans are trained to be leaders and managers.
• Professionalism — veterans know the importance of integrity and respect, respect that gives your team a winning edge.
• Responsibility — veterans know what it means to be accountable for valuable human and material resources.
• Mission-Critical Skills — veterans undergo trade-related and technical training that often relates directly to civilian jobs.
• Physical Conditioning — veterans know the value of being in top physical condition and drug free.
• Can-Do Attitude — veterans carry and apply a positive attitude to get the job done.
• Calm under Fire — veterans are steady, cool, and collected. Handling stress is all in a day’s work for veterans.
• First-Class Image — veterans don't have to be reminded to get a haircut. Whether in uniform or a business suit, veterans know how to dress for success.
• On Time, All the Time — veterans know that every second counts and will be there on time.
• Global Perspective — veterans are tuned in to the forces and events that shape the global market.

Tax Benefits for Employers

Federal tax benefits may be available to employers that hire veterans under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). Employers can receive up to a $9,600 tax credit by hiring a veteran.  Tax credits currently are available for hires in the following categories of veterans:

Employers also can receive tax credits by hiring individuals from one of several non-veteran target groups. For more information, see Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

Employers hiring multiple WOTC-qualified employees can see a significant reduction in their federal income taxes. These benefits are explained and claimed on IRS Form 5884.

Another program that might benefit employers is the U.S. Department of Defense Mentor-Protégé Program, which allows certain government contractors to receive reimbursements for training or incidental costs associated with training physically-challenged veterans.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) provides that returning service members are reemployed in the job that they would have attained had they not been absent for military service, with the same seniority, status, and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority. USERRA also requires that reasonable efforts (such as training or retraining) be made to enable returning service members to refresh or upgrade their skills to help them qualify for reemployment. The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service provides information on complying with the requirements of USERRA.

If you have questions about the benefits of hiring veterans or have an open position you would like to fill with a veteran, please contact TWC's Texas Veterans Leadership Program team at 888-VET-TEX1 or tvlp@twc.texas.gov, or your local Veterans Resource and Referral Specialist.