Usually, in order to claim this tax credit you must submit IRS Form 8850 to the state workforce agency within 28 days of the first day of employment of a member of a targeted group. However, if you hired any worker between January 1, 2015, and August 31, 2016, from a targeted group other than a long-term unemployment recipient (or a long-term unemployment recipient between January 1, 2016, and August 31, 2016), you can submit the form through September 28, 2016, to claim the credit on your 2015 tax return for 2015 hires (2016 for long-term unemployment recipients). Originally, the extended deadline had been June 30, 2016. Note: A long-term unemployment recipient is someone unemployed for at least 27 weeks and receiving government unemployment benefits.