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Small Business Tax Credit - Americans with Disabilities Act
Many small businesses complain when confronted with the expense of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Most do not realize that there are a number of tax incentives available to offset the costs. Importantly, one tax incentive comes in the form of a tax credit, which is far more valuable than a tax deduction when it comes to creating tax savings.
Disable Access Tax Credit
If you make your small business accessible to persons with disabilities, you can take an annual tax credit. Your business is eligible if you earned one million or less the previous year or had 30 or fewer employees. If you meet this test, you can claim a tax credit of 50 percent of your expenditures to a maximum of $5,000. Since this is a tax credit, it is deducted from your total tax liability.
To claim this tax credit your expenditures must be paid or incurred to enable your business to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Expenditures might include:
1. Purchase of adaptive equipment or modification of equipment;
2. Production of print materials in alternate formats such as Braille or audio; and
3. Sign language interpreters for employees or customers.
Modifications to buildings or offices also qualify as long as two criteria are met. First, the modifications cannot be construction of something new. Second, the building must have been in service prior to November 5, 1990.
Barrier Removal Tax Deduction
All businesses can take a tax deduction for expenditures incurred to remove physical, structural or transportation barriers for disabled individuals in the work place. This tax deduction carries no restrictions in regard to revenues earned or number of employees. Businesses may claim up to $15,000 a year as a tax deduction. Expenditure amounts exceeding this amount may also be claimed, but are subject to depreciation calculations.
To claim the barrier removal tax deduction, your expenditures must be related to making a facility or vehicle accessible to disabled persons. Examples include:
1. Providing ramps and curb cuts;
2. Making restrooms accessible to persons in wheelchairs; and
3. Expanding the width of sidewalks to at least 48 inches.
Significant Tax Break
Small business owners can double their tax saving pleasure by claiming both of these tax incentives in the same tax year. If a small business spent $20,000 creating wheelchair access to an office, it could take a $5,000 tax credit and a $15,000 tax deduction.
These tax incentives are in place to significantly reduce the burden of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you failed to claim the credit or deduction during the last three tax filing years, you should file amended tax returns to get a refund.
Richard Chapo is CEO of Business Tax Recovery - Obtaining tax refunds for small businesses by finding
overlooked tax deductions and credits through a free tax return review. |
Tax Related News
Webcast To Discuss New Tax-Exempt Legislation (SmartPros Accounting)March 12, 2007 (SmartPros) This month's edition of Tax Talk Today, a Webcast sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service, will feature information on changes affecting tax-exempt organizations, the people who donate to those organizations, and tax-related property appraisals of donated items.
District Seeks To Send Message With Tax Plan (The Express-Times)U. MT. BETHEL TWP. | The Bangor Area School Board last week formalized a new taxing proposal despite scores of people opposing the plan. District voters will decide in May whether to create a 1.65 percent personal income tax in exchange for an estimated $537 in property tax rebates.
Technology And Tax Filing (CBS News)It's tax season, and with all the options out there, filing can be a little confusing. Ray Hennessey, Editor of SmartMoney.com, offers some advice on using tax software to file and when it may be best to file with a tax pro.
Middle-class Tax Relief (The Decatur Daily)MONTGOMERY — If you make less than $100,000 per year, you could save anywhere between $25 and $375 from Gov. Bob Riley’s proposed income tax cuts. The amount will depend on your marital status, number of dependents and income.
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