Attractive Tax Benefits Offer Added Incentive for Employing People with Disabilities
Employers covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are required to meet various responsibilities concerning reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. But many businesses are unaware that several tax incentives are available to help offset the costs of accommodations and improve employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. These benefits include:
- The Small Business Tax Credit (IRS Code Section 44, Disabled Access Credit), which can be used by certain small businesses for architectural changes, equipment or services such as sign language interpreters;
- The Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction (IRS Code Section 190, Barrier Removal), which can be used by businesses of any size to make architectural and transportation modifications;
- The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and the Welfare to Work Tax Credit (WtWTC), which benefit employers who hire certain targeted low-income groups, including Social Security Insurance recipients or certified vocational rehabilitation referrals.
For more information about these tax incentives, visit the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Web site at www.dol.gov/odep, and the Employment section of www.DisabilityInfo.gov.
