Your new 401(k) could be 100% covered

With thousands of dollars in tax credits available, your 401(k) plan costs don’t have to break the bank.

See the credits you may qualify for with a Guideline 401(k).

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Illustrative image of tax credits offsetting total annual cost.

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Businesses have been conditioned to believe that offering a 401(k) is expensive and overly complicated. Guideline proves it doesn't have to be this way.Client of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.

3 tax credits that could offset your 401(k) costs

Startup credit
You can claim up to $5,000 for the first three years to help cover the cost to offer a plan, reducing your business' federal income tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Auto-enrollment credit
Adding auto-enrollment to your company's plan could earn your business a tax credit of $500 per year for the first three years. All Guideline plan tiers qualify for this credit.
Employer contribution credit
Small businesses that choose to offer an employer contribution in a new 401(k) plan could be eligible for up to $1,000 in tax credits per eligible employee.

Calculator

See how little a 401(k) can cost

Use our calculator to explore the cost of starting a new 401(k), and how tax credits can help offset up to 100% of plan costs.¹

Pay it forward. Get a tax break.

A competitive employee package isn’t just about salary—it’s about security, stability, and the future. Offering a 401(k) - especially one with a match - tells employees you’re invested in their long-term success. Plus, there’s a lot of upside for your business too.

Compete for top talent with an employer match
Simplify plan admin with a Safe Harbor plan
Unlock the employer contribution credit
Lower your taxable business income

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See why 60,000+ businesses rely on Guideline

With a Guideline 401(k), you can provide an impactful benefit while minimizing paperwork and fees.

Better for you
All-in-one 401(k) experience
Our plans include the services and features needed for a great benefit. Guideline handles admin tasks for you, while automating your 401(k) management with custom-built payroll integrations.
Explore pricing plans
Better for your team
Seamless and supportive savings experience
With a guided saving experience, award-winning mobile app, and up to 6x lower fees² than the industry average, it’s easy for your employees to make the most of every dollar saved for retirement.
Explore our investment offerings

Unlock tax credit savings for free

We’ve partnered with MainStreet to help Guideline plan sponsors claim 401(k) tax credits for free³. Mainstreet’s team of tax code specialists can do the heavy lifting and help your business unlock savings. Learn more about MainStreet

AI-powered search
MainStreet’s AI-enhanced system will scan 77,000 pages of tax code to identify the credits you’re eligible for.
Prepared paperwork
They’ll then provide the paperwork for your businesses to include in next year’s tax filing.

Frequently asked questions

To make retirement benefits more accessible, Congress established retirement plan tax credits under the SECURE Act in 2019, which was then expanded with the SECURE 2.0 Act in 2022. These tax credits were introduced to help offset the costs of offering a 401(k), and in the case of the Employer contribution credit, offer an employer match to encourage employee participation and boost savings.

All 401(k) plans at Guideline include an auto-enrollment feature. For employees setting up a 401(k) for the first time, it can feel intimidating. Automatic enrollment helps takes indecisiveness and procrastination out of the picture and provide a seamless path to retirement savings.

SECURE 2.0 introduced the Auto-Enrollment credit, which offers businesses who include auto-enrollment as a feature of their plan $1,500 over the first 3 years of the plan.

Additionally, SECURE 2.0 included a provision that now requires all plans established after December 29, 2022 to include an automatic enrollment feature.

The employer contribution credit has limits that change over the first 5 years of the plan. Please see IRS guidelines for more information.

Certain small businesses may be eligible for an additional tax credit for employing the spouse of a member of the US armed forces, up to $300 for the first 3 years of the military spouse’s participation in the plan. Learn more

Eligible employers should fill out IRS Form 8881 to file and claim these tax credits. Please consult a tax advisor for more information.

Take advantage of tax credits.
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Your new 401(k) could be 100% covered

Startup credit

Auto-enrollment credit

Employer contribution credit

Calculator

See how little a 401(k) can cost

Pay it forward. Get a tax break.

All-in-one 401(k) experience

Seamless and supportive savings experience

Unlock tax credit savings for free

AI-powered search

Prepared paperwork

Frequently asked questions

Why are there so many different 401(k) tax credits?

Why do all Guideline plans qualify for the auto-enrollment credit?

Does the employer contribution credit cover all employer contributions over the first 5 years?

Are there any additional potential tax savings?

How do I claim these tax credits?

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