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Federal Incentives

There are tax incentives available to help employers cover the cost of accommodations for employees with disabilities and to make their places of business accessible for employees and/or customers with disabilities.

Small Business Tax Credit: IRS Code Section 44, Disabled Access Credit

What is it?

Small businesses may take an annual tax credit for making their businesses accessible to persons with disabilities.
 

Who is eligible?

Small businesses that in the previous year earned a maximum of $1 million in revenue or had 30 or fewer full-time employees are eligible.

What is the amount?

The credit is 50 percent of expenditures over $250, not to exceed $10,250, for a maximum benefit of $5,000. The credit amount is subtracted from the total tax liability after calculating taxes.

What expenses are covered?

The credit is available every year and can be used for a variety of costs such as:
  • Sign language interpreters for employees or customers who have hearing impairments;
  • Readers for employees or customers who have visual impairments;
  • The purchase of adaptive equipment or the modification of equipment;
  • The production of print materials in alternate formats (e.g., Braille, audio tape, large print);
  • The removal of architectural barriers in buildings or vehicles.

What expenses are not covered?

The tax credit does not apply to the costs of new construction, and a building being modified must have been placed in service before November 5, 1990.

How can this credit be claimed?

Businesses can claim the Disabled Access Credit on IRS Form 8826.

Where can I obtain additional information?

Office of Chief Counsel, IRS
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20224
(202) 622-3110

Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction: IRS Code Section 190, Barrier Removal

What is it?

Businesses may take an annual deduction for expenses incurred to remove physical, structural, and transportation barriers for persons with disabilities at the workplace.

Who is eligible?

All businesses are eligible.

What is the amount?

Businesses may take a tax deduction of up to $15,000 a year for expenses incurred to remove barriers for persons with disabilities. Amounts in excess of the $15,000 maximum annual deduction may be depreciated.

What expenses are covered?

The deduction is available every year. It can be used for a variety of costs to make a facility or public transportation vehicle, owned or leased for use in the business, more accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. Examples include the cost of:
  • Providing accessible parking spaces, ramps, and curb cuts;
  • Providing telephones, water fountains, and restrooms which are accessible to persons using wheelchairs;
  • Making walkways at least 48 inches wide.

What expenses are not covered?

The deduction may not be used for expenses incurred for new construction, or for a complete renovation of a facility or public transportation vehicle, or for the normal replacement of depreciable property.

May I use the tax credit and tax deduction together?

Small businesses may use the credit and deduction together, if the expenses incurred qualify under both Sections 44 and 190. For example, if a business spent $12,000 for access adaptations, it would qualify for a $5,000 tax credit and a $7,000 tax deduction.

Are there limits on annual usage?

Although both the tax credit and deduction may be used annually, if a business spends more than may be claimed in one year, it cannot carry over those expenses and claim a tax benefit in the next year.

How can this credit be deducted?

The amount spent is subtracted from the total income of a business to establish its taxable income. In order for expenses to be deductible, accessibility standards established under the Section 190 regulations must be met.

Where can I obtain additional information?

Office of Chief Counsel, IRS
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20224
(202) 622-3110

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

What is it?

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), which replaces the Targeted Jobs Tax Credit (TJTC) program, provides a tax credit for employers who hire certain targeted low-income groups, including vocational rehabilitation referrals, former AFDC recipients, veterans, ex-felons, food stamp recipients, summer youth employees, and SSI recipients.

How does it apply to persons with disabilities?

Employers that hire individuals who are SSI recipients or certified vocational rehabilitation (VR) referrals and meet all of the criteria described below may claim the WOTC.
A VR referral is certified by the State Employment Security Agency (SESA) as: (1) Having a physical or mental disability resulting in a hindrance to employment, and (2) Referred to an employer upon completion of or while receiving rehabilitative services, pursuant to the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

What is the amount?

An employer may take a tax credit of up to 40 percent of the first $6,000, or up to $2,400, in wages paid during the first 12 months for each new hire.

What are the effective dates?

This program is subject to yearly Congressional renewal.

What are the Minimum Employment Requirements?

Eligible employees must work 180 days or 400 hours; summer youth must work 20 days or 120 hours. A partial credit of 25 percent for certified employees who worked at least 120, but less than 400 hours may be claimed by the employer.

What agency provides the WOTC certification?

The local State Employment Security Agency (SESA). How do I file for this credit? Complete and submit IRS Form 8850, Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request for the Work Opportunity and Welfare-to-Work Credits, to your local SESA.

How does it work?

  • The employer determines likely eligibility by including the WOTC Pre-Screening Notice as part of the application process.
  • On or before the day employment is offered, the Pre-Screening Notice must be signed by the employer and employee and mailed to the SESA within 21 days after the employee begins work.
  • The employer documents eligibility (based on information received from the employee) and submits documentation to the SESA.
  • SESA certifies which individuals are eligible for WOTC, and notifies the employer in writing for purposes of filing the tax credit.

Where can I obtain IRS Form 8850?

Call 800-829- 1040 (voice) or 800-829-4059 TTY or visit the IRS Website

Where can I obtain additional information?

U.S. Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration or call your State Employment Agency WOTC Coordinator or (202) 219-9092.

Maryland Disability Employment Tax Credit

What is it?

The Maryland Disability Employment Tax Credit (MDETC) is a Maryland State tax credit that allows employers to claim credit for employees with disabilities hired on or after October 1, 1997 but before June 30, 2002. For each taxable year a credit is allowed in an amount equal to 20% of up to the first $6000 ($1200) of wages paid during the fist year and again during the second year of employment. Also, under MDETC, employers can benefit from a tax credit for work-related childcare or transportation expenses paid by the employer. A credit of up to $600 of the qualified childcare or transportation expenses incurred during the first year of employment, and up to $500 for the second year. The MDETC may be claimed concurrently with any available federal tax credits for which the employee may be eligible.

The MDETC does not apply to:

  • Persons hired to replace laid-off employees or individuals on strike; or
  • A business simultaneously receiving federal or State employment training benefits; or
  • A business claiming a State tax credit under the "work not welfare" law for the same individual.
There are special provisions for employment lasting less than one year.

Who may qualify?

The tax credit is targeted to enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who have been certified by the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) as having met established criteria qualify for the MDETC. Once the individual is certified, the employer may claim the tax credit for the individual who has been hired.

How do employers obtain the tax credit?

  • Individuals with disabilities seeking employment may present a signed MDETC Voucher to the potential employer.
  • Upon hiring a person presenting a Voucher the employer will complete the employer's portion of the voucher and return it to DORS within 30 days.
  • If DORS determines that the individual is qualified for the tax credit, a Certificate of Eligibility for the MDETC will be returned to the employer.
  • The employer must retain the Certificate to document and justify including the tax credit on its tax return.
  • Presentation of a Voucher does not necessary mean that an individual meets the qualifications for a particular job.
  • Employers should use their usual screening and hiring methods in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in making hiring decisions.
Note: As a reminder, employers may not ask an applicant if he or she is a person with a disability for tax credit or other purposes.

Where to go for more information:

Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR)
Tax Credit Program
1100 N. Eutaw Street Rm# 201
Baltimore, MD 21201
Telephone: (410) 767-2080

 


 
 

 
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